Getting close to the feeling of a live gig - so soundstage, air and musicality are paramount to me over audiophile jargon as timing, coloured sounding etc.
Musically probably mainly into rock (Hendrix, Santana, Black Crowes etc. ) and blues (SRV, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters etc. ) but quite varied otherwise.
System sounds great, although next possible upgrade will be speakers as I hope to be moving soon (see my discussion thread) and just general looking for a change/upgraditis.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a definate Shahinian fan and wish more people took time out to see what the fuss is about the relativley publicity shy brand - truly AMAZING bang for your Buck in the world of hi-end audio!!
System consists of:
MF Nu-Vista M3 super intergrated tube/transistior hybrid AMP
MF Tri-Vista 2 tube dac
Sony CDP X-3000 transport
Shahinian ARC speakers
Kenwood DM-9090 Minidisc player
Marantz ST-17 tuner
Nakamichi BX-2 tape deck
Monster Z-series speaker cable
Koolcables cryogenically treated pure silver interconnect for DAC & Transport and also from Minidisc to Amp
QED silverspiral for DAC to Transport interconnect
The Tri-Vista 21 is part of a limited edition of 1300. Glowing reviews from hi-fi press and has performed quantum leaps in transforming my CD collection and digital front end, revealing so much of what CD is truly capable of it's scary.
Sony CDP X-3000
As far as I'm aware this only sold in Japan, it's equivalent of the ES ranges overseas, so it's built real well. Top loading with a puck the CD moves around the laser, rather than the other way round as is usual to minimise timing errors.
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista M3 Super Intergrated
Limited edition 500 units worldwide, 250 plus watts into 8ohms. Superb build quality, effectively a dual mono configuartion in one case. Lots of glowing reviews on the web. As an owner I'm VERY happy with it.
Shahinian Acoustics Arc
Small floorstander, capable of punching WAY above it's size in terms of bass extention and top end. Polyradial (Omnidirectional), the ARC's are named as they bounce the sound off the ceiling in an arc as well as the walls etc to provide a vast soundstage. Has a 10" rear firing passive radiator (looks like another large speaker drive unit) mounted on the back - not visible in the picture here.
