@Mceljo - interesting observation. Somehow I always thought Krell is more digital like than Aesthetix, although I never heard krell enough to make a clear conclusion. will try it on my system.

dizzyizzid September 11, 2010 02:55

@ Vernneal - Thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to try it. There is a lot of brand that claim to decouple vibration (each with its own material type) so need to read quite a bit on those. Vibracones seems like a good place to start though (and its not expensive)

dizzyizzid September 11, 2010 02:54

@Vernneal - thanks for the advice. The good thing is that I have moved to a new place, and speakers are considerably more spread out. The bad thing though is that I have limited furniture and no carpeting hence the room is very lively.

Whats the benefit of having isolation under the components?

thanks,

dizzyizzid August 28, 2010 05:46

@Mceljo - thanks for the info. I have not listened the diablo enough to make a good judgment since I heard it with electronics that I'm not familiar with. The looks is certainly better than micro.

Good input on the krell. I'll listen to it when I get a chance

dizzyizzid August 28, 2010 05:44

I have not heard it with cary nor YBA. I heard YBA matches well with Micro bes, but have not personally heard them.

Overall, Micros work very well with tubes, either all tubes of tube pre-amp with solid state amps (just like mine).

dizzyizzid May 22, 2010 14:32

Thanks Bryoncunningham. I am currently using a mac mini feeding lossless files to my bel canto. For CDs, I use my linn unidisk.

how do you like the Pass amp? I'm thinking of trying new power amp.

dizzyizzid November 15, 2009 06:34

Hey Sam, I have been using the sorbogel all the time. I'll try listening without it, but currently enjoying the system as is.

I've ordered a set of tubes through Vintage audio... can't wait to try it.... i'll let you know how it goes. thanks

dizzyizzid April 18, 2009 15:57

Hey Sam, I didn't compare with another XLR cable so can't comment there. What I do know is that it is definitely better than my monster.

What tweaks are you optimizing these days?

dizzyizzid April 14, 2009 02:37

I finally get to do some fair comparison between VTL 2.5 and Aesthetix Calypso. The end result was that I will keep the Calypso although it was not a clear winner. In fact, I like some of VTL virtues and on some recordings, VTL does sound better.
here is what I like about VTL
- tube magic: I really like the VTL house sound. Extended but with clear tube magic. When I heard Norah Jones, her voice just sounded magical in the midrange area. very hypnotic indeed
- full bass: VTL has a more fuller bass compared to calypso. whether I like it or not it depends on the recording. On some records where the bass is not very apparent, the fuller sound gives a better bass perception
- more forward sound: Calypso sound more laid back and on some recording I like the "you are there" forward type of sound

what i like about calypso:
- extension: extension bass to treble is just better. hearing Eric Reed just sound so natural without any particular focus in sound
- volume control: I think at this area, Calypso wins big. Listening at higher than normal volume just sounded better with the calypso
- wider soundstage and deeper depth

why I choose calypso:
- tube roll: whereas the VTL is equipped with the Mullards tubes (recommended by UpscaleAudio) the calypso is using OEM). I have high expectation that the aesthetix sound will go leaps and bounds after tube roll
- remote control: OK I am lazy but I am spoiled with the on/off and source change in the aesthetix remote (VTL doesn't have them)

cant wait to do some tube roll....

dizzyizzid April 06, 2009 02:33

hey Chad - thanks for checking. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to to really compare between VTL and Calypso yet. Just got back from a 3 week vacation and currently still trying to adjust to the time difference.

I'm looking to do some comparison measurement this weekend. will keep you updated on the findings.

dizzyizzid March 12, 2009 04:02

System edited: several new gears have arrived. Slimdevices Transporter didn't make the cut is its out. Bel Canto DAC3 is in, so are Aesthetix Calypso, Kimber 8TC speaker cables, Nordost blue heaven XLR balanced, and Kimber Hero XLR. My system sounds different but I'm liking the sound. I'll be busy listening and comparing the next few months and deciding which to sell.

dizzyizzid February 08, 2009 06:56

Thanks for the comments Chad. I haven't really had a chance to compare thoroughly with my VTL since I've changed quite a bit of gear recently but it sounds really promising and changing input via remote is definitely an improvement compared to my (and 5.5) VTL. A showdown between VTL and Calypso will be done soon and one has to go... I'll keep you updated.

In regards to transporter, I ended up returning it. After a thorough test, it wins in some areas compared to ikemi (dynamic, fuller sound) while ikemi won in others (better instruments separation, imaging, clarity, presentation not as aggressive). in the end, I always preferred listening via my ikemi.

Also, I don't really like the slimdevices interface. somewhat clunky compared to itunes.

I'm now testing Bel Canto DAC3 with airport Express. So far it sounds excellent even with the express but I'm testing thoroughly in the near future. If you like the PS3 as Audio server, you will like itunes with Airport express even better.

dizzyizzid February 08, 2009 04:09

Samhar, Foster, Dpatterson - Thank you for the feedback. folks have been telling me to upgrade the M1000, but I wanted to wait until all my components have XLR. With the addition aesthetix, I can definitely start finding better IC's and will hold off tube rolling.

I checked Anti Cables and it seems like a very good solution. I was also thinking about the following XLR options: Analysis plus Silver Oval, Kimber XLR, Audioquest DBS, Nordost blue/Red/heimdall. These are more expensive than Anti cables. If you have suggestions, please let me know. To be honest, I want something neutral since my system sounds different with the calypso and Bel Canto DAC3, so want to avoid colored type cables. Thanks!

PS: Samhar, I've been reading alot of calypso threads, and you seem to provide alot of solid inputs. I was thinking about reaching out to you for advice but glad that you saw my thread!

dizzyizzid January 31, 2009 04:02

Bruce, you are right about the JJ being the current VTL OEM tubes. I bought mine in 2002 new, but I believe the OEM tubes were different.

I thought that dark sounding is anonymous to warm ie: tubes sounding. is this not the case?

thanks for the ASL recommendation. I'll take a look.

dizzyizzid December 28, 2008 07:18

System edited: new picture added. Also added Slim devices transporter. Not sure if I like it as much. The sound is not as good as my ikemi. This is true especially if I listen to HDCD (which I have only a few). The interface is also not as good as my itunes. I'm having a hard time finding music in my large catalog. Itunes has an intuitive way of displaying all of my music but I can't do this in the web interface. Still deciding whether to keep or return. Anyway, thanks for looking.

dizzyizzid December 27, 2008 01:44

Bruce, I certainly appreciate the help. Never heard of the amp you mentioned. I'll do some research on it. Have you heard the amp?

I haven't had the chance to tube role yet. I did buy CV4003 and CV4024 mullards based on recommendation from Agons and upscale audio, but I didn't extensive A/B testing. what specific JJ tubes are you talking about? thanks again and happy holidays to you too.

dizzyizzid December 25, 2008 04:06

Bruce - thanks for looking and the very insightful comments. Ive been thinking about the pre-amp and amp combo to be the culprit, but have been hesitant to try tube amps due to the ongoing cost of tube replacements.

From what I have been told, VTL is on the solid state side of tubes and overall I really like the combo, but alas polite is something that I still want to minimize.

thanks again.

dizzyizzid December 24, 2008 18:55

hmm, I have never heard this suggestion before. have you tried in your system as well? also, do you plug the whole port? thanks for the suggestion

dizzyizzid December 23, 2008 12:09

System edited: Some changes have been made. For music, I added a subwoofer (ACI Force XL). I'm using a high pass filter between pre and amp. The biggest advantages are that the bloated sound in the upper bass and is gone and it sounds less polite. This comes with the expense of thinner and slighly more analytical sound. So far I like the change but can't really say for sure if it is an upgrade in sound or just horizontal change. I also added 4.1 sound for video. The system is so so for home theater purposes but my main priority is music, so for now it will do. thanks for looking.

dizzyizzid November 10, 2008 20:17

The Kid, thanks for the compliment. In regards to "musical vs. detailed", to be honest is just saying that the grass is greener on the other side. I never had a very detailed system, so sometimes wished I had one. Oh well, can't have everything I suppose.

dizzyizzid December 18, 2006 15:07

Opticaltree,
thanks for the advise. My plasma is actually an industrial monitor. It does not have tuner, speakers, nor stands - just monitor. From what I read, it has one of the best picture compared to other plasma and it is very reasonably priced (given that it has no tuner and speakers.

Looks like you have a similar type of monitor.

dizzyizzid December 18, 2006 15:04

System edited: Updated picture

dizzyizzid December 12, 2006 04:21