NIce system. Looking for just a little more clarity, focus and depth? Place a set of Symposium RollerBlocks under that CD player. Neat tweak, works with most CD players. I placed them under my Mark Levinson N0 37 transport. Unbelievable improvement. Enjoy your tunes!!

silver98 September 28, 2002 23:09

The holograms or even the satoris would be a big step up from the kimber kable. The kimber is nice, but the AZ is so much smoother and refined, the detail and presence that will be added will be significant. Does anyone have any possible suggestions for amps or anything?

smjason September 03, 2002 01:19

Nice system! I have recently added AZ matrix ics to my system and am pretty impressed. How do you like them with the Holograms? I am still using Kimber 4Tc and am thinking of upgrading. I love simple 2 channel systems based around integrated amps. I am using a Redgum RGi120s , an Arcam CD92, and Soliloquy 6.3s.

clingman71 September 02, 2002 22:17

try some Walker Audio Ultra Hi Def links on your speakers. Money back if you don't like them. Same goes for the Valid Points and tuning kits. You can really do some amazing stuff with the tuning discs and a bit of experimentation

ejlif September 02, 2002 19:01

Nice system. I would not upgrade the cd player either. The SCD-1 is a very nice unit for SACD's, but only mediocre in cd playback (according to reviews and my own listening experience). Stand alone cd players sound better than a sacd/cd combo until you get up in the 12k (classe sacd/cd unit) or the 20k (accuphase unit). Try a seperate DAC or upsampling unit if you are unsatisfied with your current sound. If you are into SACD playback, there are players out now that compete and beat the older units at a lower cost.

rbstehno September 02, 2002 14:50

Your system looks well-balanced & thought out and from your comments you may be better off not touching it at all; you've obviously struck a good balance with your components -- no easy task with the mini Utopias (formidable, IMO). A change of source equip MAY upset the balance, leading you to a long & expensive upgrading path...
I believe that IF you ever decide that change is necessary, two out of three components will have to go: you'll have to choose the piece that remains (speakers?) & re-build around that... Meanwhile, why not play with equipment support, starting with the Meridian? Cheers

gregm September 01, 2002 17:35

VERY nice system. I personally don't think the EMC 1 will be that big an upgrade and certainly not the SCD-1 (unless you own SACDs). You could look at something like the Muse Model 9 signature, which sounds fantastic.

fineberg September 01, 2002 12:46

Nice system. I'll bet you're quite pleased with the SimAudio I-5. How do you like the AZ Holograms? And how do they compare to your previous cables?

You might want to take a look at the Sony SCD-1 player at less than $3k.

A very nice unit for both CD and SACD. And built like a tank.

-IMO

stehno August 31, 2002 20:29