thanks milpai, absorber kills the sound!!! I have some Realtraps for bass control. Wings panels are the best effective diffusers available (in my opinion) on market. Deeper soundstage and best control of stable image. Third dimension is dramatically improved.
System edited. after long time, added Entreq Poseidons, Entreq Atlantis ground cables, Curious USB cable. Great result in term of soundstage and naturalness.
what amazes on totaldac combo (I also use the Totaldac D1 USB Cable/adapter and the Totaldac D1 XLR/RCA adapter with MIT Oracle Matrix 50 IC cables) is the absolute lack of distortion, the detail accuracy, without losing sweetness and ambience. Sense of true and the "presence" into the room of instruments are outstanding.
my opinion on Totaldac D1 is: incredible converter!!! I am just upgraded to D1 Dual which is a great step-up. I am testing the D1 XLR to RCA adapter which seems to be much better than Spectral XLR input. The result is truly amazing. The sense of naturalness and detail are spectacular. Exciting.
hi Bob, thanks for your news. I have not Audioquest resellers near where I live. I have to replace MIT Magnum by Oracle series. I am looking for Oracle MA or the new Oracle Matrix series
First impressions of Totaldac are: Compared to BADA and to DCS Scarlatti, the D1 is more natural, detailed but with great sweetness and harmonics. The sound stage is greater than never listened. Air and harmonics around instruments are so real which you can see any players into the three-dimensional layer. Violins are "silky", not shrill or dried. During great symphonies, you can clearly recognize violins, violas and cellos exactly where they are.
test have been made with and without Pre (Spectral). My preference is without Pre. D1 driving directly Spectral Amp (DMA 150 S2 and DMA 260) through MIT Oracle Matrix 50 unbalanced.
Hi Bob, thank's for your report. Oracle Matrix 50 is now mature and I have just started to test by directly coupling them to Spectral Amplifier. The result is great, the texture and soundstage are amazing. Do you tested the new MIT Oracle Matrix lines? they are more open and transparent which old series.
I will try to compare. But my doubt is which with Spectral gears, other type of cables are too "open", setting sound too much forward, with respect the scene. Oracle Matrix 50 is already more open that the Magnum or Oracle V series, and I am not completely satisfied by it. I am still waiting for complete broken-in phase.
Hi Bobby, I will follow your suggestion, I will try. Meanwhile, I think Spectral-MIT-Avalon is a solid combo option, but I will try. Thank you for your suggestion, I'll let you know my impressions.
Hi Bo1972. I respect your opinion on Spectral-Mit-Avalon combo, but in my case I do not agree with you. I have not a concert room, but we have a "mezza-coda" Petrof dating from the early years of the 1900 (as you can see part of it on one of system pictures). Obviously, I can hear little difference between real and reproduced sounds, but believe me is really subtle. I think Avalon Eidolon are one of the best speakers in terms of consistency and reality of sound.
hi musicpdx, yes, I use HiFi Tuning fuses into both Pre and DAC. I cannot affirm which there is a great difference, but is true which i can hear a more refined and natural sound. You know, it is really subtle but concrete. Is a tweak which add the last "tune" at the system. The result depends by the Power cables setup, by the power line (with noise on not), and by more factors. I found it more effective applied on gears where little signals are involved (pre or DAC or CDP). ciao
hi Mike, Thank's. Yes the system sounds great into the room. I found which Berkeley/Spectral/Avalon items have a great sinergy. What is unbelievable for me is the details and refined texture of sound having added the Ridge Street Design Alethias USB cable. Beside, I love Avalon sound.
thank's, no, I'm not an interior design. I like actual design and here up to the north of Italy, we have some of main great industries and craftsmen for the furniture. In the opposite way, the system is overall made in US. There has not been a project. This is part of a living room and I have adapted my system to the room, only. i.e.: RealTraps become part of the ambients (same colors of walls).
dear all, thank's for your comments. Yes I use the Cary 306 SACD as a transport only. The transport part from SONY is fantastic. I prefer the Berkeley DAC which has a natural tone integration to Spectral gears. Finally I use the HiRez files for main part of the time via Mac Mini and Alpha USB
