Description

Initially I was using Focal Diablo Utopia III speakers but lately I prefer the musicality of Harbeth M30.2.  I still use Focal Diablo for multi-channel.

Active crossover changed to JL Audio CR1, which is more transparent compared to Bryston 10B-SUB and without any hissing noise of the 10B.  

Lately, I am into building my own music server.



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Components Toggle details

    • McIntosh MC-452
    450W x 2
    • McIntosh MC-303
    300W x 3
    • Focal Utopia III Diablo
    for multi-channel LCR
    • JL Audio Fathom 113
    2 units
    • Oppo Digital Oppo UDP-205
    • Audio Research Ref Phono 2 SE
    • Bent Audio Silver Passive
    Passive preamp based on fully balanced silver autoformers
    • TW Acustic Raven One
    Upgraded Raven One with 2 tonearms:
    - Triplanar VII U2 with Ortofon Quintet Black
    - TW 10.5 with Benz Micro LP-S
    • Bryston 10B Sub
    Active crossover
    • Harbeth M30.2
    for stereo
    • Innuos Zenith MkII
    With 2TB internal SSD
    • Marantz SA-10
    CD/SACD players + USB/coax D/A converter without a D/A chip
    • JL Audio CR1
    Active crossover

Comments 21

Showing all comments by anwar.

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Owner
Hi Milpai,

Happy New Year!

The Terminator I used before was the first generation.  I also bought Aune S5 to try I2S into Terminator, but it never worked that well and the issues were not resolve.  Long story short, both USB and I2S inputs of the Terminator were not really stable, even with the upgraded DSP board and firmware changes.

Terminator sounds thicker with PCM compared to SA-10, with SA-10 being more resolving.  DSD really no comparison - the SA-10 is just too good with DSD.  I believe different brands of R2R DACs may sound different with SA-10 when handling PCM.  

Other than SQ, what I like most about SA-10 is its USB interface stability and quality - it has galvanic isolation.  The past few months I developed my own music server with LPSU, playing music from internal SATA SSD using Win10 IoT Ent LTSC and JPLAY FEMTO.  It sounds better compared to SA-10 playing CD and SACD (which is already good), and a lot better than any Linux-based free and paid software.

My suggestion if you want to try other DACs is to consider those with XMOS USB receiver.  They are really great.

anwar

Owner
Hi Milind,

Sorry I realized I got your post while I was updating my virtual system.  Anyway, we have our private thread so I guess your question has been answered.  I have replaced the Denafrips Terminator with Marantz SA-10.

Cheers!

anwar

Owner
Sorry for my late response.

Hi Leeagc, I am using Organic Audio speaker cable (from Denmark).

Hi Lalitk, in terms of power, MC303 has plenty.  Before purchasing the MC452, I was using the MC303 for the front speakers (L,C,R).   In terms of refinement, the difference is too much.  Maybe you should consider the newer MC301 monoblock as it is quad balanced and has better S/N.

anwar

Owner
Hello all, just to update that I eventually sold the Audio Research REF 5SE preamp as it does not like low impedance (15k) of the Bryston 10B-SUB. It was sold to someone who uses Audio Research VT150 monoblocks and I was very impressed how nice the REF 5SE sound when paired with high impedance amp. My new preamp is a semi-DIY Bent Audio Tap-X (passive) and it works very well with the rest of my system.

anwar

Owner
Lapierre, actually for most components except McIntosh amps, Focal speakers, and Ayon CD player, I've never heard them. I shortlisted my choice based on reviews, price, and availability in my country. The JL Audio importer here only has 13.5" fathom as ex-stock; the other models need to special order.

anwar

Owner
Truemaineiac, no. I've gone straight to Mac after using Proceed amps.

anwar

Owner
Truemaineiac, I only heard ARC pre+power (new Ref 10 with monoblocks, not completely broken in) at ARC importer showroom and hi-fi show with Sonus Faber speakers after I had my system. I like my system better.

anwar

Owner
Thank you Jfrech.

Tboooe, the strength of the Diablos (also all Utopia III series) is the ability to reproduce piano sound very accurately. I also feel it invites the listener into the music. The Beryllium tweeters were harsh initially, but after 500 hours they become smooth. I also feel it matches the McIntosh amp pretty well.

anwar