@Goheelz Hi, and thanks, now the system is evolving and, no.. it was the opposite. The XX2 mkII is perfectly paired with c2500 so even with c2300 is the same, my suggestion is remain with c2300 ;-)

My choice of c2500 was for the stunning results with our Dyna, incredible but true for me that I'm not a Mc fan.
I tried a lot of preamps, and with one of the best preamp existing imho which is the I.C.S. (sorry , italian and not exported) , surprisingly the c2500 with tone bypassed has the same musicality and nuances.

Generally speaking, in my opinion the c2500 (and 2300) is a very neutral preamplifier. Tested also in some friend's setups. As I said, surprise for me. Keep in mind to bypass the tone controls, it will add a little improvement.

About the c2500 DAC: it is also a very good DAC. Compared with my Weiss DAC 202 ... they are very close.

Now I'm looking at a power amplifier. Some months ago I listened an Mc452 was superb but now .. I'm changing idea :-) keep in touch
Max

maz65 August 19, 2014 22:03

Really nice looking system, and it's beautifully set up. Admirably clean. It appears you've gone from using the built in MC phono on the McIntosh c2500 to the new Audia Flight phono pre. Like you, I'm using the Dynavector XX-2 MkII cartridge (in my case with the MC stage in a McIntosh C2300). What sort of changes did you notice when you moved up to the Audia Flight?

goheelz August 19, 2014 20:18

Bo1972, if you have a shop please send me your web address, thanks.
massimo.aymar@gmail(dot)com
Max

maz65 August 19, 2014 19:40

I was aware of the fact that we are talking about a loudspeakercable!!

bo1972 August 17, 2014 23:03

Sorry I wrote power cable but I intend speakers cable :-)

maz65 August 16, 2014 21:32

@Bo1972 maybe you are right, I will buy the power amplifier first, leaving the refinements like the cable only at the end. If you believe the power amplifier choice can be not the best due to the power cable, please give me some suggestions on other cables, I will try to provide them during the test sessions. Now I cannot evaluate a cable.. I'm missing the amplifier :-)
(yes, I have two amplifiers but they are not mine and they are for a temporary solution... cannot use them in order to evaluate a component)

maz65 August 16, 2014 21:30

When you still own the Monster cabel I would give you the
advice to get rid of it. It is not a very good cable. Because
you need speed for your speakers. This cable is not the best
in timing and control in the low freq. I sold Monster for
over 6 years of time. I would not sell it to my customers
these days. It is by far not good enough!!

bo1972 August 16, 2014 00:53

System edited: I just added, after a long search, the new phono preamp. It is very hard to substitute EAR 912 phono stage and finally I found this excellent phono stage. It cames from my Country, Italy, but for an unknown reason is not so much famous here, it is more appreciated in other countries. The name is Audia Flight Phono.

maz65 August 28, 2012 21:20

@Lapierre: after some years with tube amps, I discovered that SP100R works better with ss amps, but they are not for all the amps in the market.
Let me explain: SP100R is a speaker where, istantly, you obtain 80% of the performance, and it could be enough for most of us. But if you want the 100% from this speaker, it is hard to obtain, of course in my personal experience.
But I love them and I don't know from which other model I could change them. With these speakers is not possible to discuss about bass, treeble, piano, giutar, voice, only musicality :-)

maz65 August 28, 2012 21:14

@Smortega: the cd/pl's are stored in a different room. The cabinet hides the Home Theatre system and the most used cd's or movies :-)

maz65 August 28, 2012 20:36

Hi All, sorry for my long absence, in the meanwhile the system is changed with the insertion of new components, as you can see I'm only use files and not physical CD's.
About the furniture, it is not an Hi-Fi specified rack but it is one of the top italian furniture manufacturer namd "Poliform".
http://www.poliform.it/index_ita.html
Now the model is slightly changed but for an idea:
http://www.poliform.it/poliform/sideboards/teia_1_3107_8_1.html

Thanks to all and sorry for my delay :-)

maz65 August 28, 2012 20:34

Just fantastic.
Congratulations.

ciro71 January 02, 2012 22:15

Quite elegant, Maz65 :-)

Regards,
Sam

c1ferrari September 06, 2011 02:37

beautiful, simple and understated. perfect. I'd love to see a picture of where you house your LP's.

jeff1225 September 06, 2011 01:39

That ear gear is top notch. I've owned pair of 890 and 868 pre. Defiantly getting more after I build out my new listening room. That pre you have is incredible. My friend has it hooked up to magico q5 and its so amazing. Good times right.

documentroom September 04, 2011 15:01

I am interested in the cabinet too. Where did you buy it from?

jerryko July 06, 2011 12:45

What cabinet is that??????? It looks so classy.

Please share.

eeelove8 July 06, 2011 00:57

Maz nice system.

How's the bass region with the Spendors 13 inch woofer?

lapierre July 01, 2011 01:54

It's nice to see some more EAR gear in the "systems". Sorry I sold mine. Must sound wonderful. Good for you.

devilboy June 19, 2011 15:48

Pretty system, pretty shots. Are you a photographer or perhaps enjoy it as a hobby. The results are excellent.

albertporter June 19, 2011 05:37

*** to Artk:
Thank you, I "downgraded" my system from a full MBL configuration... you say the right word: musicality, it is often forgotten in the most modern systems and I found the way going back to basics: the British Sound.

*** to Smortega: the cabinet hides the home theater system ;) and the central channel. Just over the paint it comes down a screen for the DLP projector :)
Thank you !

maz65 June 18, 2011 22:34

Class act. Does the cabinet house your records/CDs?

smortega June 18, 2011 16:23

Absolutely beautiful! Expensive but unpretentious, a system built for music. Congratulations!

artk June 18, 2011 06:04