Well, it's been a long road. I really want to thank the members of the Audiogon for the help over the past several years. Got loads of good advice here and it all paved my way to audio nirvana or at least close to it. I'm very happy with my system at this point and don't plan to be changing it for some time if at all. I'm really glad to back into vinyl again. What a revelation on this system! I looked into several other options for turntables and such but decided to go local with a solid German brand that is distributed here in Seoul, Korea. Thanks for viewing the fruits of my efforts. Expensive but most certainly worth the ride. Most enjoyable research project I've ever undertaken.
System edited: Some Updates: Had trouble with my previous amp so I updated to the ASR Emitter II Exclusive in January 2012. Also added the ASR Basic Exclusive Phono Preamp the same month. In December 2012, I changed from the Audio Magic PC to the Synergistic Research Tesla Powercell Mk. II. In March 2013, I added the Esoteric K-01 SACDP. Now I truly am done for now.
Sorry for the late reply Doug. Just seeing your post now. Yes, I have made that comparison. The DV-50S goes deeper in the bass and is a bit darker sounding. The Nu-Vista is sweeter and sounds better with acoustic music. I was using the DV-50s for most of my music.
Hi Washline, the Altos impedance is not really very tube friendly. I would stick to solid state. I havent heard the new Krells but I hated the old Krells with Utopias. A SS Mac should work fine if thats your flavor.
I looked at your system pictures and maybe its the photography, but those speakers look like theyre much too close together and in a very confining space. If picture 1 is representative, and youre stuck with it, you need new speakers, not amps, IMHO.
That is the one. I have heard a lot of amps but I have never heard anything like that one. Yea, I know the Dart is pricey. But, I may have hookup in the future.
I have heard MBL at a show also. They do make good stuff that can play very loud. Not all MBL stuff is in the Stratosphere so to speak. The 8011AM. is mono's is $7150 each. and the two channel 8006B is $3500. I think they have a 2ch that is the 8011S but not sure of the price. It is a real pain for me take my system apart and put gear back in my system. So for that reason I have not thought about it. But I have found several places who do mods for the player and all of the feedback has been very good.
The DarTZeel is a pricey piece of amplification. I hope you are able to acquire one at some point. I'm sure they'll turn up on the used market eventually. $20,000 I believe for it. Is this the one you are talking about?
I'm curious if you've ever considered modifying the Esoteric. I've been pondering whether it might be worth doing so with my system. That too is a bit of a costly undertaking.
For me, I loved the MBL amps with JM Lab speakers. Those are also way out of my league, but hopefully some day I can get close to that sound. I heard the top of the line all MBL system last weekend at an audio show, and that was just about as good as it gets for me musically. But it's a system I'll never be able to afford and probably just as well.
I love the 1027's. I only have them because my dealer became desperate and needed cash quickly. I had the 927's for a number of years. I got them as soon as they came out. I traded in my 927's and a little cash for the 1027's. One of the best moves I ever made. These are much better then the 927's.
In my room, the 1027's sound very nice IMHO :). When I switched from the 927's to the 1027's I could not believe the change. The speaker is better from top to bottom. No regret for me either. They can really sound great. I heard my speakers with the DartZeel amp and my jaw was on the floor. I did not think it was possible to get what I heard out of my speakers. That will be my amp some day.
Hi Mike, thanks for your comments. The area is a bit narrow, but it opens up in the listening area. It's an L-shaped room actually. This situation is rather typical where I live, but in point of fact, the pics make the room look a bit more narrow than it is. I've struggled to fit the Altos into even smaller spaces, but here it works quite well. I get good bass from the system, and the bass improved substantially when I started to use the PAD power cables on my sources. Big revelation there. The power cable on the MF Tri-Vista was less significant. I enjoy listening to acoustic music on the Nu-Vista, and I like the Esoteric for experimental electronics. The Esoteric is a bit stronger on the bass.
I'm curious about the 1027s. I listened to the 927s some years ago, but didn't care for them as much as the 907 monitors. Then I heard the 937s and was quite impressed. I feel that in a room like this as well as my previous space that directional speakers are better than speakers like the Diva Utopias. So my decision came down to a new pair of 937s or a used pair of Altos for about 2 grand more. I decided without regrets on the Altos. Great pair of speakers. Thanks again Mike for your kind remarks.
nice setup :). I have the same cd player as you but I have a pair of 1027's, not Alto's. Very nice electronics as well. I have never heard them, but I have read that MF stuff is very nice. Your room looks sort of narrow. Or is that just the angle of the shot. Pretty impressive you fit Alto's in there. I have no doubt that it sounds great
