Nice sounding, dynamic system, overall. Pretty articulate, fast and detailed. Glass like clarity. Nice balance between the lows and the highs at all volume levels. Still some sibilance, which is recording dependent. Bass is always controlled and taut, never woolly.
System edited: I sold the Grado headphone amp. Wasn't really using it for my hifi listening anymore. Just on the PC and I figured I could use the 200 bucks.
System edited: Sold the Bel Canto DAC2 and Blue Jeans cable. The difference was just too subtle and not worth the 750 bucks. The Rotel CDP will have to do for now.
try Virtual dynamics NiteII digital cable and Audience powerChord on your DAC2.....will be earth shattering and sibilance will be gone. trust me....B&W owner and previous DAC2 owner. Call cable company and borrow these if you are not 100% sure....I know, expensive, but well worth it. good luck.
Picked up the Bel Canto DAC2. It is a definite but subtle improvment. Less smearing, lower noise floor and less glare. But, as I said, it is only a subtle difference, not an earth shattering one.
Looking at the configuration of your system, rack, speaker positioning and the reflectivity of your room, your description is exactly how I would guess things would sound.
System edited: I just dumped all my vinyl related gear. End of an era. 30 years I've been playing and collecting my lp's. They just weren't getting played enough to justify keeping them anymore. I thought they would become part of my legacy for my kids, but they're not interested. So, off they go. Ah....
Plato, thanks for the feedback. The WAF on the CDM9's are huge. She is the main reason I have these. They do look good. She hated the way the old (but decent sounding) Polk 10B's looked. The Krell was her idea too. She wanted me to get an upgrade as I was constantly grousing about my older preamp & amp combo. It was decent but not in the same league as the Krell. It was a birthday present from her. Not bad huh! What speakers did you upgrade to? Just curious as I would be disowned if I tried to upgrade.
Looks like a nice system. I used to own the CDM-9NTs and I liked them quite a bit. My wife liked the way they looked, probably more than any other speakers I have owned. Having the analog setup is a plus as well. Enjoy!