Doug99, After years of listening to these players it is a close competition between the Reimyo and the Zanden,the esoteric is rely used for SACD only.For the money the Reimyo surpasses eveything.The Zanden DAC is prone to minor technical problems the transport is excellent.I have moved the Zanden to my new bedroom system,where the competing cd source is the Accuphase 800/801 combo.The Zanden is a good match with my horn speakers which are more revealing and more sensitive to source/cables etc.
Hi Doug, The YBA are great for the midrange and up frequencies above 180Hz,while the Nemos are fantastic for the bass section,ie,frequencies below 180 Hz.
System edited: Main changes to the system,are the addition of the Soolos in combination of the new 861V6.Major improvement over the 861V4 in terms of sound quality.The change to the system was the rearrangement of the power amps.The Innersound amps are now powering the rear speakers,while the Electocompanient Nemo are powering the sub section of the German Physics Loreley. Absolutely superb even in a relatively large room the low frequency is feeling the space.Like in New my bedroom system I am now connecting the front speaker outputs of the 861 preamp/processor to the Cello Audio Pallete,and the Cello drives the front speakers.All analogue inputs from all sources are connected to both preamps,ie,the Cello and the Meridian.This provides the flexibility of switching from surround to two channel audio by passing the Meridian861.I just love this configuration.
apologize for the delay in response,was preoccupied with the stock market.I find the encore to work well with my audio pallete.You just have to adjust the gain in the encore not to overload the audio pallete.I also have a second system in my bedroom where I have a more recent version of the Audio Pallete which does have four inputs,which makes the encore unnecessary in a system like yours.
fernando,I agree with your observation when comparing to the zanden for certain music,However,today I was listening to a schubert trio on DG not deutsch grammaphon,but another german cd brand when played on either the reimyo or the accuphase 800/801 was not listenable harsh and unpleasant ie not musical,but on the zanden combo was perfect.But playing rites of spring on zanden sound is dull reimyo better but again falling behind the accuphase 800/801 sacd sound.Idealy you have a different system for each cd.(not a practicle solution)
fernando,the reimyo is excellent the accuphase combo is different as it is an sacd player as well.I have not listened enough to redbook recordings using the accuphase to pass judgement if anything they are very close.However for sacd playback the dp800/801 is unique.For once I can realy appreciate the superiority of sacd recording.When I compared sacd reproduction with redbook using the various sonys,the dp-85 and the emm signature combo the reimyo sounded at least as good on redbook if not better,with the 800/801there is no question that sacd is far superior.One observation I would like to make,that atleast when it comes to classical recordings,the variation between different reproductions ie,CDs is much larger than the difference between different playback machines.
In response to Kops question,yes i have compared the MBL to the Pallete.However the comparison is not valid as I use the Pallete as an equalizer more than a Preamp.But when I use the MBL by itself for pure stereo audio I find the MBL to be more open and more detailed ,however not my taste,fatiguing after a short listening time,I would say the MBL is not musical component at least for classical music reproduction.I suspect that the MBL will not be in my system in the future.While I cannot live without the cello audio pallete.
System edited: Well again I have made a few changes to my system in the ever ending search for music nirvana.I replaced the emm/se dac transport with the latest accuphase entry the 800/801 dac transport and added the DG-38 equalizer.Major improvement over the emm atleast to my taste.Replaced the YBA amps driving the low frequency section of the Loreley with a pair of Innersound Kilowatt monos which out put 2 KW at 4ohms,the impedence of the sub section of the Loreleys.Major major(not a typo)improvement.Added another power conditioner the burmester,some day I will figure the optimum conditioner for my system.The DG-38 equalizer is connected but I have not figured out how to use it at this time.
System edited: As usuall I attempt to seek to obtain nirvana,it would be unfortunate if I ever reach it,as I will realy be bored if I ever do.I was forced to make certain changes when my Cello encore preamp went to the ICU,I could not wait to get it repaired (it is still in the repair shop) and bought a MBL6010D preamp.For whatever reason the system sounded awful at first,I still have not figured out what was wrong.It took about one sleepless month to get the system stablized ,ofcourse I went overboard I added two 20amp dedicated power lines with expensive receptacles from Japanese cos.OY...,(cannot pronounce there name)and furutech,some cables, purepower 1050 that caused nothing but problems when connected to the meridian 861.One of the major option I have added to the system is the ability to switch from surround to two channel BYPASSING the meridian 861 processor and the cello audio pallete equalizer,ie I can now listen two pure two channel by simply switching the output options on the MBL (MBL 6010 has two distinct outputs in both XlR and RCA). I acheive that by using adaptors which input two XLR into one XLR (made by Audio Purist) which feeds the xover to the the front speakers,German Physics Loreley. I have now listened to the two configurations,to my taste for most recordings going to surround aspecially through the cello pallete equalizer is more pleasant.The straight stereo does sound somewhat more detailed ,however unless the cd recording is PERFECT the sound may be fatiguing.When it comes to large scale orchestral music ie shostokowitch etc surround is by far superiur,on solo instruments chamber music it realy depends on the recording.In addition I do have choice of cd playbacks ,sacd,and dvd-A, I have found that different recording sound better on some players than others.As far as CD players if I had to only keep one cd player ( like my wife thought I am living in excess and forced me to cut back) I would keep the Reimyo I find it be the best all around player,the zanden is good for some cd but lack the dynamics of the reimyo,the meridian 800 is good but again does not have the wonderfull sound of the latter aspecially for orchestral music.All of this can be taken with a grain of salt,I primarily listen to Classical music and I am old so my high frequency response is rather poor,however I can still hear well at the few KHz and that where some of the edginess in the sound comes from.
Hi Fernando,First I am old enough not have to much problem at high frequency.I find harshness is absent in well recorded CDs.I do run the output of the 777 through the Cello Audio Pallete which can fix almost all problems.I have recently added the Zanden latest combo DAC and transport,for red book it is a more forgiving cd player,very pleasant sounding,more detailed than the 777 however slightly less dynamic,but not worth the extra cost.I have also added the EMM signature combo dac and transport for sacd playback,and I will admit for the first time that the sacd reproduction of many sacds but not all the EMM sounds superior to red book version played on the 777 or Zanden.Again not always depends on the recording.Prior to the emm I used the Accuphase DP-85 and it could never reproduce the sacd sound better than the 777 rb-cd.I have no idea if I have been of any help to you.
I was trying to write and update with change of equipment,somehow it got lost.First impressions of my new updated system.I overdid it with having four,cd /sacd/dvd-a players.I have not lived with the new stuff long enough to have a firm impression.First reaction though differences are subtle.All four cd players in my system are good I have a hard time ranking them with the exception of the meridian 800V3 which wins last place.I have arranged the system in such a way that one can compare the same cd assuming you have three duplicates at the same time pretty well synchronized.Unfortunatly at my age hearing has deteriorated so slight differences in the highs will not be perceived. My advise if you are somewhat financially constrained one high end source will probably do ,next if you can get your hands on cello audio pallette in good condition it is worth every penny.Assuming you have great speakers,personaly i prefer surround sound ,meridian is a great choice for surround processor and the 800 is defintely better than the 5 series.I have no idea about the G series.I think I am done upgrading my system at least this week.
I would welcome the opportunity to listen to your system and for you to come over and listen to mine.you can contact me through my email,[email protected],
System edited: The addiction continues,I have just added the Zanden duo ie transport and dac 5000 signature.It does sound great at least to me,my main gross qualitative measurement is can I listen at concert sound level without ear fatigue nor the sense that is the music too loud (always too loud for my wife).I do use a simple sound level pressure meter to just make sure that I am not deluding myself.With the addition for richard Grey 1200 In combination with german physics pion conditioners I do get some improvements nothing major. My current plan is to connect some of the digital two channel outputs to the zanden dac,especially the Krell Standard DVD,The dac feeds the cello encore line preamp which feeds the cello audio pallete and from the audio pallete to the meridian 861 for multi channel.Sounds great.
In response to Dezyrae,The Acoustic Reality monos are currently driving the woofers of the German physics Loreley in that role they are outperforming the large YBA passions.Previously they powered the german physics Legatos,rear/side speakers.They did fine however it is hard to evaluate performance on rear speakers.I am currently powering the rears with the YBA passions.I highly recommend these little 1000watt amplifiers,they are terrific irrespective of costI have a total of six Acoustic reality amps but only one pair of the 1001s.
I cannot give you a good answer as the gryphon is driving JM Labs and the YBA drive the german Physics.I did use a gryphon S100 on the borderland german physics,The yba was by far superior but that was not afair comparison.However if I had to make a guess I would prefer the YBA passion 1000.Very good midrange,fast and good bass.The gryphon has a crisper midrange very fast also excellent bass,I prefer the more mellow midrange.
I value comfort highly,and love to be able to lie down and listen to music even fall asleep sometimes and that why I chose to have a large couch.The music system does NOT have a sweetspot so you can sit anywhere in the room.The pictures of the room only show about half the room there is a lounge chair in the back among other items of furniture. Sometimes when my wife is not around I turn the volume realy high and sit on a comfortable lounge chair in the uppermost level in the house,similar to seating in the upper balconies in a concert hall.
System edited: I have just got some new sofa which allows me and guest to have a more comfortable envoironment.I have attempted to take more pictures to give more of a sense of the room and the layout.
Wall units /cabinets custom order and assembly from Italian furniture maker Polyform they specialize in walk in closets,kitchen cabinets etc.Total cost approximate $18,000.They have distributers in all major US cities.
System edited: I am converging on a final upgrade.The violin concierto interconnect between the Reimyo and the 861 was a noticable improvment over the silver analysis plus. Acoustic reality 1001 monos are excellent overkill for the Legato and a real bargain.The Acoustic Reality One MkII mono was an improvement over the stereo version. The extra Acoustic Reality One mono went to the bedroom system replacing the Gryphon S100 for driving the center channel JM Lab Utopia,while the Acoustic reality stereo is used to drive the rear speakers in the bedroom replacing the Classe 201.
My side/rear speakers are in line with the listening position I onderstand that to be the priciple for surround.The meridian DOES adjust for speaker positions.I find the flexibilty provided by the meridian 861 is superb.It is hard to program (for me) but when done right it is by far superior to the multi channel of sacd recording.I find the combination of the Reimyo cdp 777 and 861 is far superior on red book to both sacd and dvd-A playback. There no one I know who compared the MBL with the German Physics.German Physics is not readily avbailable in the USA.There are only three Lorely speakers in the USA. I would guess that if you have a large room 8x15x9 widexlongxslopping height in meters the large german physics would be better.The sound is good everywhere independent of seating position including the third level(upstairs) for large orchestral music.When sound level measurement versus frequency were made in the room listening position it was flat +/- 3db ftom 20 hz to 12khz where it started declinilg.Impulse response was outstanding with no ringing.
I believe the flexibility you have with the meridian processor with their diverse algorithm selection for surround sound cannot be met with emm alone.Using the emm integrated sacd in combination with the 861 me provide an improvement over dp-85 accuphase sacd player. The approach I am contemplating is to add the accuphase dg-38 equalizer especialy in combination to the dp-85. With the 861 I have listened to mono recordings in 5 channel reproduction.I still find the Reimyo cdp - 777 playback in combination with the 861 to be by far superior to sacd or dvd-a playback. On another not Greg, if you are in the washington dc area you are welcome to listen to the system.
Hi Phatboy, When you listened to 5 channel were the speakers omnis? or where the set up off the side and center channel of the same "quality" as the mains.Was the demonstration using Meridian speakers they are not the best in my opinion.I find stereo ie two channel to be lacking in ambience.every one who listens to my system prefer the 5 channel for most music.I also have a bedroom system of 5 channel HT with an meridian 861 and JM Utopia speakers,again the 5 channel is superior to 2 channels. ramy
I considered the emm,however with the meridian 861 preamp/processor I am better of feeding the sacd through the two channel inputs and have the trifield algorithm manage the multichannel.Should I use the 5 channel inputs I am stuck with the recorded multichannel which tend to be very limiting. The dp 85 is quite good in this configuration,I am also planning to augment the system with accuphase dg-38 equalizer which is much more effective with the accuphase sacd source. On most recordings I find the Reimyo cdp777 to provide the BEST playback,
I made couple of changes to the main system,unfortunatly I have not figured out how to edit the system description.I replaced the bryston 14bsst which powered the center speaker with Accoustic Reality amp,and replaced the classe 201 with another Accoustic Reality amp.Excellent results these small amps are sweet sounding with excellent bass.
Prior to the german physics I have owned mARTIN lOGAN PRODIGIES in a 5 channel configuration,martin logan monolith,dayron wright mk.10electrostatics.I still have pair of quad 57 in my office,and a full home theatre system of JM lab Utopias in my bedroom.(36x40x10 ft).Although the JM labs are very good speakers they are not at level of the german Physics.
It sounds better than it looks. Frequent comment of first time visitors to the house,(which is very open) is your daughter playing the piano? or it feels like we are in a club or concert hall.
