How would you compare to Havana and Bel Canto?

mimberman July 27, 2009 21:02

OK, the Bryston DAC is in and WOW!! Without much breakin (or any to be honest) it's amazing. I also added an Audioquest Optilink 5 (which I am sure didn't hurt), but MAN IT's ROCKING. Highs are much smoother and not nearly as harsh, massive bass, and coherence. Just a great sounding system right now, I am happy for now, until I screw it up again trying something new just to try it.

macdadtexas July 21, 2009 01:12

Sometimes I feel the same way. I love the Bel Canto, and it bests the dynamics of the Havana, but the Havana added something I liked; although, I was conscious it was an addition, not a natural thing.

mimberman July 20, 2009 21:30

I bought a Bryston BDA-1, it should be here any day now. I am really looking forward to it. At this point the best one that I have tried was the MHDT Labs Havana, I should have just kept that one.

macdadtexas July 20, 2009 18:26

what's new dac?

mimberman July 20, 2009 17:49

System edited: Just waiting for my new DAC and Turntable

macdadtexas July 19, 2009 14:49

System edited: going to try the new VPI Classic, waiting on it's arrival

macdadtexas June 29, 2009 19:34

System edited: I am finally talking to metal fabricators about having a "real" rack made. I just want a metal framework that holds granite shelves, and is on wheels. I will update when the DAC and sub are integrated into the system.

macdadtexas June 03, 2009 21:49

well, I really wasn't using the Bel Canto Dac very much, mostly playing vinyl, so I decided to sell it. Then I saw that Paul G was coming out with a new DAC and I had always wanted to try the TADAC, so I thought I would give the a try before I give up on digital for anything else but the car.

For the turntable, I just want to try something new. I have seen so many stellar reviews on the original Aries with it's very heavy platter, it is heavy btw, and the 10.5 arm that I decided to try it. The set up jig that came with it didn't fit, so I had to fudge the initial set up, and I am still playing with the azimuth setting and VTA, so I'm not sure of the sound yet. I am waiting on a MintLP tractor and a Gingko isolation platform for the Aries, so I'm not going to make any judgements until I get the set up correct. But so far, the Clearaudio, as it was set up, was .....

macdadtexas May 09, 2009 17:22

Wow, lots of changes. Why the DAC and turntable changes? I mean, okay, I could see going back to tube from SS for the DAC, but why the Aries?

mimberman May 09, 2009 16:56

System edited: first new pics

macdadtexas May 08, 2009 02:38

System edited: Getting new turntable, disc player and DAC. Let's see how it works out.

macdadtexas May 04, 2009 00:32

I'd recommend "Courage To Grow" by Rebelution - it might go real well with your tastes in music...and gloriously well recorded to boot!

shadorne January 18, 2009 18:31

Well, the DAC 3, like most DAC's with USB (save a few 3K plus ones) can't do 24/96, only 16/44.1. Apparently, though, this helps in other areas. Here's the info from bel canto web site. I figure it's worth the experiment for $500.

mimberman December 17, 2008 19:58

I will let you know, I am so vinyl focused I don't expect to listen to much besides Xmas music for a while. The Dac3 has a USB port, so what would the new do-hicky ad?

macdadtexas December 17, 2008 16:36

Lemme kow how you like the bel canto. I ordered their little usb link do-hicky which converts USB to coax/rca and lets you get 24/96 off of a computer without some crazy sound card changes. You could use this with any DAC I guess, so let's you open yourself up to many more choices. It's like 500 or so retail (if you pay that...)

mimberman December 17, 2008 00:47

System edited: New DAC

macdadtexas December 16, 2008 17:27

How long have you had the 500 MB's, what's your over all take on them?

Strengths and weaknesses.

Do they run warm.

dev December 08, 2008 23:24

Nothing, I love the sound. I was wondering if that would make it even better? Maybe a sound from the tweeter I have never heard before. I love to mess with the equipment, I have had many, many amps and cables over the years. Always the same speakers, and now the same preamp, love the SLP98p.

macdadtexas December 02, 2008 21:32

What are you missing from the sound of your system now?

mimberman December 02, 2008 19:00

System edited: I started with a tube preamp, now I am contemplating bi-amping with a tube crossover and tube amp for the mid/high input, could that be too much of a good thing?

macdadtexas December 02, 2008 02:34

I love that TT
Nice space you have there
Enjoy the Music

musicfile December 01, 2008 14:24

The Gingko helped me quite a bit. My rack is adjustable, but not super stable, adding the vibration platform has helped tremendously. I agree with you, love the turntable. I love just looking at it (LOL). Oh yeah, it sounds great too.

macdadtexas November 30, 2008 15:39

So I finally hooked up my Performance and dialed in the cartridge (man, what a process that was...but I realize the benefit of being really precise in setting it up). WOW. I think this table is really amazing. How do you like the gingko platform? I have a symposium under it now, but I think I need a more suspended platform, since I have hardwood floors.

Anyways, enjoy!

mimberman November 28, 2008 14:42

Very nice system ! At least we are two to try restart the world economy by buying vinyl...very addictive indeed ! Even putting a CD in my car is a drag !
A car turntable project anyone ?

jloveys November 28, 2008 06:03