ROON + BACCH + Dutch&Dutch 8c. What else does one need?
2012 May Sold CAT JL2 MKII Signature
2012 February Bought Berkeley Alpha Audio USB
2012 January Bought Devialet Premier-D Bought Aurender S10
2010 November - Took the plunge and bought a Soulution 710 after listening to the 700 Monoblocks. Simply stunning. I am officially a subscriber of the Soulution hype. - Sold Pass Labs XA160.5, not even 6 months old
2010 October - Posted review of Audiomachina Maestro Ti-200 on my blog. See http://wslam.blogspot.com/2010/10/audiomachina-dark-horse-in-high-end.html
2010 September - Bought my first pair of Planar speakers, the Magneplanar 1.7 - Added new photos. - CAT JL2 Signature MKII arrived. - Sold Mini II.
2010 June After owning the darTZeel for nearly 4 years, I tried out my friend's First Watt J2 and was blown away by the purity and richness of the J2. But with only 25W, they simply didn't have the muscles to drive my speakers. My search ended when I auditioned the Pass Labs XA.5 series. I was never convinced by the X.5 series, but the XA.5 series is something else. They almost seem underpriced by today's Hi-Fi standards.
2010 March Maestro has received the secret Ti treatment.
2010 March Equitech 5WQ-E Wall Cabinet System
2009 August Welcome the Maestro!
2009 August Added Placette Audio Custom Made source switch Replaced EMM Labs DCC2 SE with Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC
2009 June New Room: 15.5x18x8ft Dedicated Hi-Fi & AV Room, Designed by Rives Audio Acoustic Treatment: Bass traps, absorption and RPG BAD and ARC Panels, and Soffit Traps. Added: DartZeel 18NS, PS Audio Powerplant Premier & various Home Theater related items.
2007 October Magico Mini II
2007 January: Replaced PowerPlant 600 with ExactPower EP-15A TacT RCS 2.2XP darTZeel NHB-108 model one Version B
2006 August: The arrival of the magical Magico Mini
2006 June: See my blog entry: http://spaces.msn.com/wslam/blog/cns!8D24C7C1D93F608B!337.entry
2006 May: I am now pretty much 100% using my PC as data server, SB3 as the digital front end, and EMM Labs DCC2 for all DA Conversions. PC+SB3 is imo the perfect combination for music in the PCM format. SACD, DVD-Audio, I still use my Unidisk 1.1 for a lack of a better option. Once you get to the ease and accessibility of the SB3, disc seems prehistoric, just like LP! =)
I have SOLD my Linn CD12. The DCC2 is doing a wonderful job, but my latest thought is to consider replacing the DCC2 and the ancient AVP to a Mark Levinson No.40.
2005 July: I am slowly, but surely moving towards PC based front end. I believe a PC based front end can definitely replace the transport portion of my setup. My initial experience with the SB2 has been most positive. And the keys here is ACCESS and CONVENIENCE. Yes, the Linn CD12 will beat the 300 bucks SB2 in absolute term, but because of SB2 and SlimServer, I am listening to so much more music.
SB2 will be used in conjunction with TacT and then feed into DCC2.
My goal this yr is to convert entirely to PC based. I have no use for those little silver disks...
A complete balanced power distribution system in a wall cabinet, providing clean and phase coherent balanced AC power that remains stable regardless of how they are loaded down
System edited: Soulution... rarely does something live up to the hype. The 710 really does. It is one of the most balanced and refined amplifiers I have ever come across.
Hi RTN1, Hmmm I don't think I really prefer the CAT in all situations... both amps are good for something... I do prefer the mids to highs on the CAT, but the solid foundation the PASS provides, make symphonic music very realistic. That's why I am keeping both. =)
OK, got it. Sounds like you prefer the CAT. Interesting because I think the CAT is a tube amp that leans towards a solid state sound, and the Pass is SS that leans towards a tube sound. Now, don't ask me what that means!
Can you compare and contrast the Pass and the CAT? I've heard both, in slightly different set-ups. Have not had the chance to compare with the ability to isolate this one variable. Thanks.
Just thought i would check in to see how things are coming. How is the Velodyne? it takes a while to dial-in properly, but i have had some great success with it in my room...and would not part with it running in parallel with my Strads.
There are so many approaches... 1) Transporter + Berkeley Alpha DAC. Great sounding combination with extreme ease of use thanks for SqueezeBox Server. 2) Mac + Weiss DAC202 with Amarra. I find controlling it a bit clumsier, but sound just as great! So many other paths... take your pick!
Wslam, I am contemplating changing to a PC based digital source but not sure what sounds good out there. I am looking for a solution that doesn't break the bank to acquire :-) Any suggestions?
Hi, I never did hear the Maestros. I got diverted into a pair of Sonus Faber Amati Anniversarios when I thought I was not keeping my MBLs. Well, I am keeping the MBLs and have since sold the SFs (which are an exquisite speaker). I still have another system consisting of Piegas. I've now brought in a current Spectral system to try out (first time I've heard Spectral gear as a set anywhere). So far, I have to say that it's quite something, still not ready to describe it. The Maestros remains an option and I am sure I'll eventually audition the pair. The SDR4000S Pro arrives tomorrow. I've had the MPS5, Paganini stack, P03D03 in the last year. My Boulder 2020 continues to impress beyond the others. The only other marque I've not tried is EMM Labs and the XDS1 may be up next, if the Spectral is not to my taste.
Did you ever audition Soulution or Goldmund? I believe the two are popular in HK.
Classicjazz, Did you get the try the Ti out? Karl has made several changes to the crossover, make sure you get to listen to at least the Ti or later revisions.
I spoke with Karl and he said he uses Pass amps. I think I'll have time to audition the Maestros in the next week, if my schedule permits. The dealer is a good 1.5-2 hour drive, worse with bad traffic.
I was very much in love witht he DZ with the Mini II. If I did not borrow my friends First Watt J2, I would not have switched.
The DZ is a sweet sounding amp, but next to the XA, it simply sounded 'congested' and underpowered. The XA to my ears, is better in just about every way. It has a pureness in the sound that makes it more natural (I didn't know that was possible). I have always found the DZ to be a rich and sweet sounding amp, but compare to the XA, the XA is equally rich and sweet but in a more honest manner...it's almost like XA extracts the 'natural flavors' whereas the DZ is adding spices.
Given the price difference (XA being much cheaper), I urge you to give the XA a listen and decide for yourself. I am glad I have cash back in my pocket, and imho, the level of performance has gone up a few notches.
I also auditioned Gryphon amps. It was totally not my cup of tea.
