Hi Quanmer,

Unfortunately I never heard Boulder in my set-up. It's not easy to listening to all the highend electronics over here. Heard mixed opinions about Boulder. Some love it, others find the sound to be a bit clinical. The build quality is absolutely superb. Well I guess it's will all hifi equipment, people have different taste :)

maxx1973 August 24, 2011 09:18

Quanmer,

I tried the Tidal monoblocks but it was a very very brief session. New amps, not broken in, not warmed up. Sound was very nice, so I'd like to try them again for a longer period. What I did remember from the listening session was that they drove my Sunray effortless and in a non fatiguing way.

The Precencio I heard once as well, for an hour or so, also with the Tidal Sunray and Tidal Impact monoblocks. What can I say...... extremely good :) :)

maxx1973 July 15, 2011 02:22

Hi Quanmer,

Thanks for your advise. Did you compare the "older" Emm Labs units with your XDS-1? If curious to know what the difference in sound is. The upgrade is several thousand dollars so it's not cheap. Wonder if it is worth it over sellig my DAC2 and buying a different brand.

The Vitus does work well with the Sunray. Yes, it's "only" 100W but pure class A and the power supply is very big and stable. The sound output is plenty for my liking no problem there. With respect to the speed of the Vitus. It's not the fastest amplifier for sure, (eg. Goldmund and Soulution are faster) but it's very revolving and analog sounding. It all depends on your associated equipment and cables to make the right combo. But I am also curious about the Tidal electronics. Heard them once in my system very briefly and they sounded very good. Fast and relaxed. Would like to hear them in more detail in future.

maxx1973 June 18, 2011 05:22

Art,

Very very late reply. However maybe you pass this page again and read it. I basically use the Vitus CD player and Emm Labs DAC2 by coincidence. I had a Emm Labs CD player which broke down very soon after buying it. It took about 2 months before I received a new unit but since I was out of a player during that period I bought the Vitus player. In the end I replaced the Emm Labs player for the DAC2 since it had a USB connection so I could easily connect it to the computer.

Both are very good units with a slightly different sound. The Vitus is more smooth sounding, very very analog,I love the mid and highs. It's very natural.
The Emm Labs DAC2 is a bit more dynamic sounding, better bass, but I find the mid/high a bit less natural sounding.

It also depends which pre-amp I'm using and the type of music playing. For me the Emm Labs is a bit better on classic music, the Vitus on music with vocal. And...... is sometimes depends on my mood as well :).

I'm curious how the new Emm Labs DAC2-X sounds which is based on the Emm Labs XDS1 player. Thinking if I should upgrade my DAC2 or not.

Also always thinking if I should make a side step to vinyl too :)

Choices, choices :)

maxx1973 June 17, 2011 02:57

Arthursmuck,

Wow, I love your room, it looks stunning. Something I would really like in my house at some point. In the house I'm currently moving to I will have my own hifi room. Need to see which acoustic treatment I can use. I bet the sound of your system must be amazing.
So you have the Vitus CD player as well. One of the few people I think. I really like it too.

Avguy, thanks for your comment. I really like my equipment too :) Took a long time to get this far though. But always thinking what I can do to improve, if money permits off course :)

Currently move house so my equipment is in a shipping container for 2 months. Pretty nervous everything arrives well fully functioning, nothing is stolen or damaged by customs. Few more weeks and then I hope to get my new house and set-up the equipment again. And let's hope nothing is damaged, especially the speakers since I had to wait a long long time for the delivery. Dont want to go through that painful waiting again :)

maxx1973 September 13, 2010 12:03