BeerDraft:
Just got a cd202 after reading ALOT of your comments...GREAT cdp...you must run it in xlr/balance mode to really appreciate it! Just not the same single-ended,although still among the best I have heard other than a plinius cd101.
Have you had a chance to check out the Mac301/or Dacs?
Great setup...

youngstown1969 June 19, 2008 23:51

Indeed, I have the kt88's warming up now for my first audition. I have 8 very close matched in one amp and 8 others very closely matched in the other amp. I've got the mullards new issue in the pre and waiting on some NOS siemens ECC801S 12AT7's for the amps which should be in tomorrow, can't wait for them these small tubes in the 2301's really are junk I'm finding out.

Neal

beerdraft June 19, 2008 01:29

Hopefully you are ordering KT88's as 4 Quads.

C500 and a premium set of tubes and you will be very happy.

Pierre

lapierre June 17, 2008 03:15

Okay, put some new tubes in. Just reissues on the Mullards 12AX7, accidentally put them in the amps to which I now know the amps us 12AT7. Any way put the AT's back in after finding that out. The Mullards really made this system much better for me. I had know idea how much a change getting rid of these stock tube could make. My bass got much better, also no problem with boominess which on a couple tracks I did have that problem. The mids really come to life much better and the hi's aren't as brite as they were I geuss due to the mids being so much better. Its an entirely different system now just because of tube, hard for me to believe. The biggest thing I notice is the stage got even better with many different levels of depth and wider. Listening to diana Krall "live in Paris", to hear the singing and piano on one layer, then the guitar and drums on another, then the precussion further behind, and then really impressive when the orchestra kicks in on even another layer of depth, this had me nearly in tears how beautiful it was. On another cd all together I heard the singer walking from right to left accross the stage in the image and I know I've personally never heard that in my system as noticeable as it is here. I've ordered genelax re-issue kt88's for the amps (16 of them), and a buddy of mine is going to sell me his Siemens 12AT7's for the amps and I'm just going to use the 8 12ax7's in the pre amp. Can't wait to get all the tubes changed from the factory now.

beerdraft June 16, 2008 22:47

You will love them Michael. I like the 2102 as well but obviously the 2301 is total different animal for sure.

Beerdraft

beerdraft May 20, 2008 02:34

Congrats on your new amps. I bet they sound incredible!
I'm so tempted to move from the 2102 to the 2301.

Happy Linstening,

Michael

argyro May 19, 2008 09:40

Arthur, it was a pleasure my friend. Thanks for the kind words on the draught sound machine. Oh yeah, and thanks for the cdp202 reccomendation, not sure if I would have it if not for you.

beerdraft
Ha, here I am beerdraft and system called the draught sound machine, and I was out of Draught Beer the entire time you guys were here.

beerdraft May 04, 2008 04:20

Hey Neal, I am still reeling from how good your system sounded! Those 2301s are absolutely incredible in every way, not to mention the 802Ds. Very impressive. You should be very proud of your world class system! Thanks again for having us over. It was an unforgettable musical experience.

Arthur

aball May 03, 2008 11:39

Thanks Mike, I had a great time too. Thanks again for teaching me a bit about the TT and helping me to get it playing better.

beerdraft

beerdraft May 03, 2008 03:22

Hey Neal - the system sounds fantastic and looks beautiful to boot! All of those blue McIntosh meters make me want to have Mc gear again. The 2301s are awesome and a great match for the 802Ds. Great system synergy - everything works adn sounds really well together. Thanks again for the hospitality.

mbort May 03, 2008 01:13

Thanks, it was a great time for me to. Can't wait to hear your stuff with your new pre, hope it comes soon.

beerdraft April 28, 2008 02:47

Neal,
Lyra and i had a great time today. IMO The Classe is right up there with the better redbook players out there. Had to drop the needle on some more Barry White when I got home :)
See you Thursday evening.

tom_hankins April 27, 2008 23:41

The classe cdp is AWESOME, man it has sound that I think compares with much more expensive players. I think it rivals most vinyl rigs I've heard. I've been very impressed with it and until mcintosh makes a player that can out-perform it, it'll remain the non matching piece in this system.

Mc group at GHT, ha, I'm new to mcintosh but yes, I'm there. Yes it is concrete under my carpet, is that good or bad?

beerdraft April 24, 2008 03:58

Awesome!!!! It must be nice to have such a large room. What do you think of the Classe cdp? I have heard great things about it.

tboooe April 24, 2008 03:52

wow looks cool! maybe we can startup a MAC users group in ATL at GHT on the 1st ! Question, is that a concrete floor underneath your carpet?

the_underdog April 23, 2008 23:35

Thanks for the thumbs up, and Tom, can't wait, we'll have a blast. Dan, glad you can get back to listening and glad the new placement is a success. Thanks to all for the kind words on the system. I'm really enjoying it.

Beerdraft

beerdraft April 17, 2008 02:27

Hi Neal, that's really cool you got your new system up, and are enjoying it so much. That's what it's all about. Magnificent system, beautiful to look at, and to listen to.

Got mine mostly back up, and it's sounds a hell of a lot better in the new location. Congratulations!

Best regards, guess I don't need to tell you to enjoy, do I?

Dan

islandmandan April 16, 2008 23:34

See you next weekend Neal! Cant wait to hear the new system!

tom_hankins April 16, 2008 21:34

Wow, that Mac gear is amazingly sweet looking. Nice setup you have there, I hope you enjoy the hell out of it. *Thumbs Up*

laserboi April 16, 2008 14:50

Just my opinion and I did compare it to the mcd201. The only mcintosh cdp which may be able to replace it for the purpose of matching it is the mcd/mda1000. Its twice the money though so I hope it can outperform my classe. I'm curious to hear the mcd301 and will get a chance to do so soon. The 201 in my opinion couldn't be in the same room. I was thinking when I bought the rest of the system either match the classe cdp or the mcintosh tt, I already had these sources, tt first then the cdp then the rest. I'm catching some crap though from mc people to change it but in order to be replace it'll have to be out-performed at a cost which is the same or less

Beerdraft

beerdraft April 15, 2008 23:47

What about the Classe. Is it better than any MAC digital gear. I'm looking to upgrade my digital.

barnes April 15, 2008 17:19

Thanks Mike, see you in a couple weeks. Will have it good and broke in by then. I've got a real problem here though, every freakin' disc I put in is all the sudden my favorite. This wasn't the case before. I've listened to more classical in the last few days than ever. If this keeps up I'm affraid I'll quit drinking beer and switch to fine wine, ha.

Beerdraft

beerdraft April 15, 2008 15:16

Looks really awesome Neal! Can't wait to hear it!

Mike

mbort April 15, 2008 13:49

And there it is, in all its stunning splendor! Can't wait to hear it! Those amps have me salivating. Congratulations on putting together such a world class setup.

Arthur

aball April 15, 2008 13:40

Thanks Pierre, I will break in power cords and conditioners on a fan or heater or something they can just run 24/7. I want to do this so they will be broke in once I install them. My system should be broke in and then I can really tell the difference. I will let you know for sure.

Also, I buy at Georgia Home Theater on Cobb pkwy.

Are you local, shoot me an email and you're welcome to drop by.

Thanks,
beerdraft

beerdraft April 15, 2008 11:58