I heard the DCS stack 120,000 at a dealer the other day and I liked it a lot. I was in shock because I never liked the DCS every time I heard it at CES. It is very musical indeed. I, however will not spend this kind of money for digital. It changes all the time and what was 100,000 last year can be had for 50,000 this year and your stuck with losing a lot of money if you want to sell. My limit for digital is under 20,000. So far I am leaning towards the Aesthetix and will give a full report soon.

jwm July 14, 2014 10:34

Ebay, that is where I buy all of my LP's. I had a problem just two times which is a great track record. The Altairs are great they sound different with each component change. Right now I have the Lampizator Big 5 Dac and the Aesthetix Romulus CD player/ Dac.

jwm July 13, 2014 16:07

Jfrech, I have found if you can find the original jazz pressing in good shape it is way better than any of these reissues.

jwm July 13, 2014 10:14

John, anything new? Are you going to CES this year? Jeff

jwm October 21, 2013 10:28

Jfrech, I don't have any room treatment, just a Chinese rug in front of the speakers.

jwm July 04, 2013 10:38

Jfrech, yes I had to position the speakers in a different place. They are sounding much better. I don't have any sibilance problems anymore. I only have 210 hours on them. I still want to get more organic sound or warmth out of the midrange. I still think I have a way to go. How does the sound of the Rockport compare to Albert Porter's Focal's?

jwm July 03, 2013 17:01

Jfrech congrads on your new K-10. I must be from a different planet because I never heard of this until you mentioned it. It looks like its right up my alley. I like his design philosophy and obviously he has worked with some of the best minds in the business.

jwm July 03, 2013 08:14

You may also want to try the Vac Statement phono stage.

jwm June 11, 2013 08:39

John you need to get the Aesthetix Io Sig. I think this would be the end game for you for phono.

jwm June 10, 2013 08:52

John, I talked to Andy today and he said my speakers should ship last Monday of May. I asked him about the differences between the Altair and the Arakis. Andy said both speakers have the same tonal balance, but because the Arakis is a D'Appolito design it has little denser images and the sound is more immediate. One needs a hydraulic lift to place the 360 pounds top part to the 400 pound base cabinet on the Arakis. The retail is 225,000.00, maybe I should cancel my Altair's and get the Arakis. I'm kidding, I don't think the Arakis would sound good in my room because of the lively nature of my room. The speaker being more immediate may come off as bright in my room. I guess I'll never know.

jwm May 15, 2013 20:02

John, the new Altair has a new tweeter. Both are made by the same company scanspeak the new one is beryllium and the old one was a soft dome.

jwm May 15, 2013 09:57

Yes, I meant Altair's. By the way how do the Arrakis sound in comparison to the Altair's.

jwm May 12, 2013 11:23

John, Jeff Congrads. on your new speakers. I am also in line for new Avatar's. Andy emailed me and said mine should arrive in a few weeks. Like Charles above said the Rockports had the best sound at CES and also best sound that I ever heard.

jwm May 11, 2013 15:03