Hi Pradeep, I bet that Atlas is wonderful. I really need to check it out soon. I keep doing smaller things (cables and such) with such a big improvement, it's pushing my desire for a Atlas a bit out.

The Triton is a SIGNIFICANT change. I delayed getting one for about a year. Cold, unbroken in, I preferred it to my Vray II (in every way) It hits a few areas in order of significance:

1) looses any hint of aggressiveness on the leading edges of notes. Especially on cymbals, violins, piano etc. Now I would never describe the vrays as aggressive, but you'll know what I mean with the triton

2) More clarity and transparency. You can hear into and through the soundstage is new and difference ways. Feels like your closer to the musicians

3) Less noise. I tend to listen louder now, but seems quieter. (volume control up a few notches) which allows more dynamics and better

4)Bass, better textures, more nimble lives and breathes better if you will

Break in seems to be 24 hours goes a long way...then the next increment hits in about 6-7 days, then finishes after a month. I have about 2.5 months on mine now.

Honestly, If you like your ray, this is a must buy. I was using all King Cobra CX's or Anaconda CX's for the comments above. Just yesterday, my dealer brought 4 Anaconda zitrons by (1 20 am, 3 15 amp). Will post more soon....

Hope you are doing great

jfrech April 29, 2012 11:31

Hi Jfrech
Wow your system has really evolved and I am sure it's pretty stunning. Would appreciate your advice on the Triton. Have a VRay v.1 and the last frontier would be a Triton. How would you rate the move to the Triton , say a 10% improvement , or more?
Have given up trying to edit my system and post pics of the Atlas etc.Some technical glitch I can't fathom.
Cheers
Pradeep

sunnyboy1956 April 29, 2012 05:55

System edited: added 2 clock cables. Cardas Lightning 15 bnc - bnc. really suprising improvement in instrument placement, focus and just overall presentation. I seem to listen louder now, but seems quieter...

jfrech April 26, 2012 10:24

I've heard of those Purity Audio products also, maybe I do need to check those out...thanks for the comments! I know the CAT is a good preamp also...

The E.A.R. MC4 step up trannie SUT is really sounding pretty great. Especially on small scale music (chamber, accoustical, small jazz quartet....almost stunningly good...

jfrech March 24, 2012 12:28

Hey, John:
Following up on your interest in preamp options> have you looked into the Purity Audio products? A new company that only makes preamps, but they are getting great reviews. Manufacturer-direct only for now, and rather expensive too, but it may be worth a listen. Let me know if you have any information about them. Thanks

rtilden March 23, 2012 17:34

Yes , i would swap the nagra for a CAT Legend, i m not sure on the low mc gain issue but with a mm it should work for sure

andromedaaudio March 18, 2012 15:51

forgot to add, I like the Shunyata Triton so much, I don't think the Red Wine Audio Black Lightning Battery is needed. I will say, the Red Wine Battery is killer good for the price...so if you have Nagra and not the in best power cords/conditioning, it absolutely is the way to go...

jfrech March 18, 2012 12:50

System edited: Brought home a step up transformer to audition. E.A.R. MC-4. It's still settling down, had to move a few cables around etc, but it really improves my gain issue (using the 40ohm tap into a moving magnet card on my Nagra VPS). Incredible detail, dynamics, very focuses center image and loads of depth, dimension and ability to pick out instruments on the stage. My issue here is buy the time i buy it, cables, and the mm card, I wonder If I should just get a new phono stage, maybe the Lamm LP2 (high gain), the Tron Seven Ultimate, or maybe the Allnic...hard to say with out listening...any comments?

jfrech March 18, 2012 12:46

System edited: Replaced Shunyata Hydra vray 2 with Hydra Triton. More natural, only have 36 hours breakin so far, but it beat the Hydra v ray2 cold out of box...surprised me. I seem to notice the imaging and instruments move so much better now...will post more as it settles in...

jfrech March 10, 2012 13:41

Hi Ren, sorry I missed your call, will try you back mid day today...

jfrech March 10, 2012 13:37

Hi, John:
I live in Orlando, FL. Based upon my research, the VAC Signature preamp with phono would be a great option. I like everything I have learned about the VAC company, their designs, customer service, etc. I am hoping this next amp/preamp will stick with me for 20 years, so it needs to be really good and the right fit for me. Your statement about needing tubes somewhere in the system rings true to me. I'm thinking that the imaging benefits of tubes would carry through best in something like the VAC, because tubes are in both the phono and preamp. CODA Class A is lovely. I have seen no direct comparisons with CODA and Pass. I find this funny, as the CODA boys grew out of Threshold during the Pass regime, and I expect that we have more than a few folks interested to hear the differences in results of their directions over 30 years. I don't mind flying somewhere to hear a system that will put me in the right direction. Let's see what happens.

rtilden March 04, 2012 23:45

rtilden: I think tubes are necessary somewhere. I've historically been all tubes...a few years ago went with tube phono/pre solid state amps. I wish I was more familiar with your coda electronics to give a better answer.

So my thoughts are yes, but also better solid state is better to. You might just have to try a few. I know some good brands are Nagra, VAC, Audio Research, VTL and plenty of others. It's funny a lot of the tube brands (ARC and VTL) for instance are going hybrid in some cases...My Nagra does this in the phono stage. Transformer coupling is another route...some brands here are Allnic and again my Nagra.

Where do you live? I wonder if we can hook you up with some other Audiogon members to listen? Or dealers? I am not sure your price range or new/used...

Hope this helps !

jfrech March 04, 2012 14:49

Elberoth...yes you did :)

jfrech March 04, 2012 14:44

Jfrech- Congrats!!! i am only just getting back onto the forums here after all the problems with AGon...and i went thru the posts...ended up looking thru here...saw your photos and immediately thought...hang on!...is that a DCS? i didn't think he had one of those! Nice one!!!

I will say, after all the years of owning Zanden, the DCS SCarlatti set up is the first that made me plainly realize digital at this level has far surpassed the zanden in noise floor, detail retreival, composure...serious composure...and natural tonality. I was super tempted with the DCS to trade when one came in second-hand...i held off. but it is only 1 of 2 that have ever made me go and set up a special audition and really think about it.

I walked out confident in the right system, DCS Scarlatti could keep me happy for years and years to come...enjoy!!!

lloydelee21 March 04, 2012 10:57

Jfrech - congratulations on your new front end ! Now I can only say - 'I told you so !' ;)

elberoth2 March 03, 2012 21:51

Any thoughts on an upgrade for my electronics? You guys have tried many different components, and I haven't recently. My speakers (4 Ohm Tyler Woodmeres) do well with solid state, and I am pretty well set on a CODA 15.0 amp. But the preamp could go SS or tubes. The one thing I remember about my old tube preamp driving a SS amp is that the tube preamp has given me the best and most palpable imaging in any of my systems, even compared with my previous Spectral amp/preamp. Is there any consensus that a tube preamp will yield better imaging than a SS preamp in, say 90% of the time?

rtilden March 03, 2012 21:09

Hi, thank you for your compliment ! You have a great vinyl outfit also, I am sure that Purist cable is just amazing!

I just took the plunge a few weeks ago on the dCS Scarlatti. It is quite a amazing piece of gear. Incredible resolution, but presented so naturally. On some recordings, it is the best u r there experience I've had. I usually listen to Jazz and small scale classical (chamber, quartets etc). And mostly to SACD. In fact, I've yet to put a redbook cd into the Scarlatti. The best thing I like about the dCS Scarlatti is the convenience. It's always ready to go, 100% warmed up, just pop in disc and hit play. it's approaching my vinyl set up in listenablity. Beats it in bass definition/power and maybe texture. Also beats my vinyl set up in resolution and depth of the image. And of course a lower noise floor. Piano on the dCS Scarlatti is amazing-just the ability to portray the notes in space with power and decay trails. My vinyl still portrays the images more 3d, seems a bit more fluid, more continuous. My Vinyl rig does seem to go deeper in the bass, albeit less power. Cymbals/brushes stuff in the tweeter covers...seems about a tie...which is right where I think most digitals falls down. This is the best trait of the dCS system.

I am sorry, 5k on digital won't really close the gap on your vinyl (just my opinion), the dCS Puccini and U-Clock is pretty good...but about 23.5k I think list price. You'd really have to go up to this to seriously enjoy it for listening seriously. For less serious listening, that's different...some of the Esoteric's are very nice. Also hi rez via pc/mac is coming on, I expect the technology to advance here quite a bit. 24/192 is pretty good, ditto 24/96. If you're into computers a dCS dac (Paganini) with the dCS U Clock will get you a very long way to my Scarlatti...for a lot less cash..

So choices here and money is what it comes down to on digital. I would not buy digital seeking better sound than your vinyl, if you want convenience and access to different music, along with nearly as good as vinyl sound, you'll be pleasantly surprised by a quality digital investment! It won't really beat good vinyl like we both have, it may in a few areas like I am experiencing...

Hope this helps !

jfrech March 03, 2012 00:28

Yep, I was thinking about that! Here's the body shop info:
Berli's Body & Fine Auto Finishes
berlisbody.com
(512) 251-6136

1489 Grand Avenue Pky, Pflugerville, TX

They might take a while, but they're REALLY good.

lenny_zwik March 02, 2012 18:57

Beautiful system with some nice digital gear. Can you give me an idea of how much a digital rig would cost in order to equal my analog rig? I'm currently running a SOTA Cosmos TT/Graham Phantom Supreme/ ZYX Universe copper 0.24mv/ Purist Proteus Provectus phono cable and CODA 06P phono stage.

rtilden March 02, 2012 00:58

I did...2 small dents above the passenger rear window. My wife couldn't see it with out me pointing it out. But you could. I hear Bicycles and Cars were trying to mate in your garage, I bet I need your fix it guys # please...

Someone has a dCS U-Clock with your name stuck on it I bet ;-)

jfrech February 27, 2012 22:57

Hmmmm....I hadn't thought of racing for those pink slips too :-). Hey, we recently were with Casey and he told me you had a Bonfire of the Vanities moment?

lenny_zwik February 27, 2012 16:46

I'd say let's race, but you might take my car and my cd player :-)

jfrech February 27, 2012 12:09

I'm jealous! :-)

lenny_zwik February 27, 2012 00:47

System edited: added new pics. dCS Scarlatti system, JA Allaerts Cart. I still love my vinyl, it still amazes me most every time time. I will say a well done SACD, especially one from analog tape is mesmerizing. Better in some ways, yet vinyl better in someones. Both formats have their strengths...

jfrech February 25, 2012 12:24

Hi Thanks !! On the dCS Scarlatti I am using DSD filter 3 mostly. I've played with dsd filter 2 some. The filters seem to have a larger effect than with the dCS Puccini/UClock combo. Also I am using dither on the dCS Scarlatti Clock and I really didn't like it some much on the U Clock. Anyway there is just more info getting presented vis the Scarlatti system...

On the dCS Puccini, I was using DSD filter 1, but I am wondering now if that was a mistake and maybe I should have tried filter 3 more...

On the Red Wine Audio Black Lightning, I have Casey's demo at my house...our Lemo's are still backordered...driving me (us now) nuts! I ordered a double unit so I can power my Nagra PLL and VPS via the same box...

jfrech February 20, 2012 12:39