Linaeum, I thanks for the suggestion, since my posting the comment, I have gotten a hold of a pair of DIY Scott Nixon monos at 40 watts each and have sent them to Part Connexion, with Chris Johnson in the reigns to have them modded, in order to pair them up with my choice of speakers. A surprisingly excellent pairing that I have heard, even with just 20 watts of a Sharp Digital Amplifier all in one system that I paid $75 for was my EPOS ES 11, which is crossoverless, with the exception of a capacitor between the midwoofer and the tweeter. The sound as of now is ridiculously rhythmic and tonally even, really fast with a low end that bellies the price of both, around $400 retail, used for the EPOS and new for the Sharp, and to be honest, they both sound as good as my other audio weapons of choice, a First Sound Paramount HOT ROD MKII and a Final Laboratories Music 6 Opchip amp fully battery powered.

PS: I do not think that the original Rega Planet was good, it sounded too warm and thus sluggish. Perhaps a Naim CD player might be on call here. They are pricey even used, might be their drawback.

What about a brand new CEC belt driven transport, at 1.4K, expensive new, but with a construction that bellies its price. Pair that up with a decent or affordable DAC, now, that would make some really, really classy sounds.

Try to experiment with OFC, Oxygen Free Copper and pure continuous copper wiring, that will also add more speed to the sound.

bemopti123 February 07, 2005 01:49

Nice system. Your on the right track too for an upgrade. The source/transport and digital cable upgrade is the way to go. My suggestion is to try a Rega Planet (either model) as a source/transport and a Jena Labs Trio Plus digi-link cable and you'll be in business.

dlwask February 06, 2005 19:13

Bemopti, also look at the Audio Zone AMP-1

linaeum66 February 06, 2005 17:17

Get yourself a Sony 7700 DVD Cd as transport. Even after almost 7 years, it is slowly becoming the choice for transport and can be had for about $200-250 used.

Another choice might be the Parasound CEC belt driven transport just at your price range. I wonder if it reads CDrs well though.

The choices after these are few and you will need to pay a good 1K to something better, such as an used Muse Transport, the one that member JAX2? Has. That cost about 1.5K used? I think it was called model 12.

Beyond these, you only have the stars.

Nice set up. I myself am interested in your monoblocks. I had a 47 Labs Shigaraki and I am looking for another OP amp based SS amplifier, the CIA monos seem to fit the bill.

bemopti123 December 31, 2004 00:53

One upgrade that I am looking forward to in the near future is a new transport. The NAD doesn't like cdr's at all, which just isn't any good.
I haven't really looked at the 47Labs gear because it is pretty far out of my pricerange. I tend to spend much more on the software vs. the hardware so I really only have about 450 -550 to spend on a transport. Any suggestion?

I will be getting new powercords for my system this next semester when I start working again.

vphill June 09, 2004 20:56

I have to commend you on a fantastic system. When surrounded by so much gear its often easy to lose sight that often the easiest, and most satisfying approach is the also the simplest. Years ago I fooled around with the idea of building a system where the only criteria were that of the shortest possible path. I eventually settled on 47 Labs gaincard but the whole endeavor was landed up being far to expensive and was eventually abandoned. Along the way I considered the channel island gear which given the way things turned out probably would have been the smarter choice due to its more competitive pricing. You might still want to consider an upgrade to your transport and look at the 47 labs flatfish… beautiful. Did you ever audition the 47 labs or some of the other purist designs such as the Scott Nixon DAC?

extra_action June 07, 2004 20:21

Intersting system. I had the DAC/VAC and the 502 but not at the same time. My 502 died almost 7 years ago. How does the 502 compare with and without the CI DAC/VAC in the loop?

In regards to upgrades, I'd go with powercords.

viggen June 07, 2004 06:42

Well in all honesty I can't compare them to very many amps. I know that they have more than enough power for my apartment, and that they are super clean. I listen to primarily classical, and live recordings, and when I added them to the other components (these were the last piece) everything opened up quite a bit.

Probably doesn't help you much...

I think they are great, and the company that makes and sells them is a blast to do business with.

vphill June 07, 2004 01:38

I am thinking about getting a pair of those amps, how would you describe their sound in your system?

lordcloud June 06, 2004 20:03

System edited: Added some pictures.

vphill March 16, 2004 00:47