NUC is located in my computer room with a MoCA 2.0 network used to connect to an Ethernet Switch in the equipment closet in a dedicated A/V room. The Ethernet Switch runs Fiber from the equipment closet to my equipment rack.
Bricasti M5
Shunyata ZTRON Anaconda cable
After using Belden 1694A cable I tried Shunyata (Cobra, Python and then Anaconda) cables and thought the Shunyata cables were a big step up in performance and relatively speaking worth the price (at least for their used prices).
Weiss 205
Coupled with a decent LPS (e.g. Keces) this sounds amazing for the $; I replaced a Meitner MA3 with it.
Shunyata ZTRON Anaconda XLR
Simaudio Moon Evolution 740P
Shunyata ZTRON Anaconda XLR
Coda S5.5
My favorite amplifier over all (and certainly for the money) I've tried in my system.
Shunyata Research ZTRON Anaconda Speaker Cable
Spendor D9
Went from Magico S1s to these; I find they offer amazing imaging in my small room (similar to the S1s), good speed and detail (not as fast or as detailed as the S1s though), excellent deep and tuneful bass, and with a nice midrange centric sound.
I don't find their midrange as lush as say a Harbeth, but in comparing them with the HL5+ and 40.2, I preferred their imaging, speed, and detail levels (and unlike the 40.2 are pretty easy to fit in my narrow room). Some folks find them too forward or hot, but compared to my S1s they are a good comprise for my current tastes. The fact that I can drive them with a 30W amplifier is a bonus too!
Very interesting points between the AtmaSphere and the Coda. Based on your description I am not sure I like dark+tube like. I always thought if tubes as more warmth and glowing. Dark was never in my when I thought about tubes. Recently, on another thread some folks mentioned a Gryphon integrated as DARK. But thanks for sharing your thoughts. It helps in the long run.
@milpai, yes I imagine the Coda works best with efficient speakers since it is only 50w into 8ohms and I think I read somewhere 40w (class A) into 4 ohm. Its got tons of current, but it is still a lowered powered amplifier so I could see it not being the best fit for speakers that needs lots of watts.
Compared to the AtmaSphere, it gives up a little midrange texture, but has a much more refined and detailed high end to my ear. Both are fatigue free and very easy to listen to, but I would say the AtmaSphere is a little darker and forgiving compared to the Coda. The Coda shines lots of light on the recording and doesn't hide anything, but does it with some depth and texture. For the cost and size, I'm very impressed with it. For people who like tube sound, I can see why the AtmaSphere class D are a good match.
@ddafoe , Thanks for letting me know. I just responded on another system where the owner sold the Coda you are referring to.
What was the difference between the Atma-sphere and the Coda? I have a feeling that your loudspeaker's better efficiency is what made the Coda sound nice. But I am more surprised that it out did a Pass XA250.8. That's something!
@milpai, I have ended up selling the Pass Labs and AtmaSphere amps and purchased a Coda S5.5. The Coda is maybe just broken in and it is excellent! It has many of the strengths from the long list of amps I've tried in my system. All in one 45 pound cool running amp capable of 50W class A and crazy current/drive ability. It is the most powerful sounding amp I've tried with my easy to drive Spendors, and that includes the big Pass XA250.8 and Bryston 4B3.
@frozentundra, that is interesting you like the D9 tweeters. Many folks have commented (often Harbeth fans) that they find the D9 tweeters too 'hot', 'grating', etc... After owning Beryllium tweeters in my previous speaker I don't personally find them that way, although they definitely don't sugar coat bad or forward recordings and matching them with good (i.e. forgiving) equipment definitely helps.
I've used Pass XA and X amps with them along with Bryston 4B3 and a Benchmark AHB2. I thought all of them were good fits, with the AHB2 being just a little 'lean' but not forward or bright to my ears. The AtmaSphere and XA30.8 both go really nice with the D series. The DACs I've tried have been on the low fatigue side of things too. For the money, I personally rank the D9s as one of the better values I've had in my audio journey.
Good to know that the Spendors don't overpower the room. Actually I would not expect that in a room of your size. And I completely know what you mean by the "deeper, fast and tight" bass. Having heard the Spendor D7 and owning the ProAc D48 I can completely appreciate it.
Furnishing seems to help the cause of taming the bass and overall sound. But what amazes me is the fact that you are very happy using the XA30.8 over the X250.8. I would have thought that you would give up "dynamics", "soundstage" and "drive" when moving to the smaller amp. You retained all that when driving the D9s with the XA30.8? Amazing!
Yeah, looks like the Steve Blinn company is no more. BTW, I also like the color of that room.
@milpai, the bass is very good; I don't find they over power the room at all. Their mid-bass is not overly warm and I find it pretty fast and tight. The deeper bass is amazing as you only hear/feel it when its present, with no bloat or over-hang. I find their floor level port system works very well.
To be fair the back of the room is very well damped, with 3 leather chairs and soft finishing all along the back of the room.
The 30.8 offers plenty of power for them for my room size and listening levels (~80dBC avg with high 80+ peaks). I initially used a X250.8 and it never left its 18W Class A bias with them so I figured I could save some money and add a little more Class A watts by getting the 30.8 :)
The rack is a Steve Blinn Designs. He was out of Staten Island but I'm not seeing his web site anymore. Yea, trying to find a decent rack that would work and not go above the screen line was hard, but this rack has worked well and is very sold.
Love those Spendors in the room. How is their bass output in that room, with that Pass amplifier? Do you have to crank up the volume to have a desirable sound level?
BTW, what brand is that equipment stand? I like the way it sits low and can have 3 equipment per rack side-by-side.
