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.
@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!
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.
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.
