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50 hours of research = 1 amp for Totem Sttaf

What would you choose? (3k-ish max)

I have come to the, Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II -- with Prima Luna Prologue Premium in second place.

Cary and Manley are double the price (@ 5k-ish) and Jolida/Cayin seem to receive a wide range of reviews. Vista Audio is currently out of product.


Solid States -- Nait, Rega, NAD, Bryston, Dayens, Sim, Creek, Musical Fedelity, Rotel, Plinius, Parasound... they all just seem a second option to tubes... but if I had to choose one here I’d go with the Supernait...but no real strong view here...


Appreciate any input...unfort I cannot listen to them all...(totem sttaf is 88db)

(looking at Mytek Brooklyn to complete setup)

mrmittens

Showing 9 responses by mrmittens

mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
Interesting, so you would recommend the Simaudio (which model?) over the Cronus Magnum 2!?  Seems it would be hard to get that echo-ey booming and crisp fidelity that the Cronus gives...

Does Simaudio make a DAC you would recommend?

Or anyone -- what's the best DAC for use with iTunes?  Been looking at Mytek Brooklyn and Chord (2Qute or Hugo TT) the most, with Rotel (forget which model I heard) looking nice here too...Oppo HA-1 on eBay right now, looks nice but not sure its a good match...

Bluesound for the streaming -- but is there a DAC that could replace that functionality as well?

really appreciate all the input...
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
hows the manley stingray and cary sli80 compare with the primaluna dialogue premium?
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
samzx -- I guess your talking about the prologue premium, since that's similar price point?  or would you even recommend the classic and/or older prologue two as better sounding?  could you briefly explain why, so I know what I'm talking about when I get on the phone with the people at these companies...

thanks
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
wow that's interesting -- I thought class A with lower WPC would be better than a SS with higher WPC?

what's your view on the NAIM versus SIM?

Thought this was a Manley Stingray, Magnum 2 and Prologue Premium race?!  can anyone else chime in here...

mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
akg - what do you think would be a good price on a used i-5?

thanks
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
well the sim i-5 and magnum, manley, primaluna all have models around the same price new...i just don't have the chance to try them all with my speakers...
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
which models plinius and ayre should i check out?
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
Ok gotcha -- actually looking at audioquest cables; rocket 88 or go 4...any view there?

looking at the Plinius, Ayre and Sim -- almost same price used as a new Cronus magnum...I will try to get them closer to 1k, I think that makes it worthwhile -- otherwise the new tube -- either magnum 2 or Manley stingray may win out...

but thanks very much info, will be on the look out for those solid states if a good deal comes along...
mrmittens OP
19 posts
 
To follow up -- I went for the Primaluna classic, coupled with bluesound node 2, cambridge audio azur 651p phono preamp, pro-ject debut dc esprit all connected with some monoprice 22awg cables and RCA...using the 8ohms slot for the speakers...the room I am in is small and the records sound great I think, although I dont have much to compare it to, and still breaking in...any suggestions welcome, but I think the next piece I need is a chord DAC (like 2qute or something) to improve the sounds coming out of the bluesound node 2, bc I think the record player sounds better...thanks for the help here
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