@audphile1 

Recommendations please

Thanks

Yeah, the 1st Watt SET3 looks intriguing.

@soix 

""Here's the rub. My Mid Monos were less than $2,000 brand new and they sound incredible. As does my Pre that costed me less than $1,000.

Integrated suggestions are welcomed""

@newbee  LOL Very true

@michaelalan 

Yeah...if it ever happened I would most likely keep my tube pre. Can  you tell a diff between class D and A?

@oddiofyl 

Ever try the QS AT7?

Pass XA-25 is certainly affordable, but I can't it tops what I have. It is quite extraordinary especially with my heresy's. 

I would suspect it is as you say to Sansui.

@gregdude 

Yeah, Im not going anywhere. Im sticking w/QS Monos and pre.

Its just I hear all these people saying SS is as good as Tube....And I don't believe it. So I pose the question for a SS to compete w/ my $2,600 of QS...and I still don't see it, even paying the $20,000, $30,000, or more,  for an SS set that can compete.

Although I may be adding a QS headphone amp. 😆

@alvinnir2

QS AT7 pre with RCA Black Plates sounds quite amazing.

@gregdude 

Have you checked mike sanders for kt120?

@panzrwagn The MA 252 looks very promising. And used for $2,100.

This is doable just to buy it to demo. I will

read up on it and maybe give it an audition.

Thanx

T

@vonhelmholtz  I use streaming services only to audition music. If I like a record enough to purchase I look DSD or as high a resolution I can find and purchase it. I am a DSD file guy. I look at streaming like someone in the 70's looked at radio.

I've always been curious about PASS, if I could swing a demo, I might consider it.

@audphile1 

I removed the network card, sounds better without it. The Mac goes into the DSD via a very nice USB.

Ive gotten some nice suggestions and I'm doing ok.

As to sound, I can say the trope words, Smooth Warm Rich Musical Deep Real Natural....That actually isn't much help I would think?

How can anyone ever explain....sound? Can't be done in reality.

Thanks

T

@pindac 

Did you mean psaudio BK1 ?

The mac mini isnt processing anything it is simply a NAS. The streams and or files go through audivana to psaudio dsd to the pre. What about that would suck? Are you saying audivana without any filters sucks, or the DSD Sr. Sucks, or just the mini flow through?. Or just, everything sucks?

And I cant explain to you what a nice tube amp sounds like, you will have to hear one yourself and then come up with a SS pre and amp for no more than $3000 which is what my QS’s cost new that sounds as good as that..

Thank you

T

@helomech 

"""I know of multiple audiophiles who come on here and other sites espousing the sound quality of various components, then elsewhere they reluctantly admit they rely on hearing aids or suffer from tinnitus."""

🤣🤣

I know what you mean. It explains alot of random comments.

@mbmi

Although I did tour for years, I always wore ear filters, which I still wear today when I play. I also rarely play the hifi to crazy levels. High levels destroy depth of soundstage. I have no tinnitus.

So, the vast majority yes, but I have taken care. Any youngsters out there should take heed; I have musician friends that did not and they suffer. In particular, a mando player I play with is half deaf with tinnitus. I tried to tell him even for the last ten years and one day, he was finished. He suffers terribly, not just in listening to music. He suffers all day every day with very loud screaming in his left ear.

@audphile1 

And can u explain the issue with using the mac mini to store files and send those files to the dsd dac?

It is not as if I am using itunes. All apple processing and filters are bypassed with Audivana.

so where are the weaknesses?

than you

and please anyone else feel free to chime in

Thank you @subterranean6 

 @audphile1 

"""A much better solution would be to use the PS Audio DAC with its built in network card and stream using ethernet. """"

The PSAudio Bridge sounds like poop. I can only assume you have never tried it and compared it to the USB. If this is true, you are sounding like a brochure warrior, just saying. All you would have to do is peruse the PSAudio forum to know the Bridge sounds like crap.

""But with the DSD DAC built in network card you don’t even need a dedicated streamer. ""

I do if I want it to sound better than the bridge and besides DSD files sound better. I only use Qobuz to demo albums and then I purchase DSD.

""It and the PS Audio DAC would need to be on the same network."""

Ok, check, thank you.

@audphile1 

Is this one of your started threads?

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/best-software-to-rip-cds-to-mac-mini

Best software to rip CDs to Mac (Mini)

""Years ago I used iTunes to rip CDs to my Mac Mini in AIFF format. What’s the latest and the greatest for this?

Now, I know what you guys are thinking, but in defense of @Audphile1 , if he is listening to CD’s, then yes, absolutely, PSAudios Bridge will sound fantastic and streaming will be the "best", but scrap the bridge and play DSD through Audirvana, bypassing Mac processing through a good USB and the sound will shock even the learned ears of Audiphile1.

Thank you @mihorn 

I will look into them.

@audphile1 

I was only responding to your condescending attitude from the get go, so...good riddens. 

@audphile1 

Hey now, you said you were over & out.

I think I have zeroed in on the Pass Lab 1st Watt. Now to decipher the differences in models, although I have read the actual tube sound of the SET may not actually be a tube sound, maybe just a similarity. I think I will decide on one of these models and compare it to my QS's and then decide.

There are just too many options out there, I need to plant my feet.

Ive started a new thread specifically on the 1st Watt series.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

T

@katman 

You replaced the e34's in what?

@oldtexasdog

Thanks for the article. Fun read. An old producer I know used to have Carver Amps and they did sound nice.