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Best Digital source - HE2005

For the last year and a half, I was on the search for the ultimate digital source out there. I auditioned the Burmester 011, the DCS, and Boulder. All sounded really good, and when it comes to that level, it is really a matter of taste. If you haven't had the chance listening to any of these sources, one has to appreciate that all are excellent. However, in this forum, there is a consensus about the Meitner gear. So, before spending so much money, I had to audition it. I did my way to the HE 2005. As a general role auditions in show rooms have so many limitations, however, I think that I’m able to make this point: Meitner, is a very, very good source. Natural and palpable. However, one of my main reasons to attend the show was to hear the MBL gear. And here come the surprise, at least to me. The MBL (top of the line, 40K) sounded as noting I've heard before. Very realistic, musical as if you could touch the players. I will skip all the audiophilic terms, and get to the point: this is The best source I've ever come across, and by a big margin. If you get a chance to listen, do it!
roy_tirosh

Showing 2 responses by slipknot1

slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I agree re: the MBL. I spent some time this morning listening to the new smaller loudspeaker and the new 200 wpc SS monos, and was stunned at how good it sounded.

For me, the best digital had to be Ray Kimber's demonstration of his 4 channel recordings played back using 4 Pass Labs 600 W monos and 4 TAD Model 1 loudspeakers. He also had the new Tascam DSD recorder with him as well. The recording perspective was a little weird in that the mikes were about 10 feet off the deck directly above the performers so you missed the audience perspective, but the resolution, dynamic range and imaging were pretty hard to beat.

I also thought GTT Audio was making some nice music via the EMM Labs playback gear, Kharma 3.2/Kharma sub combo. This was the American debut of Kharma's proprietary Class D power amp, 150 wpc into 8 ohms, all in a very small package.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
I have to be honest. I was so impressed by the mbl 116 speaker/mbl 9007 amp combination, I didn't even ask about the source even though it had a lot to do with what I was hearing. I was in the room on Thursday afternoon and went back just before 10:00 this morning and got some one-on-one time with it.

I was equally impressed with the EMM digital as source in front of the Kharma 3.2 setup. Very musical.

dcs equipment actually went under my radar this time out as I was only able to attend Thursday and had to leave around 1:00PM this afternoon.
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