Bragging rights.....

@asvjerry

Other than spls now limited to the low 90s at my main listening position, the amp in the newer Cambridge took everything to a higher level especially with the big Ohms than the gear it replaced, which was somewhat older….Bel Canto ref1000m monoblocks and Audio Research sp16 tube preamp, no slouches.  Listing for almost $8k together in their day. That’s with both digital and phono as a source. Everything is clearer, more detailed, better imaging and more dynamic. Not nearly as laid back as prior. The biggest differences can be heard with the best classical recordings as one would expect.  The Cambridge Evo 150 cost $3K back earlier this year. 

@jjss49

Yeah it’s just semantics I suppose and I am being a little tongue in cheek. I suppose if one is successful on achieving one’s goals, that is all that matters.

Talk to me in a year. Who knows what I will be then. 😃

I would assert that The high efficiency of Class D amps along with optimizations with power supplies for that including noise suppression enables integrated amps in general to push the limits and please even more people. Having been around a while and experienced a lot in this area, that is my observation. Noise levels with Class D amps many years back was a common problem but need not be anymore.

So more is always possible with separates. It’s not a slam dunk though in all cases. In fact it’s probably harder than ever for separates to distinguish themselves in any way meaningful to most home audio users.

A hard core audiophile determined to always push the limits no matter what will still not stop trying to do that. Some will succeed. Others may not. My point is personally I no longer feel that the return is worth it for me. So I turn in my audiophile membership card. Call me an enthusiast, at least for now. 😉. I will always be a music lover.  

@soarnatti

I use wireless WiFi network connection to the Evo. Always have used wireless connections to stream. Sounds great….no problem.

The only drawback is the music library functionality on the Evo is rather slow over WiFi to my fairly large remote Plex media server library. It’s a limitation. But I get around it using a good quality, long run usb connection to keep computer I run Plex on away from the rest of the hifi gear. Or, sometimes I just stream using Plexamp on my smartphone or tablet and connect via AirPlay. Either way sounds top notch to my ears.

Plexamp is like Roon in regards to providing flexible access to music. The built in music library functionality/ Cambridge Stream Magic app is barebones in comparison to Roon or Plexamp for music discovery. Most similar proprietary vendor apps are I read.
 

The built in internet radio functionality is quite good though. I’ve started to stream hi res internet stations for the first time with the evo and some of those are a sonic treat.

If I get a chance will try and do a review of the Evo.  So much to talk about there!  The good sound is just the tip of the iceberg.  

Naim Unity was another option I studied but did not quite fit the bill. I am interested to see what new products Naim puts out in upcoming years though. 

@frazeur1 good to hear from you.  
 

Yes Downsizing is something I consider these days.  But it’s always nice to simplify things, eliminate clutter and recover space. 

For those less inclined to dabble and experiment (and nitpick even perhaps)there has always been a strong argument for letting the experts do the integrations for you. Also to avoid having to connect things with pricey wires. I believe technical innovation will continue to provide more and better options for various all in one devices that can replace many. If the goal is to cut to the chase and get good sound ASAP, it is a real option to consider. Of course in the end it is still always different strokes for different folks, but some strokes are just easier and more productive than others. It all depends. No news there.

@condosound

My bet was that the technology available now in the good products would move me forward and that happened.

What lies on the future? Probably even better things and more options So I will cross that bridge when it comes. The Evo will likely not be going anywhere soon.

Remember this was an experiment that worked out I waited over 6 months to start unloading the old gear.

I have a BelCanto c5i still upstairs as well. Also does it all except requires separate streamer. There is a newer model out the c6i. Probably already another step forward there, but not planning any changes there at present

@hi @bondmanp

yes you are right about the move from 500 w/ch to now 120w/ch as per product specs.

originally I was targeting the more powerful nad m33 to come closer. However the Cambridge was a better fit for me feature-wise. So given a good return policy I decided to see what the Cambridge could do first for $2k+ less. You don’t know until you try.

No doubt the Cambridge cannot go as loud as the prior 500w/ch monoblocks could. But they do go no problem up to ~ 90db from my main listening position about 10 feet back from my large Ohms. I’ve pretty much decided that I can live with that. Plenty of volume with less risk of hearing damage over time from very high spls. Plus the Cambridge does other things very well that delivers more of the music at lower spl. So turns out I can live with a good 120 w/ch of Hypex amplification.

Regarding the kefs, The metas are a step beyond the original ls50s in every way plus I use a sub. So there is the nth degree of detail and yes still a slightly livelier sound than the Ohms, but with the F5s, how much less laid back they are depends on where the two higher frequency adjustments are set on the F5s. The Cambridge presentation overall is inherently more forward I would say than the older Bel Canto Class D amps they replaced. The sound is less laid back and more lively and detailed at all frequencies. I’d attribute that to the much newer Class D amps. The sound stage is not quite as wide wall to wall as before. That happens whenever there is more high-frequency (directional) sound energy produced. I actually had my F5s set with a 3db high frequency boost prior. Now I moved that back with the new amps. It’s really a matter of personal preference. Within its lower SPL limits, the Cambridge does bass as well and probably better than before. Still all there at the right levels and more articulate as before. It’s really only fair to compare ls50s to larger Ohms when used with a sub and even then only in a smaller room. Both Ohms and Kefs currently sound magnificent but not the same. The kef metas and sub are wonderful for peering into the nth degree of detail in a recording. The Ohms are perhaps a tad behind in that regard but are still the ones that I choose to listen to for extended periods when I just want to kick back and enjoy the music. I am very fortunate to have many different ways to listen to and appreciate music. Good times!

@flasd the difference between today and yesteryear is the technological advancements that make things now possible that never were before.  You can bank on that!

Ah, the Great Leap Forward! *L*

...at least you kept the Walsh... ;)

@asvjerry yes the Ohm Walsh speakers are quite unique and really not practically replaceable. The 5s are fairly massive but also quite adjustable to any room with the on board controls and built in castors for easy movement which makes them even more unique and valuable.

@anotherbob

I was targeting the NAD M33 originally mainly for the added power. I required a USB input which would tack another $500 to the M33 cost for an add-on board (ouch). Also I was not really interested in doing adjustments for room acoustics in that I had my old setup tuned in just right without it.

I decided to try the Cambridge. It checked all my boxes for considerably less. I bought from a well known vendor with a good return policy.

@lalitk

Yes that combo in that room is very tuned in and is really good for hearing all there is in any particular recording. .

@juanmanuelfangioii the Cambridge has been pretty reliable. It can be fussy when pairing bluetooth sources for input or output and usually requires a restart prior to pairing new devices, but once paired works well.

Also the on-board music library streaming application is very limited but I typically never use that, rather I use PLex then connect from device running PLex to the Cambridge using various means. Roon would accomplish same. Were I not using Plex I could connect my usb drive with music files directly and that would probably perform faster with library ops than current wifi connection, but Plex ( server running on small home computer) allows me to stream from anywhere not just my house and also provides advanced music discovery features similar to Roon (using Plexamp app) so that is not going away in the foreseeable future.

The Cambridge allowed me to retire my old Squeeze System-based streaming, including Logitech MEdia Server and multiple Squeeze devices (Squeezebox Touch) I had used for many years prior.

@lalitk

Still running Ohm F5s in larger adjacent L shaped room (still my main listening place via in-wall speaker wire) and KEF ls50 meta + Klipsch sw308 sub in smaller 12X12 where the other gear resides, where I also listen somewhat regularly.

YEs, KEF ls60 is one of the other "future fi" products that interests me greatly.