I had them for about 10 years,served me well as a backup combo.I liked Sigma 2 better than Alpha.It had more tube magic despite having only 1 12ax7 instead of 2 and the voltage output was higher so it doubled my power amp capabilities from the get-go.Even though Delta was a decent transport back in a day (i purchased it 1992)i was shocked at how better Audio Research CD-1 (used$500-$600) sounded as a transport compared to Delta.Summing up:CAL Sigma II will please you with tube magic and dynamics,it has a slam factor.Instead of Delta try seeking out ARC CD1,it is that much better as a transport.If not,Delta will do.The combo really worked together with Kimber KCAG coax digital cable.
CAL Delta/Sigma II combo - any good?
I’ve always wanted to have a tube component in my system. My plan of having a tube preamp paired with a solid state amp never materialized and I ended up switching my amp/preamp combo for a Musical Fidelity A300 int amp (very happy with it). That said, my current set up is as follows:
Musical Fidelity A300 amp
Esoteric D-50 Transport
EAD DSP7000mk3 DAC
Pro-ject Perspective Table w/ Denon 103 cartridge
Soliloquy 5.3 speakers
Interconnects are Canare DigiGold digital cable, Audience Maestro and Soroan Cactus Signature interconnects, and Transparent Music Link Plus speaker cables.
My question is this – would I benefit from changing my digital front end to, say, a CAL Delta/Sigma II (24/96 tube) Dac? Would this CAL combo retain the Esoteric/EAD attributes with the added extra of “tube magic”, or will I loose some transparency, weight and detail with the CAL? Any input would really be appreciated.
Musical Fidelity A300 amp
Esoteric D-50 Transport
EAD DSP7000mk3 DAC
Pro-ject Perspective Table w/ Denon 103 cartridge
Soliloquy 5.3 speakers
Interconnects are Canare DigiGold digital cable, Audience Maestro and Soroan Cactus Signature interconnects, and Transparent Music Link Plus speaker cables.
My question is this – would I benefit from changing my digital front end to, say, a CAL Delta/Sigma II (24/96 tube) Dac? Would this CAL combo retain the Esoteric/EAD attributes with the added extra of “tube magic”, or will I loose some transparency, weight and detail with the CAL? Any input would really be appreciated.
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