Flavioleoni, No I purchased the Soundstage as I got it new for $2100.00. Check www.klipsch.com for specs on the Mondial Stage One.
Mike |
Tim,
Thanks for the advice but, I am looking for a unit that has balanced outputs for the L & R mains.
Mike |
Jimmy,
Thanks for the input. I probably need to consider the EAD Signature 8 since it has the Burr Brown PCM 1702 24 bit DACs. I have a cheap NHT SA-3 amp which I use with the Classe 25 to bi-amp the mains. I run my center channel and rear surrounds with an inexpensive Acurus Three Channel Amp 200 x 3.
Mike |
Daniel,
Thanks for the input but, I want balanced outs which the B & K Ref 30 doesn't have.
Mike |
Rap,
The only Lexicon unit that has balanced outs is the MC 12 Balanced which is way above my budget. The Theta Digital Casanova only has 20 bit DACs and the Casablanca is way above my budget.
Mike |
Potrzebie,
Thanks for the info. I have been leaning all along toward the Classe SSP 75 because of my main amplifier but, I hear so many good things about the other pieces it is hard to decide. I'll have to check out the z-systems Rdq-1 you suggested. Maybe I really need to check out Jimmy's suggestion and narrow my choices down to a couple of units and see if the dealer will ship them for me to demo.
Mike |
I just got this response from JS Audio. I have also asked the same question of many other dealers that carry the products I am looking for. I will post them when received.
Hi Michael,
You have a very nice music system. Classe' 25 is great, I'm a big advocate of Cardas, and Wadia products are excellent .This is easy, the Meridian 568 is the finest processor on the Planet. This is the benchmark by which all others are judged. You will be able to upsample 24/88.2 in stereo and Meridian's propriety Trifield ( 3 front speakers ) and by late summer a new hardware upgrade will be available that will allow multi channel upsampling at 96/24, and dolby digital AC-3 & DVD-A. This unit as it stands has no competition-------strong statement but very accurate. I have the Classe' the Bryston in my store , all are very good. Meridian is the Best. If you can work with computers and follow there set up procedures the 568 will tonally taylor your system to the balance you desire. Please call me tomorrow and I'll be happy to provide any additional information you require. We just set up the New 800.3 / 861.3 system with all the new processors and upsampling capabilities, amazing.
Thank you,
Joseph Stromick
PS. check out the Meridan website link from my site, JSAUDIO.COM
PSS. Don't do any video input switching unless necessary------it degrade the picture. |
Beemer,
You may very well be right about the Classe 25. Unfortunately, I will have to live with it for a while. That's why I'm hoping one of the processors will partially solve the problem. Isn't the Anthem a tube preamplifier made by Sonic Frontiers? Thanks for your help!
Mike |
Avguygeorge,
I finally found them at Sonic Frontiers' web site. If the sound compares to some of the other units I am interested in,the AVM20 looks promising.
Thanks,
Mike |
Thanks for all the help you guys have given me on this. I purchased an Aragon Sounstage and am debating on purchasing an Accuphase CD player vs a tube preamp. |
Tburn,
You may be correct but, since I have limited opportunity to audition any of the units, I lean toward assuming that a pre/pro that has an incorporated tuner will have less advanced DACs and higher THD at the price point I am considering. I already have a very good Rotel tuner for those limited times that I tune into FM. I wish there was a web site that would compare DACs: Crystal vs Burr-Brown, etc.
Thanks for your input.
Mike |
Tburn,
Sorry, I only responded to part of your post. I may be assuming incorrectly but, I think I am going to better myself by removing the Wadia 25 from my system which if I remember correctly is a 21 bit processor. It sounds great but, if I upgrade to any of the surround pre/pros I have listed which have 24 bit processing I will get excellent home theater as well as better processing for the CDs I play on my Wadia 20 transport and I am assuming I will get better sound from the CDs as a result. Am I all wet on this?
Mike |
Mig007,
Thanks for the suggestion. I checked out the specs on the DTC-10 at Cinepro's website. Unfortunately it does not have any balanced outputs.
Mike |
Responses from dealers:
1. Greetings and well wishes. Where are you located ?
It's best to call as interactive conversations serve your interest better and are more efficient.
Best Wishes & Good Listening,
Ambrosia A/V
2. Response from Audionexus:
I regret that we cannot recommend one of our brands over the other in print. This could get us in a lot of trouble. Please phone if you wish to discuss this further. thank you.
3. Michael
If multi channel audio is your cup of tea then the 568 is the way to go. If you are a two channel guy then the Classe would be my choice. The CAL demo that I'm selling would be a great deal and probably the winner if your main preference is movies. I haven't heard the EAD and the Bryston did not impress me at all.
Best Regards
Paul Chambers
System Designer
Goodwins High End
4. Response from Audibleelegance:
Michael,
You have some fine processors to chose from. We have chosen the Classe SSP-75 as our reference processor on our showroom store. The beauty of the SSP-75 is that you can play two channel music without compromise, then throw in your favorite movie for exceptional surround. We are using the Proceed PMDT as a transport into the SSP-75 and the digital section plays music like a high end stand alone D/A.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Thanks,
Mark
5. Response from Bay Area Audio:
The only of those processors that I have direct experience with are Cal and the Classe'.
Of those two the Classe was the smoother of the two althouh probably not quite as flexible as the Cal. I have never heard a smooth sounding piece of equipment from Bryston so I doubt they would be the solution you are looking for.
Good luck,
KB |
Bishopwill,
It wasn't so much a request to solve the problem as it was a request for help in picking a processor that would help the most in making the problem less noticeable. I purchased all the equipment in 1995. I listened to numerous speakers and amps in the $3,000 to $5,000 range and liked the NHT/Classe sound the best. With most CDs the sound is very smooth but, with a few CDs the upper ranges are sometimes a little forward. Definitely not fatiguing to me though.
Mike |
Flavioleoni,
I am no expert at this stereo business and since I have not received the Aragon Soundstage I ordered yet, I have no idea how the Aragon Stage One may sound. Your best bet if you can't audition the unit in person is to rely on the various review sites available on the internet or call the dealers directly that carry the units you are considering and inquire about their perceptions.
Mike |
Flavioleoni,
I am no expert at this stereo business and since I have not received the Aragon Soundstage I ordered yet, I have no idea how the Aragon Stage One may sound. Your best bet if you can't audition the unit in person is to rely on the various review sites available on the internet or call the dealers directly that carry the units you are considering and inquire about their perceptions.
Mike |
Bishopwill,
It wasn't really a request to solve the problem. It was a request for advice on which processor might help the problem the most. I auditioned numerous speakers and liked the NHTs with the Classe amp better than any others I heard at that price point back in 1995. Most CDs do not sound bright but, some are a little forward. Posted below are some of the responses I have received from dealers.
Mike |
