Hi all, I
am in need of some guidance here. Excuses that this may seem a little broad but
have not kept myself UpToDate with the audio society and the movements here.
In ’96 got
my equipment DPA 1024 DAC with ML 31.5 drive, ML 38S, Locally produced Tube mono
blocks and ProAc 3,5, Voyd TT and locally produced Riaa (tube).
Speakers
changed to ProAC Response 4, ATM 3 monoblocks, Feikert TT.
Situation
is that my DAC DPA tentwentyfour Limited Edition have started making sound in
the right channel, again 9 years after the first time. This time also with
sound degradation. DPA company folded again it looks a little difficult to have
repaired last time it did take DPA team some effort.
I was then
suggested to take another route to buy new DAC benefitting the developments in
the digital technologies. Have listened to some different OPPO Sonica, Mcintosh
9000, supposedly same DAC as in C52 that got good review in TAS magazine. I think the OPPO I actually did very well in
that comparison DAC to DAC.
I have
listened to GRIMM Audio, I was absolutely floored by the effortlessness, the
bass response, the blackness and how clean it sounded. Every CD I put forward was surpassed in
quality, either playing from A HD (via USB) or streaming (Tidal) from Internet
(wireless). It got me thinking:
1) I need to rip al my CDs and play
them from a storage place and start streaming instead of buy LPs and CD
2) Is it actually new system I should
consider?
A 2 hour
audition of Grimm Audio left me feeling the music was kind of in “my face” and
at the end driving home I felt a little fatigued. Listening position from front
axis both speakers, same as distance between speakers. This is closer than listening
position at home. Can that be the reason for the feeling in your face and
fatigue? Dealer do not agree in testing
at home, as sound will be adjusted to same everywhere which usually would make
me “Never mind” and turn away. But this is really simplification of Audio and
it intrigues me. I know we will downsize property in 3-5 years when our
daughter finishes uni and the ProAc 4 are big. Dealer is also not willing to
swap-in my old system.
I am
auditioning Aurelic Vega G2 at home right now – and it is a darling only using
the DAC function (together with ML 31.5). I do not have golden ears but to my
mind it outperforms the 1024 (it been some time it has played now). I could
settle with that and be happy.
I have kind
of on purpose left out Lampizator DACs out of the equation (no dealer in my
country, though I am in Europe. Feeling it would be a little difficult to audition
and so on.
Would appreciate
to hear comments/suggestions to the almost life changing decision I have to
make.
Anybody heard the Grimm?
Happy
Sunday
Kim
