If you see or hear of a used CD player that you think would be good for not a lot of money, let me know. Hi Rinpoche, The Aeris DAC does not provide any analog inputs, so until and unless you purchase a preamp you would want to connect a digital output of the CD player to a digital input of the DAC. Or, alternatively, you could consider purchasing a CD transport, which would not include a digital-to-analog converter function and would only provide digital outputs. It seems that in more situations than not a coaxial S/PDIF digital connection provides better sonics than a Toslink connection, although that is certainly not always the case. The Aeris provides BNC connectors for its coaxial S/PDIF inputs, while most CD players and transports (especially in the lower parts of the price spectrum) provide those signals on RCA connectors. But BNC/RCA adapters are readily available inexpensively, and can provide fine results. Best regards, -- Al |
rinpoche,
If at the moment you want to minimize the outlay of cash but still get a capable cd transport to use now, a consideration might be a Cambridge CXC, or maybe an Oppo player; can always upgrade to a PS Audio Perfectwave Transport or the like when it makes sense to you to do so. In the meantime you'd get to use your cd collection. |
Okay, just hearing this all makes me a bit nervous. I think I will stick to the plan and develop the system one by one. Preamp then CD -- but thanks for letting me bounce the idea around to get a feel for it. Sometimes it just helps to hear things back. |
Oppo 105D Blu ray player should be quite good. It is about $1300. Or better Marantz perhaps. |
There are a ton of good deals out there on used cd players as people abandon optical discs, if you need one check the listings here. And going back a bit I read inna’s comment to Guido to be tongue in cheek and rather amusing I don’t think she was taking Guido to task whatsoever.
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Al is correct, Aeris has only digital inputs. According to the factory, the best input on Aeris may be the SPDIF/coax inputs... And that I waht I use, with Aeris fed by an Esoteric X-01 used as transport only... Fab sound.
But for all I hear, OPPO players are also excellent when used as transport.
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Hello everyone and especially Inna,
I have not yet taken the plunge. The price of the JR is very high. However, I am going to decide very soon. But this morning as I was browsing some sights I found a LAMM M1.2 that I could afford. It is in the US so I might not be able to hear it (???) unless I go on a short trip (which I could do given my brother lives not far away). It is used so well priced. Any thoughts on this? R |
Never mind. Between writing you and emailing the dealer, the LAMM sold. Back to the drawing board. R |
Hello Rinpoche.
It would be helpful if you could tell how much you were prepared to spend on the amp, in $US. But if you asked me, I would not settle for anything less than VAC, Rowland or LAMM. Others here, and Wilson Audio themselves, also suggested ARC and VTL. I cannot comment on this because I have no idea. |
Thanks, it seems I am courting the right products. Again, since I wrote, another ad for LAMM M2.2 has come to my attention. A friend sent it to me. I am inquiring about its age and so on. I would love to know more from you about LAMM, since you were the first to recommend it. I am still leaning very much toward JR as you know, but don't want to make the wrong move since this is an expensive and hopefully long term committment. I would be able to spend up to 15-16,000 USD. But why not spend less if I can!!!!! Then I could add preamp and cables and just listen to Sarah Mclaughlan and be happy. |
There is still a pair of LAMM M2.2 monoblocks available here for $12800 or best offer. If you consider LAMM, ask the seller for serial numbers and then call or write Vladimir Shushirin, LAMM designer and owner, and ask him about these particular amp's service and repair history. He matches tubes to each amp ! He is a serious person and audiophile. You can ask him about Wilson/LAMM match too.
The biggest mistake in choosing the equipment is spending less than needed. The second biggest mistake is spending more than needed.
If you eventually go with LAMM and later want to add a preamp, this preamp will almost certainly be all tube LAMM, could usually be found for $6000 or so.
If you also consider older Rowlands, I suggest you start a separate thread specifically about them. Some people heard them all with different speakers, and not all Rowlands were great. |
I listened to Sarah's music on youtube. She is articulated and controlled, in addtion to being dreamy. This is a wild guess, but I think that in the long run, at least at this level not perhaps the best possible level, you will enjoy Rowland or LAMM more than VAC. Which one would be better? You could ask Vladimir this too. You could ask him why he might think that his amps would be better with your Wilsons for your taste and the kind of music you listen to. As far as I know, unless it changed, he doesn't make dacs or integrated amps. This tells us that he is a die hard analog man and strives for the highest performance. |
Hi Rinpoche, in the Rowland field, there is also the Continuum S2 integrated. I ssuspect its cost in Canada might be 60% to 65% of M625 S2. CS2 is an absolutely marvellous sounding amp... Approximately 400W per channel. I heard it several times at RMAF and it is incredibly musical and resolving. You can either feed your Aeris in its line level inputs, or bypass the built-in Capri S2 linestage circuit, and feed Aeris directly into the amplification stage inputs.
Here is Roy Gregory's review of Continuum S2 on The Audiobeat: http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/jeff_rowland_continuum_s2.htm
Guido |
There is used Rowland Continuum S2 on Audiogon for about $6000. He might ship to Canada. Question is if this is good enough. |
I love the 625 S2 so that is what this is all about. Making sure this is where I want to be. The goal is to be happy. I don't know if you have heard the Vac 200, it is lovely. But for me it is the amount of time it is in use (given it is also for my work) and the playing around with tubes. The JR is lovely. I am in the final stretch now. Thank you all.
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In my opinion, Sarah singing Angel with Emmylou Harris is a great track. One of my all time favourite go-to songs. |
Not really the same direction, I prefer Loreena McKennitt. She is a Canadian, by the way. The concert in Alhambra, Spain is excellent. |
I love Loreena too. Yes, they are both Canadian.
As for the Continuum, I heard it and passed. I think (at least to my ears) the 625 is better. And down the road I can add a pre-amp. Thanks you for letting me know. Wilson likes JR with the Sabrinas too. Could it be I have decided????? |
It could, it can and it is. |
Hi again Rinpoche, "problem" is that by listening to M625 S2 you have set your reference point very high. I suspect that if you get any other amp, including Continuum S2, you will place yourself onto a path of regrets and second guessing yourself, followed by an unavoidable course of "upgraditis furiosa".
Rather, why not try to megotiate a price break with Angie?
Regards, Guido
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Wrong. Better ask the dealer to throw in some great cables and power cord. This is high end audio shopping not oriental bazaar. |
My aplogies Inna, I really have no experience what so ever shopping oriental bazars, so I have no idea about negotiation practices therein. Want to help me with that next time I have the opportunity?
Conversely, I have negotiated all my musical purchases since 1970... Both sides of the Pond, both North and South of the 49th. Have I broken etiquette again on this thread by suggesting the application of such uncooth acquisitional techniques?
G. |
All suggestions are most welcome!!!!!! I will try.
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ricpoche,
at some point you just make a decision knowing that nothing is perfect, you will always have people telling you what you should do or what's better(despite the fact they probably haven't actually heard the component). It took me a long time to realize my ears are the only ones that count. I submit it's great to ask for opinions as a way of narrowing down what to listen to, but "your ears and wallet" will make the right decision for you. |
I would say we maintained a relative neutrality, most certainly when it came to the wallet. I did hint slightly that LAMM could be the best choice from purely audiophile perspective. But there are other factors here at play, namely aesthetics, convinience, size, familiarity, reliability. And I only did it because I think I got a pretty good idea of what Rinpoche wants to accomplish.
I believe, we've been good and I find your statements totally incorrect and irrelevant when it comes to this thread.
By the way, what makes you think that nothing is perfect? This implies that you know everything. What a wonderful arrogance. |
I have learned from all of you. In the end, it will come down to 'my ears and my wallet' -- and your advice has helped a lot. This gave me a forum to discuss and learn. |
Getting the amplification, speaker, room part of the system optimized together to a good degree is the most critical part to get right technically.
With that you have a solid foundation to work upon. The rest is much easier to get right as long as one knows what kind of sound they are seeking to start with.
You can’t hit the target exactly without a solid foundation to stand on or if you don’t know where or what the target is exactly.
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Inna,
Life is too short to argue over audio. My advice wasn't address to anyone, but to say to the OP trust your ears. Arrogant is one thing I'm not, I'm very humble and know this is all stuff, not life and death. |
Riced1,
You hardly came off as arrogant (quite the contrary ). Anyone know of a perfect audio product? If so please share with the rest of us.
Charles, |
"
Life is too short to argue over audio.
"
I agree.
Even worse is arguing over wires not to mention fuses.
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mapman
13,415 posts
06-24-2016 2:24pm
" Life is too short to argue over audio."
to which Mapman replied,
"I agree.
Even worse is arguing over wires not to mention fuses."
That's odd. I counted 18 Mapman posts on the latest thread on fuse directionality. Perhaps you were the voice of reason. ;-)
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Charles,
Thanks. It's okay if our opinions differ. With so many products/ combinations there will never be consensus on what component to get. I submit it's so important to remind individuals that every suggestion should be taken with a grain of salt. I love my Jeff Rowland gear, but I'm not naive enough to believe everyone prefers it.
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Its also too short to be counting peoples posts.
I'm trying to cut back by not arguing with you Geoffkait. That should buy me a few years.....
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mapman
13,416 posts
06-24-2016 3:46pm
"Its also too short to be counting peoples posts.
I'm trying to cut back by not arguing with you Geoffkait. That should buy me a few years....."
right. Starting right now.
:-)
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There are currently no dealers or distributors in either Canada or the US, but I just have to mention one brand that is considered by some to be the very best or at least among a few very best transistor designs. It is Gryphon Audio based in Denmark. I never auditioned them only read about them. I suppose, you could get them from a European dealer and have Gryphon convert the voltage. There are not many Gryphons in the US and almost no-one ever sells them. |
Think rinpoche has wanted to audition anything she is/has considered; how would she be able to do this with the Gryphon given what you stated? |
There's some Gryphon equipment for sale here; don't want to speak for rinpoche but the prices are even higher than Lamm which seemed problematic |
This is for the future, just to be aware of something that might go beyond Rowland. Gryphon also makes integrateds for a 'reasonable' price, so music for another room perhaps. |
Thanks, but I think I am about to take the plunge. Will let you all know. R |
rinpoche,
I which I could say something to reassure that you're going to be happy with Jeff Rowland, but I can't. Components are very personal, so you never know. In my system the 625 S2 is by far the most musical amp I've ever had. After 30 years in this hobby that's the best compliment that I can give. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean you will feel the same. Best of luck to you. |
I will let you know. I am looking forward to finding out. THANKS |
Rinpoche,
I am writing down my prediction as follows :- SWCRABVHWI.
Let's see what happens. Good luck!
J. :)
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Hi Ricred1,
In some systems to certain listeners the Gryphon will be preferred to the Rowland. Change the listeners and or the system and suddenly the Rowland is deemed the superior amplifier. In the realm of upper tier transistor power amplifiers both stand tall. If I've learned one thing about audio system assembly it is that synergy is a real and major factor.
Charles, |
Total system synergy also includes the way the system interacts with the environment it is in.
Place 2 identical sytems in 2 different rooms and both will sound different.
Place 2 identical systems in the same room but with different environments, like with one having a television in between the speakers, and again, both will sound different.
A system can sound only as good as the environment it is in.
J. :)
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I have couple of friends whose hearing is excellent, they are not audiophiles. Our preferences are sometimes different but we hear exactly the same things. When something is really good and you can hear it, there is no question about it.
System match is of course very important, and the higher you go the more important. However, I would guess that all of these amps would match well with Wilsons. Could be interesting to compare. |
Okay, what does SWCRABVHWI mean? And, there will be a TV in between. High ceilings (12' with wood slats). Brick wall on one side, open on the other. And 10 feet between speakers (equidistant to the couch of course). Probably not ideal but it is what it is. There is only so much I can do, but I am hoping it is okay. I could cover the TV when listening to music? Oh, and there are 96" glass doors, a wall across from the speakers, and completely open space to the other side -- very open overall. With rugs, and furniture, and dare I say it looks great!!!!! |
Rinpoche,
Those letters are code for my prediction which will be revealed after you have made your decision. They are meaningless for now.
As to your room, what I mean is the amp you choose will sound different in your room compared to someone else’s.
Relax, just choose your amp, bring it home and you can rearrange your room if necessary, after that. No point rearranging now as you need to know how it sounds first. You can move things around later to make your system sound better. Who knows, your system may jist sound great without any rearrangement!
One step at a time. :) |
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Well, Jon seems to have posed a mystery for us to have some fun with. I certainly don't have any background in cryptography, but I note that the number of characters in "SWCRABVHWI" is the same as the number of characters in "JRDG 625S2" (including the space).
Rinpoche, best of luck with your choice.
Regards,
-- Al
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Haha. Al is reading way too much into the code with his technical brain. It actually isn't that complicated. Let's wait and see.
Regards.
Jon. :)
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