@pokey77
It's not my opinion - I have no personal experience with Luxman. And, from what WC has described, I think the Luxman would be at the top of my list as well. I've just noticed in my journey that some folks do not prefer smooth and sweet and would consider that kind of sound overly smooth. Again, it's not my opinion, so I apologize for having mentioned it.
Dave
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I was wondering about that. I had seen a post about HD springs previous to the above one, and when I looked at the website, I did not see them. Interesting website...
Dave
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I think most of the conversations here start on topic, but can easily segue to related topics, which seque again, until we are definitely not on the original topic. Just a human thing - we can easily do it when in conversations with others and a certain word or phrase sparks something in our minds and/or hearts and off we go.
Most folks understand the right idea to bring it back to the topic and send the unrelated topics to another thread and/or to PM's. For others, the passion of the topic seems to overtake them a bit. It's nice that we help each other out to get back to WC and his journey.
Dave
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Mmmm...I wonder if that would change anyone's guess as to which speaker it is then?
Dave
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That Ulfberbt is a big speaker. I'd be curious too how that one would compare to the Neolith for WC. As mentioned, it would certainly open the door to evaluating lower-mid powered amplifiers, in addition to the powerhouses. And, it looks like it's discounted 25% right now.
At the end of the day though, I'm sure WC has his own reasons for not wanting to try the Tekton.
Dave
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@WC
So your wife noticed the difference between the two setups. Over time, it will be interesting to find out which one she prefers. Do the Merrill's need more time on them or were they used previously? Ultimately, it will be interesting to see which one of the two setups you prefer.
Dave
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100% agreed riaa!! I do miss the days of a dealer letting me take something home to see what it did in my room. Those were good times.
With regards to opinions, I usually look for commonality in the opinions of many. Still, it might not sound the same in my room. At least I have a best guess and try to get good deals on things so that I can sell them if they don't work out.
Dave
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WC -
Did your comparison of the 8805 vs MX160 include EQ (Aud. vs RP essentially)? If it were me, I'd compare without EQ - at least the first round of listening.
I had the Lyngdorf MP-50 for about 3 months - it was OK. I definitely preferred the MX-151 that I had before it, so I can imagine that the MX160 is even better.
Dave
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I agree with Guido on the Cardas. I had the Beyond PC, and I didn't think it was slow at all. I'm betting the Beyond XL is even better.
Dave
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I will be curious how you like the Merrill cabling. It's had some decent reviews and it's a much lower price point than both the Nordost and the WW - could possibly be a great value. Plus, there might be synergy with the Merrill components.
Dave
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viber6,
When listening to live instruments - let’s take a violin for example, since that is what you play - is it possible that distance/perspective can play a role (not be the absolute reason) in sweet vs clarity. For example, if I’m close up to a violin when it is being played, I would think that clarity would be in spades. When I back off and get further back, then it’s possible that as distance and echoes, etc come into play, the same performance might sound sweeter and less about clarity.
If that’s true, then maybe that can happen in an audio system, where some components/cables deliver a presentation that is in your face or front row, etc, and other components/cables deliver middle row presentations or even further back.
WC -
I’m curious as to how amps that are in the clarity camp will sound on that same amp stand. Will it be too much, or, can it be even more clear, without adding edge, brightness,etc.?
Dave
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That's great info on the Center Stage vs Stillpoints - I've always wondered about this comparison. I have Starsound audio points and Stillpoints Ultras & Minis, and I rather than climbing the Stillpoints ladder, I was thinking of going with the Center Stage footers.
I also agree about the last video and with WC's points above.
Dave
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Is tweak1 someone from Tweak Audio? Tweak Audio is selling the EVS 1200 and I'm guessing Ric Schultz is part of Tweak Audio?
Dave
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I know you can't believe everything you read, but there seems to be consistent opinions that coherency is one of the strong points for Rockports. There's a store here in Phoenix that sells Rockports. I should go some time and listen for myself.
Dave
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@WC -
Any results yet from using the Merrill cabling? Or did I miss that?
Dave
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WC,Agree about the DAG and the Hurricane PC’s. Still, I thought the DAG sounded better and I agree with viber6 on this one.
One thing I noticed when listening on headphones, it almost sounds like the microphone is clipping or something - like the music is too loud and is overdriving the microphone, or maybe the microphone is having trouble catching some of the frequencies. Or, maybe it’s just my headphones :-)
Dave
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I didn't think the sound was neutered - seemed like the microphone was overdriven or something. Still, I thought the DAG sounded better, even with that handicap. That stand makes a huge difference.
Dave
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The nice thing about the Focals is that it is allowing you to play with some lower powered amps, thus opening up a whole new world of amps to try. Fun to be along for the ride :-)
Dave
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ron17 - I'm wondering if it would need to include a Rane EQ, unless that is considered the preamp end of things.
ricevs - regarding your trailing thoughts...have you ever watched Bill Walton calling College basketball games on TV? You and Bill would probably get along well :-)
Dave
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I agree with viber6's points. I also agree that it would be interesting to hear a different recording to compare these two amps.
Dave
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@WC
Will you also be trying the Christine preamp with the 160s?
Dave
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Pass Labs Xs300's!!!!!
Dave
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mrdecibel - So sorry for your loss.
WC - I suspect though that MrD. will return in the future - he always does.
Dave
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@WC,
No need for heating in your new room this winter :-)
Dave
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@WC,
I'm sure you might need more time with Xs300's, but I'm also curious about your top 5-10 amps of all time. I'm betting that the Xs300's might have close to the best combination of articulation and emotion.
Dave
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WC,
For your videos and for this thread, you should be able to do whatever you want - I just don't get why others get so ramped up because you're not doing what they want. Agreed, you're hitting a unique niche.
Regarding the consulting, however, I guess it depends upon the customers you wish to have - high end or mid/lower end.
Dave
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@WC,
I agree that you should try the RoomPerfect for your MX160, if anything, just to be able to advise folks about it, as you do with speakers, amps, preamps, etc. RP does do more than EQ and DOES help with the soundstage.
For me, I prefer w/o RP or DL, etc. I believe it removes the sparkle that you speak of, which ends up being more important to me.
Dave
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If you pay attention, viber6 tends to make these suggestions based upon comments that WC makes from his listening, combined with viber6's affinity for clarity. Nothing wrong with that. Just an opinion that he puts out there to WC, just like others do. WC can then choose to take it or leave it as he wishes.
Dave
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Great question - I was wondering the same about the xs150 vs xs300 - thanks for for sharing WC.
Dave
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WC,
Sounds really good - very impressive. So, you replaced the power cords on the Boulders, but I also wonder how much of a difference it is making that you have the DAGs on top of the Boulders. I'm guessing that also affects the sound by damping the top plates of the amps. Once you are done with the CMS footers testing, you could try the Boulders with and without those amps/foorters on top.
Dave
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Not sure if the 114 was viber6's thing, since it was sweet, and the less sweet 118 was more than double the price.
Dave
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Sounds like awesome for you to experience and fun for us to hear the outcome!
Dave
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It's super easy just to scroll past someone's post, if you don't like their posts. Nothing is forcing anyone to read someones' posts. For those that are complaining, just keep scrolling.
If you can't help yourself and you have to read those posts, then don't complain. Or, if you think the post is against forum rules, then contact Audiogon. If it's not against forum rules, then move on.
WC started this thread, so I'm sure if he has any issues with posts, he will deal with it.
For me, I would much rather read those posts than to read the whining. Of course, I'll take my own advice going forward and just scroll past the whining posts :-)
Dave
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For your components, I'm hearing that folks are trading out their Stillpoints for the Center Stage footers from Critical Mass Systems. I have not yet tried them myself, although I'm hoping to try them some time in 2020.
Dave
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I agree with twoleftears and rsf507 regarding the last video. Might have been the music? Will be interesting with the new microphone.
Dave
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viber6,I'm all for finding value and I appreciate your effort to offer an idea for a less expensive preamp - you have good intent. However, the source of your suggestion is Kal. From what I've seen, Kal has not reviewed expensive preamps - at least not in the price ranges of the preamps that WC is playing with. His context is primarily with surround pre-pros and lower priced preamps. Nothing wrong with that, but when he mentions that the Benchmark is the most transparent he has heard, then one must consider the context of his experience.
Dave
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roysq -
It's viber6, not viper. For some reason, folks like to come back to viber6 with personal jabs, rather than discussion regarding viber6's speculation.
Dave
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viber6,
Putting aside the riff-raff of the last few posts....
I suspect a component, like the Vivaldi, can perform differently for different functions. WC had mentioned that it was not supposed to perform as well as a preamp and that it performs much better when used as a source. So, while the question about Boulder introducing a slight coloration is a possibility, I believe the difference might be more on the side of the Vivaldi acting as source+preamp vs source only. You mentioned that there should be no difference, but this is where I would disagree, based upon what I just mentioned.
Dave
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grey9hound,
Good and helpful post your provided for smodtactical!
Dave |
So the Odin 1 PC was better than that $20K power cord?
Dave
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riaa - understood, and that helps me to know a little more about the owner of this thread and how things operate. Could have PM'd me, but now I guess everyone knows, which kind of negates the "hands clean" aspect.
kren0006 - I understand your annoyance. And now, we all understand WC's annoyance and his use of other folks to be confrontational about it (thanks to riaa).
Dave
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Like I mentioned, even if it is shilling, it is risky. Any other thread, it's advertising, but in this thread it's bold. Even bolder would be for faxer to offer a pair to WC for evaluation. I would actually respect that kind of bold, because faxer would have to go into it understanding that WC could go either way with his opinion, and that opinion would be on a video and/or shared on this thread.
Dave
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Understood riaa. I think if I had a thread, I'd probably be similar. And, that way he can focus on what's he's providing here and on YT with the videos, which I hope folks can appreciate more than they sometimes do.
Dave
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@WC,
Unfortunate that are having to justify your journey. I think that, for some folks, if you are not doing it "their" way, then they feel the need to let you know about it. And, some do it over and over and over again.
On top of that, you have folks that don't understand that your journey is about trying out equipment and the joy that comes from that. It's like a single guy who enjoys dating one gal after another. Yeah, this one or that one would make for a seemingly perfect marriage, but then, he'd always be wondering - what would it be like with that other gal? Maybe I should go out with one of them again? So much freedom in being single. Of course, there's those folks who tell you that you should get married, since (according to them) you found the perfect gal.
Hey, some guys just enjoy the single life!
:-)
Dave
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techno__dude,
Your post is purely speculation and opinion. The reality is that there's very few (if any) folks here who would go and buy these Gryphon items, even if they were proven to be the best ever. I don't believe there's a hidden agenda - sorry.
Dave
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@rsf507
Honestly, it was hard to tell what point you were trying to make, when you ended your post with "but.....". Also, as riaa mentioned, you said "others". You may not have intended it so, but it comes across that you want opinions from others, but not WC.
Yes, I’m sure the case work costs some dollars, but keep in mind that the price is still a good chunk lower than the Tonka truck built Xs amps. Some folks will love the look of the m400’s and will not mind paying a little bit extra for it. Once you get to the price point of s550’s or 750’s, many folks don’t mind paying a little more for the nicer looking wheels.
Dave
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Heat issues aside, the only negative I believe I've heard from WC on the Xs amps is that they really hit their stride after 5-6 hours of use. That means shorter listening sessions might not have the utmost sound quality (unless the system is left running prior to the listening session).
I suspect then that if the m400's hit their stride quicker and have nearly as good sonics, then they have a good chance of displacing the Xs amps from their throne. Of course, if they are better than the Xs amps, then it's a no brainer.
Dave
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WC,I apologize if you've spelled this out already and I missed it, but I was wondering how the info will come out on your equipment going forward. Will you comment here first and the video comes out later? Or will the video come out first and then discussion to take place here after that?
Thanks,Dave
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WC,
I agree that this was an absolutely terrific review, and I appreciated your honesty and the journey you took us on. I think adding music would actually take away from this raw discussion on the two amps, so I like it as is. As you mentioned, you could always do a separate video with music. Plus, if you had music on this review, you might have a few pages of folks complaining or praising your music choices, it's too loud or too soft, etc, etc.
Much appreciated and thanks for the privilege,
Dave
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