2. misc-audio
  3. 193876-174083

Need advice from the gurus.

This is my favorite HIFI hang out and I'm at a bit of a crossroads and really could use some advice.  I'm a bit scattered and I could use some help figuring out what direction to go in.  Here's my current equipment:

==Electronics==
Gato Audio AMP-150 AE (integrated amp)
Topping E70 Velvet DAC
iFi Zen Stream (I use Tidal)
Cherry Maraschino monos (not using at the moment, I don't have a preamp)

==Speakers==
Magnepan LRS+
Kef R3
Monitor Audio GS20 (vintage speakers from my father)
Omega Super 3 High Output Wide Baffle XRS towers

Lately I've been running the LRS+ with the Gato integrated and Topping Velvet / iFi stream combo.  I like it but I don't know if I'm missing out.  What would you do if you had my equipment and wanted to simplify?  On my hifi setup I listen to mostly mellow stuff, lots of female vocals, classic rock, ambient stuff.  I really like female vocals and midrange with a lot of texture if that makes any sense.  What would you do different if anything?  Thanks!
 

tubeguy76

Showing 1 response by bolong

bolong
697 posts
 

Recently I have been playing about with XLR and RCA IC’s. There are several Youtubers advocating for trying both with any given component. I have always been a proponent of XLR’s just based on the seeming logic, but then I tried swapping out XLR for RCA to see what might happen, so the Holo May is now feeding the Serene with a pair of RCA Black Dragons from Moon Audio. It a pleasant surprise to find that with the May and the Serene the RCA’s were superior. There was a faintly warmer and more tube-like sound with no loss of detail or dynamics. or sound stage. The Serene then feeds the two Audion Mk3’s with a pair of Moon Audio XLR’s.

Technically, all these components are "balanced," but there are interactions going on that I don't quite understand.

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