Purist aqueous vs Venustas IC


I have a small problem that should be able to fix...I am currently using the aqueous IC with a dead-neutral CDP and I don't like the results, that lush purist sound is gone. So, do I switch to Venustas IC or switch the cdp to something like a Rega or New Rotel CDP? The aqueous is a good IC I just have this mismatched. I borrowed a entry level cambridge cdp and things improved...I can afford better though. What would you change, cdp or IC? Thanks.
bobrock

Showing 1 response by karelfd

Agree with Blindjim, look at the cdp first. On the other hand your present cdp - which one is it btw? - may actually have the sonic character you prefer and may have been carefully chosen in that respect? So before you decide to change, have you already tried Venustas with your cdp or would you have an opportunity to audition? Remember: venustas = "beauty", that name tells quite precisely what you should expect. To exemplify this, I use Venustas with ss amps and Aqueous Anniversary with 300B's.

Another observation: sometimes you see Venustas in their old "robe" on the used market (white labels showing cable direction on both ends, black cable endings instead of the present blue and red ones, no difference in cable architecture if I understood Jim Aud correctly; but they will be somewhat older of course). These tended to change hands at the approximate price level of Aqeous Anniversary. That way, you might get out largely neutral from a financial point of view. Just an idea.