Sideways move?

The Horning Hybrid Zeus looks really interesting.

The Circle Labs 200A, at $9000, looks like it is competitive, but reviews have been a little tepid. I hate buying based on reviews, but it's where we are.

I think I might just have to wait, save up, and then A/B a few things with the current system, with them hopefully allowing break-in or audition, and see what falls out. If I sell the Decware I want it to be a slam dunk.

Anyone with experience with the LTAz40+ or the Luxman 509X?

Thanks everyone,

Steve

Thanks guys, this has been really helpful. I think I'm going to wait and try to score some more highly efficient speakers off the used market and experiment.

The Decware amp is something special and with such a potentially long wait to replace it... It would hurt bad to sell it and then have to purchase the Zen Mystery Amp and get it 15 months later.

I have my Denon SS, old trusty, which is class A and does fine, with reduced sound stage, But OK for metal.

Hard to beat Ben Webster blowing dirty on his reeds over the Decware, it's just that at the highest volume, it is pleasant, but sometimes you just want that little bit more...

Best and thanks again,

Steve

Bligh Me!

So I was tube rolling the input tubes, and somehow missed the tubes in the pre-amp (Inspire 2030p) going out, at the same time, with volume reduction in BOTH channels. The Amperex 7308's sounded so good I never tried back other input tubes or thought to check the pre-amp. But when I switched over to my XP-17, it was rocking loud. So I took the pre-amp out of the equation and presto! I have a beast with good sounding 7308's and plenty of headroom again!!!

Sometimes it is that simple... I would think 25 wpc would drive anything with a sensitivity of 93 and up.

Thank you everyone, I'm embarrassed, but I'd rather be embarrassed AND relieved. Not only that, but this combo sounds much better without the pre, even after I replaced the tubes. If anyone is looking for a 2030p....

Best!

Steve

No need for anyone to get too sensitive, this has been good advice all around, and a good learning experience for me. I started the day with deep doubts and finished with a return to audio nirvana. Doesn't get any better than that. Except it does, and it is our particular quest. And all these suggestions are valid ways to improve, when the time comes.

For now, I'm grateful. I went from thinking my next big purchase would be a DAC, to worrying about replacing what I thought was a key component in what I was building (at high expense), to now looking at my turntable as being the weak link... all in less than 15 hours. That is really something.

Biggest lesson here is to keep trying everything in your armory, multiple times, to get as much understanding as you can. That Dennis Had pre that was a game-changer a year ago might be holding you back now. That old carver pre you have in the closet might just be worth trying out in your new system, just for kicks.

I get tired of moving heavy things and changing all the plugs with my bad eyesight, but damned if that isn't what we al should be doing... Throw enough stuff against the wall, something will likely stick.

But thanks all around for the suggestions. Thank goodness I didn't make the move I was contemplating, even if it makes sense in the long run, it isn't what makes sense for me now...

Steve