Jadedavid,
Charles brought over his Frankenstein 300B monoblocks and we both thought they sounded amazing driving my DI's. The DI's are very transparent and will translate whatever is put upstream of them so keep experimenting with different cables and hopefully you'll find the sound you're looking for. Good luck.
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David,
If you go the Decware route I have a like new Torii MKIV I'd make you a good deal on but to be honest, as far as I'm concerned, the MZ2 sounds MUCH better.
The LIO looks very intriguing. Vinnie Rossi has some interesting products. I ordered his mini Pure DC-4EVR power supply for my MZ2 and am looking forward to hearing what difference it makes. As far as other tube amps I can't help as I'm sold on the Aric Audio SET KT 120 and will be ordering it Friday. I'll be getting the Concert Fidelity 040-BD DAC from Audio Archon in the next few days also. Once I get the CEC TL3.0 cd transport, I'll have the same system as teajay.....or at least the DI version of it. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. |
Kenny,
Cant wait to hear your impressions of the new amp. I came close to going with the same amp but opted for the SET KT 120 as I'll have the Consonance 2A3 to play with. Aric is a joy to deal with, as I'm sure you know. |
Great news evolvist. You will love the DI's. I had heard that mini Ulfs might not be ready soon and its good to see Eric took good care of you and is doing the right thing by taking his time to make the mini Ulfs right before sending them out.
Wondering if you discussed the DI SE's at all as an option with Eric? |
Looking forward to your impressions of both the DI SE's and mono-blocks, teajay. Sounds like Ezra is going to have one sweet system. Are his amps a mono-block version of the Transcend SET KT-120 that you have? Or are they upgraded even more? I'm VERY much looking forward to adding SET KT-120 amp to my system to have my own, albeit budget version, of an Eric/Aric combination.
For all of you MZ2 users out there you may want to look into getting the Vinnie Rossi MINI PURE-DC-4EVR power supply. Recieved mine today and am pleasantly surprised with the sonic improvements it brings to the table. Even blacker background, which I didn't think was possible, revealing even more musical details. More air surrounding notes, especially the highs. It's not a night and day difference, but a very nice and welcomed improvement. Mike at Audio Archon was a joy to deal with and to my mind undersold the benefits of this unit. |
Jcarcopo, I hate to burst your bubble but I doubt there's any hope for you and you are indeed crazy.......just like the rest of us here 😂 I will be getting the Aric Audio Transcend SET KT-120 very soon and trust in teajay's glowing appraisal of it as he hasn't steered me wrong yet. As a matter of fact I'll have the same DAC, transport, pre and amp as he does soon but I'll have to settle for the paltry DI's while he has the Ulfberts ; )
Grannyring, thanks for sharing your findings with us. I too will say that having the DI's only 18" from the rear wall will indeed decrease the depth of the soundstage and make them seem more forward. Having said that I trust and respect your opinion that they sound forward to you. My DI's don't seem forward to me, especially since pulling them well out into the room, but maybe they are and I like a slightly forward sound. In the end it's all good as many here have speakers/systems they love. I wish I had the knowledge/courage to modify speakers like you have, I bet your speakers sound amazing. |
Like others here I learn much from the discussions here and find listeners disagreements regarding components sound quite enlightening as it helps me to fully understand my listening preferences and how to achieve the sound I prefer. I would hope ones dislike of a product wouldn't be taken personally, it's just ones preference......just like I wouldn't take it personally if someone didn't like the lime green shirt I'm wearing ( no matter how hideous it most like is!). As long as I like it's all good!
This audio journey is quite interesting. I can't tell you how many times I thought I had the most amazing piece of equipment only to hear something else that put it to shame. Charles' Frankensteins certainly come to mind, I didn't realize the sound I had could be improved so much. Now I enjoy what I have to the fullest while keeping an open mind as to how to possibly improve it. Having said that I hope my upcoming purchases of a new cd transport, DAC and amp will suit me for quite a while, my pocketbook needs a break! :)
brotw, you may consider yourself a noob but IMO you're well ahead of the curve by addressing the rooms acoustics. Jim Smiths book "Getting Better Sound" helped me understand the importance of proper room treatment. I'm still learning how to properly treat my room but can confidently say that building a dedicated listening room with bass traps, quadratic diffusers and absorption treatments was the best audio investment I've ever made. When I had the the DI's in my living room they sounded great to me but I heard much more of what they are really capable of when properly positioning them into my dedicated listening room......of course it's much easier placing room treatments in a room the wife doesn't care about ;)
thanks to all for your contributions here,
Tom
ps......welcome Aric. Can't wait to place your amp in my system and look forward to you insights here. |
Jcarcopo,
Great looking system and room. That amp is beautiful, I could be happy just looking at it! What color are your DI's? Looks like a satin color. I like it. |
I think the MZ2 would be a great choice, but then I'm biased! The only problem I would see with the MZ2 in Jcarcopo's system is that it's not purdy enough to be next to his Diavolo amp :) I will say that I think the MZ2 looks much nicer with the new silver front option. |
At least our addiction to audio is healthier than crack. At least that's my rationalization......and I'm sticking to it! Besides, I could stop buying audio gear any time I wanted. Really. I could. Well, after my new DAC, cd transport and amp get here I'll quit......until my next purchase ;)
I'm quite confident that the CEC TL 2N transport and Concert Fidelity DAC 040-BD will be my last source components I'll need to purchase and I'm hoping the Aric Audio Transcend SET KT 120 amp will be my end all amp, but the Frankensteins have set a high mark to match. I love the DI's but something tells me the DI SE's are in my future. Then I can hopefully stop buying components.....I know, highly unlikely!
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Charles,
I have high hopes for it. Both teajay and Mike at Audio Archon raved about it and Mike hooked me up with a good deal for one. I couldn't pass it up.
RockytopHIGH, did you inhale? Just wait, the DI's will sound even better with more time on them. |
Congrats rocktophigh! Glad to hear you're now enjoying what many of here have been touting. Hope you have a free evening tonight to bask in the musical bliss.
I finally ordered my Aric Transcend SET KT 120 amp with upgraded Audyn Pure Copper signal caps and an upgraded medical grade IEC filter.....not that I know what that is :) Thanks to Aric for all of his help in making this amp to suit my preferences.
Also, my Concert Fidelity DAC 040-BD arrives tomorrow. Fun times! A big thanks to Mike at Audio Archon for such great and prompt customer service. |
Congrats Greg.....always good to hear that someone is enjoying their music so passionately. Products made with passion tend to be instilled with and emote that same passion. Tell Yo Yo Ma I said hello :) 🔉
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Thanks Charles, I get lazy and abbreviate names too often.
And yes, it's VERY natural sounding. I thought my Perfectwave sounded pretty good but it doesn't compare to the Concert Fidelity ( which is understandable with the price difference). Timbre, tone and texture is greatly improved. It's very analog sounding. Imaging and soundstage are improved also. Basically it sounds more like real music. Mike at Audio Archon included NOS tubes with it.....Sylvania Gold Brand 12AU7's and Mullard rectifier. BTW, Mike is great to deal with. Very knowledgeable, honest and prompt.
Once again the DI's revealed the many improvements from the DAC upstream and I couldn't be happier. |
Thanks David, I hope to hear FedEx drive up any minute so I can share my impressions of the CF DAC.
LOL Kenny, I don't think there's any help to be had for any of us here......thankfully! It was a tough choice between the 2A3 you ordered and the KT 120 I ended up ordering. The KT 120 gives me output options from 9-22 watts that ended up being the difference. Who knows, I might end up getting the 2A3 down the road to have both. Yep, I need more than a doctors help! |
Cal3713,
I did not try the Directstream. I wasn’t really looking to replace the Perfectwave until a good deal on a demo Concert Fidelity presented itself. I was fortunate to pick it up for much less than a new Directstream would have cost. After reading all the reviews on the Concert Fidelity DAC and hearing teajay’s and Mikes appraisal of it I just had to give it a try. I like the concept of it using a NOS Phillips DAC 16 bit chip that Concert Fidelity chose for its very musical nature over it’s specs and of course I love the idea of having more tubes! The battery power feature is interesting also. I never thought of my Perfectwave as harsh sounding but in comparison to the Concert Fidelity it comes off as having a harsh edge.
Congrats evolvist, you’ve waited a long time and have shown great patience as far as I’m concerned. Good luck in getting your room finished so you can relax to some good music. |
I owned the Yggy before getting the Perfectwave and I will echo what many have stated.....they are both excellent DAC's. I can only imagine that the DS DAC takes things to another level. I would have been very happy sticking with my Perfectwave DAC but after listening to the Concert Fidelity there's no going back for me. Only after experiencing the Concert Fidelity would I consider the Perfectwave to have a slight harsh edge. I didn't even know it was there until I heard music without it. If there's one thing my audio journey has taught me is to follow my ears and only through acually listening to my music through different gear will I obtain the musical bliss I desire. Thankfully there are many here that have the same listening preferences as I that have been very helpful in steering me towards products that have worked wonders for me.
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I am celebrating nearly one year with the DI's and its given me cause to recollect my audio journey this last year. I feel fortunate to have experienced a few " ah ha" audio moments during this time.
The first was the DI's. I need not elaborate much as this thread is full of reasons why.
The second was the Linear Tube Audio MZ2. I'm still using it as an integrated amp and am amazed how well it's one watt drives the DI's. It's musical purity is mesmerizing.
The third was hearing Charles' Frankensteins in my system. What an ear opening moment. As much as I was enjoying the sound the MZ2 brought to the table I now heard how much more the DI's were capable of delivering and just what so many referred to as the " SET magic" was all about.
The he fourth was adding the Concert Fidelity DAC to my system. I had no idea how much a DAC could contribute to reproducing beautiful music. I thought my previous DAC was quite good, but the CF DAC took things to a whole new level.
I'm hoping my next purchase, the Aric Audio SET KT 120 amp, will continue my fortuitous streak of ah ha audio moments.......and I'm quite confident it will.
I believe the DI's were instrumental in allowing all of these system changes to bring forth all of the benefits they had to offer. Their transparency allows every upstream change, good or bad, to be fully demonstrated. Whether it's cables, tubes or components the DI's will reveal even the most subtle nuance these changes bring about. That just might make the DI's the single most important audio investment I've ever made. |
I never cringe, but have been known to twitch at times 😬 I think one of the many things we've learned here is that there is no right or wrong component for everyone just whatever works for you. I find it very interesting the success people here are having with such a wide variety of electronics with the DI's......and other speakers.
I too am looking forward to that comparison, sprocket75. Both teajay and Mike of Audio Archon have experience with the DI and will be able to discern the sonic differences between them and the SE's.
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Congrats evolvist. I agree with David, the bass will fill in with time and installing the spikes or something else to fill those threaded holes will also definitely help.
Aric is great to deal with. He's finishing up my amp and will probably ship at the end of the week. Which amp are you looking at of his?
Kenny, I'm also looking forward to your assessment of the Lyngdorf. You have quite the stable of amps, my friend. |
Sweet! I went with a raw aluminum chassis with black sides. Hoping its a good look and I’m sure it will be. I’m excited about the upgraded pure copper Audyn caps and hospital grade IEC filter. Aric’s initial listening impressions of them is quite good. I might copy Kennys 2A3 he had Aric build him just to have a change of pace amp to throw into the mix.
Tom |
Well Kenny, don't feel alone, I find myself scratching my head all the time when it comes to audio 🔉🤔 All too often products come along that simply defy logic. How can the DI's sound so good at their price? How can the little MZ2 do what it does? Sounds like the Lyngdorf raises similar questions. I'm very interested in hearing your appraisal of it. Seems like a slick and simple way to go.....a one box, no fuss system that sounds great. It sounds too good to be true! I'm scratching my head again 🤔
For now I'll be happy with my more traditional set up of the PS Audio transport, Concert Fidelity DAC,MZ2, Aric Audio Transcend SET KT 120 and DI's. My amp ships today! Should have my MZ back from LTA next week too....having the remote volume added and changing faceplate to silver. I have some new cables from Sablon and Silnote coming next week. I also have lots of great tubes on hand to roll. I'm locking myself in the listening room all next weekend!
Charles, once I get everything settled in here I'd love for you to come have another listen. I should be a lot closer to your wonderful sounding system. |
Aolprodj,
Are they your DI's? If so, congrats! I can't wait to hear yours, teajay's and/or Mikes comparison of the SE's to the DI's. What amp are you driving them with? So now your area has the Ulfbehrts, SE's and DI's.....nice.
Sounds good Charles, bring any CD's you like. You turned me on to some great music last time that I added to my collection. |
Thanks Mike,
i realize its it's too soon to fully evaluate the SE's but the initial reports are encouraging. Taking the already fine DI's to another level is no small feat and it's sounding like the SE's are going to fulfill our most wanton expectations. I foresee I good number of SE orders on the horizon and I just might be part of that purchasing flurry.......which means I'll be calling you soon Mike!
Tom |
I'd stay up all night too if I was Ezra.....as it is I'm up early. The Chicagoland area is blessed with having the DI's, SE's and Ulfbehrts to hear. I need to make a trip down there. If Ezra is enjoying the SE's this much now, just imagine how much he will be enjoying them once they are broken in. I expect the bass to get better yet along with even better mids, more smoothness and improved imaging. The SE's could be the pinnacle speaker for me.....hopefully I can swing buying a pair soon.
SE's.....SI's.....we knew what you meant teajay 😃 |
Welcome hfaddict and thanks for sharing your audio experience. I'm thinking Greg is spot on and your bass issue might be recording or room dependent as bass is a strong point of the DI's. As Greg mentioned getting enough bass shouldn't be an issue......but compared to the door rattling bass in so many cars, they might not be what you're used to 😃 Other than the bass your description of the DI's was spot on with my assessment of them..........and you're right, the DI's are very transparent to the source and anything upstream of them. A recording with some good acoustic bass should make you happy 🔉 Thanks again for joining in the conversation here.
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Greg, glad I'm not alone in looking around the room wondering where a sound came from. |
Well, I've decided to order the SE's. I was half hoping they were only marginally better than the DI's so that I wouldn't have to spend the extra cash.....but it never works out that way in this hobby, does it? 😏
At at least I can move my DI's to my theater system where I can enjoy them with an SS amp while I drive the SE's with my SEP amp. Two....two pair of speakers are better than one ( there's a commercial there somewhere ). |
I know I'll love the SE's teajay. I've loved every pair of Tekton speakers I've owned. The Enzo's and DI's are amazing and I'm ready to be blown away yet again with the SE's. I look forward to sharing my impressions of all of the new toys coming in. My MZ and Aric amp arrive Tuesday! My Sablon digital cable will arrive next week also. It will be a good week.
Hfaddict, take Eric up on his offer and you'll be greatly rewarded. Your room looks great, but could use some help acoustically. As someone mentioned earlier, thick drapes over all that glass will do wonders, along with something on the wall between the speakers. Hell, why am I offering suggestions when you can get the help you need directly from Eric himself?
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Thanks David, now begins the long wait begins. Luckily I have new stuff on he way to keep me busy while I wait. I look forward to comparing notes. What color did you go with? I went with the BMW metallic grey.
Good luck with your comparison David. I imagine you're listening to tracks you're very familiar with when doing the comparison. I don't use any USB cables so I'm not of much help in your comparison.
Greg, I really like the Cerious speaker cable. I tried many others before settling on the Cerious GE's. Well worth trying in my opinion.
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Makes total sense to me also, Jcarcopo. Knowing Eric he will probably have a new DI like model in another year or so, but I’ll be fine with the current SE’s. Going with the SE’s is in no way a indication of any disappointment in the DI’s on my part, they are moving to my theater system. I’ll break that news to the wife after a few drinks 🍻😦🤑 |
David,
Obviously I have no reservations regarding Eric's driver selection as he must have chosen what he went with for good reason. As Kenny already mentioned Scanspeak drivers would have decreased efficiency and maybe Eric didn't want that. The Emminence woofers he went with have magnets that weigh 6 pounds more than those in the DI's which probably lead to the improved bass and I believe he went with Wavecore tweeters. I'm out of my league discussing component choices but after talking to two of the group that heard the SE's last week I'm very confident that the SE's are definitive step up from the DI's......and that's saying a lot as the DI's are tremendous.
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David, sounds like a sweet color, looking forward to seeing pics when you get them.
Aniwolf, I used the WE wire about a year ago and then the Duelund 16 ha and liked them but I much prefer the Cerious Technologies wire.
Thanks Charles, I'm hoping that my system is nearly complete when the new amp and SE's are in. Then I can do like you and just sit back and enjoy music for many years to some 🎼 🔉 |
LOL aniwolfe and David,
I will say the SE's will be my speaker for a very long time to come......unless I win the lottery:)
Quite the freudian typo! Obviously I meant to type "come" instead of "some".
So so now that I've paid for the SE's the hard part begins......the wait! Hope you get yours soon David as that will give me hope that I'm not too far off. |
Musikman,
I'll make you a great deal on them......10% off retail and local pick up only. Still interested? Lol. Seriously though I might sell them some day as the wife won't be thrilled having them back in the family room, but I want to enjoy them with some SS amps for a while......with hopes she will get used them :)
While the drivers in the SE's aren't the Scanspeak drivers some were hoping for, they are upgraded......along with the crossovers, cabinets and wiring. Aesthetically they aren't for everyone but when painted in a high gloss finish I think they look quite nice. From those listening to them last week the consensus was that the SE's take all of the good qualities of the DI's and build upon them with better and more bass, more refinement and silkier mids. Making a few improvements to the DI's is no small feat and for another $2300 more than the DI's with the upgrade package and high gloss paint, I feel they will be well worth it but can understand those that want even more. |
Jcarcopo,
I didn't really want to spend the extra money for the SE's and was half hoping they would only be slightly better than the DI's so that I wouldn't have to, so adjusting our desires to meet our budgets is most understandable! I do it all the time. The good thing for you is that you already have a great system and can continue enjoying it without any changes.......besides, you have those eye candy amps to stare at all day :)
Limniscate and Corelli. I too had Maggie's for many years and had the 1.7i's right before getting the DI's. Great speakers, but the DI's get me closer to my sonic goals. |
I have to take my hat off to teajay for bringing the Aric Audio amp to my attention and to Aric for making such an amazing sounding amp at such an affordable price. I only have about 30 minutes on it and I'm already in love with it. I'm running the JJ blue glass KT 88's in triode mode with NOS Amperex bugle boy 12AX7's. With the LTA MZ2 ( NOS TungSol oval plates with Gold Brand Sylvania 12AT7's) driving the Aric amp the sound is pure, fast, detailed, dynamic with even better imaging and larger soundstage than I'm used to. The background is pitch black, absolute silence. The mids are smooth and organic without excess bloom. Lower mids have more substance. The pristine highs have more surrounding them? Basically the music pours forth effortlessly in a realistic, lifelike manner. You might say I'm enjoying musical bliss. If the SE's bring forth even more sonic benefits I may never leave my listening room!
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Manati,
I will second giving the Cerious cables a try. I find them to be a great match with the DI's. Congrats on your new speakers and the musical enjoyment they bring.
Tom |
I guess I have a different take on the drivers used in the SE's. I love my DI's and ordered the SE's without knowing what specific drivers are being used but instead based my purchase on teajay's and Mikes sonic assessment of them. My only concern is how they sound as its all about the music for me. Ive heard some extremely expensive speakers with some of the most exotic drivers availability that sounded sterile to me whereas the DI's have rather simple drivers and they are some of the most musical speakers I've heard. I understand that many want to know the specifics of the speakers they're purchasing and I don't think the SE's drivers will remain secret for long as someone will eventually dissect them to determine their identity. To be honest my knowledge of drivers isn't significant enough to base my purchase decision on them, instead I trust in Eric's innate ability to bring forth the realism in music with his driver choices. I'm not implying that my take on this matter is superior, I just wanted to share the perspective I'm coming from......i.e. the technically ignorant perspective 😉
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That's my understanding also sbayne. Using low mass drivers to deliver sound with much greater speed and control is the main emphasis of the patent, not the drivers themselves.
Powered subs in the DI's? You must like bass 😛 That's a scary but cool thought. I'm sure it would be interesting hearing the likes of Jupiter or Duelund caps but I imagine Eric would have incorporated them in the Ulfbehrts or SE as the PMD line is his "cost is no object" line.......or maybe he is, as I have no idea what caps are in them! |
I think the DI's have laid to rest the idea that paying more for audio automatically gets you better sound. That's a big NOT! At least with the DI's you know you're not paying for a lot of marketing, advertising and overhead, but you do get what matters most.......great sound.
The Aric Transcend amp is still burning in yet still sounds amazing. The combination of the LTA MZ2, Aric Transcend and DI's belies the notion that one needs to spend exorbitant amounts of money to obtain world class sound. |
Congrats premnath. Like you I value the opinions of teajay, Mike and Charles and it's led to some great purchases on my part, with the DI SE's being the latest and I'm anxiously awaiting their arrival. The DI's are the best soundings speaker I've owned to date and I look forward to hearing the SE's in my system.
David, I believe Aric is up for building just about any tube amp you might want and more importantly he's capable of doing so. I absolutely love his Transcend KT 120 but just might have him build me a 2A3 SET for something different.
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Do I detect a case of car envy here?
So any reviewer that prefers an audio component over a vastly more expensive one has no credibility? The status quo, rubber stamp positive reviews of the big name, big money products lack credibility in my eyes.
Now onto the real question shadorne, which has been asked previously, just what actual listening experience of the DI's do you have? Mine are painted in Mercedes Diamond Black, I suppose that will make them sound better? 🤑
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Shadorne
Any reviewer that prefers the sound of audio gear that is vastly less expensive than the uber expensive gear lacks credibility?
If expensive cars outperform less expensive cars then expensive audio gear must outperform less expensive gear?
These points don't sound ridiculous?
Btw, your silence is deafening. You fail to share your personal listening experience of the DI's that allow you to make the satement that any reviewer that expresses an opinion that the DI's outperform speakers costing many times more lacks credibility. Please, share your wealth of experience with the DI's that allow you to state they can't sound as good as more expensive speakers.
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I'm with Charles on this. I have absolutely no issue with someone sharing their opinion on a product even if it's in disagreement with my experience.....IF they've actually listened to said product. One can learn a lot reading dissenting opinions but one can't have a true opinion about a product without having actual experience with it......and stating the DI can't be as good as speakers costing much more and that any reviewer suggesting as much is ridiculous is especially illogical. According to that reasoning I could buy some Bose speakers, slap my own label on them, price them at $100k/pair and they would automatically be assumed to be better than the DI's. Not only that, any reviewer that said the DI's sounded better than my newly created $100k speakers would instantly lose credibility in shadornes mind. Anyone basing audio performance solely upon price, especially without even listening to the products, is more interested in status than sound. |
I don't think you can go wrong with any of those options David and I look forward to seeing what you end up with.
The Transcend amp with KT 88's sounds wonderful on the DI's and I'm looking forward to hearing the SE's on it also. Im going to try some KT 150's with it later today. A 2A3 SET amp intrigues me also and I very well could be talking to Aric about building me one also. The idea of having the Transcend amp for more dynamic slam and the 2A3 for more midrange purity is very appealing to me. Never thought I'd be considering two different amps for my system!
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Don't do that David, you may not like the answer you get 😆 Aric already knows I'm nuts as I've already inquired about having him build me a 2A3 SET. I it's given that most of here are crazy, but it's a good crazy. I've yet to own a true SET and the 2A3's greatly intrigue me so maybe I'm destined to own both the KT 120 SEP and a 2A3 SET.
From everything I hear your Pass combination is amazing......but then teajay replaced his Pass pre and amp with the MZ2 and 2A3 SET, so the possibilities are endless. If only I my pocketbook was also 🤑 |
Someone earlier mentioned a Berning 6b4g amp. Could be onto something interesting here.
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Thanks muzikmann, I knew it was a new poster to thread here and I should have taken the time to find the posts. And yes, the fact that David Berning uses it as his personal amp says a lot. Of course David is using the 6b4g in his ZOTL design. So many amp options and so little time......dare we bring up the Lyngdorf as yet another option?
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After listening to the KT 150's for a few hours I put the KT 88's back in and the KT 88's are much more to my liking. The KT 150's provided a very big sound with extended highs ( too much so for me) but lacked the sweet midrange and overall musicality that the KT 88's provide in Aric's amp. That makes me wonder just how much more midrange magic a 2A3 or 300B SET from Aric would offer. The Transcend amp is my fav of all the amps I've owned and very much remind me of the sound achieved when Charles brought his Frankensteins over. I can't say that the Transcend is as good as the Frankensteins as its been a while since they were here but it brings about the same sense of realism in music that I remember the Frankensteins providing. That's saying a lot for Aric's amp! Suffice it to say I'm VERY happy with Aric's amp and it makes a great pairing with the DI's......and I'm sure it will with the SE's also. Time will tell.
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