That Transformational piece of Gear We All Wish For

OK, the Ref6 came out and the VK-80 went in tonight all other components left unchanged.  The soundstage and overall feel of the 80 is still “smaller” but it comes across more tonally accurate and micro details are more present. The imaging is more precise in that the images are more laid back and smaller but better defined in space with sharper edges. In comparison, the Ref6 may be a bit extra in its presentation, sometimes too much bass in my setup, it is more forward and sounds big but the 80 is more refined and engaging depending on the track. In summary, I like both and can’t sell them, Such is the insanity of this hobby. Thanks all for a good conversation. 

it is a beautiful insanity for sure

Hello, 

For me it was ditching my PS Audio 300 watt monoblocks.  They couldn't control my MARTIN LOGAN ESL woofers.  I thought the muddy bass was a room problem, them I switched to a D-Sonic amp and Voila!  Clean right bass.

Transformational.

This may be a sideways answer, but here it is: the biggest transformation I've had in audio came not from a single device, but from changing to a new class of devices. Specifically, when I stopped using various delta-sigma DACs and started using multibit or NOS DACs, everything changed.

Admittedly I never had the funds or the space to ride the delta-sigma elevator to penthouse level; allegedly some of the large, expensive d-s implementations rock one's world. But when I ditched midrange d-s for midrange mutibit or NOS DACs, my entire relationship with digital changed. I simply stopped wincing when I turned up the volume; stopped dreading that moments when the massed violins get their loudest; stopped accepting that dry, unreal tonality and timbre.

I now own 3 NOS DACs and have a 4th in house for review (a loaner). They don't sound identical; some of the differences are meaningful to me. But as a class, these four are far better than any delta-sigma DAC I ever heard, and far easier to live with.

@agbrace  Right on!  Enjoy to its fullest, and in good health.