fred60

Responses from fred60

For SACD fans only
@tweak1 Thanks, will definitely check out the Shanling SCD 1.3.  
Can anyone identify this equipment?
Why not just reach out to him on social media and ask him?  He must have some presence online.  He might respond.  
For SACD fans only
audiotroy-- yes I heard about that.  Only issue for me is that the original retail price in Japan for the K-05XD in yen translates to about $8K.  And for some reason Esoteric decided to list it for $12K in the US.  That is too much.  The K-03XD is... 
For SACD fans only
tomcarr-- thanks for the idea.  What I like about the McIntosh 8950 integrated is that the DAC can be upgraded when McIntosh upgrades their DAC-- it can be swapped out via the back of the unit.  They call it a "Digital Audio Module" currently they... 
For SACD fans only
I hear the the XD versions are far better than previous iterations.  I've looked at K-03XD used.  Thanks for the thought.    
For SACD fans only
jfant- I still haven't upgraded!  I was waiting for the Esoteric K-05XD to come out (it took a lot longer than I thought) and when it did, they priced it at $12K, above the $8K that I thought it was going to price at (because the yen/dollar conver... 
Great song by the Clash
So many great songs by the Clash! Wanted to see them on their run on Broadway (Bonds) in 1981 but it was such a crazy scene that even as a 22-year old, decided not to go in!  Went to Bonds with a friend, was living in NYC and we both agreed that i... 
12 wire compared to Nordost Blue Heaven Speaker Cable?
OP let us all know what your thoughts are after you audition both.  
Streamer/DAC combinations
A lot of options. How about checking out the Ferrum Wandla DAC? A+ rated by Stereophile, says it rivals DAC’s costing $10K or more. I think that it’s $2,800 (without the upgraded power supply, which you could do at a later time). And Lumin U2 Mini... 
Digital with same soundstage as analog
the Oppo 83SE is what, almost 15 years old?  Oppo made great products, but digital has advanced a lot since then.  i would first add a newer DAC to the mix.  there are plenty of reasonably priced DAC's that IMO would be better sounding than the DA... 
Better cd SQ
Check out Ferrum Wandla DAC if you can. No personal experience, but got fantastic reviews, Stereophile rates it A+ and says it competes with DAC’s costing $10K or more. They also worked with HQPlayer to incorporate a few of HQ’s more popular filte... 
Beatles CD box set
I own the original box set and I have to say that the sound is fantastic.  I have a pretty good system, an Oppo 105D with a Hegel H360 and Raidho XT-2 speakers.  On "Girl", it seems as if John Lennon is in my room singing the song.  So I would not... 
Borresen Loudspeakers
I auditioned the Raidho's vs Magico and preferred the Raidho's.  I ended up buying the XT-2's.  They are fantastic.  Incredible bass for their size and the drivers size.  But the midrange and treble is incredible.  Playing early Beatles with an Op... 
Help with speaker selection
In that price range you have wonderful options to choose from.  Before pulling the trigger, I'd audition both the Raidho's and Borresen.  I have Raidho XT-2's which I love.  But given their small driver size, they aren't as dynamic as the larger m... 
*DAC
I would check out Ferrum Wandla DAC. $3K I think. Awesome reviews. No experience personally, but if I was in the market for a DAC under $5K, I would try it.