markmuse

Responses from markmuse

New streamer
If you decide to go with the Lumin let me know. I just upgraded to a U2 from the Mini. Haven’t listed it yet.  
Need a big favor picking a preamp
+10 Backert Labs. Look at, listen to the Rhythm. About $10k. Contrary to one comment here it IS balanced with XLR in and out. And if you do buy one consider replacing the tubes (there are only 2) with RCA 12sn7's with adapters. Outstanding.  I've ... 
Efficient speakers -- What was your journey from A to B to ?
Of the speakers you mention I have owned two: Spatial Audio X5 97db. This speaker made magic with a Pass XA-25. Imaging was phenomenal, particularly the layered depth it produced. The negative was it produced a very narrow sweet-spot in my room,... 
Tekton Open Baffle Speakers
@jaymark  +1 for Clayton Shaw's Caladan speakers. I heard them at Capital AudioFest and ordered a pair. Outstanding performance at an unheard of price in this century. I think Clayton is like the Henry Kloss of the 21st century. And he is a really... 
Tube preamp match with Solid Stare amp
+1 Backert Labs  
DAC that compete with EMM M3 and playback design m6
@quattr0 The DSD Mk2 is actually a little more expensive than the T+A, but clearly worth it from my perspective.  
DAC that compete with EMM M3 and playback design m6
I did a bake-off between the T+A 200 and the PS A DSD Mk2. The PS A was (is) more refined, more natural.   
when your hearing is not as good as it was . . .
+1 @hilltoppa  At 74 I am on my third pair of aids. The first two were so bad that I couldn't stand to wear them. Expensive well known brands - but awful, particularly with music. Now using Widex 440 and couldn't be happier. Very natural sounding... 
Hegel H390 DAC
@mm1tt77 Thanks. A good USB cable to try is DH Labs Mirage. Very good at a reasonable price. https://silversonic.com/products/digital-cables/mirage-usb/    
Hegel H390 DAC
@mm1tt77 same, U2 Mini. But what is the SBooster? Using USB to the DAC. I compared USB to AES, and USB was smoother, more musical. The cable matters a lot. Thinking about the U2, but the Mini sounds great. Sometimes one doesn’t know what improvem... 
Hegel H390 DAC
A few months ago I did a direct comparison between the T+A 200 DAC and a PS Audio DSD Mk2 DAC in my system. I ended up keeping the Mk2. The T+A was slightly more sibilant emphasizing and fatiguing. The Mk2 a bit more dimensional.  (Lumin>DAC&g... 
Most recent speaker you audited in room and returned? Why did you return it?
KEF Reference 1 (pre meta). There was nothing overtly wrong with them, but they were rather flat and lifeless. I think they need a beefy class A amp to really grab them by the short hairs – I was not willing to go there. But my son-in-law seems to... 
Does a DAC like this even exist?
Lumin   
Help with streamer software
@jji666  I knew I would be using JPlay for Qobuz. The question was and remains how do I access internet radio. There does not seem to be a solution short of TuneIn (or similar) via Airplay, or Roon - neither of which are satisfactory.  
Help with streamer software
@lalitk  U2 Mini. More TC as things settle in.