smoffatt
Responses from smoffatt
| Why the facination with integrated amps? Here’s my phisological take on this.Esoteric F03-AAfter 35 years in this hobby, I never thought an integrated could sonically match (and exceed) a stack of reference tube electronics that it replaced in my system. This is a feat that would never h... | |
| Hegel H360 vs Accuphase E470 Depending how much power you need you can also check out an Esoteric F-05 or F-03A or Grandioso F-1.I have a F-03A (30w/ch) pure class A that have replaced a stack of ARC tube separates and I am not looking back. The sonic are just stunning. Same ... | |
| Accuphase E600 or Esoteric F-03A I just acquired an F-03A. It replaces a full stack of ARC tube separates. I was leery that I would not have enough power/gain to drive my Verity Audio Parsifal to acceptable level in my 15.5´ x 24´ room. Not so. This is my first SS piece in over 3... | |
| Integrated Amp to match with Magico A3 Agree with ebm. If you can audition Esoteric you should. Their F-05 class AB 120w/ch or the F-03A pure class A 30w/ch is subime sounding with the right speakers. If funds permit you can go to the top of the SS Japanese heap with their Grandioso se... | |
| Accuphase E470 v. Luxman L509x Since you are looking at Japanese integrated, do not leave out Esoteric. The 30w/ch pure class A F-03A or the 120w/ch class AB F-05 are both work of art. Cheaper than their Accuphase siblings and approx same pricing as Luxman in the US and Canada... | |
| 6550 tube in an ARC Ref 5 SE Hi. Had the same issue with my Ref3 LE a couple months ago. I was listening to some music one night and suddenly nothing. I looked at my Classic 120´s and all the tubes were lit. I looked in the Ref3 and my vintage Tungsol 6550 black plate is dead... | |
| SOTA vs VPI (or stick with my Rega?) I started out with an AR in the early 80’s than replaced it with a SOTA Star Saphire, a dealer’s démo then. I was so impressed that I traded it in for a Nova a few years later. Both were used with an SME V tonearm. I traded the Nova for a new Cosm... | |
| Anyone tried a Mark Levinson 585 integrated amp with Focal Sopra No. 1s or Sopra No. 2s I am also considering replacing my Audio Research separates with a ML 585.5. The new model with the phono board.Also considering an Accuphase E470 as it has both a DAC and phono optional boards as well. Not sure which way to go yet. I just wish I ... | |
| Dated but still A rated DACs Weiss DAC2 or DAC202. No USB input though. Will not handle DSD but will do redbook and up to 24/192.Firewire, optical Toslink, and S/PDIF inputs. Bal and SE output.Both can be had under $3k used. Stunning built and sonic qualities. | |
| Firewire immune to jitter? Thanks Steve. Advice well taken. | |
| Firewire immune to jitter? Interesting read. Thanks shadorne.In light of that, I may just replace my firewire cable for a better one. A Diamond or similar. Will look at the used market first. | |
| Firewire immune to jitter? Shadorne, I do not think there is something wrong with my Weiss. To your point it is an incredible DAC and would not want to part with it as I would likely go sideways (or worst) with something else. I was only throwing a few ideas around to lower... | |
| Best used or new DAC under $3500 The best DAC under $3500 is the one that sounds best in one’s audio system/room. There is no such thing as an outright “best” DAC on it’s own. As this thread gets longer, the list of “best” DACs suggestions will continue to lengthen. | |
| Aurender N100h vs. SOtM sms-200 Ultra Treynolds155Which DAC are you using with your N100h.I am also considering replacing my Mac/Audirvana combo feeding a Weiss DAC2 via FireWire.I would likely have to use a N100c since my DAC does not have a USB input but has an S/Pdif input. Also, w... | |
| Classe Audio rises again Unfortunately, Classe is only a small shadow of what it once was when all of the design/engineering and production was performed at their facility in Montreal prior to being taken over by B&W a few years ago. |