soix

Responses from soix

Help with speaker selection <$20k
Sounds like you really like the Sonus Faber sound, and that’s great.  I’d add Joseph Audio and Usher as two others to explore, but I’d give these a good, hard look fer sure.  They’d be end-game speakers for me. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/... 
Cable upgrades
What's your take on the selections mentioned above?  I get the impression that any of them could be worthwhile test candidates. Given what you’re looking for I’d recommend the Acoustic Zen Silver Reference over the Matrix.  I own the original M... 
Another post about a streamer upgrade
If you can stretch a little this Innuos Zen is nice, and you don’t need to upgrade to a linear power supply cause it already has one,  Bonus is you can load any of your prized CDs right into it. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650056614-innuo... 
Ripping CDs
I’d say just get this and be done with it.  It’s likely a better streamer, and you can just rip your CDs directly into it.  Simple.   https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650056614-innuos-zen-mk-3/ Best of luck.  
Preamp headphone amplifier
I have a dedicated Feliks Audio Echo MkII tube headphone amp on the way, i cant wait! Congrats!  Let us know what you think if you could.  
Young audiophile metal head looking to level up speaker choice
Your music tastes are screaming for ATC speakers.  Check out their lineup and read the reviews.  What you're looking for with your music is dynamics, and ATC absolutely excels at dynamics.  
A $250 Power Conditioner?
@russter ​​​​@lak Thanks for posting.  Very interesting, and as audio tweaks go these seem very reasonable.  
Single input tube preamp
Linear Tube Audio MZ2 would seem to fit the bill, but you really need to add their linear power supply to get the best from it. https://www.lineartubeaudio.com/products/mz2mz2-s    
Hermes DDC + Wandla DAC
It’s possible the pin connections for I2S are incompatible between Hermes and your DAC.  Unfortunately there currently is no standard I2S connection that hopefully will be reconciled soon.  AES/EBU is a good alternative if you can’t get I2S to wor... 
Marantz vs Denon
I worked at Best Buy Magnolia for a few months and got to compare all of their AVRs with my reference recordings on B&W 804s.  The only receiver that approached the sound quality of my $25k home system was Yamaha, and it wasn’t close.  I’d ass... 
A little gift for my fellow audiophiles
@lrlacosse First, I made it clear in my initial post that the CD is basically unobtainable now. Did you not get that message? Second, you can listen to the music through the link for free and it sounds pretty darn good. Third, why would you think ... 
What to ask when buying used speakers?
What’s your budget?  
Recommendation for speaker cable to use with Magico speakers
What’s your budget, and what sound characteristics are you looking for?  
McCormack DNA 0.5 vs. DNA 2.0 Deluxe
I’d start by upgrading from Spotify to Qobuz or Tidal.  And I think, given your speakers, you’d be better off upgrading your 0.5 at SMcAudio than buying a higher-level DNA amp as it’s got enough power for your speakers.  
McIntosh is now inside a Jeep luxury car.
Jeeps are horribly unreliable.  Just check the Consumer Reports reliability stats. Second, there’s hardly a worse environment for audio given the external noise and the internal room/acoustics.  Oh yeah, and then you’re sitting right in front of t...