verdantaudio
Responses from verdantaudio
| Best DACs under $7,000.00 So this is challenging...you are looking at trying to get an analog/neutral sound which only is relevant within the context of your system. Looking at the two other components that you have (PrimaLuna and Harbeth), I would expect your system to b... | |
| WEISS 501-502 DAC The 501v2 and 502v2 are both available and the distributor is working on stocking these models. Silver 502v2 is in-stock. The 501v2 is $11,495, the 502v2 is $12,795. Also, upgraded boards will be available for people who want to move from the... | |
| Best High Current amplifiers stable into low impedances There are lots of brands that are "stable" at 2 ohms. Implying they can deal with it for short stretches but they aren't comfortable at 2 ohms. I recommend Naim. Naim is designed to pair with Focal and it thrives at 2 ohms. Any of their power... | |
| Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed? I have not heard the Grimm and have no POV. I would bet the Oladra is a better compare. It is definitely better than the K50 on a technical basis. | |
| Which DACs are known to be sweet/rich/relaxed? I have not had the two units side-by-side to listen. I am hoping to do this later this year and also get a demo with the Taiko at a customers house. you are spot on. Two computers in Oladra vs better clock in Pink Faun. You also have a gre... | |
| Opinions on speaker upgrade choices You will have a shift in listening experience if you move from Ascend's with RAAL tweaters to a more traditional cone and dome type speaker like Vandersteen. The soundstage and listening experience is just going to be different. Not bad, just di... | |
| Time to upgrade the pre-amp. Conductor Simply 2 and it comes with a remote. I don’t offer the non-remote version as no one really wants it. Mine is literally in-transit from UK. | |
| Time to upgrade the pre-amp. There is no way SP-11 main preamp stage has 75dB of gain. Not sure what its main preamp stage has. I don't have a PX25 here but have a diavolo which is a very similar amp. Just 300B instead of PX25. I have tried it with a myriad of preamps a... | |
| Time to upgrade the pre-amp. Lower the better. 6dB is good. You aren’t going to find many preamps in the market that are going to be active and have lower gain. | |
| Time to upgrade the pre-amp. Best performance with that PX25 is going to have very little gain due to the high sensitivity of that amp. The Art Audio Conductor or Conductor Simply MKii has an active tube stage with no gain (changes impedance) for optimal performance. Whatev... | |
| Moving from integrated to separates I don't know if the price have moved but you might consider the McIntosh C22 preamp and MC275 power amp. This is very good sounding gear and I think it looks really good. The MC275 is not be all end all in terms of detail but on budget, for new ... | |
| Chord Dac The Qutest is a wonderful DAC. Regarding upgrading, with a TT2 you will get a wider, deeper and more stable soundstage (better separation) compared to the Qutest. It will be more detailed and the overall listening experience would be more immers... | |
| Nucleus, is there a better alternative? K41 is a nice solution. It offers an extremely clean ethernet input. I have tried it as an alternative to the Nucleus + as that is my other server. This will be an improvement as the processor is quieter and the direct connect from Antipodes to... | |
| DAC Merry Go 'Round- why I stopped at Weiss FYI…the “upgrade” is available for existing devices or can be ordered new. The unit 501 or 502 v2 is the four channel version. What is noteworthy is it has the very latest chips from ESS in it. My first order with one just arrived. Not sure if ... | |
| Need an integrated amp that sounds engaging at lower volume Usually, the issue at low volumes is that the bass gets rolled off. This is made worse be speakers with smaller drivers. Look for an integrated with a “loudness” button. This will engage a DSP that makes things sound better at low volumes. I b... |