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verdantaudio

Responses from verdantaudio

Warm but holographic & forward vocals.
I would look at a ribbon/AMT/planar that is on the warmer side. Raidho, Audiovector, Magnepan, MBL would be interesting options. There is definitely an Audiovector dealer in San Francisco.  They deliver an immersive experience that surrounds you. ... 
Server for Bricasti M1/3
Antipodes S40 and K41 have ethernet outputs and are superb with the Bricasti.  I haven't had the 41 here as it is brand new but had the 40 here for most of last year and used it with the M3, M1 SE and Weiss at different times.  It is a great match... 
DAC Merry Go 'Round- why I stopped at Weiss
OP, congrats on the Weiss.  It sounds like you really made a careful, considered choice and have landed in a place that is ideal for you.  And that is what truly matters.   @phastm3 I have the Weiss 501 as well.  I have tested the player vs. othe... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
Quick check in with a listening test - at 175 hours on the DAC (there is a counter) I can say that there is only one DAC I have had here in this league and that is the Rockna Wavedream Signature.  I wish I had it here for direct compare.   The de... 
Upgrading my Auralic Vega G1 streaming dac
I have compared the Bricasti M3 and the Weiss. In fact, I have both here right now. Both are great but very different. There is obviously a big difference in price. The Weiss is more competitive with the M1 than the M3. I have tested a bunch of D... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
I will keep you updated but I am burning it in.  Literally, there is an explanation of how the sound will change over the initial 350-500 hours.  I am at close to 200 hours now.  I am frustrated in that I was just informed the first batch of these... 
Schiit Freya + Class A in Stereophile
I had one of these that I took on trade.  They must score these things and divide by price to put it in a tier.  It is the only possible explanation.  The Freya+ was a step down from the onboard preamp in the Chord Hugo2 (not TT2, the headphone a... 
Next level standmount speaker options
Wilson Benesch Precision 1.0.  These are going to deliver detail, musicality and are pretty neutral.  They are not warm, but are warmer than your Kef's and will give a smoother and more natural sound I would definitely suggest Dynaudio.  Particul... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
So two SACDs arrived yesterday and I got to listen casually to them; Dave Brubeck and The Cars.  I am noticing some more top-end sparkle and the soundstage sounds larger deeper than I anticipated for 65 hours of break-in.  The unit has been on an... 
Any tubes currently manufactured in the US, Japan or Germany?
KR does make an awesome KT88 and it looks like they will re-introduce a KT150. KT88 is $200 each, KT150 I expect to be ~$450 each. A lot more than Tung-Sols but...at least you can get them. They will develop a KT120 for me but I need to order 1000... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
In terms of the straight DAC, the closest competitor that I offer is probably the Rockna Wavedream Signature with the XLR priced above at $17K and SE edition below at $12K.  It is one of the more detailed units I have heard and delivers an impress... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
@goose i may have a Luxman CD in on trade soon but it is far competitive with the Playback.  As a DAC, this is one of the better units I have heard and I expect it to get better.     They are definitely more of a niche manufacturer in the US.  It... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
@goose i have four SACDs on the way.  Will let you know once they arrive.     @rsf507 My understanding is that this is the same module that is Roon ready being used in the Dream series.  All the work is done and testing is complete, it is a matte... 
Playback Edelweiss in the house
The DAC is $15k.  The SACD feature adds $3k.  The StreamX adds an additional  $3K.  It is in process of getting approved to be Roon Ready.  I am expecting approval to be Roon Ready any day.      Regarding look, it looks better in person than it d... 
Speaker Variety / Interim Recommendation
Given your tastes and affinity for Focal and Kef, why not look at the Kef Q and R series.  They are very good speakers for the money.  You could also consider the Focal Arias.  Neither is quite in the same league as the Kantas in terms of sound qu...