verdantaudio

Responses from verdantaudio

Rega Aetheos, Simaudio Moon 340i or NAD M33 for B&W 805s?
It was not from a review, it is in the manufacturers stated specifications.   Power outputs at rated 230/115 V supply voltage: 125 W RMS both channels driven into the rated load of 8 Ω 156 W RMS both channels driven into 6 Ω Note: Continued high ... 
Whats the best sounding tube cd player up until now? Vintage or newer.
The Canor CD 1.10 and CD 2.10 are excellent with a tube based output stage.    
Rega Aetheos, Simaudio Moon 340i or NAD M33 for B&W 805s?
None of those three options is particularly bright.  Tonally, they are exactly what you are looking for.  I am not sure that Rega is the best option because I have read it struggles a hair with lower impedance speakers but I do not have direct exp... 
DAC Shootout Starts This Weekend
@jjss49 - I am going to tempt you.  There is a new Playback designs DAC coming out that is going to be a step up from the Weiss.  $15K without built in renderer, $18K with what will be a Roon Ready end-point when it is finally authorized in a coup... 
Transports
Check out Cyrus. They make a couple transports that are brilliant. The CD t is $1299. They do have one that is higher end, the CDt XR but that lists for $3499. Obviously the XR unit is above your range but the base unit is excellent and is the non... 
DAC Shootout Starts This Weekend
The M3 is a DAC that I have retained sort of.  I have had multiple people demo it and since there is a little bit of a break-in period, several people have asked to keep mine.  My current version has a network card. I have tested different connec... 
Magico A1 or Sopra 1 or Marten Oscar Duo
The Marten's are a little easier to listen too and I think they are extremely well made. The wait for new ones is brutal but you could also look at the Vimberg monitors.  Maybe find a used pair?   If you are looking new, I would also look for the... 
PS Audio BHK Signature Preamp?
I had the PS Audio BHK about 2 years ago.  It replaced an Ayre K5xeMP.  The stock tubes were awful IMO.  The preamp was bright and I found awful with stock tubes.  Rolled in NOS Tunsgrams and it was sweet and engaging.  Step up from the Ayre.  It ... 
Magico A1 or Sopra 1 or Marten Oscar Duo
This is tough and really depends on your preferences.  What do you like in terms of soundstage and image?  The Magicos are known for a wide yet flatter soundstage.  The Martens are deeper but maybe a bit less wide.  The Focals to me are kind of a ... 
DAC Shootout Starts This Weekend
As new things come in, I will continue to update this thread.  The latest unit to roll in on trade was the Lumin T2 DAC/Streamer.  This was a customer trade and the unit was completely broken in.  I did my formal test and have listened to it for a... 
Best streamers WITHOUT a DAC
@rsf507 i will use Roon as an example because it is so common.  The Bricasti M5 is a Roon Endpoint but does not run Roon Server.  You can run room server on a ton of devices but a PC or Mac Mini can perform poorly and mitigate the benefit you are ... 
Best streamers WITHOUT a DAC
You haven’t specified a budget but the Antipodes K50 would meet all your needs and deliver reference level performance.  It is $15k but one of the great servers in the world.     A hybrid, 2 Box approach could be interesting.  Something like an A... 
DAC Question: Delta-Sigma vs R2R
Theoretically, R2R DACs are more analog sounding and less detailed than their delta-sigma counterparts. This is driven by some of the more popular R2R DACs sound profile. It is not universally true as I have heard some miserably bright R2Rs and so... 
Integrated Amp for Spora
Normally I would say Naim but their integrated (Supernait 3) may not be high enough end for what you are looking for.  The Uniti Nova would be a good choice if you are looking for an all-in-one.  Naim and Focal are same company and focal is voiced... 
Looking for comments on the Vivid Kaya 45
I am a Vivid dealer and have the 45s for demo here.  You are describing what you should hear from a pair of Vivids.  What I will say is they are quite a bit more forward than the Spendors but you have the right amplification tonally.  The bigger i...