New here

[jethropugh]

Hi everyone,

I've been into audio since the mid 70's when I got my first real part time job. A few years back I had assembled my "forever" system (I know, nothing except my marriage is forever) but hurricane Irene took care of that. I had almost 4 feet of water in my basement and even though my insurance company paid for replacement of everything I couldn't bring myself to rebuild my audio setup.

I stuck a toe in the water this spring purchasing a Belles Aria integrated and a Blue Sound Vault for my summer home. I have a pair of ProAc Tablette Anniversary mini monitors for indoors and a pair of B&W AM-1's for outside. I found myself so engrossed in the music all summer long that I began assembling a new system for my home.

So far here's where I stand. I am having Don Sachs build me an SP14 pre amp. That should be done sometime at the end of next month or the beginning of November. I also purchased a KT88 driven amp from him that he took in from a customer who had fallen ill. He re tubed it and upgraded the caps to a version he likes. That's in the mail and will be arriving on Thursday.

I'm very seriously considering a pair of speakers using Super Alnico 15" drivers from Common Sense Audio. There's a cabinet maker in Tennessee I was introduced to who has an engineering degree who works with Common Sense. We've spoken and I'm very impressed with him.

I'm using an Oppo digital source I had in the house but I realize it may be best utilized as a spinner. I'm just starting to research DACs.

Long and boring I know. I'm here to learn and meet some folks with similar interests. I am a fairly competent cook and have some level of expertise when it comes to wine.

Jeff

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum Jeff, thank you for joining.

[Nikhil]

Welcome to AS Jeff!

Audio is like Hotel California ... check out anytime you like but you can never leave.

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[Mike]

Hi Jeff, welcome!


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[jadedavid]

Welcome Jeff.
Well said Nikhil.
I still have a Tubes4hifi modded ST70(although it just sits on the shelf). Great improvement over a stock ST70.
I have had a Commonsenseaudio 8" Alnico pair of speakers. So I can somewhat relate to your taste in audio gear.
That said, might I suggest that you look into a Lampizator DAC. Very smooth and organic with a deep wide soundstage. For new, the Amber model is reasonably priced and is a true "Audio Value". It is tube and you can change the flavor by tube rolling.
Schitt is another brand of DAC worth looking into.
Good luck and welcome back. Hope you enjoy the journey.

[Wasatch]

Welcome aboard!

[jethropugh]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I've just started to poke around and it seems this site has a depth that I haven't found elsewhere.

[FDPDK]

Hi Jeff , and welcome here.

[the professor]

Welcome to AS!

[mresseguie]

Hello, Jeff.

Your amp and preamp sounded mighty familiar to me. Nice choice in gear!

welcome to AS.

Michael

[jethropugh]

Michael,

You a disciple of Don's as well? Amazing guy, I was convinced I did the right thing 10 minutes into the conversation. He suggested looking at the single driver speakers as well. He's also a former Deadhead a subject near and dear to my heart.

Thanks for the kind words.

Jeff

[JayNudel]

Welcome to the forum! I have heard the Belles Aria briefly, and it's a great piece. Of course there is always an upward path in this hobby. Enjoy!

[mresseguie]

Michael,

You a disciple of Don's as well? Amazing guy, I was convinced I did the right thing 10 minutes into the conversation. He suggested looking at the single driver speakers as well. He's also a former Deadhead a subject near and dear to my heart.

Thanks for the kind words.

Jeff

Indeed, I am. I bought my D Sachs pre one year ago and took it to Taiwan last Fall. My Kootenay120 will be ready in a week or two. I'll take it to Taiwan in November. I'll be the only person in Taiwan with D Sachs gear. I'm already warming up for my bragging rights.

Michael

[jethropugh]

My power amp arrived yesterday. Can't wait to fire it up and begin listening.

[MDP]

Welcome Jeff!

[CPP]

Hello and welcome Jeff

[Ritmo]

Welcome Jeff!

[jethropugh]

Guys,

Thank you all for the warm welcome! Still looking at speakers and DAC's. The market has shifted and to be honest I'm spending more time reading than listening. A local installer friend dropped off a demo pair of KEF LS50s. I can see what all the hubbub is about. They're very very good for a small monitor and make way more music than I expected. He's a smart guy my friend. I'm going to put the hours on them and break them in for him.

I just took delivery of my Don Sachs KT88 based power amp. I'm without a pre at the moment, he's building me one so I wait. In the meantime I've made some DIY IC's from Duelund 20ga tinned copper and some reasonable RCA's. They're outstanding considering they cost me 40 bucks to make. Very detailed and musical.

I'm at square one with a source. I have too many CD's to let the collection go and I'm assuming DAC technology changes faster than I can keep up with. I guess I need to learn more about computer based setups.

Please feel free to chime in. One word of caution. I am way past all the BS that comes with this hobby. More money doesn't necessarily mean I'll like it more. I equate it to wine (which I do know something about), any idiot can buy a $500 dollar bottle but the skill is in finding one for $100 that's just as good.

Jeff

[Jack]

Jeff

A safe yet reasonably priced choice to pick up a quality DAC and streamer in one piece is the OPPO Sonica at $800. Added benefit is that if you buy direct from OPPO you have 30 days to try it out. As a DAC it is worth the price alone with the streamer being a bonus. Sure there are better but for a lot more other than the Musical Paradise MP-D2 if you want a tube DAC.

[Phishphan]

Jeff - look at esoteric’s “k” line. It’s a spinner and DAC. There are 4 models depending on your price point with the Grandioso K1 at the top end selling for 28,000. Not sure the price of the lowest end one. Mike is a dealer. I’m sure he can jump in and tell you


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[Mike]

Thanks Phishphan. The Esoteric K-07x is $6000 MSRP and they go up from there.


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[Jack]

Another option just reviewed by Srajen.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/denafrips/3.html