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  1. #1
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    What's a component you just love

    It could be for sound or build. It may be you sold it or still have it.

    Due to space and usually finance I don't keep gear I'm not using, so I tend to regret, LOL

    A couple for me.

    Adcom 5500, for the unique sound quality. MOSFET's gave it a dark rich character, one person called it "earthy".

    Threshold Stasis 300, it sounded good but I loved the build, the large handles on front etc. Seemed to scream macho

    My first Bryston amp, 3b, it was a bit cramped in back but I loved the half chassis look and feel.

    I recently picked up a parasound P6 for a second system and this piece is cool, it has to have one of the best layed out remotes ever, IMO
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  2. #2
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Pass amp and Luxman DAC. My Music Hall 25.2 CDP. I love the elegant simple face plate and it has a refined airy sound. It was not high end but it sounded great. Unfortunately I had it modded and I don't care for the sound. That was a lesson learned and a big mistake.



    My Gear- Mains System-Pass X250 amp, BAT VK-51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Magnepan 1.6's, Thorens TD-145 TT, Dual Martin Logan Subs, Vintage Luxman T-110 Tuner, Cables-WW Platinum 7 USB, Cardas Parsec XLR, AQ Columbia DBS 72v XLR, Belden 8402 XLR.

  3. #3
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Conrad-Johnson LP70S power amp and my Harbeth 40th Anniv. 30.2 speakers.





    Soon it will be my First Sound preamp...

  4. #4

    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Cary SLP-05. Has been Cary’s flagship preamp for 15 years now and still going strong on the new and used markets.
    Anthony
    Analog: VPI Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Kuzma 4Point/Ortofon A95> ASR Basis Exclusive HV---->

    Digital: Antipodes CX (Oladra Upgrade)> Cary DMS-600 DAC/Streamer---->
    ...........Cary 306 SACD Professional Disc Player---->

    ===> Cary SLP-05 (Ultimate Upgrade edition)----> Clayton M-300----> MARTIN LOGAN SPIRES/REL 212SX x2

    [Synergistic Research/Nordost/Wireworld/Furutech/SRA/Adona/Stillpoints/Track Audio/GIK Acoustics]

  5. #5
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    I absolutely love my T+A DAC, my Hattor line stage and the Rega table!!!

    A piece I wish I had keep was the McIntosh MC 754 that I had last year. It was in museum quality condition. Being that I grew up in the shadow of the factory I wish I had keep it just as a show piece, but I needed funds for a piece I was planning on actually using ... oh well, what can you do .
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
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  6. #6
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Luxman D-08u SACD / DAC

    This is absolutely amazing. Though I have plans to listen to a MSB system and dCS one as well, I’m not sure at this point that I can part with the Luxman.

    43C991EE-6A68-44DA-BD98-D408949F7B8D.jpeg

  7. #7
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by asindc View Post
    My Cary SLP-05. Has been Cary’s flagship preamp for 15 years now and still going strong on the new and used markets.
    I agree on the Cary SLP-05. With the Ultimate Upgrade, this in an incredible preamp. It won’t be leaving my system for a very long time.
    Morgan

    NEW SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION

  8. #8
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
    My Conrad-Johnson LP70S power amp and my Harbeth 40th Anniv. 30.2 speakers.





    Soon it will be my First Sound preamp...
    I love those stands!

  9. #9
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    AYON CROSSFIRE AMPLIFIER // 30 watts single ended
    I have had many amplifiers.
    Nothing has bested this amp for purity, transparency and tonal accuracy.


    Caelin Gabriel
    President
    Shunyata Research

    http://shunyata.com

  10. #10
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Tubes View Post
    I love those stands!
    Thanks, those are Resonant Woods stands by Brooks Tanner.

  11. #11
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by CGabriel View Post
    AYON CROSSFIRE AMPLIFIER // 30 watts single ended
    I have had many amplifiers.
    Nothing has bested this amp for purity, transparency and tonal accuracy.



    Nice!!!

  12. #12
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Lumin X1. Hours and hours of fantastically sounding music. Of course, the rest of the stereo and the Shunyata cables help.
    Bud

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD
    Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR for source, Denali 2000 (2) for amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson four shelf maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.

  13. #13
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    almarro a318b -- point-to-point, hand-wired SET integrated amp... beloved family member

    hero_glow2.jpg
    viking acoustics berlin r mk2 | air tight atc-5 + atm-300r | clearaudio concept + virtuoso v2 MM | t+a dac8 dsd + kanjiroba diy transport + roon rock
    alp-tone audio analog cables | core audio designs plyKraft 3L | hifi racks ltd podium t5-iii

  14. #14
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Rowland 925 amps.
    Incredible craftsmanship and performance!




  15. #15
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    That looks awesome and I'm sure it sounds just as good. Congrats.


    Quote Originally Posted by FRO View Post
    My Rowland 925 amps.
    Incredible craftsmanship and performance!




  16. #16

    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Aurender(s). Prefer the Conductor app by far over any other streaming interface I’ve used, love the ergonomics of actual buttons for pause/ play, etc., really appreciate the fade in/fade out feature. Would hate to have to listen without them.
    Parker

  17. #17
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by FRO View Post
    My Rowland 925 amps.
    Incredible craftsmanship and performance!

    I tried to find pictures of its internals but in vain.

    Model 925 – Jeff Rowland Design Group
    _____
    ~ Bob ~
    "And it Stoned me to my Soul" Van Morrison
    ClickAudiophile Audition
    Snoopy as the Red Baron attack
    Avatar = The Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky (1982 - orbiting)

  18. #18
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Love my new MBL Speakers and Amps ensemble.

    Regret selling my Linn LP12 and record collection back in 1998.
    _______________

    Mike

    Amplification: MBL 6010D, MBL 9008A Monos
    Analog: Kuzma R, Kuzma 4Point (11”), MSL Ultra Eminent EX
    Phono Pre: Pass XP-27
    Digital: Esoteric N01XD Esoteric K05
    Speakers: MBL 101E MKII
    Subwoofers: REL Carbon Specials
    Conditioner: Shunyata Triton 3
    Power Cables: Shunyata Sigma 1 & 2, Alpha 2, Delta and Venom
    ICs and SCs: Wireworld Platinum 8
    Rack: Artesania Exoteryc

  19. #19

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Components I have loved over the years:


    • An LP12 with Ekos 2 and Naim Armageddon PSU I had for about 20 years. I truly loved that deck. But a few years ago I added the latest upgrades at great cost and it sounded awful, so I sold it.
    • Epos ES14 speakers. Again, I loved those speakers so much that I tried to "improve" them with better cabling, and they never sounded as good again.
    • Meridian 506 CD player - the original version. It was the best CD player Meridian made - I later upgraded to 508 and 508.24 but they never sounded as good as the cheaper 506.
    • Van den Hul Black Beauty - possibly my all time favourite cartridge. But for some reason I decided to sell it.
    • Exposure 17/4DR amps, now long sold. I had those for close to 20 years and they outlasted a lot of much more pricey amps over the years.
    • LFD NCSE III - my current amp and possibly my favourite so far.
    • Graham/Chartwell LS6 speakers - my current speakers, and having been through a lot of speakers over the 20 years or so since my Epos ES14s - including some much more expensive ones - these are the speakers I think I love the most.

  20. #20

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Caelin,

    Have you by any chance compared this to their Triton iii integrated?

    I'm thinking of trying their Triton evo integrated that was recently released in Europe, or perhaps their cd 10ii, or may be the cd 35ii when that becomes available...

  21. #21
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Several back in the 1970's. ARC SP3 which went to ARC for two updates ending in the 3A1. ARC D76 went to ARC as well to be a D76A. I had a love hate relationship with a Infinity Servo Static speaker system and Sequerra 2 plus 2 W speakers.
    Main System: Analog - Linn LP12, Origin Live DC motor and Controller, SME V arm, Benz Ruby H 2 cartridge, Wright Sound preamp. Digital - Intel NUC I-7, 16 gig ram, Jriver media center 24, Wyrd4 Sound 2V2 SE Dac, Fathom Hard Drives.
    H-Cat Version 9 preamp, ARC Reference 75 amp, Custom line source speakers - 10 SB Acoustics midwoofers, 10 Fountek ribbon tweeters. JL Audio Fathom f112 Subs
    Wire - T G Audio, Shunyata, Synergistic Research , Audioquest, Lewis silver foil, Duelund, Transparent.

  22. #22
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My SST Ambrosia 2000 Second Edition Pre Amp brings me joy!
    MAIN SYSTEM - SST Ambrosia 2000 Second Edition Preamp, SST Son of Ampzilla II Amp, PS Audio Directstream DAC w/Bridge II, PS Audio Directstream Memory Player, PS Audio P3 Power Plant, Focal Sopra No. 1 Speakers, ELAC 3070 Sub, Roon Nucleus w/8TB SSD storage

    HOME OFFICE SYSTEM - HiFi Rose RS250, KEF LS50W Nocturne Speakers

  23. #23
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Lucidear View Post
    Caelin,

    Have you by any chance compared this to their Triton iii integrated?

    I'm thinking of trying their Triton evo integrated that was recently released in Europe, or perhaps their cd 10ii, or may be the cd 35ii when that becomes available...
    i have heard the Triton which is excellent. I do not need the power of that amplifier with the speaker I am using. I asked Gerhardt who is the President of the company what is the most pure amplifier in the line. He said Crossfire since it has only a single output tube per channel. And just for reference, I have tried the Crossfire with the Harbeth 40.2 which is not at all efficient but has a decent impedance curve. The amp drives it quite well even to fairly loud levels. Of course at extreme levels and bass heavy material it will run out of steam. But with the speaker that I usually use it can play any material at levels beyond what’s comfortable.

    I have heard Ayon systems at many shows through the years. Without exception, they have been superb. Not a well known or talked about brand in the US market but that is no reflection of their quality or performance.
    Caelin Gabriel
    President
    Shunyata Research

    http://shunyata.com

  24. #24

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by CGabriel View Post
    i have heard the Triton which is excellent. I do not need the power of that amplifier with the speaker I am using. I asked Gerhardt who is the President of the company what is the most pure amplifier in the line. He said Crossfire since it has only a single output tube per channel. And just for reference, I have tried the Crossfire with the Harbeth 40.2 which is not at all efficient but has a decent impedance curve. The amp drives it quite well even to fairly loud levels. Of course at extreme levels and bass heavy material it will run out of steam. But with the speaker that I usually use it can play any material at levels beyond what’s comfortable.

    I have heard Ayon systems at many shows through the years. Without exception, they have been superb. Not a well known or talked about brand in the US market but that is no reflection of their quality or performance.
    All good then.
    Thank you much

  25. #25
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Projectman View Post
    My SST Ambrosia 2000 Second Edition Pre Amp brings me joy!
    The SST pieces are very nice... more traditional designs. Do you have a Blue or a Black one? I had a SON II for a while. Nice solid amp. At one point I was going to take a pair of EJ's Ampzilla 2000 II's home to play around with. I know their Wyred 4 Sound PH1 phono stage is based on the one from the Ambrosia!
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  26. #26
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Orb DF-02 record flattener. had it for over 10 years now and the best $$ I have spent on music/hifi.
    warped and dished vinyl no longer causes any issues - I use it more than ever these days.

    df02_big.jpg
    Source: Technics SP10mk3 - Thales Simplicity II, TW Raven AC-3 - Graham Phantom, SME 3012-R, Exclusive P3,,Linn LP12 - Naim ARO
    Cartridges: Lyra Atlas Lambda SL, Lyra Etna SL, Lyra Delos, Dynavector XV-1s,Technics EPC100mk4, Ortofon A90, GM Royal, GM Classic, Denon ESC'd 103R, DL-S1, Audio Technica AT25, OC9II, Linn ESC'd Troika
    Phono Stage: Phasemation EA-1200, Accuphase C-37,TW Acustik phono
    EQ: ​DEQX HDP-4
    Preamp: D'Agostino HD, conrad johnson GAT,
    Amps: conrad johnson teflon premier 8a's, D'Agostino Momentum S250
    Speakers: Wilson Maxx3

  27. #27

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Aries cerat kassandra ref2 dac. Once you hear it there s no coming back.


    Sent from my iPhone using

  28. #28
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by XV-1 View Post
    Orb DF-02 record flattener. had it for over 10 years now and the best $$ I have spent on music/hifi.
    warped and dished vinyl no longer causes any issues - I use it more than ever these days.

    df02_big.jpg
    how cool is this!!!!
    didnt even know that record flatteners exist

  29. #29
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Monitor Audio PL500 mkII speakers.

  30. #30
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    The SST pieces are very nice... more traditional designs. Do you have a Blue or a Black one? I had a SON II for a while. Nice solid amp. At one point I was going to take a pair of EJ's Ampzilla 2000 II's home to play around with. I know their Wyred 4 Sound PH1 phono stage is based on the one from the Ambrosia!

    I have the blue one. The blue color is much more subtle than what is shown in online photographs.
    MAIN SYSTEM - SST Ambrosia 2000 Second Edition Preamp, SST Son of Ampzilla II Amp, PS Audio Directstream DAC w/Bridge II, PS Audio Directstream Memory Player, PS Audio P3 Power Plant, Focal Sopra No. 1 Speakers, ELAC 3070 Sub, Roon Nucleus w/8TB SSD storage

    HOME OFFICE SYSTEM - HiFi Rose RS250, KEF LS50W Nocturne Speakers

  31. #31
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    After some shipping damage, I ended up doing a full restoration of a VPI HW-19. Became so attached to it that I sold the VPI Prime I had and kept it. It's getting a new Walnut plinth soon to match my Ryan R630s.


  32. #32
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My PS Audio DirectSteam DAC.

  33. #33
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Chalice Audio 'Grail' SET mono blocks.....possibly the best tube amps....An Audio Note Japan dealer thought the early prototypes were the 'best i have ever heard'..
    Listening Room: 25' L x 18' W x 23' H..system on the long wall
    Speakers: Tidal 'Contriva Diacera-SE
    Amps: Chalice Audio 'Grail' SET mono blocks with Psvane WE 845 / 300b tubes
    Source: Lumin X-1 Network Music Player
    HighFidelity MC-1 Pro Helix conditioner
    Cables:
    Audience-Studio One RCA interconnect
    SilverSmith 'Fidelium' speaker cables
    Silent Source 'Music Reference' Power Cords x 3
    Innuos 'PhoenixNet' Switch
    CAD-CG-1

    Audioquest 'fog lifters' under the Fidelium cables
    Arya Audio-RevOpods under my Tidal Speakers
    REL 212 SE Subwoofer x 2
    Nordost V2 ethernet cable

    EVP Isolation footers- subs-speakers- Lumin


    Tweaks:
    Stillpoints Ultra SS under amps
    EVP HDR isolators 2" x 8...under my Lumin A1 and PSU
    EVP HDR isolators 4" x 16..under my Tidal speakers and my REL 212 SE subs

  34. #34
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    I really love all my gear.

    I have passed for a lot of different brands during the years, I can say that my Mcintosh and Lumin are great but especially I love my turntable.

    It is a Lenco L75 from 1973... it was long time in my home and nobody was using it hence I decided to give her back to life again.

    it was a long project, to find somebody able to make a new plinth, to adjust everything, to select the correct cartridge, etc,etc.

    I´m using it with Denon DL103 and I can say that it is a component that i love.

    Find a photo.....

    Living1.jpg
    McIntosh C302 + C2600 - Lumin A1 - Lenco L75 - Marantz SR6007 - Paradigm S6 - Gaia II - Chord Epic Twin Speaker Cable + Jumpers - Bada LB5500

  35. #35
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Not familiar but would love to hear them.

    Quote Originally Posted by calloway View Post
    My Chalice Audio 'Grail' SET mono blocks.....possibly the best tube amps....An Audio Note Japan dealer thought the early prototypes were the 'best i have ever heard'..
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  36. #36
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Projectman View Post
    I have the blue one. The blue color is much more subtle than what is shown in online photographs.
    Yea, I have seen them in EJ's facility. Very unique indeed! That pre-amp has about everything you could possibly want in it!
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  37. #37
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    I’ve had to think long and hard about this one. I’m going to say the Boulder 2160 amplifier in the store. It’s just so musically engaging. It’s not flashy sounding like some of the other amps, but you easily get lost in the music with it.

    At home, I’ll say my Studer 810 reel to reel. It’s fussy, it needs lots of TLC, it’s old, it’s actually caught on fire once (!!!), but when it’s working, it’s magic.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  38. #38
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Tapes are highly "magnetically" music involving...no deniability.

    To amplify the musical involvement ...

    ~ Bob ~
    "And it Stoned me to my Soul" Van Morrison
    ClickAudiophile Audition
    Snoopy as the Red Baron attack
    Avatar = The Alan Parsons Project - Eye in the Sky (1982 - orbiting)

  39. #39

    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Ayon cd player . Its really involving and does not sound like digital , it friggen rocks . Ayon stuff is built really well and always gets great reviews . Not sure why it doesn't get the love that other manufacturers get . I am getting their Auris 2 pre amp next week . I was assured that it will trounce my Cary slp-05 , the dealer sells both . The nice thing is I have a 15 day return period . We shall see . I will leave it playing 24/7 for the first 10 days or so and then sit down and pay attention . It will take me all of 5 minutes to decide to keep it or send it back . I really do believe in system break-in , after a few hundred hours I think the listener gets broken in also .

  40. #40
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by stereogeek View Post
    My Ayon cd player . Its really involving and does not sound like digital , it friggen rocks . Ayon stuff is built really well and always gets great reviews . Not sure why it doesn't get the love that other manufacturers get . I am getting their Auris 2 pre amp next week . I was assured that it will trounce my Cary slp-05 , the dealer sells both . The nice thing is I have a 15 day return period . We shall see . I will leave it playing 24/7 for the first 10 days or so and then sit down and pay attention . It will take me all of 5 minutes to decide to keep it or send it back . I really do believe in system break-in , after a few hundred hours I think the listener gets broken in also .
    I too have wondered why it’s not more accepted, their CD/ SACD player seems to be a nice piece


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  41. #41
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2013
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    Silicon Valley
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    2,838

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by stereogeek View Post
    My Ayon cd player . Its really involving and does not sound like digital , it friggen rocks . Ayon stuff is built really well and always gets great reviews . Not sure why it doesn't get the love that other manufacturers get . I am getting their Auris 2 pre amp next week . I was assured that it will trounce my Cary slp-05 , the dealer sells both . The nice thing is I have a 15 day return period . We shall see . I will leave it playing 24/7 for the first 10 days or so and then sit down and pay attention . It will take me all of 5 minutes to decide to keep it or send it back . I really do believe in system break-in , after a few hundred hours I think the listener gets broken in also .
    Out of curiousity, why do you have a space before punctuation, comma and period?
    Bud

    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD
    Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR for source, Denali 2000 (2) for amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson four shelf maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.

  42. #42
    Senior Member
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    Nov 2013
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    St. Louis, MO, USA
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Might just be my impression but Ayon doesn't seem to be very well represented in the U.S. I try to stay informed yet don't know much about the brand. I guess that will give me something to research today
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  43. #43

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by BlueFox View Post
    Out of curiousity, why do you have a space before punctuation, comma and period?
    Karen , It's a bad habit as I am a "hunter and pecker" while using the keyboard and I don't type much . Sorry about this , I will try to become a better person . In other words $#@% #@! . Sincerely , stereogeek

  44. #44
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    Sep 2014
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    My MSB Select 2 DAC. It blows me away every single time I listen to it. The Vandy 7 Mk2’s are pretty special too.

    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
    Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2
    Power: Two AudioQuest Niagara 5000’s with AudioQuest Dragon and Hurricane Power Cords

  45. #45
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    Sep 2014
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    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Ritmo View Post
    Love my new MBL Speakers and Amps ensemble.

    Regret selling my Linn LP12 and record collection back in 1998.
    Hi Mike,

    A big congratulations on the MBL monoblocks to go with those wonderful speakers. You have a world class system.

    Enjoy,
    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
    Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2
    Power: Two AudioQuest Niagara 5000’s with AudioQuest Dragon and Hurricane Power Cords

  46. #46
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    549

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Mark Levinson 390S. Wonderful box of tricks with CD player, 2 digital aux inputs and preamp withanalogue volume control.


    I just added a digital tuner and power amp, or for while straightInto my ATC ActIve50 speakers. Virtuallyno cables.


    ML have a new CD / SACD player / streamer (5101) that wouldbe great if it included a preamp, thus making it a modern-day 390S. Then it could be connected directly to apower amp or active speakers – but it doesn’t have the preamp section, so Idoubt it will sell well.
    Sources - NAD M50.2 (streamer, CD player, CD ripper, hard drive music store)
    Amplification - NAD M33 all-in-one, NAD M12 preamp (in reserve), Atma-Sphere Class D monos
    Speakers - Avantgarde Duo XD, Avantgarde Duo (2006) - both aesthetically modified

  47. #47
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Albany, NY
    Posts
    13

    Re: What's a component you just love

    At the moment, my Vandersteen 5A carbons. They turned my wife into an audiophile after tolerating my hifi habit for 25 years.

    Historically, the ARC 6B preamp. I borrowed one for a few days and returned it. That lasted about 20 minutes I may not have noticed how much better the ARC was right away but I sure noticed when I tried to go back
    __________________________________________________ _______________

    Room: shared use, American Clay on walls and ceiling
    Speakers: Vandersteen 5A Carbon
    Amp: Aesthetix Atlas Eclipse Stereo
    Preamp: Aesthetix Calypso Eclipse
    Source: Aesthetix Romulus Eclipse, CAD CAT
    Ground/Isolation: CAD Ground Control GC3 and GC1, Gigafoil V4 with Keces P3
    Cables: Audioquest Hurricane on DAC and CAT, Audioquest Earth, Audioquest Castlerock, Audioquest Diamond Ethernet

  48. #48

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    It could be for sound or build. It may be you sold it or still have it.
    The one that whenever I try to replace it, the music is lost;
    The one who helps me see the value of other gear.
    The only one I don't think to replace

    Ortofon 7NX-AIC-X1 Premium
    (sorry for the name)


    ortofon.jpg

  49. #49

    Re: What's a component you just love

    Wilson Torus Infrasonic Generator x2. These things have been in every system I've owned since 2013
    20200513_174837.jpg

  50. #50
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    chicago burbs
    Posts
    620

    Re: What's a component you just love

    My Vienna acoustics beethoven speakers, I sold them to upgrade for speakers that would play louder without sacrificing their sound and after a few attempts in the x4 $$$ price it still seemed like I went from full living color to black and white. I ended up repurchasing another pair before finally finding a suitable replacement.

    If not for a nosey neighbor(audiophile)asking to see my system in my apartment I would still be in ignorant bliss with my 901vI hanging from the ceiling many thousands spent elsewhere and still believing I had the best system evah.
    KEF Blade, Mc-611's, C49 rega jupiter, roon nucleus, revox tuner. Meridian dsp8000 se upgrade, meridian 218 zone controller VA Beethoven's, Hegel h360.

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