steve59
Senior Member

To my ears, the Discrete is on another level. It has a huge big chunk of the sound of the REF and Select. Sonically, it’s very fleshed out, organic and natural. Far far removed from the typical “digital sounds” of many DAC’s. I know this may...

As cool as that massive boxer is I struggled to tip it off the side stand and that was when I was in shape!

It IS confusing: Alpha DAC Series 3 is $10,995 Alpha DAC Reference Series 3 is $28,000 The N-05XD is worth considering. MQA is a must?

Completely disagree. This DAC with the second PSU ($1750) hits way way above its price point. Aside from that, we were asked by Berkeley to give their latest products a listen and we have the REF3 coming in. But perhaps their Berkeley Alpha DAC...

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The golden child is out? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The 12:50 mark onward is “wow”. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Shunyata sounds best on our panels. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

The opening post. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I noted the equipment above. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Go. Not needed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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So the manufacturer is wrong? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Tubes + Ladders on the aqua take time. Some folks think break in is BS. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You think the Mcintosh is? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

My son in law is a Mustang fanatic. Congrats on the fine ride.

I would think as long as you avoid a cube shape room size isn't as important as freedom to place the speakers anywhere in the room they need to be.

The gen 1 SDR had a (more) standard riding position that allowed for hwy mile munching and light off road. My replacement gen 3 SDR is more aggressive and gave me the excuse to add a more versatile ride to the garage.

50-100 watts. Something like a VAC Signature 200iQ would be amazing. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

and for offroad adventures.

I had an old BSA royal star that I took the pistons and heads of a 650 motor and bolted on, eazy peazy and the giddyup was crazy!

How interesting. These stories are eye opening. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You were a skeptic! Glad you got to experience “the real deal”! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Congrats! We love our Aqua LaScala. It’s seriously the best DAC I’ve heard under $10k. R2R + Tubes = yummy. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

I’ve owned both and for me, the 703’s hit way above their price point. They play bigger, more bass and smoother than Sopra 2. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Very nice! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

You need to have at least 10 posts to post links. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Make a list of the rooms you want to hit, starting with 352 and 602. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

https://absolutehiend.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Magico-S3-TAS-2023.pdf?mibextid=kdkkhi Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Welcome Tom! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Yes, MSL is the most underrated family of cartridges around. People don’t know how many cartridges they make for other companies - like Air Tight. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

704’s are great. I bet they sounded nice with tubes! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Anything from Shunyata - Venom X and above. Alpha NR v2 is what we use on our N200. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thank you. I had a very excited Euro dealer friend call me and rave about them. We started communicating early in 2022. We had evaluation pairs throughout 2022 and countless discussions. We inked the deal for Jan 1, 2023. Sent from my...

When I tried the Kanta 3' one of the things I really liked was that upper midrange presentation, but it really does need to be carefully matched and they still need some grunt for bass below 80 hz. My favorite pairing with the kanta was a pathos...

Congrats on the new home! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Designed in Switzerland. Manufactured in Vietnam. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Florida Audio Expo HiFi Highlights! - FLAX Audiophile Show Coverage 2023! - YouTube Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Final Florida audio show report: Interviews with Pass Labs, Hegel, Shunyata Research, and Clarisys! - YouTube Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

No hybrid here. Could be a browser setting I’m guessing? Try something else. We will bring the forum up to the 21st century (LOL) later this year. I’m still looking at options. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

True. A few things. They kept asking me and Irv is a great guy. They will have some new things coming - nudge, nudge, wink, wink and we are showing together at Axpona and their stuff sounds GREAT! The funny story is that Irv has been asking me...

Congrats! Good moves. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

That's a beautiful system. Cost what I paid for my house, and then some, tho real estate was kinder in 96. Was there a specific synergy you hear with Esoteric and Legacy over other brands?