Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Humm.....Mike is so close by.........already fell in love with his Vac gear...salivating for a IQ200......or should I try an Msb entry Dac.....I am happy with my Chord Dave....or get the tubes as an additional sound flavor? Which would you go with?...have a Diablo 300 presently.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Terrific story Ken, thank you. Have heard the Select II twice, just astonishing reality and non-digitality. Unfortunately not in my ballpark, money-wise.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
When I break that price point barrier for buying digital Mike will be the only person I go to for a MSB DAC. Maybe next year Mike.....
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dguitarnut
Humm.....Mike is so close by.........already fell in love with his Vac gear...salivating for a IQ200......or should I try an Msb entry Dac.....I am happy with my Chord Dave....or get the tubes as an additional sound flavor? Which would you go with?...have a Diablo 300 presently.
Hi Larry,
In my opinion, the Diablo 300 is so good, you may get more improvement to your system by moving to the Discrete DAC. Of course, best to stop at Suncoast and listen for yourself.
Cheers,
Ken
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alpinist
Now I am enjoying the best sound I have ever heard in my listening room by a huge degree. The resolution, layering, imaging, dynamics and wholeness of the music are the best I have ever heard from a source of any type. The sound quality of everything from Redbook CDs to DSD, high resolution and MQA files is simply stunning! There is a lifelike quality to the music that I am unable to put into words.
Ken
+1. Revolutionary technology.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Cincy2
+1. Revolutionary technology.
I wholeheartedly agree! The Select II DAC is the source component on some mighty fine systems here on AudioShark. Your D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblocks and Magico M3’s; Kingsrule’s Nagra HD monoblocks and Magico M6’s; Mike Lavigne’s darTZeel NHB-458 monoblocks and Evolution Acoustics MM7’s; and my (modest in comparison) Vandersteen M7-HPA monoblocks and Model 7 Mk2.
Ken
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Ken
Congratulations. If I was willing to spend 6 figures on a DAC the Select II would probably be at the top of my list.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
great read- thanks, Ken. MSB is in a category of its own since the Select was introduced!
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Ken,
Congrats on the Select II! I see myself moving in this direction as well. The Esoteric gear has treated me well but I loved what I heard with the Ref Dac and can't overlook their modular design that keeps a digital piece relevant for some time. Anyone using the select transport with the select II? I still like cd spinners:D
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Congratulations on the new DAC. I can also attest that Mike goes all out trying to help his clients. Well done to both!
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Ken - Congratulations on your Select II! It is definitely at the top of the digital music domain. Buying from Mike is always a pleasure. Enjoy in good health.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SuperDave
Ken,
Congrats on the Select II! I see myself moving in this direction as well. The Esoteric gear has treated me well but I loved what I heard with the Ref Dac and can't overlook their modular design that keeps a digital piece relevant for some time. Anyone using the select transport with the select II? I still like cd spinners:D
Thanks Dave! Mike Bovaird has the Reference Transport to go with his Select II DAC. The only difference between the Select Transport and the Reference Transport is the matching casing. The transport mechanism and all internal components are exactly the same. So, you can save a lot of money by purchasing the Reference Transport, which still looks really fine. I heard the Reference Transport several times with the Select II DAC. It brings the fullest potential out of the Select II DAC as does their new Renderer input module.
Cheers,
Ken
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
It’s the middle of the night and I’m listening to Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park on the Select II DAC. Just a redbook CD rip but the sound quality is supernatural. Total immersion. I’m magically transported back in time to the Great Lawn. Not getting much sleep lately but I’m enjoying my music more than ever before. It’s become much more of an emotional experience.
Ken
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alpinist
It’s the middle of the night and I’m listening to Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park on the Select II DAC. Just a redbook CD rip but the sound quality is supernatural. Total immersion. I’m magically transported back in time to the Great Lawn. Not getting much sleep lately but I’m enjoying my music more than ever before. It’s become much more of an emotional experience.
Ken
IMHO this is what it is all about.....The music and having the system take you to magical places, emoting old memories, forging new feelings, or just getting you closer to whatever your concept of infinity is.
Congratulations on your journey so far and whatever the future brings.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alpinist
It’s the middle of the night and I’m listening to Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park on the Select II DAC. Just a redbook CD rip but the sound quality is supernatural. Total immersion. I’m magically transported back in time to the Great Lawn. Not getting much sleep lately but I’m enjoying my music more than ever before. It’s become much more of an emotional experience.
Ken
IMHO “just redbook” is as good as it gets on the SELECT II.
I love my Select II and was an early adopter. One of my first observations about this incredible DAC and which I had many conversations with Vince of MSB was just how much better redbook was than anyone could have ever imagined. Sony belived and maybe still does that redbook was “perfect” and maybe they were right but no dac was capable of reproducing it the way it was meant.
Congrats and enjoy. It’s an amazing DAC and am glad people are getting in on what I was raving about for a long time.
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Priaptor
IMHO “just redbook” is as good as it gets on the SELECT II.
I love my Select II and was an early adopter. One of my first observations about this incredible DAC and which I had many conversations with Vince of MSB was just how much better redbook was than anyone could have ever imagined. Sony belived and maybe still does that redbook was “perfect” and maybe they were right but no dac was capable of reproducing it the way it was meant.
Congrats and enjoy. It’s an amazing DAC and am glad people are getting in on what I was raving about for a long time.
Thanks Priaptor. Yes, redbook is indeed very special on the Select II DAC.
I forgot you on my list of Select II owners on AudioShark. You have CH Precision M1 monoblocks but I can’t remember the speakers.
Best,
Ken
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
laynesaddiction
IMHO this is what it is all about.....The music and having the system take you to magical places, emoting old memories, forging new feelings, or just getting you closer to whatever your concept of infinity is.
Congratulations on your journey so far and whatever the future brings.
And if you live in Colorado, it's much easier to go to magical places with a little help from mother nature!:D
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alpinist
Thanks Priaptor. Yes, redbook is indeed very special on the Select II DAC.
I forgot you on my list of Select II owners on AudioShark. You have CH Precision M1 monoblocks but I can’t remember the speakers.
Best,
Ken
I have Gobels Epoque Aeon Fine. Just took delivery of them today. Have been using Elliot’s demo until mine were ready. Elliot Goldman aka Bending Wave USA became the US distributor of them as well as a CH dealer. His showroom opens next week.
Great sound.
Next “upgrade” is on Nov 7 when Ch upgrades the M1 to the M1.1 which utilizes new caps.
Enjoy
Howie
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Alpinist
It’s the middle of the night and I’m listening to Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park on the Select II DAC. Just a redbook CD rip but the sound quality is supernatural. Total immersion. I’m magically transported back in time to the Great Lawn. Not getting much sleep lately but I’m enjoying my music more than ever before. It’s become much more of an emotional experience.
Ken
What a terrific album . . . And I dreamed I was flying . . . high up above my eyes could clearly see . . . the Statue of Liberty . . . Sailing Away to Sea . . . And I dreamed I was flying
Re: My Select II DAC Journey
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Priaptor
I have Gobels Epoque Aeon Fine. Just took delivery of them today. Have been using Elliot’s demo until mine were ready. Elliot Goldman aka Bending Wave USA became the US distributor of them as well as a CH dealer. His showroom opens next week.
Great sound.
Next “upgrade” is on Nov 7 when Ch upgrades the M1 to the M1.1 which utilizes new caps.
Enjoy
Howie
Congratulations Howie on your new Gobels speakers! Definitely a big day for you. Also terrific news about the CH Precision M1.1 mono amps. Enjoy that upgrade as well!
Ken