Oh, guys............what can I say that hasn’t already been said about each of these components? They’re all simply outstanding. There are no superlatives that haven’t already been expressed by many others regarding the Pass Labs INT 250, MSB Discrete (dual power supply), Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary speakers, and Roon Nucleus. I’ll try and minimize the cliched superlatives and just give you, as much as possible, an honest description and review of this system.
Predictably, I have no choice but to give it extremely high props. I mean, this system simply and truly is what it is. It’s everything I was hoping for and far beyond that. I guess if you forced me to use words to describe it, I’d have to include the word “pure”. And whatever words you would use to describe this kind of purity and “real” sound. Meaning it sounds like the musicians are standing and playing right in front of you. Yet there is a huge, deep, sound stage. I know that the word “accurate “ has likely been overused over the last 50 years, but that word is very, well.....accurate! As I write this, the live Alison Krause and Union Station album is playing on my new system in the background. The sound quality is beyond outstanding. Especially for a live performance. And the new Blue Highway album (Somewhere Far Away) that I played yesterday...absolutely superb.
Another descriptor I would use for the sound of this system is “smooth”. Buttery smooth. It has everything I want and nothing I don’t. Just the right amount of beautifully tight, big, big, low end, midrange, and perfect top end.
It’s very straight ahead simple. The INT 250 is as simple as you get. Just an amp and preamp in one box. That’s it. Nothing else. But superbly designed and crafted.
And, then there’s the dual power supply MSB Discrete. It adds a subtle robustness to the sound. It makes an already superb sounding amp sound even better. Not sure how. It just does. Keep in mind I’m not a “tech-y” person. I just attempt to describe things as I hear them. However, I’m a long time musician with a very sharp set of ears. I know when I hear something that’s really good. And this system is really, really, good.
It’s very difficult to have a great sounding audio system without good sounding speakers. And, IMHO, Harbeth speakers are about as good as it gets. I specifically purchased the Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary for their super tweeter and modded crossover. I’ll use the same descriptors for the Harbeths as the ones I used to describe the Pass INT 250 integrated amp and MSB DAC and let it go at that. My ears LOVE Harbeth speakers, period. Don’t have anything else to say about them other than that. And the system synergy...simply outstanding.
Next, the Roon Nucleus. Really fun. What else can I say? It’s obviously extremely useful for managing my very large ripped CD collection and streamed music, my only sources.
It’s been a dream come true to have a system like this. And it’s been a long, long, wait. But I wouldn’t have changed a thing. As I stated above, this system has everything I want and nothing I don’t. And the system isn’t even broken in yet. Wonderful times ahead.
I’d like to give Mike Bovaird of Suncoast Audio one more nod of appreciation. The man has the patience of Job. I’d not been able to deal with the network issues, assemble, and set up this system without him. Thank you once again, buddy. I’ll post this then attempt to get some pics. Stand by...
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