Best front end analog/ HR digital sources to match Vitus SL103 + Magico S5MK2+ listening preference

VNladyaudiophile

VNladyaudiophile

New member
Joined
Apr 21, 2017
Messages
48
Location
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Dear Gentlemen (I assume no ladies because I haven’t found any lady yet reading this great forum the last 4 months :) )

I am a thankful and happy reader of this forum but have been too shy to post anything yet. Today I’m pushing myself all the way up and here comes my first (long) multi-question post, which I hope to receive very good advices. Thank you a bunch, in advance.

Sorry Mod/Admin if I post in wrong place because my question is about too many things so I don't know where else to put :-)

Based on my signature you could see what my system is made of. I am quite struggling right now between the analog or HR digital source investment because (of course) – the cost. I can’t have both.

The big pblm is: I listen to all kinds of music as long as it makes my toes tap: electronics, house, jazz, R&B, Soul, rock, vocal, some classicals so it is so hard to find the source that can play very good all ranges especially full bodied bass and readily-available materials to buy (HR digital 24bit 192HKZ I mainly found in classical /jazz/ vocal music). LPs are of great choices but will I find a good system that can play good Nat “King” Cole, Minnesota Orchestra “Dance of the tumblers” and “Earned it” The Weeknd or “King of Sorrow” - Sade …?

I have in mind :

  • HR Digital source: Aurender N10 (if there are any better option focused on sound quality (same price range and very popular so I can find a dealer in VN that carries that one) please kindly let me know. I only focus on SQ for music server.

  • Analog sources:

  • Acoustic Signature Ascona TT (I’ve just sent an Audioshark member : Mr. Elberoth a PM because I saw that he used to own it) but I haven’t found a lot of user’s reviews about this TT;

  • Kronos Sparta or Bergmann Sindre TT;
  • Phono Stage (without Preamp): I have in mind Vitus SP-103 but it is truly adds up so much to my already-dying budget L ( I still WOULD buy if this is best option) but I feel like too many Vitus might make my music too neutral when I like it a bit stronger, bolder for R&B, electronics… I am really quite stuck on phono stage;

  • Phono cartridge: Under my radar are: Transfiguration Proteus MKII or Diamond version OR Airtight PC-1 Supreme;

I am a brand new audiophile enthusiast even though loving/ listening to music had been the essential part of my life since forever. I know many people will advice me to go from beginner level to learn. But I am having a very serious illness so waiting is not allowed anymore J Please help me to enjoy the best my pocket allows J

Thank you all so much for your precious inputs. All are greatly welcomed.
Kind regards, Chau.
 
Wow, you already have great taste in gear and I am so happy that you've decided to introduce yourself. I'm positive you will get lots of advice, good and bad :) Ha!

ps, if the ladies in your avatar are wife or you and daughter, they (you) are very beautiful. You must be very proud. We are honored to have you here.
 
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Dear Joe , again thank you and you are making me blush with your very kind comments of my avatar. That is me and my daughter. I am a woman :-)
joeinid said:
Wow, you already have great taste in gear and I am so happy that you've decided to introduce yourself. I'm positive you will get lots of advice, good and bad :) Ha!

ps, if the ladies in your avatar are wife or you and daughter, they (you) are very beautiful. You must be very proud. We are honored to have you here.
Click to expand...
 
Wow, this is a special occasion. I realize not many women post on the forums but I am happy :) you are here. I would love to read your opinions and perspective on music and gear in the future. I assume this is not your first system but that is just a guess. Have you had many pieces before finding Vitus and Magico?
 
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VNladyaudiophile said:
Dear Gentlemen (I assume no ladies because I haven’t found any lady yet reading this great forum the last 4 months :) )



I have in mind :

  • HR Digital source: Aurender N10 (if there are any better option focused on sound quality (same price range and very popular so I can find a dealer in VN that carries that one) please kindly let me know. I only focus on SQ for music server.

  • Analog sources:

  • Acoustic Signature Ascona TT (I’ve just sent an Audioshark member : Mr. Elberoth a PM because I saw that he used to own it) but I haven’t found a lot of user’s reviews about this TT;

  • Kronos Sparta or Bergmann Sindre TT;
  • Phono Stage (without Preamp): I have in mind Vitus SP-103 but it is truly adds up so much to my already-dying budget L ( I still WOULD buy if this is best option) but I feel like too many Vitus might make my music too neutral when I like it a bit stronger, bolder for R&B, electronics… I am really quite stuck on phono stage;

  • Phono cartridge: Under my radar are: Transfiguration Proteus MKII or Diamond version OR Airtight PC-1 Supreme;

I am a brand new audiophile enthusiast even though loving/ listening to music had been the essential part of my life since forever. I know many people will advice me to go from beginner level to learn. But I am having a very serious illness so waiting is not allowed anymore J Please help me to enjoy the best my pocket allows J

Thank you all so much for your precious inputs. All are greatly welcomed.
Kind regards, Chau.
Click to expand...

I don't think you can wrong with the Aurender N10. I think I have heard all models Aurender, or at least many of them. None of them disappoint and the UI is good.

For turntables, you could also consider dr Feickert, Pluto,Thales or Reed. Acoustic Signature has made some great TTs but not sure what they are up to today. There is a shop I know that has the huge Acoustic Signature Reference Grande on which you might get a good deal.

For phono stages the van den Hull Grail and Grail SB are the best I've heard, regardless of price.

Carts I like ZYX, van den Hull and maybe Ikeda (in an Ikeda arm) but there are just many many options.

I have not heard many of the top audio. Just speaking from what I have heard and seen.
 
It is great to have a woman on the forum! Makes me feel less nerdish :-)

If you have no need for DSD and you don't want Roon I would go for the Linn Klimax DS/3. I hope you'll be able to spend the rest of your time enjoying the music.
 
Unfortunately it's not usual to have a lady between audiophiles, so a big welcome to you.
I had the opportunity to listen to Aurender N10 for several times in different audio systems and it always sound great, but as you have a very neutral system I think you should take a look at Ayon NW-T/DVD with his tube buffered digital output stage, I never had the opportunity to listen to it but it has very good reviews and Ayon makes very good material.
 
My greatest admiration for a woman to follow this hobby this far and to have Stillpoints and Entreq in her setup.

If time is your contrains then my vote goes for Kronos Sparta and Vitus Phono. Cartridge of your choice.
 
Dear Mordante, thank you very much for your great input. Many of the brands you've mentioned are not avail. in Vietnam but you help me to be stronger on Aurender N10. I've tried it but the system at the demo was so bad I wasn't persuasive. I need to ask for a home test. I see that you own Dynavector cart., which I heard is very good for music that has strong bass? How do you like it? good for rock, R&B?
 
Welcome to Audio Shark Chau!
You are assembling an amazing system and there will be many members here that will offer some great advice.
 
Thank you Glareskin for your kind suggestion: well noted for Linn Klimax DS/3. I have DSD DAC on Vitus SCD025 MKII and Roon can't help because my Macbook only plays up to 16 bit 96khz so I still need a good device that can play back great HR digital files.

Thank you Allforhifi: Ayon NW-T/DVD is well noted :-)

Thanks Anh Hieukm a. I first read about Kronos just from the thread Munich hi end show 2017 :-) I am doing deeper research on it right now.
 
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