Finally Pulled the trigger

Thnx Joe, you or Lloyd is fine. I actually don't even know if symphony has RCA inputs maybe only xlr. I get amp sat or Tuesday. R u going to try tube monoblocks with cr-1?
Nick
 
veindoc said:
Thnx Joe, you or Lloyd is fine. I actually don't even know if symphony has RCA inputs maybe only xlr. I get amp sat or Tuesday. R u going to try tube monoblocks with cr-1?
Nick
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ABSOLUTELY!

I have the EAR 890 amp and 868 preamp coming. That I know is special and was told it is magical on my Studio2. I can't wait to hear that and the CJ GAT/ART combo on both the CR-1's and Studio2. I hope either or both turn out to be winners on my TADs.
 
No worries Ill find out soon. But I am curious if single ended pre can properly go to fisher inputs of amp as long as proper cable is used? I just want to know in case I fall in love with a SE only preamp

Nick
 
Nick, you can always get XLR -> RCA adapters if needed.

Cardas - Female RCA to Male XLR Adapter - Pair-Audio Advisor

CRFRCMXL.jpg
 
veindoc said:
Zanden pre 3100 was very lovely and part of their new line which has a new look and a remote. The original Zanden pre was a two chassis device with both tubes in preamp and separate power supply. This new product even at 12.5k was very nice sounding but aesthetic not to my taste. Sort of a ivory opaque high impact plastic which matches the look of the remote. The top and sides not thick and impressive just sort of sheet metal. Compared to Nagra far inferior construction standards. Sonically a little sweeter tube like soundwith better bass slap. Nagra was much more neutral in presentation. I know zanden is planning a new updated version of there top of line pre in gold with separate power supply and remote. Probably b great and $$$ >20k

Nick
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Hi Nick,

I love Zanden as you might be able to tell. I nearly went with their Pre...but consulted with a dealer who also had access to Shindo, Wavac. When he heard my other consideration was CJ GAT...he said to go for CJ. I asked him if he could get CJ...he said no...he said he was just being honest! I was amazed. There are no absolutes in this business, but I am a big CJ fan and have had a CJ in my system since 2000.

BTW, regarding Zanden, the chassis and even inner electronics are very sensitive to vibration...put another way, they benefit in my experience from isolation. And what happens is (at least with their digital) is that you get all the Zanden voicing...but with very solid, strong bass slam and a much much greater solidity of note and density of tone. It is remarkable to get it right, but in my system it requires all four boxes to be independently 'sandwiched' between HRS underneath and HRS, Artesania, Stillpoints on top. But it really, really works. This is in direct comparison (for bass) with Esoteric X-01SE known for propulsive bass, and Audio Aero La Source.

Thus, if you go for Zanden pre, you may wish to bear this in mind. If you go with their 2-box pre, my DAC has tubed PSU and changing to NOS tubes (Mullard and Sylvania) was also a powerful upgrade. My two cents.

You've got great options all around with Pass, Viola, CJ and Zanden...I doubt you go wrong with any of these!
 
thnx Lloyd, great to know who to speak to about proper isolation. Did you ever do a side by side with GAT vs Zanden or Art pre? I currently have a 2 chassis xp-20 and many of the 2 chassis preamps seems quitter with very wide soundstage. How does the Gat stack up? Also any chance you can post a close up picture of the Gat remote. PM where u get most of your isolation accessories if you can

Thnx again, Nick
 
veindoc said:
thnx Lloyd, great to know who to speak to about proper isolation. Did you ever do a side by side with GAT vs Zanden or Art pre? I currently have a 2 chassis xp-20 and many of the 2 chassis preamps seems quitter with very wide soundstage. How does the Gat stack up? Also any chance you can post a close up picture of the Gat remote. PM where u get most of your isolation accessories if you can

Thnx again, Nick
Click to expand...

Hi Nick,

1. I have only tried ARC Ref 3, Shindo Massetto in my system. I used to have CJ ACT 2 (all CJ ART, ACT and GAT remotes are the same...solid aluminium block, CJ champagne). I can say without doubt it is far quieter than all of the above, incl the Shindo which has some crazy 119db Signal to Noise ratio. With 95db speakers, 31db of gain in my amp and 25db of gain in the CJ, I am very fortunate to have low noise and low noise floor. I need to be within 3-5 inches of tweeter to hear the tiniest little hiss. And detail/soundstage is excellent...limited more by my room than anything else.

You must switch out the stock EH tubes which can be noisy and get noisy fast. I use Mullard ECC88...relatively inexpensive for NOS. I have also used Amperex US PQ White Label...much more expensive. The difference between the 2 really goes away when you use EAT tube dampers on both...so now I just use the Mullards which happen to be super-quiet. Just ordered another pair and waiting for it to arrive as back up pair.

2. Isolation. I started out with custom-built 4" thick birch ply shelves set on top of 2" thick slab of slate. Great but not an HRS or Finite Elemente Rack. Then I realized by isolating each unit independently (ie, under and damped on top)...I could get much much closer to what I think is 'true isolation'. Gotta be careful to listen...funny things happen and isolation products have their own resonances. But I like my current combination. I can send you a picture or two via PM.

3. Nearly all HRS bought from second hand or demo...took a while to assemble. Artesania damping plates were gifts from family. They got them in NJ. Auralex are relatively inexpensive at 60 bucks each. Only Stillpoints are new and come from dealer since I've never seen Ultra 5s up for sale. Got a few demos but that's it...otherwise new with some help on retail due to long-standing relationship.
 
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