Playback Design MPS5 upgrade to CH precision, any thoughts.
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mdkim
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Wow wow wow!! Pics demanded when everything arrives. Too bad I don't see CH on the exhibitor list @ THE Show. I'd love to hear what all the fanfare is about. And yeah, will you be building your system (speakers/cables) around those babies?
Congratz!!
socfan12
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anic:anic:You may be right, Kev. But the gear fund is quickly draining, so it will come to a stop one way or another!
socfan12
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Haha, I'm not sure if there's a lot of Kool-Aid, Norman, just a handful of us who are using are ears and buying into what we like. Trinity seems to be getting the biggest ear play nowadays.
Really interested in your thoughts when you go visit them! Please post pics if possible!
socfan12
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Thanks guys, really appreciate it! Sorry for the delayed response, Mother's Day.
To answer some questions:
1) Will I keep the Alexias?
Yes, for now. But if I really want that exquisite sound I heard at Audio Arts, changes may be necessary.
Won't be any time soon, though.
As Norman pointed out, the A1 is quite flexible, so it can be voiced to fit the speaker of choice. At the first audition, Gideon changed two settings just one notch each and I thought I was listening to a totally different amp!
2) Versus the Dag?
I didn't A/B at all, but the CH gear is very fast and while the Dag is an awesome amp, it's not the last word in speed. I originally was only going to listen and then buy the C1, but in order to get the most out of it, I felt I would need a faster amp, like the A1!
3) Will the A1 drive the Alexias?
Good question, Ian. I didn't do a home audition like I thought I would, so I don't know 100% for certain. But I did talk to Walter of Fidelis AV who sells Wilson, Dag, and CH Precision. Told him measurements of my room and asked if a single stereo A1 can drive the Alexias to satisfying levels (subjective, I know). Walt thought for my sized room it should be more than enough to get to loud SPLs. Plus I really don't listen that loud any more, only on occasion.
Marshall Nack uses the A1 to drive his YG Anats and he thinks it's plenty powerful for those difficult to drive speakers.
4) Delivery time?
Gideon is going to Munich for High End, Chris, so when he comes back, I think the 3rd week of May? Which is fine by me, I need to sell some gear to pay for the CH stuff.
I'm really excited! It's one of the best DACs I've heard. Not because anything stands out. In fact, my first audition I wasn't even that impressed. But upon reflection, it was the smoothest, most natural sounding digital I've heard. I'm happy to have it as part of my system!:audiophile: I hate to use this term because it's used so often, but for me, it was a game changer.
To answer some questions:
1) Will I keep the Alexias?
Yes, for now. But if I really want that exquisite sound I heard at Audio Arts, changes may be necessary.
Won't be any time soon, though.
As Norman pointed out, the A1 is quite flexible, so it can be voiced to fit the speaker of choice. At the first audition, Gideon changed two settings just one notch each and I thought I was listening to a totally different amp!
2) Versus the Dag?
I didn't A/B at all, but the CH gear is very fast and while the Dag is an awesome amp, it's not the last word in speed. I originally was only going to listen and then buy the C1, but in order to get the most out of it, I felt I would need a faster amp, like the A1!
3) Will the A1 drive the Alexias?
Good question, Ian. I didn't do a home audition like I thought I would, so I don't know 100% for certain. But I did talk to Walter of Fidelis AV who sells Wilson, Dag, and CH Precision. Told him measurements of my room and asked if a single stereo A1 can drive the Alexias to satisfying levels (subjective, I know). Walt thought for my sized room it should be more than enough to get to loud SPLs. Plus I really don't listen that loud any more, only on occasion.
Marshall Nack uses the A1 to drive his YG Anats and he thinks it's plenty powerful for those difficult to drive speakers.
4) Delivery time?
Gideon is going to Munich for High End, Chris, so when he comes back, I think the 3rd week of May? Which is fine by me, I need to sell some gear to pay for the CH stuff.
I'm really excited! It's one of the best DACs I've heard. Not because anything stands out. In fact, my first audition I wasn't even that impressed. But upon reflection, it was the smoothest, most natural sounding digital I've heard. I'm happy to have it as part of my system!:audiophile: I hate to use this term because it's used so often, but for me, it was a game changer.
sharkmouth
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Thanks guys, really appreciate it! Sorry for the delayed response, Mother's Day.
To answer some questions:
1) Will I keep the Alexias?
Yes, for now. But if I really want that exquisite sound I heard at Audio Arts, changes may be necessary.
As Norman pointed out, the A1 is quite flexible, so it can be voiced to fit the speaker of choice. At the first audition, Gideon changed two settings just one notch each and I thought I was listening to a totally different amp!
2) Versus the Dag?
I didn't A/B at all, but the CH gear is very fast and while the Dag is an awesome amp, it's not the last word in speed. I originally was only going to listen and then buy the C1, but in order to get the most out of it, I felt I would need a faster amp, like the A1!
3) Will the A1 drive the Alexias?
Good question, Ian. I didn't do a home audition like I thought I would, so I don't know 100% for certain. But I did talk to Walter of Fidelis AV who sells Wilson, Dag, and CH Precision. Told him measurements of my room and asked if a single stereo A1 can drive the Alexias to satisfying levels (subjective, I know). Walt thought for my sized room it should be more than enough to get to loud SPLs. Plus I really don't listen that loud any more, only on occasion.
Marshall Nack uses the A1 to drive his YG Anats and he thinks it's plenty powerful for those difficult to drive speakers.
4) Delivery time?
Gideon is going to Munich for High End, Chris, so when he comes back, I think the 3rd week of May? Which is fine by me, I need to sell some gear to pay for the CH stuff.
I'm really excited! It's one of the best DACs I've heard. Not because anything stands out. In fact, my first audition I wasn't even that impressed. But upon reflection, it was the smoothest, most natural sounding digital I've heard. I'm happy to have it as part of my system!:audiophile: I hate to use this term because it's used so often, but for me, it was a game changer.
And that is when it all started. Allen for me this was the very same thing that got me down a path that was too clinical, careful what you wish for.
For my expression of what you describe & how I achieve it, it is with a very good preamp that has all the detail I wish for & oodles of control with a bottom end that is stunning, over amps & dacs that are added. The fun is choosing what amp to add for the timbre for me. What you have chosen are truly exceptional pieces that will give you great & very enjoyable service. My one word of caution would be "warmth", you will need it somewhere in your system. My way of putting separates together revolves around just north of neutral voicing so the whole is just warm & not fatiguing. So much fun getting it right & a big congrats on a stellar choice.
socfan12
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Kev, thanks for sharing your approach. Glad it is working well for you. Did you arrive at this by going down the route I'm embarking on and found it didn't work for you? Too fatiguing?
The CH doesn't sound sterile to me. In fact, there's a tad hint of warmth/sweetness in its sound that makes the resolution seem natural, musical, organic. At least that's my impression now..
The CH doesn't sound sterile to me. In fact, there's a tad hint of warmth/sweetness in its sound that makes the resolution seem natural, musical, organic. At least that's my impression now.
.
sharkmouth
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Kev, thanks for sharing your approach. Glad it is working well for you. Did you arrive at this by going down the route I'm embarking on and found it didn't work for you? Too fatiguing?
The CH doesn't sound sterile to me. In fact, there's a tad hint of warmth/sweetness in its sound that makes the resolution seem natural, musical, organic. At least that's my impression now.
The CH Precision gear is lovely with the right balance for me, but if you add dry speakers/cables, dry i/c & a very neutral front-end.... there goes illusions of non-fatiguing.
There's a big difference between sterility and purity - and it's the purity that sold me on my C1, X1 and A1. It's difficult to understand if you have not been to Audioarts to listen. A big part of this is the Zellaton speaker that Gideon favors with
CH. As he always likes to say "all roads lead to Zellaton" and judging by my Grand's he's right
Allen, may the Schwartz be with you!
CH. As he always likes to say "all roads lead to Zellaton" and judging by my Grand's he's right
Allen, may the Schwartz be with you!
Allen,
3rd week of may is right around the corner
Gideon sure is lucky to get to go to munich. Really makes sense though as his lines are mostly european and the munich show has a gazillion interesting euro-brands.
A couple weeks wait just builds the anticipation Maybe we should start a ch manuf sub-forum, or at least a swiss manuf subforum. Thoughts?
3rd week of may is right around the corner
Gideon sure is lucky to get to go to munich. Really makes sense though as his lines are mostly european and the munich show has a gazillion interesting euro-brands.
A couple weeks wait just builds the anticipation
Maybe we should start a ch manuf sub-forum, or at least a swiss manuf subforum. Thoughts?
sharkmouth
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There's a big difference between sterility and purity - and it's the purity that sold me on my C1, X1 and A1. It's difficult to understand if you have not been to Audioarts to listen. A big part of this is the Zellaton speaker that Gideon favors with
CH. As he always likes to say "all roads lead to Zellaton" and judging by my Grand's he's right
Allen, may the Schwartz be with you!
Yes you are absolutely right elegy & it would beg to ask why one would be buying top-end gear if they couldn't tell the difference? In saying that though, it only takes one mismatch when your gear is this revealing to turn the sound towards something that is less than desirable, commonly termed as fatiguing.
socfan12
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Allen,
3rd week of may is right around the corner
Gideon sure is lucky to get to go to munich. Really makes sense though as his lines are mostly european and the munich show has a gazillion interesting euro-brands.
A couple weeks wait just builds the anticipation
Hmm, maybe I got that wrong then, the last week of May? Soon, though! Believe Gideon has them in stock.
Love the idea of a CH precision sub forum! Norman can post pics from his factory visit, too! What do you say, Mike?:exciting:
Time to pitch in with my CH thoughts. I have had my C1 for quite a few months now. It replaced by Meridian 808.3 and it made a huge difference. Right now I am using its Coaxial input and my Sooloos as a source but I have an ethernet / USB card to install as well sometime. CH is by far the most natural and musical sounding dad I have heard. Well worthy the dollars imho.
howie
howie
