I think I would keep my current system, with a few minor upgrades. If really pressed, I would replace my Mini 2 with the Magico Q3 and the Pass .5 amps with the .8 amps, and perhaps higher level Transparent cables. Then I would be done. I don't switch gear very often and when I do, it is slow and deliberate. At this point, I don't ever see myself owning gear other than Magico, Pass and SME.
What would be you definitive system?
- Thread starter iosiP
- Start date
FlexibleAudio
Member
I presume #4 allows me all the air conditioning I can eat at the desert bar, right??
In that case:
Vac Statement 450 iQ monos
Vac Statement Line
Vac Statement Phono
Brinkmann Balance
Lyra Atlas
My D3's
My Torus
Furutech Powerflux PC's each with a Flux-50
Ansuz Diamond IC's and SC's
No 0001110001111's allowed.
I am going to need some help from you all to make it through my retirement years.
In that case:
Vac Statement 450 iQ monos
Vac Statement Line
Vac Statement Phono
Brinkmann Balance
Lyra Atlas
My D3's
My Torus
Furutech Powerflux PC's each with a Flux-50
Ansuz Diamond IC's and SC's
No 0001110001111's allowed.
I am going to need some help from you all to make it through my retirement years.
still-one
Active member
Easy for me. Cost no object it would be the full MBL X'treme set-up powered by dual 9011's and dual 9008's and their 6010D pre. I am not 100% sure I would go with their digital front end.
Since I am unwilling to take the hit moving from what I have to that system, I would have to say I am close to my definitive system as is.
-Updating my SC to Opus Gen 5
-Waiting to see if MQA takes off and update my 808 to v6.
-Waiting for Dan's phono stage
-
Since I am unwilling to take the hit moving from what I have to that system, I would have to say I am close to my definitive system as is.
-Updating my SC to Opus Gen 5
-Waiting to see if MQA takes off and update my 808 to v6.
-Waiting for Dan's phono stage
-
Last edited:
iosiP
New member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2014
- Messages
- 159
- Thread Author
- #24
Oops! Jim, I was about to write that this is not about "cost no object" but then I read the listing of your current system and I stand corrected:amazing:
P.S. Do you have $100k making a bulge in you Savile Row suit poket? I'm willing to help you get rid of it...
P.S. Do you have $100k making a bulge in you Savile Row suit poket? I'm willing to help you get rid of it...
Glareskin
New member
The Dual 6010 is a fine retro amp Jim! I can see that will be a big step up coming from the D'Ag... :lol:
Attachments
still-one
Active member
The Dual 6010 is a fine retro amp Jim! I can see that will be a big step up coming from the D'Ag... :lol:
I will have to look into that for my next upgrade.
still-one
Active member
No. I will keep that money in my $18 WalMart khaki's. Saving it for my next 5 trips to Europe.
Glareskin
New member
First of all: I would survive the island with what I have. I am very happy with the sound. It is rare to hear similar quality in the same budget. If I would be banned to the island now and I could spend some of my savings (why not if this is the final move to the island; aren't we saving for better audio gear anyhow?) I might update the following components:
Preamp to the Octave HP 700 tube pre-amp including the phono stage. Haven't auditioned yet but from the stories the ultimate warmth, precision, sou stage and clarity. The last curtain removed...
Streamer to the Linn Klimax DS/1 (I don't have it now as it missed a tad of warmth compared to the Accurate DS/1 which will probably compensate with the tube pre)
Speakers: I would quickly fly to Dallas to audition the Salon's at Mark. Or maybe the Stella Utopia although that is a stretch in the budget... Or maybe the Gauder Berlina RC9. Fact is: the high should be as good or better as the 802's which is kind of difficult to my ears, and for the rest I should improve in reality like listening. Again, I can do all of that that pretty much right now!
With the last two speakers I would update the AMP's to the Audionet MAX.
As I have plenty of time to play my 3500 plus records on the island I would update the turntable and probably go for the Linn LP12 with Keel, Radikal and Eko and everything they have to tweak the thing to the max.
And I would take some power cleaning gear to make sure that the shitty island power will be stable and clean as can be when it hits my gear!
Preamp to the Octave HP 700 tube pre-amp including the phono stage. Haven't auditioned yet but from the stories the ultimate warmth, precision, sou stage and clarity. The last curtain removed...
Streamer to the Linn Klimax DS/1 (I don't have it now as it missed a tad of warmth compared to the Accurate DS/1 which will probably compensate with the tube pre)
Speakers: I would quickly fly to Dallas to audition the Salon's at Mark. Or maybe the Stella Utopia although that is a stretch in the budget... Or maybe the Gauder Berlina RC9. Fact is: the high should be as good or better as the 802's which is kind of difficult to my ears, and for the rest I should improve in reality like listening. Again, I can do all of that that pretty much right now!
With the last two speakers I would update the AMP's to the Audionet MAX.
As I have plenty of time to play my 3500 plus records on the island I would update the turntable and probably go for the Linn LP12 with Keel, Radikal and Eko and everything they have to tweak the thing to the max.
And I would take some power cleaning gear to make sure that the shitty island power will be stable and clean as can be when it hits my gear!
iosiP
New member
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2014
- Messages
- 159
- Thread Author
- #29
Come visit, please! I dunno is the sound at Costin's will be satisfactory but I bet the stuffed cabbage leaves, trout fried in salt crust (with fir tree leaves) and the associated wine would compensateNo. I will keep that money in my $18 WalMart khaki's. Saving it for my next 5 trips to Europe.
Audioseduction
Active member
I would have to say I'm there with my current system.
Hmmm....Clearaudio Statement V2. I'll have to think about it...
My definitive system (aka: retirement system) is many years away as the price of entry is too rich at this point, but would include;
- Vitus SCD-025 (upgraded with latest modules when available)
-
Server transport
- Latest Oppo bluray player
- Gigawatt conditioner
- Vitus SM-011 mono's
- Vitus SL-102 pre
- Jorma Prime/Statement cables
- Magico M Project speakers
Bodhi
- Vitus SCD-025 (upgraded with latest modules when available)
-
Server transport- Latest Oppo bluray player
- Gigawatt conditioner
- Vitus SM-011 mono's
- Vitus SL-102 pre
- Jorma Prime/Statement cables
- Magico M Project speakers
Bodhi
bmichels
New member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2013
- Messages
- 225
Have you heard the iNVICTA ?
I am asking this because as you know, I am in the final stage of choosing a DAC to replace my HUGO to feed my Eddie Curent 445 tube headphone AMP.
I have TH900, ED5 and soon LCD-X (which is amazing with my 445)
The EC445 do not really have a Tube signature, but rather something between tube & SS. But it is VERY precise and resolving. So,I need to find a DAC that will bring some warm & silk to it WITHOUT loosing the precision/resolution of the EC445.
For this reason I was looking at several R2R dacs like the TotalDac D1 or Yggy (HUGO is very precise but do not bring any "life & warm" IMO)
So I was about to buy ARIES or AURENDER + TotalDAC D1 when I remembered this Resonessence invicta & saw the AK500 !
Indeed.... I am tempted by a "transportable" solution (from rooms to rooms & to the WK house) like the Invicta or ...the AK500n, but I do not want this at the price of inferior SQ: I will use it stand alone on the go, or feeded by a streamer (Auralic/Aurender) and driving my tube amp at home.
So, my questions :
- Does the Invicta offer a "warm but resolving" type of sound signature to match my EC445 ? ESS is not always known for this and my HUGO is too dry !
- Does the increased SQ on the Mirus worth loosing the headphone out ? (No rumors of a "super invicta" with double ESS chip & Headphone out ?
- IS it really a BIG setp-up from the HUGO.
- IS is it a...step down from a TotalDAC D1 or Yggy or MSB Analog DAC ?
may be you can help...
CDLehner
New member
Have you heard the iNVICTA ?
I am asking this because as you know, I am in the final stage of choosing a DAC to replace my HUGO to feed my Eddie Curent 445 tube headphone AMP.
I have TH900, ED5 and soon LCD-X (which is amazing with my 445)
The EC445 do not really have a Tube signature, but rather something between tube & SS. But it is VERY precise and resolving. So,I need to find a DAC that will bring some warm & silk to it WITHOUT loosing the precision/resolution of the EC445.
For this reason I was looking at several R2R dacs like the TotalDac D1 or Yggy (HUGO is very precise but do not bring any "life & warm" IMO)
So I was about to buy ARIES or AURENDER + TotalDAC D1 when I remembered this Resonessence invicta & saw the AK500 !
Indeed.... I am tempted by a "transportable" solution (from rooms to rooms & to the WK house) like the Invicta or ...the AK500n, but I do not want this at the price of inferior SQ: I will use it stand alone on the go, or feeded by a streamer (Auralic/Aurender) and driving my tube amp at home.
So, my questions :
- Does the Invicta offer a "warm but resolving" type of sound signature to match my EC445 ? ESS is not always known for this and my HUGO is too dry !
- Does the increased SQ on the Mirus worth loosing the headphone out ? (No rumors of a "super invicta" with double ESS chip & Headphone out ?
- IS it really a BIG setp-up from the HUGO.
- IS is it a...step down from a TotalDAC D1 or Yggy or MSB Analog DAC ?
may be you can help...
No, I haven't; but I think you're spot-on. I happen to like the detailed yet not etched sound, of a good 9018 DAC; but I'd doubt it's "warm but resolving" as you're hoping for.
Luxman DA-06?
bmichels
New member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2013
- Messages
- 225
I do not believe that the Luxman will be warmer :-(
I am now more looking toward R2R DACS like TotalDAC or Schit Yggdrasil or the new AMR DP777 se edition (tube & 2 dacs chips: 16 bits & High-res).
And I have to say that I am intrigued by the new AK500n Server (all in one). First report une the work "analog sound" (OK OK they all say that ! I know!
RichardAusten
Banned
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2014
- Messages
- 83
Back in 2002 I heard an all Audio Note system that basically destroyed everything I heard the previous 12 years. So I bought some entry pieces. Then I became a reviewer - heard pretty much everything since that time. And still the AN system has held up though at least I have heard some stiffer competition (although not as much as I had expected). So the plan is still leaning to an all Audio Note UK set-up of level 3 and 4 where I feel the sweet spot lies. I should note that this is for small medium sized rooms only (which is what I live in and will live in for the foreseeable future.
In a large room the above is dropped (at least the speakers) and I would probably be leaning to large horn loudspeakers of Western ELectric/Silbatone/Line Magnetic type of stuff. The latter likely being the only relatively affordable option and by affordable still running around $20k. The speakers have to be able to utilize Single Ended tube amplifiers or from my experience the result will not remotely interest me though I have likes such systems at Audio Shows and get why people might like them - I know that over the long run the would bug me.
For specifics - I am targeting:
M6 preamp into Line Magnetic 219 dual mono integrated as power amp
DAC 3.1X DAC (But they are coming out with a totally new CD/DAC technology that they claim is better for less money so this is in holding pattern)
CD/Two/II transport
AN E/Lexus upgrade to AN E/Spx HE Alnico
AN silver cables of some variety or other
Turntable is kind of up in the air.
In a large room the above is dropped (at least the speakers) and I would probably be leaning to large horn loudspeakers of Western ELectric/Silbatone/Line Magnetic type of stuff. The latter likely being the only relatively affordable option and by affordable still running around $20k. The speakers have to be able to utilize Single Ended tube amplifiers or from my experience the result will not remotely interest me though I have likes such systems at Audio Shows and get why people might like them - I know that over the long run the would bug me.
For specifics - I am targeting:
M6 preamp into Line Magnetic 219 dual mono integrated as power amp
DAC 3.1X DAC (But they are coming out with a totally new CD/DAC technology that they claim is better for less money so this is in holding pattern)
CD/Two/II transport
AN E/Lexus upgrade to AN E/Spx HE Alnico
AN silver cables of some variety or other
Turntable is kind of up in the air.
Julot
New member
My current system is my "definitive" system in the sense of the OP, has been for over twenty years (though it has improved or evolved here and there), and the clients I sold it to, and their regular hifi dealers also concurr: for most of them, they don't go back to a store or hifi magazine for decades. The jury is still out on computer audio vs my CD-Player.
bmichels
New member
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2013
- Messages
- 225
" nagra hd server " !? very very interesting but... where do you get this info about this (soon) product ? Any availability date/Specs ? is it just a rumor ?