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Post by kinfauns on Mar 12, 2024 18:34:26 GMT
Hi All,
I am John and happy to be here.
I hope I can make some meaningful contributions and pick up a few things from the vast experience of others,
I do like to mess about with various elements of a music system but believe synergy and personal tastes are the most important things.
Mainly a rock & pop kind of guy, I will listen to anything because a good system should make anything sound good.
In the 80s and 90s I did the whole Linn/Naim thing and still own a LP12.
Most of my listening is done through the following bits & pieces:
Esoteric K-o1 CD/SACD/DAC
Aesthetix Atlas power amp
Zingali Zero Sei speakers
All power cables and plugs are Furutech
Transparent Audio Ultra XLR IC
SR fuses
Thanks to Mikemusic for the invitation.
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Post by brettj on Mar 12, 2024 18:48:23 GMT
Hi John
Welcome to TAS.
From not so sunny (today) New Zealand.
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Post by petea on Mar 12, 2024 19:02:27 GMT
Welcome to TAS, John.
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Post by Slinger on Mar 12, 2024 19:21:51 GMT
Hi, John. Welcome to the fun factory.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 12, 2024 20:37:13 GMT
Hi John and welcome to TAS.
That's a highly focussed system and the Esoteric is quite the beast. What led you to this solution?
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 12, 2024 21:11:51 GMT
Good to have you here John
Linn and Naim - have the T shirt, wore it for over 30 years
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Post by kinfauns on Mar 12, 2024 23:54:54 GMT
Hi John and welcome to TAS. That's a highly focussed system and the Esoteric is quite the beast. What led you to this solution? When I started out on the long route to audio bliss, everything was analogue. My dream front end at the time was a Linn Sondek LP 12 which I was lucky enough to obtain in the 80s. I kinda fed on top class TTs for many years with friends owning Thorens & Pink Triangle among others. So that fluid, organic sound of a TT ingrained itself in my DNA. Marraige and family followed so the the system was stored for many years out of the way. A few years ago out it came but of course things had moved on to digital. The Linn was also hard work to keep on song(maybe different now with newer versions). Suspension set up was crucial. I wanted an easier life so chose CDs as they were the closest digital format to the analogue master. I started of with a Wadia transport (bass performance) mated with a Chord Qutest and found the combo excellent at the time. Had that for a while then went through a simplification stage where I wanted to reduce the number of cables so went to a one box CD player solution in the form of a Audio Research CD8. Great tube player with a highly organic sound. Wanted to simplify again to get closer to the source so decided I didn't need a preamp if I went with a player with variable output. First variable output player I got hold of was a Wadia 571. Another great player especially for rock but had a darkness which I knew I couldn't live with long term. I did some research and found an Esoteric k-01 second hand at a good price and thought that ticked all the boxes. Haven't looked back since. Doesn't sound totally analogue but comes close. It has as an authority and transparency I have not heard from any other digital device in my system. Early pressing CDs can sometimes be mistaken for an LP. Direct output to power amps split opinion but I found the Wadia and now Esoteric sound better with a direct connection. Sorry for the long answer! Cheers for asking. |
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Post by kinfauns on Mar 13, 2024 0:02:06 GMT
Good to have you here John Linn and Naim - have the T shirt, wore it for over 30 years Good to be here Mike. Fantastic systems at the time. Thought the pronounced upper bass of the Linn complimented the dry bass of the Naim beautifully. Will forever desire the Linn with Naim six-pack! Great times. |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2024 5:33:28 GMT
Direct output to power amps split opinion but I found the Wadia and now Esoteric sound better with a direct connection. I'm completely won over by direct DAC connection, got rid of my nice Pass preamp a long time ago. |
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Post by kinfauns on Mar 13, 2024 8:02:36 GMT
Pass amps have sounded great to me with excellent build. What swung the deal for you before committing to direct?
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Post by John on Mar 13, 2024 8:10:48 GMT
Hi John
Welcome to TAS
Nice system
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Post by mattspl on Mar 13, 2024 9:44:12 GMT
Welcome along John
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 13, 2024 9:45:08 GMT
Good to have you here John Linn and Naim - have the T shirt, wore it for over 30 years Good to be here Mike. Fantastic systems at the time. Thought the pronounced upper bass of the Linn complimented the dry bass of the Naim beautifully. Will forever desire the Linn with Naim six-pack! Great times. I went to a Naim open day in Salisbury a few years ago and heard a 6 pack, the highlight of the day Stunning That was where I was going until the fateful day I visited MartinT and heard his system Gutted, and then on the path away from Naim piece by piece Currently TAD, Sonore Rendu and more tweaks than most have ever contemplated |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 13, 2024 13:52:04 GMT
Pass amps have sounded great to me with excellent build. What swung the deal for you before committing to direct? The Pass XP-20 is a good preamp, but nothing beats the transparency of not having one, provided your DAC has an output circuit capable of properly driving the power amp. I simply tried direct, with electronic volume, and the preamp didn't get a look-in again. |
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Post by julesd68 on Mar 13, 2024 14:17:31 GMT
Welcome from me too John.
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Post by kinfauns on Mar 13, 2024 17:55:04 GMT
Pass amps have sounded great to me with excellent build. What swung the deal for you before committing to direct? The Pass XP-20 is a good preamp, but nothing beats the transparency of not having one, provided your DAC has an output circuit capable of properly driving the power amp. I simply tried direct, with electronic volume, and the preamp didn't get a look-in again. Same for me really. The Esoteric has a +6db output boost setting should you require. Never had to use it. Made sense to me to remove a box of electronics and associated cables. I've been on the road of simplification so can't see me requiring a preamp again. Means more money for music! |
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Post by HD Music & Test on Mar 13, 2024 19:41:45 GMT
We repaired a late Aesthetix Atlas power amp last year, not shabby a sound at all.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 14, 2024 16:25:17 GMT
<off at a tangent> kinfaunsWhere is that pic in your Avatar ? (I have a guess...) |
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Post by MartinT on Mar 14, 2024 17:10:36 GMT
Scotland.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 14, 2024 17:13:33 GMT
Ho ho
I have an inkling it might be famous
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