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Post by TheBigLebowski on Nov 1, 2014 15:01:19 GMT
Won't bore you with all the details but the last three years have been some serious box swapping. I know it's contentious but I quite liked the Naim (black) sound when I had it but didn't like their marketing philosophy of a constant upgrade cycle. Here's a very rough overview of what I've tried along the way:
Cheap ebay Chinese Valve amp Linn LK100 system both Aktiv & Passive Naim NAC 122x / NAP 150x Naim NAC 200 / Nap 200 / NAPSC / HiCap / LP12 / Ittok / Troika / Prefix Sugden Mystro Rega Brio-r / Apollo-r / Rega DAC / RP6 / Rega RS5 Sugden A21a Sugden A21a series 2 / ProAc Response 1sc
So here I am now back to what I think is similar to the Naim sound but much much better in every aspect. By far my favourite part of the system is analogue, even with the mac mini / m2tech DAC the TT betters it easily. I'm really impressed with the old SME 3009 and my goal is to get an SME 309 for the Xerxes and upgrade to a Whest PS.30.
Here's the system as it stands (today)
Dynavector L100 Dynavector HX 75 Roksan Xerxes in rosewood Whest Two phono stage M2Tech Young DAC with Linear PSU Mac Mini running JRMC 19 Sonos Connect Shahinian Arcs Van damme tour grade black 4mm speaker cables Mogami 2549 interconnects
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Post by John on Nov 1, 2014 15:07:15 GMT
Nice looking system
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 1, 2014 15:24:26 GMT
Sounds good even from streaming
The Shahinian Arcs deliver a lot more than I would have thought
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 1, 2014 17:44:41 GMT
Tht looks like a nice spot to sit and listen to music in.
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 1, 2014 18:17:26 GMT
Great looking set up and listening room!
I have a real soft-spot for 80's decks with lovely wood plinths like the Xerxes... Never heard one but expect I would enjoy it.
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Post by Tim on Nov 1, 2014 18:55:25 GMT
Nice room, I could be happy in there for sure - love The Cry of Love on the wall  As an aside, The Big Lebowski, one of my all time favourite movies, lost count of how many times I have watched it, absolute classic . . . "That rug really tied the room together"
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Post by MartinT on Nov 1, 2014 22:20:21 GMT
Nice system. Before you upgrade to a Whest PS.30R, there are other options to consider. I used to have one.
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Post by jnk on Nov 2, 2014 7:27:03 GMT
That's a really nice system and room; must say that I'm really warming up to getting the M2Tech dac when funds allow. How is it working out for you?
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 2, 2014 8:36:25 GMT
Interesting system - Flat Earth done properly? I've always fancied trying Dynavector amplification - I'm a big fan of their cartridges! -but haven't (yet) gotten around to it. btw - I may have lost the plot, but have you mentioned what the cartridge is? |
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Post by TheBigLebowski on Nov 4, 2014 20:12:42 GMT
The "cry of love" isn't a picture, it's just where I stick the LP covers when they are playing. I keep meaning to buy some old funky covers and framing them as they look great as artwork.
The M2tech is very good but if I'm honest I'm not sure it adds anything to the Sonos/Spotify combo but does sound fantastic with the Mac/JRMC. I'm currently using the young DAC with my TV via optical, Sonos via coax and Mac via USB and works brilliantly.
Forgot to say in the original post that it's an SME 3009 arm with a Benz Ace S but I also have a ZYX R50 which is a fantastic budget cart and is really forgiving of surface noise.
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