Amen to all that. When comparing the LSA and Dude (with appropriate setup and parameters in place for a passive), the Dude just creamed it in terms of dynamics, palpability, etc. I have tried direct drive with my source which has lots of gain and a digital volume control, used the Granite Audio 657 with no pre-amp (with its built-in Alps volume control and tube buffer stage), and all fell short IMO.

The Coincident stuff looks very nice and well made. The linestage seems to focus on mechanical grounding and chassis isolation which should make for a much lower noise floor. A lot of manufacturers shirk that part.

The LSA thread is insufferable. Circular logic abounds. My favorite is "that wasn't in the original recording..." So, three dimensionality, palpability and whatnot are artifact??? Again, if you take the time to peruse the DIY sites about "optocouplers," you discover that they are not free of their own distortion and sonic signature. The idea that LDRs are a clearer window is spurious. That being said, I am sure they can sound fine in a lower resolution system relying on tube amplification.

agear December 14, 2011 20:05

Hi,
Agear, thanks for your comments.
I have heard a number of passive units(have`nt heard the Lightspeed however) and feel that for certain systems they`d be near ideal. For my priorities a premium quality- no nonsense active linestage is just simply better. In the context of a good system the active linestages come closer to what I hear at live venues,the life,vitality,dynamic energy and fuller-realistic tone and body of instruments and voicec.

I`m completely thrilled with the sublime sound of the CSL.
The person who preferred the Lightspeed to the CSL, well, people just like what they like, I have no problem with that.

The Lightspeed thread has become somewhat cult like at this point with redundant posts by the same people.If someone says the LS was inferior to their active in direct comparisons linestage they are chastised, who has time for that?
Charles

charles1dad December 14, 2011 15:05

Great system Charles and nice descriptive comparison of the Dude and Coincident linestage. I know you are familiar with the Lightspeed attenuator thread. It appears as if someone with the Coincident linestage and Frankenstein amps traded in the linestage for a LSA (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1276356977&read&keyw&zzcoincident)

Have you ever thought of trying that? I would love to hear your impressions. I myself heard it in my rig and it degraded the sound considerably. I was/am baffled by what these guys are "hearing." Its amusing to read through some of the DIY sites (a lot of which are used to promote cottage industries like George at Lightspeed) and see that amongst DIYers, there is no clear consensus as to the superiority of that device (http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=m&action=print&thread=4066). See the comments from Russ at Twisted Pear Audio...

agear December 14, 2011 11:08

Thanks for posting the comparison. It was a very interesting comparison. I like your opinion that the difference probably mostly boils down to synergy. Thanks again.

Bob

rsimms December 12, 2011 17:17

Hi Vicks7,
Thanks for the kind comments.
I had been using the very good Artisan silver cables(quite happily). The various 6 Moons reviews regarding the Liveline got my attention, I think they are just plain wonderful and a perfect fit with my SET based system.
They really do enhance a "live" presence.
Charles

charles1dad December 11, 2011 21:46

Congratulations on a nicely balanced system. Did you audition other cables before purchasing ASI Liveline? I also use this speaker cable and interconnect and am very happy with the results.

vicks7 December 11, 2011 19:56

Hi Isochronism,
There`s no doubt the Coincident products were voiced to match(why not?). They are superb individually and even better when paired. I would imagine there`s also synergy when TRL products are matched.

Both of these linestages will significantly improve virtually any system they`re placed in.
As stated above the CSL had the edge in my particular system.

charles1dad December 11, 2011 15:00

Charles, Thank you for your review comparison, it was a nice read. Sitting down for some serious work can also be enjoyable at the same time! I take out of it that well designed quality componentry within brand are made for each other, tho careful matching outside of branding can work well, also. That is a good thing for Pete, as he will not have any trouble getting his back.

isochronism December 11, 2011 13:18

Ojdetos,
Thanks very much for your comments, I appreciate them.

Morganc,
I just had the chance to listen to the TRL Dude linestage in my system 2 nights ago.Gon member bugredmachine(pete) was kind enough to lend me his.
I can understand the high praise and feedback concerning the Dude it`s exceptional and will outperform many preamps on the market. It has a big,dynamic authoratative sound that`s musical and compelling, impressive!

The similarities with my CSL are large scale presence and dynamics,full bodied tone and natural sound and no clinical-sterile character at all.
The Dude may have a bit more bass impact and weight(both preamps have plenty!). The CSL a bit more bass articulation and texture contast.
There`s probably some same brand synergy involved that favors the CSL. In my system the CSL is more transparent and open with more air,nuance and inner detail(the Dude has these qualities also but to a slightly lesser degree).
I just think the CSL has a lower noise floor.

The Dude has a wonderful bold and strong presentation and I`d say the CSL is certainly as dynamic(both are stellar in this area) but is subtly more refined-sophisticated in character.
The truth is both are superior preamps and I honestly think preference will come down to individual system voicing and matching.
The standout feature of the CSL is it`s unmatched (IMO)transperency(it totally disappears) and sheer organic purity.

Again(system synergy) it`s just the 'perfect' match with the FrankensteinMKII amplifier.
Best Regards,
Charles

charles1dad December 09, 2011 15:27

Bvdiman,
I really appreciate your comments regarding my system, as simple, natural and purity are my objectives.
W.E.300b tubes are becoming harder to find and certainly ever more expensive. There are fortunately good high quality 300b tubes in current production that many feel rival the W.E. tube.

charles1dad December 09, 2011 12:26

Hello, i just finished reading all the comments here, i see you also like things clean and simple, i really like how your system looks.
i can't comment on your setup as i never had experience with any of them.

Beautiful setup Charles!

ojdeteos December 09, 2011 11:02

Have you compared that linestage to others Charles? Any comparisons? I have the Frankensteins also and think they are fantastic too.

morganc December 09, 2011 01:52

Hi Charles,
Very nice simple purist set-up you've built here! The last time I was on board, NOS Western Electric 300Bs were the way to go and almost peerless then, interesting to hear quite a few new names I'm not familiar with now. Are W.E's still 'it' today or?
If ever one day I go down this route again, I know now who to ask for guidance. ;)

bvdiman December 08, 2011 22:45

Hi Abruce,
Thanks for the kind compliments, The Statement Linestage is truly a wonderful component.
The music just has the breath of life and vitality of flesh and blood performers.

charles1dad December 08, 2011 15:20

Beautiful system,isn't that line stage Great

abruce December 08, 2011 14:14

System edited: The Yamamoto DAC is back in the system.After auditioning the excellent Metrum Octave Mini DAC, upon further listening the Yammy is the better communicator of music`s emotion and beauty. a natural match with the soulful Coincident components.

charles1dad October 23, 2011 04:25

System edited,
The Metrum Octave finally arrived today. It was worth the wait! This is a wonderful sounding DAC, just wonderful.
It is better than my beloved Yamamoto YDA-01(which I preferred over many others). If this is an example of how a well implemented NOS R/2R DAC sounds then I`m completely converted to this camp. Organic, liquid with superb resolution and profound palpable presence with fabulous tone.This is a very special component.

charles1dad October 12, 2011 03:50

Hi,
Onemug, I know what you mean, The 300b SET sound is just perfect for me at this time. After 2 years of frequent(and long!) listening it`s still very hard to bring a listening session to an end.It continues to push all the right emotional/enjoyment buttons.

I know you`re as happy with your music reproduction as I am
Best Regards,

charles1dad August 21, 2011 23:15

Charles,

Re our posts in the Zu thread about the Eddie Vaughn article, I thought I would add to them here rather than steer the thread away from the topic, plus I like looking at your system again. :-)

"I`m enjoying my SET 300b Frankensteins so much(exceeded my high expectations) not certain I`ll ever go back to PP amplifiers(who knows though)."

Just wanted to say that I have had a 300b push pull (Cary) for 4 months now. The idea was to see how much of the 300b "SET" sound, that I love so much, would carry over into a pp design. It goes quite far but not all the way "for me". This amp was tweaked with bypass and coupling caps by a friend who has always amazed me with what he can do, so I thought it be a good example for a comparison. I has that 300b tone but it seems that when I go back to se, everything just clicks. It was a big improvement over various KT88/6550 and el34 pp amps I've had in the past. The Marantz 8b (pp el34) does have its own charm and magic, I don't know why, just enjoy listening to it.

I did not sell any of my 300b SETs, wasn't even close to doing that, so the SET is still it for me too. If you should ever find a pp that does it for you, I'd be interested in hearing about it.

Have fun!

onemug August 21, 2011 21:38

Sayles,
Hello and thanks very much for the compliments regarding my system. I sincerely believe that Israel Blume is one of the most talented designers around and makes absolutely superb components that are world class in built quality and sound performance. I agree with you ,the Total Eclipse is an under appreciated gem, driven by the Coincident preamp and amp it is the epitomy of organic synergy.
Best Regards,

charles1dad July 02, 2011 17:52

Tone, timbre, and texture... I would agree, you are there! Beautiful combination of great components, I would imagine the synergy is just KILLER! As a former Total Eclipse owner, I feel these beauties still haven't got the praise they deserve, wonderfully musical. Do you find sending the bass out board, opened up the whole sound stage? I did, and it was nice. Enjoy.

Happy Listening!

r_f_sayles July 02, 2011 15:17

Al,
I truly appreciate your very thoughtful and kind compliments. I must confess and admit how much I`ve learned from reading your many informative contributions on this site.

I must also say, your system with the timeless and superb VAC Renaissance 70/70 amps must be heavenly driving those Daedalus Ulysses speakers.
Best Regards,
Charles,

charles1dad June 27, 2011 01:20

Charles, I just want to say that IMO you've got a truly wonderful system that is beautifully set up, and that I always enjoy and appreciate your constructive and knowledgeable posts in the forums.

Enjoy! Best regards,

-- Al

almarg June 26, 2011 23:13

Thanks Charles1dad.

I have a Cary 300b push-pull. After I posted to you, I got an email from from my dealer that the 2 matched pairs weren't close enough to be considered a matched quad so they are sending me a quad of Gold Lion re-issues and will notify me when they get the next batch of Shug Treasures in. Makes me love my SET's. The GL's should still be an improvement over the used EH's that came with it.

onemug April 12, 2011 14:16

Hello,
Onemug, thanks very much for the thoughtful compliments. I must admit the Treasure Series 300b tubes have been excellent in both sound quality and reliability for the past 19 months ( my amps are in use practically every day). They will sound good out the box, but progress to superb over 150-200 hours of use. I think you`ll like them quite a bit. What amplifier will you be using?

charles1dad April 11, 2011 23:45