this was a while back so i will try to gather my thoughts...I tested several players: Meridian G08, Naim CD5x with power supply, Audionet, MBL 1531 (all these players were played in my home set-up).
At that time, my set up was different (aerial model 9 speakers with the McCormack amps, etc..)
The Lindemann 820s characteristics for me are: speed and ability to sound effortless (without being too analytical), spaciousness and depth to the music, and has coherency and transparency.
Some areas where it could be a little (just) is airiness.
i did consider the flexibility of adding an external input to go through the unit's DAC, that it could play SACD, and that it has an inbuilt pre-amp.
System edited: Lots of changes over the last 6 months....and i think i am almost there... what has helped me: - room acoustics - speaker placement - getting the help of the manufacturer (Genesis) - getting the help of good dealers (being there when you need them) - my buddy Vik, who is the speaker placement guy. will explain more in days to come. now just enjoying the music...
In Feb this year, i was in seattle with another buddy and we were visiting another buddy who has a FMA 255 pre hooked up to some Genesis Reference amps.
Wow...the transparency, separation, speed and headroom....was just too intoxicating...I was happily *poisoned* to listen to how music should be presented. The rest is history.
When i got home, i managed to locate a slightly used 155 and when i put it into my system, I stopped trying to pick stuff out and just listened. The seller kept my cheque.
The dangerous part now is that my buddy says, if i think the 155 is good, wait till i try a 255, its like having no pre-amp at all.
This could get painful for the wallet...
As for the PIT cables, yes that is on the cards.
Looking at your nice system, i can only imagine how it will drive the Magico's effortlessly. You are also probably done for equipment upgrading for at least the next 15 years.
System edited: Lots of changes since 2008 and was a little lazy in updating..due to work commitments - new room that is 16'W x 20'D x 7.5'H with acoustic treatment. Advice was from Svana Miljoteknik (sweden) at www.diffusor.com - tested several other power cords and interconnects, like Kondo Japan (Interconnects and power cords), Audience 24e power cord, Jorma Super power and several others - changed out the Kimber 8TC and FMS Zero's to Mogami 3103 and it works well...frankly resolution is still there. - installed a sub panel with 4 dedicated duplex outlets. Tried the highly rated Oyaide R1 outlets but did not last more than 2 months as i found the highs to be a little etchy for my liking so back to plain old hubbells. - noise floor is really quiet and in fact i dont need the Conditioner any longer....so it does duty for my TV and Cable box...pictures are way sharper. - added a FM acoustics base model pre amp...and wow...now i know why people pay this money. The headroom of this unit is almost limitless and it will push the rest of the components to their limits...you will know what works and what doesn't in your system. - Grand Prix audio Monaco rack is history and made way for the Silent Running Audio VR series 3.0. Tried the Critical Mass System Grand Master and it did not work out in my system.
System edited: Some cable changes....DCCA Reference Master has replace the Harmonix Studio Master, it is a transparent cord that lets the music through with an even tonal balance. Kubala Sosna Emotion Interconnect has been taken out of the mix....At the moment, running the Lindemann direct to amps.. The Emotion was just coloring the sound too much with an over emphasis on the mids and bass (bloaty).
Sorry for the delayed response. I have not been checking on my page....
I tried the Stealth Indra (RCA) in my set up between the Source (Oppo) and Pre (some months ago). It does a good job of opening the soundstage and giving pinpoint accuracy of instruments. It tends to be a fast cable and slightly on the lean side.
My system borders on the neutral to lean side...so this cable just expanded on it.
When i added the Lindemann about 3 weeks ago, I compared the Stealth Indra (now XLR) with the Jorma Design No1 (XLR), wow....the control of the Jorma Cable across the frequency range does a better job for me.
It is a warmer cable that does not roll off the highs (unlike the KS Emotion that I had). The No1, has about 80% of the pin point accuracy of the Indra, and this is good enough for me.
I am now in the process of trading in my No1 RCA's to XLR's and bypassing the pre-amp altogether.
System edited: Have made some significant changes to my set-up... Digital Source - after months of testing, have settled for the Lindemann 820 S...am running direct from the 820S to the Monoblocks bypassing the Pre-amp. Sounds good as I am using XLR's as recommended by Lindemann.. Cables - added the Prana Wire Satori for the monoblocks...wow..the control and quietness of the cable is great. Definitely worth the $$$. Now testing the Prana Wire Samadhi on the 820 S with the Jorma Design Super power cord running duty on the Outboard Power supply...so far this cable just opens up the sound stage and extends the highs, brings out the mids, and no bloatiness in the bass. Next project is to match the speaker cable for the final touch.
System edited: SYSTEM EDITED: Have been busy testing and made some changes.. Power Conditioner - RSA Duke is out of the system and all components plugged into Sound Application RLS 240. Power Cords - Power Amp DIY/Furutech cords have been replaced by Black Sand Cables Silver Ref 2 MkV. This helped open up the sound and made it less dark. Power Cords - Pre-Amp has been fitted with Jorma Design Super power cord with Bybee filter. This has helped to smoothen out the sound. Also tested against Stealth M5000 and Indra. Interconnects - Jorma Design No 1 replaced the Acoustic Zen Silver Ref 2...sound is more refined as not as bright as before...smoother and fuller bodied. Also replaced from Pre to Power amps are the Cardas Golden Reference to Kubala Sosna Emotion. This seems to have more control on the music and sound stage is slightly smaller tha the Cardas. Every thing tightens up. Room Treatments - added the Eighth Nerve Adapt products and this help to control the boom and definitely tighten up the bass. Room treatments are a definite must. Equipment Stand - added the Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3 shelf stand and put Atabites as fillers. The stand came ordered with the Apex Feet. FOr the CD player, have tested the MBL 1511/1521 and Audionet G2...both are great players with the MBL having a more natural sound....the Audionet has a more accurate sound...waiting to test the Metronome CD3 or T21 and Reimyo CDT777 and DAP777 combo.
System edited: Quite a few changes...Hydra 8, Furutech wall outlets, DIY power cords all out of the system and replaced. Power amp cords are Black Sand Silver Ref Mk5 and they really open up the sound and provides detail and layering. Power outlets have been changed to normal Hubbell 5362 IG models and this lets the music through without coloring the sound....especially in line with the Sound Application unit. Sound Application is a great unit and the search ends here...it is paired with the Harmonix Studio Master and this gives the music some bite to it... Still testing out power cords for the Pre-amp and the Source.
System edited: SYSTEM EDITED : Just added Sound Application Reference RLS 240 - AC Conditoner from Jim Weil.. This is the 240v version. The Hydra 8 will be taken out of the system...Will post comments after a 300 hr break-in.... In this few short hours, sounding good so far but have to be patient... The unit comes without a power cord and on trial is a MAC Delta 1 cord recommended by Jim. Will post soon...
I have tried the following for my CD player which is not on any platforms yet....
- DH cones (big ones)....thinned out the sound for me... - HRS Nimbus .....dulled the sound.... - Stillpoints....this is good, made the sound more liquid and focussed... - Finite Elemente Ceraballs ....quite close to Stillpoints...
Chances are I will get the Stillpoints first....since I have not decided on a new CD player....
Have not tried the rest you mentioned....
As for the SRA products, have not tried the VR Class....and actually I bought them sight unseen and untested....Leap of Faith but a good one since there are no dealers in my part of the world....
Great that you have spoken to Steve....if you can make the trip go for it....Now I am sad because he has a new Pre-amp coming out...
But...he did incorporate a new Lundahl input transformer that he is using for the new pre-amp into my RLD 1...
For the Digital sources....I am looking at the MBL 1511/1521 combo, Reimyo DAP 777 with Audio Note CDT3, Wadia 581, EMM Labs CDSA SE and Naim CDS3 with Power supply...
I have listened to Esoteric DV60, UX3se, Ayre CX5e, CX7e, ARC CD7, Bluenote Stibbert and couple of others....
In my system for test were the Wadia 302, Naim CD5x with Power supply, Resolution Audio Opus 21, and MBL 1521...
But I am trying to limit them now to Wadia, Naim, Reimyo combo, EMM Labs (no chance to try as all units sold and the dealer doesnt do demos), MBL....no more than 10k new or used...
So I guess it would take about 3 to 4 more months of going one stage at a time...
For the McCormack's, it was really a leap of faith, bought the 3 pieces (sight unseen, spoke to Steve who is great, and sent them for upgrading)....So I cannot tell you what it sounded like before the upgrades...
What I can say is that, the amps are effortless, smooth and fast...I couldn't be happier....This is the heart of the system...getting enough power (good power).
Once I got the Amps selected....I went speaker hunting...and found that the Aerial 9's to be great..My room is 14.5" (speakers against this wall) x 13' and 9'8" height....Not the biggest room but I have the back of the speakers about 3 feet from the back wall...
The dealer who sold me the Aerials is also a dealer for MBL gear and he commented that these amps were really fast with high damping...it really takes control....
Another Naim dealer who came over to do a home demo for the CDS3 player commented that this is the first time he heard the Aerials being driven so well...
My room is totally concrete with Granite floors as I live in apartment....so my concern was with bass response......Surprisingly, with the speaker positioning, I have been able to reduce the boominess...I will be focusing on room treatments next..
Soundstage is great...I have my speakers about 8.5' apart with no toe in and the soundstage covers the front wall...
I listen mainly to Jazz (fusion, vocals), World music, latin and a little raggae...just picking some classical..
Well the 1050 TN is the weakest link in my system and I am trying to decide between going for a 2 box or 1 box system...so more evaluations...but first room treatment..
I am also using a Oppo 981 as another interim player and although redbook is nothing great (unless with good recording)...the SACD is surprisingly full bodied...so much so that if the new player I am looking for must have SACD...
System edited: SYSTEM EDITED: Just received the Silent Running Audio Ohio XL Plus bases for the Monoblocks....Early days yet but sound seems to have tighten up...will let settle for a few days...Fit and Finish is incredible...
