Well, I made my amp decision about three months ago. I just would have liked to have heard Steve's modded amps before I made that choice - along with the Blue Circle BC8's and the Viola Symphony. Just can't be in more than one place at a time.
You've got an excellent list of sources to listen to. Take your time and enjoy the process. A question: Is the Reimyo/Audio Note combo sonically better than the Reimyo CDP777 one-box? EMM and Wadia notwithstanding, I'd like to hear the MBL combo. Keep us posted.
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...
I had contacted Steve about his mods and he was kind enough to invite me to come listen to his modded 125 monos. To my discredit, I never made it to SoCal to hear them. Another remarkable brand/mod with reasonable prices. I can imagine that your Aerials sing. Get your room in shape and then have fun picking out a new front end. Any predispositions?
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...
Hi Teck (whoa, that was unintentional!). Very interesting collection of gear. I've wondered about the Smc-modded 225s. I assume you acquired the monos to mate with your Aerial 9Ts. How's the sound, and what music do you listen to?
BTW, the XLZ 1050 was my first cd player ('90 - bought it when my Dual tt went down). Married to a NAD integrated with Vandy 2c's, it really reproduced music pretty damn well. Be interesting to hear how well it measures up in today's high end world.
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...
