I should have asked you where the Audio Research PH-7 ranked between the Xono and TW Acustic phono stages. One would imagine that it would be somewhere between the two in terms of bass slam, mid and top end texture, quietness, etc.
Thanks for the feedback on the TW Acustics phono stage. I have an RCM running in my system now and the extra gain over the little ZYX Artisan is a godsend. The fact that is more affordable is helpful at a time when the hi-fi piggy bank is seriously damaged.
I did hear that you found the RCM to be similar to the Xono and that is what steered me in that direction. I know that all SS usually does not provide the "magic" of tubes (a pleasing colouration perhaps?) which is why my next move will be to investigate active valve preamps with balanced outputs. Could be a costly endeavour but I want to get it right.
It certainly sounds like you have hit upon a nice combination between the TW Acustic, CJ Art and big Mac power amps.
How would you describe the performance of the TW phono stage compared to your Pass Labs Xono? Maybe it is too early to call it until you get more hours on the former?
Sorry if I seemed overly defensive of my system's performance, us crazy audiophiles tend to treat them like children sometimes and given the amount of time and money invested it is easy to see why.
I definitely agree that the combination of Atmasphere 60W OTL and Zu Definitions was a disaster, even my friend who owned the amps agreed. I am still looking for an amp that combines the little Yamamoto's strengths of transparency and purity of tone with more power, perhaps such a beast does not exist and I will have to strike some sort of compromise.
On the preamp front I am still attracted to the passive concept but I would like remote control and the ability to drive long interconnects. The Placette Active is at the top of my list but it has had a real price hike lately and thus I am watching the second hand market.
I am sure that your system is really cooking now. Has there been any further discussion with your "boss" regarding the new audio room? That will be the icing on the cake I suspect.
"However his yamamoto amps were way underpowered for the job and the atmosphere amps he also had were not my cup of tea, no real tube warmth."
I agree that the Yamamoto was underpowered for your music which from your statement regarding tube warmth, clearly requires some sort of colouration to be considered enjoyable. If that is what you like then that is perfectly fine, it is your trophy hi-fi system and your money to waste on one upgrade after another if you so choose.
Given your strong bias against classical music I refrained from playing this for you which is a shame since my system's real strength lies in the accurate reproduction of acoustic music. Under those circumstances my system sounds much better than just OK and those far more experienced than you or I strongly agree with this sentiment.
A quote for you from a Hong Kong audio forum....
Allow me to wake everyone up by saying there is not a single system in this audio world that can reproduce rock, pop, classical & opera music equally well and sound better than other systems (even if there were such a system, we, who are mere mortal souls, lack the wisdom to do so!), if you can do one or two of this category of music very well, then you have really arrived in your hi-fi journey.
I have almost arrived in my hi-fi journey... how are you going with yours?
Hope you and the family are well. Just wondering if you have ever considered tuning your listening room since I have discovered a product that may interest you. Read up on Acoustic System resonators, they really work as described and the effect is anything but subtle, unless one is talking about their appearance which unobtrusive. In my system the improvement is equivalent going from a cheap MM cartridge to a world class MC.
Are you joining the ranks of proud ZU owners? If so, welcome to the club. If you would like to hear a pair of Definitions then feel free to contact me and we can set something up.
