Could you describe the changes brought by the CH M1 amplifiers?

1. Two of the Telos GNR units

2. A Shunyata Hydra Triton V3 for my front end components

3. A Shunyata Hydra DPC 6 V3 for my digital audio server based components

4. A third custom LP record cabinet

5. A pair of CH Precision M1 amplifiers run in active bi-amplification mode

I still need to update pictures. Thanks

You're very welcome.

Please be sure to try the new TotalDAC USB Gigafilter cable. It's a superb upgrade for connecting the TotalDAC D1-Server to its internal re clocker.

Arnie

That's a great question.

Here is what I have heard as the key sonic benefits of the going from the stereo CH L1/X1 combo to the full 4 box CH L1 True Dual mono configuration:

1. There is a significant increase in the sense of ease, effortlessness and flow to the music. Everything seems so much more relaxed but at the same time, there is no loss of speed, dynamics or energy to the musical presentation. I would simply say that the overall musical presentation that you would hear is at a level of refinement that is hard to describe.

2. Any hint of grain or glare or strain in the mids and highs are gone with the 4 box configuration (unless of course this was part of the recording itself). 

3. Lower Noise floor and an increase in resolution.

4. More authoritative bottom end to the music.

5. Even better imaging with a wider and deeper soundstage. Truly amazing.

Hope that helps.

Arnie

The principal manufacturers are High Fidelity cables, H-Cat amp, linestage, phono stage allX12s, Tripoint Thor SE and the SE grounding cables, Star Sound Tech Audio Points and Rhythm platforms and racks, and BMC Arcadia speakers.

These are my associated equipment., 2016)

Digital Front End


 

Avari All FET Class A Balanced DSD DAC, playing quad DSD and even some recordings in

   quad DSD

AVM Music Server

 

Analog Front End

 

Nantais Lenco L78 with Ikeda 407CR1 long tone arm and 9TT cartridge

The BMC MCCI phono stage has a Cardas binding post with special Tripoint grounding wires to

   the transformer, the power supply and to the circuit.

Star Sound Record Stablizer

Dalby D7 Record Stabilizer

 

Amplification

 

H-cat P-12 X10 linestage

H-cat DF-100.2 X10 Mk IV stereo amplifier

Robert Koda Takumi K10 preamp

BMC M2 Monoblocks

 

Loudspeakers


 

B.M.C. Arcadia speakers

LSA1 Statement speakers

 

Cabling

 

High Fidelity Pro (treated) full loom

High Fidelity Pro power cords (2) and Ultimate Reference (Helix) (5) power cords, (treated)

High Fidelity Pro 1m ICs (treated)

High Fidelity Ultra Reference Din to RCA tone arm cables (treated)

Exemplar Audio Silver Portal balanced & single-ended ics

Avari double lead USB cable

 

Accessories

 

High Fidelity MC-0.5 Conditioners (11)

High Fidelity Magnetic Adapters (14) (treated)

TriPoint Troy Signature with Troy power cord and Thor SE grounding wires (4)

High Fidelity Cables Magnetic WaveGuide power filter ac filter (helix)

Star Sound Tech Rhythm racks and platforms under the amps. Also Apprentice Platforms (5)

   under the speakers and their crossovers. Star Sound Tech. Audio Points 2.5AP-1AINT and

   1.5AP-1A.5 under racks and under components on the rack.

StillPoints ESS Rack with Grids and Mini isolation feet

I have auditioned the MSB Select DAC II in my system but with only one power supply. I had here for a month so I was able to get a very good handle on how it sounds. Its a very good DAC.

Arnie

Thanks very much.

Those are very good questions so I will do my best to answer for you.

I have auditioned the CH C1 DAC in my system. This was about 2.5 - 3 years ago. It is a wonderful DAC and I really liked it. I did not purchase it because in my system, it sounded best without any preamp. When used with a preamp, it was just a very good DAC but when used without a preamp it was truly wonderful and the best digital sound that I had heard at that point in time. I have heard many dac's, but the CH C1 is the only one that really sounds better to me without a high quality preamp. But since I also play vinyl, I do need a preamp in my system and at the time, there was no CH L1 preamp available. 

I have heard the Aeries Cerat Kassandra DAC in my system. I am certain it was the Reference version. I have also heard it in a full Aeries Cerat system - preamp, amps, speakers. I think it is a good DAC but it wasn't for me. 

Since I do listen to vinyl, I am always looking for a digital front end that makes me want to listen to digital and not just use it to warm up my system before I listen to vinyl. That is one of my key digital evaluation criteria. 

The TotalDAC D1-Twelve is for me, in my system and my musical preferences the best digital front end that I have heard in my system and I have heard a fair number of the top digital performers. They are all good but its so important to hear them in the context of your own system to be sure you know what you are getting. If it was me, I would certainly try to audition the D1-Twelve in your system - it is a fairly significant step above the Di dual. You still may prefer your Audio Note, but its certainly worth giving it a listen.

Hope that help,

Arnie

I heard about your amazing system via LL21 who I have lots of PMs with (he has the Zanden 4 box CD). Anyway, please can I ask your opinion?

I heard to had a demo on the Aries Cerat Kassandra DAC. Can I ask was it the Ref (1 box) or the Signature (2 box and significantly more expensive)? How was it compared to your TotalDAC 12? I have heard the TotalDAC dual, but not above that level. The reason I ask is I was considering a move to the Kassandra. I currently own the Audio Note UK DAC5 which is very good and fits my tastes / system well. But as we know, we want to know if there is 'more' out there!

The Kassandra has some ideas from Audio Note such as transformer I/V state and output transformers, plus the use of the AD1865 NOS and no filter like Audio Note, but in the case of the Kassandra 16 chips per side.

I only listen to rebook, and don't upsample. I use a custom music server stripped back just for music and use Ethernet output to SPDIF or AES to my DAC.

BTW fantastic system you have amused there! Can I also ask why not the C1 DAC with the X1 PS. Was the TotalDAC more to your liking?

Sorry, some questions there, I hope you can help.

Thank you in advance.

Sorry for the delay in responding as Laura & I have been traveling. 

It was great to finally meet you and I so happy that you were able to make it here despite all of the airline delays.

Thanks so much for the wonderful words about my system. It gives me great pleasure to listen to it as I am sure your system does for you as well.

All the best and keep in touch.

Arnie

Yes, I understood what you meant. 

I'll just stay with my TotalDAC server for now. But I am happy to talk with people in Asia and better understand what they did and what they heard in comparison to the TotalDAC server. 

I meant using the SGM 2015 instead of the cubox of the Totaldac server, so the USB output of the SGM would feed the Totaldac reclocker.  I read that some people did this in Asia (SGM feeding Totaldac) with great results.  So this is probably worth trying if a dealer can let you test the sgm 2015 in your system. 

Cheers,

Vicente

Thanks so much. 

I have not heard a system with the SGM 2015 music server in it so its difficult to comment on its sonics. I did go to their web site and it does read like it should be a very good music server. I tried to see what type of digital outputs it has but I did not see them listed. Looking at the picture of the SGM from its side view, I did not see an AES/EBU digital output. The TotalDAC outboard re clocker does have a USB input, but Vincent prefers the AES/EBU digital path for TotalDAC. So the TotalDAC server has an AES/EBU digital output which feeds an AES/EBU digital input on the outboard re clocker. The re clocker then uses two AES/EBU digital outputs - one for each of the mono Dac's. 

As for the choice of NAS, I think with any high quality NAS the things to consider are:

1. I upgraded my stereo CH P1 phono stage to the true dual monaural P1 phono stage which is a separate P1 for the left channel, a P1 for the right channel and 2 of the optional X1 power supplies.

2. I have added the new Echole Limited Edition power cords to power the dual monaural CH L1 preamp and the dual monaural CH P1 phono stage.

3. I have added the new Echole Limited Edition balanced IC between the phono stage and the preamp. 

Thanks very much.

I have given some thought to auditioning the CH M1 mono block amps but I am really enjoying what I am hearing at the moment so perhaps further down the road I may listen to them in my system.

Congrats in building THE Agon SOTA system!

If you are ever in Texas let me know and perhaps we can do some listening."

You know it! Thanks, I do get to TX sometimes for work (DFW, Houston, San Antonio, Austin mostly); will definitely let you know! 

Your room and system are insane(ly great)!!!