For the enjoyment of music. Lot's of changes over the years. I typically won't buy something unless I can listen to it in my system. Spending a lot of time recently searching out well recorded and interesting music via hi res downloads. I have a really nice vinyl collection mostly Jazz and pop. Digital I'm filling out my classical titles and more modern recordings. Jan '16
A seriously great preamp...one of the best...if you're reading this...contact me...this is that good..
DCS Vivaldi DAC, Transport, Clock & Upsampler
dCS Vivaldi DAC, Trans and Clock
Transparent Opus Gen 5 & Magnum Opus
replaced mm2 version
Transparent Audio Opus Power and Opus Power Source Gen 5
Transparent Opus Gen 5 Speaker Cable
Speaker cable
Grand Prix Silverstone F1
stand
Spiral Groove Centroid
Uni Pivot arm
Grand Prix Audio Monaco
Direct Drive Turntable s/n 40
Nagra Classic Amp
Stereo amp
Nagra VPS/MPS and VFS
Just added the Nagra MPS power supply. Really more sublime now...the Nagra VPS/VFS combo was already great, however the MPS lowers the noise...sound stage opens up and transparency increases
Grand Prix Audio Apex - Threaded footer
very finely threaded very of Apex for minute level adjustments
Keith Monks Ruby
Killer record cleaner. I've always wanted a Monks.
Shunyata Hydra Triton v2/Typhon/DPC-6 v2
Sigma HC feeding Triton & Anaconda Zitron Feeding Typhon. All front end (dCS, Nagra, and TT motor controller...
Transparent Audio Reference XL Digital
Clock cables for dCS (2) bnc to bnc and Dual AES trans to dac
You've a world class speaker that almost never comes on the market...some speakers people just keep and keep. Good luck and let us know when they've arrived...sound like they're beautiful to look at too. Congrats!
Dctom - I have heard the Massetto in my system in direct shoot out with my [then] CJ ACT 2. I have since moved to CJ GAT.
The Massetto was magic...plain and simple. I can see why so few people move away from Shindo...and many actually just keep buying within Shindo family.
Eric Clapton's voice was just plain mezmerizing. In the end, I also found the slight 'prod' of the mids forward were part of this magic...which to me is no big deal...who knows how it was recorded? But on orchestral...the violins also always seemed to be pushed forward...which intuitively i did not think was quite right. In the end, the dealer admitted he could see why i would not move from ACT 2 to Massetto. But that said, there are more levels above it for sure. My 2 cents.
Let us know if you get in touch with Sound Practice. Good luck!
Rockport Altairs, in a custom Porsche Topaz Brown Metallic finish. I'll be posting my Wilson Maxx 3's for sale soon. Great price on a KILLER good speaker !! Do you want em ;-)
I really struggled what speaker to move Wilson X2's were VERY high on my list...the XLF's were just to much $$'s.
Dctom - there is a Shindo dealer in UK i believe...low key, very helpful. Perhaps you've spoken already...the soundpractice, i believe. James is at [email protected] Good luck.
I agree it is very difficult to compare high end gear. I have not been able to hear a Dart or Shindo. The Dart should be possible but the Shindo is more or less non existant in the UK I will probably end up with the ARC se as I know it works well within my system already and should deliver more of what I have already.
Hi Jfrech. Great system you have! What ICs and SCs you are currently using? I remember you were in favor of purist provectus cables. What is in your system know? I value your opinion. Thanks.
Thank you ! I remember...I did really love my BAT phono stages, had 3 or 4 if I remember...VKP5, P10, P10SE and the P10 superpak...
I think I'll be able to demo the Allnic H3000 or H3000v at home some. I could have had it now...but I have new speakers getting delivered in a few days...so didn't want to many changes at once.
I have thought about the Dart and Shindo..the issue is I really want to listen before I buy...hi end is getting so hard to do this the last few years....Have you tried or heard the Dart or Shindo?
I am VERY impressed with the Koda K10. And the help from the manufacturer gave my dealer...I love companies like this and makes you want to do business with em !
Again congrats on a great looking room. And system. We communicated over phono stages a while ago, when you got your Nagra instead of BAT. I noticed you were thinking of looking at the Arc ref se phono and Allnic. I have the original ARC ref2 and was considering getting the SE version or, possibly something else. I like the ARC and it is rock solid so am tempted to stick with what I know. It also seems to pair well with my BAT 52se. The Allnic is talked about a lot, also the Aesthetix Eclipse. Wondered if you had the chance to listen to any of the these. Also see you have a Koda K10 on demo. I have read the Shindo pre amps, with built in phono, are supposed to be very good and the Dartzeel with built in phono, have you considered a pre with its own phono stage? Dave
Your results don't surprise me.The benefits of clean high quality AC power for an audio system can't be over emphasized, it makes quite a difference. Regards,
Hi, the K10 preamp goes further...sorry I could have been a little more clear...I meant to say the Shunyata Typhon is like a electronics change...it's a big deal, just maybe not as much as the K10.
I've now switched over to digital...the above comments were only on vinyl. Seems the Shunyata Typhon improves my digital a bit more-which I suspect digital is more dirty AC wise...so maybe more to clean up.
I am sure I have more break in also...maybe a week/weeks more...
But you are right...considering the money involved...I have not tried the K10 yet with the Shunyata Typhon...
If the magnitude of change with the Typhon equals the Robert Koda preamp contribution, then the Typhon is the much better value (5k vs 30k).Unless I'm misreading you.Or does the preamp's impact on your system go further? Regards,
Demo'ing a Shunyata Typhon this weekend. Here's a starter report. Only thing changed in my system is a Shunyata Typhon and Anaconda zitron connecting umbilical. (a few of you know I was also trying a Robert Koda Tukami K10 Preamp last weekend, my dealer has it this weekend...I wanted to try the Typhon with no other system changes - which btw this is a killer good preamp... a must listen if you can)
Also know the Anaconda zitron connecting umbilical has nearly zero hours on it with any kind of current flowing. I suspect it has a VERY long break in and I also suspect the Typhon doesn't move enough current to break it in.
The Typhon/Anaconda zitron has been plugged into the Triton since last Monday evening, I had a biz trip and just started listening a few hours ago (Sat afternoon)...so nearly 5 days to settle in...
It definitely drops the noise. Things seem more focused and soundstage is bigger. The timing seems different. Almost like clock vs no clock on the dCS. On the Nagra VPS (phono) there was always a little hum and hiss that only a battery supply got rid off. Well, this got rid of that and more. At normal volume, on the phono input...un muted...you barely hear anything 1 inch away...
Something is a little different in the bass..at first I thought it was out of phase...but seems like a LOT more resolution. Maybe a break in thing still...the instruments seem to be in their on space a bit more and you can really hear back of hall echo's MUCH more pronounced...but very natural (ie NOT artificially hyped something)
The tonal balance didn't change...just the resolution and timing. And it's NOT subtle.
I mentioned I swapped preamps last weekend...well this is that same order of magnitude-like a electronics change.
One more thing...my Wilson Maxx 3's always disappeared great...but now you can look at the speaker and have even a harder time knowing the sound is coming from one of those 5 drivers...
I'm glad to see that earth grounding is starting to receieve more notice and praise from purist music lover's. To the Tripoint Troy defense the Entreq Silver Tellus is a good start and value, but the Troy is at another level all together. I recommend folks looking at a earth ground solution component really to do their homework and find owner's who have listened and owned both products. Example Lincoln Cheng editor and chief of Audiotechnique replaced the Entreq solution with two Troys.
J, do consider the Entreq Silver Tellus grounding/earthing box utilising Apollo Eartha cables. It's totally transformed my system, and no disrespect to Miguel, at a more competitive c$3000. I urge anyone who has noise/grounding issues to give it a trial. In my system, incl. Hovland amps and Zu Definitions Mk4 spkrs, it has dropped the noise floor, deepened the soundstage and boosted transparency, so much so that microdynamics really come to the fore. I've opened a thread on it in the 'tech talk' forum. I can't praise it enough, in combination with 8kVA balanced power, in getting me closer to the end point of upgrade fever. Would love to hear the K10 nevertheless, in conjunction with the matching power amps. Ypsilon SET floats my boat as well. Ah, one day...
Power doesn''t affect it. Ha, ha that's a good one. If you look at the back of the K-10 there is ground post, it's there because of the Troy. If you like we can discuss my experiences with some top pre amps compared to the K-10. I can go on and on regarding the K-10. Call would be best.
thanks for replying. any comments on or offline on the k10? how long have you owned it? how well does it synch up with digital and vinyl? to Albert's question, any issues on the lower gain?
how does it respond to your power conditioners? or Grounding? The reviewers said power doesn't effect it much...but I don't necessarily believe that..everything that I've ever owned is impacted by better power delivery. Guess their could be a first for anything.
Hi Albert...pretty sure that is true. I have to turn up the volume to about 1 o'clock on digital and about 2-3 o'clock on vinyl.
I will say the sound is just wonderful. This by far the most expensive preamp I've ever tried...however, sounds like I have new speakers. Really incredibly engaging, the timing and flow of the music. How resolute, but with warmth and sweetness and power.
My dCS Scarlatti really synchs up well. I am wondering if my phono stage is holding it back a little bit...I think that's a key upgrade point for me very soon...
I have heard nothing but superlatives about this one...purity of tonality being a huge strength. Marc Michelson, Tone Audio and Mono & Stereo have also done reviews of this. Martin Colloms has done the Takumi K70 amp...not sure about the K10 preamp though if he has not already done so...it seems logical he would given his praise of the K70.
Enjoy and look forward to your decision. Suspect i know what it will be...
