Thanks Mike. I love that picture of you and your son. And that McIntosh system just oozes class! Have you heard any of the newer McIntosh speakers? I'm thinking about popping down to Woodbridge to give a listen; I ran out of time in Vegas.
Sol, one thing I can think of is break-in. In my experience, the DCC2 needs at least 200 hours of break-in to settle down, and the CDSD also requires an extended break-in period. You may also have to examine your cabling for synergy with the EMM front-end components. Also, power issues can substantially impact what you are hearing. Who is your EMM dealer? They should be able to help with these issues.
PB: I had an opportunity do compare the CDSD with the 1000 directly in my system. The CDSD is significantly better. In particular, highs are much smoother and the overall tonal balance is much more pleasing to my ear, closer to analogue. Hopefully, the CDSD will prove more reliable than its antecedent, although I have already had to send one back because of a mechanical problem. As for the DCC2's preamp, it certainly can't hurt to look around a bit.
Tahiti, thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure how to respond, because I can't think of a way of truthfully answering your question without sounding like a cheerleader, or somebody going way overboard trying to justify a recent expense. Nevertheless ... The first time I played music through my rig after I connected the FS, my jaw dropped. For real. Then I basically fell down and didn't move for a few minutes, because I was mesmerized by what was coming out of my speakers. I kept muttering to myself "I'm so happy ... I'm so happy ..." My wife (no audiophile, and a bit of a skeptic about the whole thing) was like, what's wrong with you? I told her to sit down, and I put on her favorite Carla Lother disc. After 10 seconds she was in tears, and kept saying "this is amazing ... this is amazing ..."
Basically, the FS has done a few things. First, the bass is dramatically improved. Deeper, tighter, fuller. Second, everything has become palpably three-dimensional. I don't just mean the soundstage (although that has certainly deepened); I mean *everything* -- every note, every sigh, every twang, every clap, everything exists in a well-defined, realistic three-dimensional space. Third, extension and clarity in the high end is much better; strings and bells are more clearly defined (not etched, just more identifiable). Fourth, human voices are much more realistic. For example, the slight harshness I had been hearing in Willie Nelson's rendition of "Georgia" on "Stardust" has been replaced by a richly echoing reverb that obviously is what was really going on during the session.
There really is just no comparison. The FS is vastly superior to the DCC2's built-in preamp (and to anything else I have had in my rig).
Lou, I am pretty sure I have the only pair ever imported into the U.S. with this finish. These speakers started out life almost 7 years ago as 2.0's, and were one of the first pairs in the U.S. Over the years, working with Kharma's U.S. distributor (GTT Audio, run by Bill Parish), I have had the speakers serially upgraded to current CRS 2.2 spec. Each upgrade has been a marked improvement, although the Enigma x-over stands out in my memory. So I have had these speakers for so long now, I can barely remember the Vandy's they replaced. I'm at the end of the line with upgrades, though, and my next step at some point will be another pair of Kharma's, since I have yet to hear a speaker brand I prefer to them.
Actually, Equi=Tech makes a whole line of component-sized audiophile balanced power conditioners. I went for a wall unit because it best suited my application, but many Equi=Tech products are no larger than a power amp, including the highly touted 2Q and 6250, which were very positively reviewed in the June, 2003 issue of Stereophile (fwiw). Other manufacturers are Richard Gray's Power Company, Monster Power and PS Audio. I think Equi=Tech's engineering and technology (and sound) are superior, and that's why I bought mine. If I needed an in-room conditioner, I would probably go with something like the Model 5Q, but one of the smaller (and less costly) units like the 2Q might suit your system.
Thanks for the nice comments! I have to say Bill Parish of GTT Audio has been a real pleasure to work with, and has gone out of his way to provide outstanding service and advice, without ever pitching a hard sell.
The Equi=Tech is a balanced power isolation transformer. You can read about balanced power at numerous sites on the web, and of course http://www.equitech.com has a discussion in the FAQ. You can read more about my wall unit at http://www.equitech.com/products/wall/wall.html. Mine has the EMI/RFI filter, oxygen-free copper and "Q" transformer options. Also, I had Equi=Tech ship the unassembled parts to Northwest Cryogenics, and they treated all the pieces before shipping them back to Equi=Tech for final assembly. The effect of the Equi=Tech is just incredible. Backgrounds are absolutely silent. As a result, transients sound more alive, bass sounds more powerful, and the soundstage is more three dimensional, because all these sonic elements are occuring against an absolutely black background.
Thanks for comments. Room is 15' x 25' by 8' with a 6' opening in the left wall starting about 1' in front of the left speaker. Listening position is 12' from front of speakers. Gilda (a very nice lady fron Trinidad who works for me) keeps everything clean and is very careful around the equipment.
As to preamps, I would be very happy to reach that conclusion after some auditions, but I would appreciate any recommendations for that process.
I listen to all kinds of music: blues (Doug MacLeod, Terry Evans, Sam McClain), bluegrass, jazz (classic and modern), folk, rock (Stones, Procul Harum, Taking Back Sunday), female vocals (Laura Nyro, Rebecca Pigeon, Amanda Marshall), much chamber, Puccini, some large orchestral (especially Mahler) and lots and lots of DAVE'S TRUE STORY!
Pics added. Neuance shelves are very very nice. Better bottom end and no smear in treble. Best isolation platform I have tried, but note that my rack (Salamander) is not the best (wife drew a line here for some reason).
