Description

Went shopping for speakers and ended up with a new amp, DAC, and CDP as well -- hence the title! (Local audio dealer is one hell of a salesman.) First-tier concerns are low-level detail, presence, absence of fatigue. These components are steps in that direction, IMO. Second tier goals include tonal balance, soundstage. The Harbeths have a very neutral mid-range and image well. The Sophia meshplate 300Bs are reputed to have the best tonal balance of any 300B, and represent a giant stride in the direction of neutrality compared to the Cary 300Bs that came with the 300sei. Third tier: well, more bass would be nice. In fact I had planned to buy a Rega Vulcan sub with this system but ran out of $$$. Next significant purchase will be Mapleshade Gibraltar stands for the Harbeths. Right now they sit on inexpensive 16" wooden stands the dealer threw in for free. They really need and deserve better support. The Mapleshade stands hold the speakers low and tilt them up, which should reinforce bass and also get the tweeters on axis with the ears in the listening position -- essential with these speakers for proper tonal balance and imaging. After that, power cords, and then perhaps some tube rolling with the 300Bs and 6SN7s...
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Components Toggle details

    • Cary Audio Design CAD-300sei
    With TJ/Full Music/Sophia 300B meshplate output tubes -- magical!
    • Harbeth Compact 7ES-2
    Neutral, transparent -- a windowless window.
    • Sony SA-CD777es
    With Richard Kern clock, transport, and audio board capacitor mods.
    • Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21 Tube DAC
    Tri-Vista 21 Tube DAC
    • Dual 505-2
    Late '70s vintage -- had it since high school!
    • Stanton L725E
    MM cart - as old as the TT! Replacement elliptical stylus bought circa 1992.
    • Musical Fidelity X-LPS v3
    Revelatory (to me) vinyl sound -- open, transparent, neutral, liquid.
    • Nakamichi CassetteDeck 1.5
    Bought circa 1992. Pretty damn good cassette sound.
    • Stereovox HDVX
    Digital cable from CDP to DAC. Detailed, lively.
    • Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Oval
    Solo Crystal Oval
    • Analysis Plus Oval 9
    10' bi-wire
    • Shunyata Research Guardian 4-HT
    Shunyata Research Guardian 4-HT

Comments 9

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sorry..didnt' see the cary

dwhitt