"I have MC2301s & C1000C/T on the way!"

Sweet! What 2-ch speakers will you use with your wonderful MC2301’s?

Your assumption on how the digital input selection will work is correct based on what I understand - it will be a mechanical switch on the back of the unit unless something has changed in that regard.

I am very excited of having the prospect of using this player as a true universal BDP + DAC!! :yes:

Thx Jeff...looking forward to hear all about it. Thx

I have Dali Grands. They're shaped like the bodice of a woman. I prefer to listen to them naked. :D

The Grands are five-driver speakers, each containing two rear-firing ports, two eight-inch woofers, two five-inch midrange drivers, and a slightly-larger-than-one-inch modified silk dome tweeter. With a sensitivity of 90dB and a nominal 4-ohm impedance that drops to no more than 3.2 ohms. They are sixteen inches deep and over forty-six inches high. They weigh about 50 kg/110 lb ea. They were replaced by the Euphonias.

Specs are as follows:

Frequency Response: 33Hz-27KHz
Impedence: 4ohms
Bass reflex System Resonance 27, 5 Hz
Crossover: 600Hz, 4.0kHz
Sensitivity 2,83V: 90
Max SPL: 115db
Power Rating: 50-500w (They are on the hungry side.)

I have matching Dali Grand Vocal centre. I am currently searching for a pair of Dali Grand Coupes in Cherry at least 8/10+ to replace the rears. Finding them hard to come by on the 2nd hand market. Nothing on Audiogon.

The Grands are not well known but highly regarded. They also go pretty low. I personally think they perform better than Dali Euphonia MS4. Some have compared them to B&W 802s. I can't say b/c I haven't had the opportunity to compare.

I guess the MC2301s will drive the Grands to their musical limit & then some. Perhaps at some stage in the future I will want something even more revealing...

The photos are stock images, cherry & rouge. there was also a piano black. The cherry darkens & develops a lovely patina over time.

(Anyway....now off topic)

"My guess is that it will sound better in that configuration vs. different."

I wonder if a different amp / pre-amp will effect surround sound just as not timber matching your speakers will?

"My bigger concern from running the 2-ch tube output for movies/surround would be the extra time on the tubes when it's not really needed."

I would not be as concerned with this as I would using my main amp. The pre-amp tubes will last a lot longer. I have played my Luxman CD player thousands of hours since the middle 1990s. The last time I changed the tubes was in 1995 and they still sound fairly good. However it does have a pre-heater that will extend the tube life and like you said, not really needed. I can't see tubes making a movie sound track sound enough better to warrant the tube wear. Especially if we are using expensive NOS tubes.
Maybe MCH SACD and / or DVD-A...

I went with the tube mod and all out SS mod. Still teetering if I am going to spend the extra cost for the Bybee rails.

You guys are absolutely correct on one thing, we will soon find out. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas! It will be interesting to hear others feedback using different amps , speakers, etc.

Just curious, where did you guys find out about the availability of things like Bybee rails and the digital input mod? Early on, I recall the digital input mod was advertised as coming soon, but are there other options available as well?

I think Dan can send you a link to the details on those mods.

You have a PM.

Where did you have the Music Rails installed? I have Dan's Tube-Modified BPD-83 SE and I am interested in the Bybee Music Rails.
Mike

My understanding is that Dan installed the Bybee Rails on a critical voltage of the DAC power supply. Dan has had my player for a while as I await the digital input mod to be finalized and he just replied to one of my emails and said he wanted to test this out on my player. He said the mod is worthwhile and I definitely trust him on that! :yes:

I'm sure if you contacted him he could let you know if it could be done on your 83SE as well and you could make a decision if it is worth the cost/benefit. I'll be interested to hear what you find out!