Sure, keep me apprised. Personally, I think the power amp is more important than the preamp, especially when one already has a world-class preamp.

Hey Demans, Sorry for the long delay, the Esoteric combo is pretty damn good, but I would place the improvement on the DAC. In the chain of components, I believe without question the DAC is the most important front end component in the chain. There are alot of great DACs out there, and it is easy to hear differences in them. If digital is your preference, then start with a DAC that is "your" sound. With the Big Dyns, the Esoteric's detail is a great match. The Temptations are a very flexible speaker, I can move them around, use different components, play them soft, or loud... They always deliver! There are really only a few speakres that are as well rounded as the Dynaudio's. They are a great company!
Also, with the D-02, the Temptations sound great even without the preamp, but I still prefer long listening with a pre.

I move my 1.8 Contour´s with an integrated tube amp, Unison Research P70. I would like a jump to a Mc C2300 + Mc 275 combo.

In the dinning room I have a pair of Focus 110 with Marantz 665E K.I. Signature.

I'm now powering my Contour 1.8's with a Pass Labs X150.5 and they've never sounded better.

My Dynaudio Confidence C2's are powered by Classe 600w monoblocks with a Simaudio Moon Evolution 740P line stage. Sources are Mac mini running Pure Music with AIFF or HD files through FireWire to a WeissDac 202 or Rega RP6 table, Dynavector 20x2 cartridge and Moon 310LP / 320S phono amp. I've had the system a year, and it sounds fabulous. Very satisfied...

Welcome to AA, great choice in speakers!!

I power my Dyn C1's with Pass Labs XP15,XP20,XP250.5.Sources are Audio Aero Capitole
and Well Tempered Amadeus GTA MKII,DPS and EMT tsd15 cartridge.Very happy with the sound.

I've changed the amps in both my 2 channel and HT systems over the last year. Replaced the Pass Labs Int 150 with a Bryston 4B SST2 last year. The C1s never sounded as good. Liked the Bryston so much that I got the matching 3 channel version - the 6B SST2) to power the Contour 5.4s and SCX in my HT system (with a 2B SST to power the surrounds). The Brystons match up wonderfully with the Dyns.

My Dynaudio Excite X12 are powered By Pathos Classic One MKIII


[IMG]http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...psf9300849.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4e3e845b.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ff6727a.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...psf2e87bf0.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a6d00a1.jpg[/IMG]

I'm now driving my little Focus 140's with a Bryston 3B SST2, controlled by a McIntosh D100 digital pre, fed by my DIY music server and Synology 412+.

I'm getting happier.

Do you prefer JRiver to synology DS audio App?

I haven't tried their app. I started with JRiver first, then just stayed with it after I got the NAS. I very much like JRemote for the iPad. The combo meets all my needs.

JRiver / JRemote fan here too!

But you do need to have the PC on don't you?
And with the DS audio app the only two things on is the NAS and ipad...
Can't beat the simplicity of that!:smoking:
Just saing...:scratch2:

You are correct.

I built my own music server out of left over parts. Dead silent.... Well not as silent as -E- can make it, but not bad.

I might try the DS audio apt, but I'm pretty much dialed in, so not too interested in trying something too new.

On a different note, and not to derail this thread, I am playing with a raspberry pi as a music server. Talk about simplicity. Stay tuned.

Back on topic... Here some pics of my white piano lacquor X12, what this babies can do is impressive!

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4c14f46a.jpg

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...psc7686e97.jpg

hello,

My C2 mkII work on a Mcintosh MC402 and a Nagra PL-L préamp.
My C1 on a Mcintosh MA7000.

:thumbsup:

Welcome to AA dtmarc!

Nice setup!

+1, and pictures, please!

You know, they really are good performers. I believe the new 160's share the same crossover. ???

I really don't know, but if they did I wouldn't be admired...
For the price I can't find any flaws in them, i think the X12 will became a classical in the brand...:scratch2:

Dynaudio Contour S3.4 and old amps
 

I have nice speakers Dyn Contour S3.4 with tube preamp Conrad Johnson Classic and CJ MF-80. I listen mostly lp's with Linn LP12, jazz and blues in medium room. I like warm, romantic sound of current set-up, but I want more power on speakers. I have list of followings amps, whick can I buy in Europe:

1. Muse 160, 2x160W/8ohm, year 1993, price 1400$
2. Forte audio 6, 2x200W/8ohm, year 1995, 1200$
3. Sonographe SA-400, 2x200/8oh, year 1997, 1000$

Which of these amps wil be warm, nice sounding for enjoying music?
Any other suggestions? Thanks for advice.

I was just going through this thread looking for encouragement, enlightenment, whatever, to get me off the dime. At any rate, I once again was blown away by Dean's great music room. You still have this as is, Dean? What a gorgeous room. :thumbsup:

Focus 220 With Plinius
 

I have a pair of Focus 220 that I drive with a Plinius 9200 integrated amp. The amp has plenty of power to drive the speakers, and they produce a nicely detailed and dynamic sound.

MC501s powering Temptations.

I am using a tube amp to power my Dyns Contour S3.4, it sounds amazing...I was using very high power quality transistor amp....The secret is tube sounded so much much better...

spiffspoff, welcome aboard! :wave:

spiffspoff... Welcome to AA! :wave:

Greetings! Newcomer here.

I drive a pair of Contour S3.4 LE (in glorious walnut) with a McIntosh C2500 and MC452 combo. I guess I'll make a post in the McIntosh part of the forum as well. :scratch2:

An Oppo BDP-105D is connected to the pre-amp through Nordost Blue Heaven XLR. Nordost Red Dawn XLR connects the pre-amp with the amp.

It can sound a tad harsh at times, not sure if it's my cables or something else going on.. It's a work in progress (isn't it always?). :D

I might post better pictures later on (and don't worry about the amp, it's not going to stay on the floor forever).
http://i.imgur.com/GRMX3A8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oFqRKqY.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tDnacr0.jpg

Though the post is from 2015, wondering if you were able to address the "harshness", as I'm interfacing with the same dilemma: C2500 + MC452 + Confidence C4's.

Conrad-Johson CT-5 and LP70S powering Contour S3.4s. Shunyata Hydra replaced with a Triton.

http://photos.imageevent.com/puma_ca.../EAR324P-1.jpg

Back before the CT-5 arrived...
http://photos.imageevent.com/puma_ca.../Stephen-2.jpg

Ayre VX-5 Twenty powering a pair of C1 (1st gen).

what amp do you currently have to power your C4? Thanks.

Clayton M300's powering Confidence C2's

McIntosh MC452 powering a pair of Confidence C1 (1st gen).

McIntosh MC452 powering new Contour 20s.


http://i67.tinypic.com/x3g49j.jpg

Special 25,s driven by Accuphase C3800 & Glorious Class A 65.

excite 44's being driven by the mcintOsh mc 452 power amp

Focus 110's being driven by McIntosh C2300 and MC2102.

:thumbsup:

Focus 110s are a great little speaker.