D'Agostino Momentum Preamp/Stereo Amp Home Demo

[gaboudreaux]

My local dealer/friend asked a favor of me. He has a couple of customers who are interested in Ayre R Twenty Series gear and wanted to audition on Wilson Alexia's. He has the Alexia's in his showroom, but did not have the Ayre R Series, so he asked if we could swap my Ayre KXR/MXR Twenty's for his D'Agastino Momentum Preamp/Stereo Amp for a few days. Of course I said no problemo!

I've always wanted to hear DAg gear on my speakers. I haven't heard too many speaker and gear combos to have clearly defined opinions on the differences gear combinations provide... only lots of reading. Well, I can definitely hear a difference in the DAg gear on my speakers compared to my Ayre gear. To "my ears", the DAg Momentums opened up my SF Amati Futura's. I've always loved my speakers, but have only heard with Ayre gear. The Ayre R Twenty gear sounds amazing with my speakers, but I've aways longed for just a little bit more detail in the mid-high freq. range and the DAg's are providing it. I was amazed that I could hear the difference immediately. My Sonus Faber Amati Futura's finally sound like I want them to.

Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Ayre Twenty gear and actually think "to my ears" it sounds BETTER than DAg gear on Wilson Alexia speakers. I finally have first hand experience comparing gear combinations and can say without a doubt "to my ears" I prefer the DAg/SF Amati Futura combo and the Ayre/Wilson Alexia combo.

I have the DAg gear for a few more days and will continue to listen and evaluate, but for now these are my brief thoughts. This is so fun!