A Pitch Perfect Day in the City

[baddog]

Good points about the pre amp - actually I agree with you - I will definitely try the Giscours next chance I get - did you start with the Vosne when you had the Cortese?

[shindostevesan]

No, I started with the Masetto/Cortese combo driving DeVore Nines. A musical combination...

[Alberto]

Barr,

Thank you for sharing your experience.

This may be too much of an extrapolation, but I've generally found that monoblocks seem to always have the effect on the size of the soundstage that you mentioned. It was impossible to miss when I moved from my McIntosh MC252 to a pair of MC501s. I am sure it has something to do with the completely separate power-supplies and circuitry of the monoblocks when compare with stereo power-amps; my guess is it does not take a lot of cross-talk between channels to impact soundstage.

Matt's cavernous room (I am soooo jealous) is fantastic for recreating a beautiful and spacious soundstage.

In my small dedicated room, 11x14x9, with "just" the Cortese the soundstage from the Monbrison + Cortese already extends beyond room boundaries - I can't imagine it getting any better ... but I know it can.

Whatever happens good luck with your climb up the Shindo ladder and keep us informed!

Alberto

[PHC1]

Alberto, so nice to see you pop your head in here once in a while!

[lowens]

Originally Posted by shindostevesan

Thanks, Barr.

Yes, I was hoping for a comparison between the 70's and the 300B Ltd. Although it's hard to imagine more of anything when listening to the 70's.

BTW, when you audition the VR pre amp I urge you to also take a listen to the Giscours. I had the VR in my system and while it is certainly an upgrade from the Masetto, I think it is also a different sound. I know Art Dudley raves over it, but the Giscours, to my humble ears, sounds more like an upgraded Masetto and I prefer it. But, as you eloquently put in your post to start this thread, it is a matter of taste at this point: each is superb.

Yes, indeed, should we all have such problems deciding between the Masetto, Vosne Romanee or the Giscours!

Its funny how people strategize over preamps that cost $15-30k. I own the Masseto and before I purchased it I really had to think hard over wheather I could afford it...it's surely an elimate bunch of people on this forum....

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Alberto, so nice to see you pop your head in here once in a while!

Thank you Serge.

I know I haven't been posting much lately. One of the drawbacks of reaching your own audio nirvana is that there isn't much left to seek or to say to others beyond what I've already said in previous posts. In that sense, audio nirvana is a bit boring - but when the music starts all such concerns disappear ...

Alberto

[FranklinLG]

Originally Posted by Alberto

...One of the drawbacks of reaching your own audio nirvana is that there isn't much left to seek or to say to others beyond what I've already said in previous posts. In that sense, audio nirvana is a bit boring - but when the music starts all such concerns disappear ...

+1

Sent from my mobile device using A.Aficionado

[baddog]

It is crazy all the agonizing eh? To balance that I do spend more time enjoying the system I have than agonizing too much, because life is too short. Just fortunate enough to have some disposable income at this point in my life to invest in one of my favorite hobbies!

Appreciate the feedback from all of you on different things to consider in terms of an upgrade to my system. Steve you had quite the journey through the Shindo line! Alberto you seem perfectly satisfied at this point in time, having reached audio nirvana. And I am listening to my system as I type, it again sounds entrancing and engaging.

Life is short, make music!

Barr

[pitch perfect]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Thank you Serge.

I know I haven't been posting much lately. One of the drawbacks of reaching your own audio nirvana is that there isn't much left to seek or to say to others beyond what I've already said in previous posts. In that sense, audio nirvana is a bit boring - but when the music starts all such concerns disappear ...

Alberto

Indeed! It's lonely when you reach the top.

-M

[Loop4fun]

Originally Posted by pitchperfect

Indeed! It's lonely when you reach the top.

-M

I think I'm starting to get lonely...