#31
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Congrats Karl,
When I auditioned my Salon 2's, it was with Mark Levinson amps, they sounded wonderful ! I think they will be a great match with your Vandys. Mark |
#32
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Some blurry iphone pics.
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Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. |
#33
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Karl... Awesome! Congrad's
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#34
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Congratulations Karl,
I bet that baby sounds great. Let us know! |
#35
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Congratulations, Karl! It looks fantastic!
Terry
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McIntosh MX150, C2300, MC601 (5), MC207, MCD12000, MR88, MPC1500, LB100, MCLK12. Anthem AVM 90. Lumin U1. Bluesound Node. Oppo 205. Bowers & Wilkins 800 D3, CWM8.3D, CCM7.5 S2. SVS SB16-Ultra (4). Shunyata. Wireworld. Transparent. GIK. |
#36
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Thanks guys.
I am loving the Mark Levinson 432 so far. The sound is very different than the McIntosh MA6600 integrated amplifier. I am not sure how much of this to attribute to directly driving the ML432 via the Wadia DAC or the very low noise floor provided by the Levinson, but the presentation has clearly moved closer to the stage. The sound is -not- as fluid or round and there is a sense of less bass. The trade-off is that there's a greater speed, immediacy, and clarity between instruments --- resulting in the "moving closer to the stage" feel. I think the sense of less bass can be attributed to the tighter grip of the Levinson in the midbass. What this all seems to mean for me and how I listen to music is this: For good recordings -- the Mark Levinson, driven directly by the Wadia DAC and powering the very revealing Vandersteen 5As is bringing my listening to new heights. For recordings that aren't great (e.g., both Adele CDs are a good example), yet more of the flaws are revealed. The flaws, along with the separate instruments, are clearer, more immediate, and more distinct. There are no free lunches at my budget, so I -have- lost some of that McIntosh fluidity that might help smooth some flaws. I have made a conscious decision to move my system in this direction given that I love the hunt for great recordings, particularly great classical recordings, that can simulate the live experience at reference levels in my room. I think the Mark Levinson 432 paired with my Vandersteen 5As successfully further this goal. At this point on my audio journey, I am thrilled. I like the sound of the Wadia 121, but the user interface and remote are horrible. This spring's upgrade will be a new DAC that has a good volume control remote and a display that shows volume level more clearly.
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Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. Last edited by kfr01; 09-14-2012 at 08:00 PM. |
#37
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Karl.......The Mark Levinson amplifier looks great. Congratulations.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#38
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Karl, BIG congrats!!
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#39
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Karl...congrats on the 432 . I would make one suggestion and that is to audition a preamp in the chain (whether a partnering ML preamp or a tube pre from Lamm, CJ, McIntosh, etc...) and compare it to the Wadia direct into the 432. My guess is you will regain some of that ease/fluidity you were experiencing with the MC6600. Just a guess on my part but if you have an opportunity to audition a suitable preamp in the chain, you may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
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#40
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Cyril:
Good idea. As I consider upgrades from the Wadia, one of the options considered will be a separate DAC paired with a good preamplifier. The Ayre QB-9 plus the Ayre K5xeMP is one combination that I would love to try. This said, and you may think I am a bit of an odd duck for thinking this way, but my intellectual interest right now is actually in continuing down the path of hyper-revealing DAC-direct-to-amplifier combinations. In other words, I am interested in seeing how far I can push the unbridled detail and clarity for excellent recordings. I will wait to see what new DACs are released at the next CES while I save for my next upgrade, but the Berkeley Alpha DAC and the Weiss DAC202 are near the top of my list. Stereophile's measurements on the Weiss DAC202 are nearly as good as I've seen from a DAC at any price. I suspect the DAC202 would be a further step toward hyper clarity... and I'd be thrilled with that. Below is what I am listening to this morning. It is music that I have seen performed live from the front row... and it is music that demands instrumental separation and clarity. The Wadia direct-to Levinson combination is providing me with an improved window into what the live show was like from the front row, and I want to continue pushing the envelope in this direction! :-) Plus, one huge advantage of keeping the MA6600 and pairing it with my turntable is that when I want that analog and more relaxed feel, I just have to go into the other room.
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Karl Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld. Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart. Last edited by kfr01; 09-15-2012 at 08:44 AM. |
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