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D'Agostino Audio Master Audio Systems |
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#1
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Progression monos and preamp joined my setup
Finally the delivery with pair of Dan D’Agostino Progression monos and Progression preamp has arrived. What can I say - it is fabulous. Small photo report from personal meeting and unpacking.
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Analog: McIntosh MT10 with SME V tonearm and Van den Hull Colibri XGP Gold MC cartridge which is paired with McIntosh MP1100 phonopreamp; Digital:modified Mac mini as Roon server with Uptone JS-2 Linear Power Supply which is connected to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB with Curious USB cable and then by Transparent Audio 110ohm Premium AES/EBU cable to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference series 2; BD/SACD/CD player OPPO 205 (which also works as home theatre processor), Preamp:Dan D’Agostino Progression preamp, Amplifiers: 2 Dan D’Agostino Progression monoblock power amps, Speakers: Wilson Audio Alexx, Power unit: Nordost QBase Qb8 Mark II, QKore 6 earth unit Audio Cables: Transparent Audio G5 Reference SC and balanced IC, the rest are all G5 Ultra Power Cables: OMVLabs, Nordost |
#2
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WOOHOO for you Andrew. Congratulations Sir -- they are going to "light" up your Alexxs' like no other Sir.
From one Dan D'Agostino Progression Mono/Preamp owner to another -- So happy for you. Best Sir, Bob
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Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. Last edited by vintage_tube; 03-28-2018 at 12:44 AM. |
#3
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Thank You very much, Bob.
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Analog: McIntosh MT10 with SME V tonearm and Van den Hull Colibri XGP Gold MC cartridge which is paired with McIntosh MP1100 phonopreamp; Digital:modified Mac mini as Roon server with Uptone JS-2 Linear Power Supply which is connected to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB with Curious USB cable and then by Transparent Audio 110ohm Premium AES/EBU cable to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference series 2; BD/SACD/CD player OPPO 205 (which also works as home theatre processor), Preamp:Dan D’Agostino Progression preamp, Amplifiers: 2 Dan D’Agostino Progression monoblock power amps, Speakers: Wilson Audio Alexx, Power unit: Nordost QBase Qb8 Mark II, QKore 6 earth unit Audio Cables: Transparent Audio G5 Reference SC and balanced IC, the rest are all G5 Ultra Power Cables: OMVLabs, Nordost |
#4
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There were six people present when Dan D’Agostino progression has arrived. Two audiophiles (one has 30 years of experience in this hobby, second - former musician and vinyl lover), two guys - father (former radio equipment engineer) and his son (music lovers who sell the equipment (mostly setups McIntosh and Sonus Faber), me and one of my friends. And while Dan D’Agostino equipment was reaching room temperature. Serious discussion has started.
The two from first mention above group insisted that Progression will make big difference comparing to McIntosh, the second group was stating that money was wasted and we will not hear any big difference compearing to McIntosh MC52 and pair of MC601. Avoiding descriptions of technical discussion (especially that MC52 is designed by Lyngdorf inside and is the best in the class) the main argument of McIntosh guys was that the most improvement I received from Wilson Audio Alexx speakers and there will not be noticeable improvement with Progression. So, having both equipment we started the series of short tests: 1. MC52+pair of MC601 (photo 1); 2. MC52+progression monos (photo 2) 3. All Progression preamp and pair of monos (photo 3) To be continued.... .
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Analog: McIntosh MT10 with SME V tonearm and Van den Hull Colibri XGP Gold MC cartridge which is paired with McIntosh MP1100 phonopreamp; Digital:modified Mac mini as Roon server with Uptone JS-2 Linear Power Supply which is connected to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB with Curious USB cable and then by Transparent Audio 110ohm Premium AES/EBU cable to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference series 2; BD/SACD/CD player OPPO 205 (which also works as home theatre processor), Preamp:Dan D’Agostino Progression preamp, Amplifiers: 2 Dan D’Agostino Progression monoblock power amps, Speakers: Wilson Audio Alexx, Power unit: Nordost QBase Qb8 Mark II, QKore 6 earth unit Audio Cables: Transparent Audio G5 Reference SC and balanced IC, the rest are all G5 Ultra Power Cables: OMVLabs, Nordost Last edited by jdandy; 04-01-2018 at 02:28 PM. Reason: enlarged photo |
#5
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Wow Andrew! Congratulations, that’s one sweet setup. I can’t wait to see the results of your session comparing to the Macs.
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 |
#6
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Beautiful. Audio jewelry from one of the very best audio engineers in the world.
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Primary System (Always in flux): Analog Source: Rega RP10 Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3 Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2 Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205 Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7) Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs) Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels |
#7
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Beautiful system
Congratulations Andrew the preamp and amps look great. I so want to read the results of your comparisons.
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Source Esoteric K-01X Preamp Audio Research REF 10 Amplifier D'Agostino Progression monoblocks Speakers Wilson Audio Maxx 3 Cables Transparent Reference Gen 5 Equipment rack and amp stands HRS Power conditioning Transparent Power outlets GTX-D(G) Gold-Plated duplex receptacles dedicated 20 amp lines. |
#8
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Wow. This is about the third person who has moved tp Dan's Progression Series in the last month. Way to go !!!
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#9
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Quote:
Maybe there should be a group discount[emoji41]
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Tony D'Agostino Momentum S250 MxV & HD pre; Linn Klimax Organik DSM, SonicTransporter, EtherRegen; Acoustic Signature Typhoon Neo, Koetsu RSP, Boulder 1108; Sf Il Cremonese; Shunyata Everest, Altaira, Sigma & Alpha v2 |
#10
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Andrew, BTW Sir, it was my experience with the progression monos & preamp combination fresh out of the box was less than stellar. They sounded horrible; but, after the 1st hour they opened up a bit and by the time they reached the teen hours, they really started to shine up through their 30th hour. After that, they settled down.
The other owner on AA I know of, Vern (Sharp 1080) had a similar experience with his -- maybe he'll chime in regarding his break in experiences. So, right out of the box, maybe it's premature to do a A/B as you started amongst your friends. Dan D'Agostino recommends the amps remain ON (not standby) as long as their isn't any power concerns like fluctuations, potential storm disruptions, etc. Best Sir, Bob
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Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. Last edited by vintage_tube; 03-28-2018 at 12:46 PM. |
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