Upgradeitis!

[LeeC]

Contemplating an upgrade…
I continue to be amazed by my system and yet am absolutely positive there’s more to come. After listening to some $$$ systems with Solution and CH Precision I’m quite sure an amp upgrade I’ll help my Magico S5’s deliver there all. Despite the MK2 and soon to be Mk3 the original S5 is till exceptional and would be a small fortune to better from the used price I paid!
So, amplification it’s.
I’m contemplating a Merging Nadac and Pass Labs X250.8 not least because it’s available locally. 
That being said there’s also a Krell FPB700 in my town too!

The question is: what’s a worthwhile step up in DAC and amplifier that won’t break the bank BUTbwill be a big step forward?

The biggest thing I’m looking for is soul, body, substance and realism coupled with enhanced spatial out and sound stage.

Thanks in advance.

[ray1234]

Have a listen to Playback Designs DAC, these are one of the recent DACs that impresses. Playback Designs also promotes that their designs does not need an external clock. The sound of Playback Designs seems to suit your needs, it definitely has soul and body.

MSB also got quite a lot of praises, although I haven't listened to it myself. Good thing again, MSB also do not encourage external clock.

I listened to a few times dCS, but I really don't like the sound of it. With brands other than Playbakc and MSB, clock seems to really improve sound, the trouble being having to match all these clock and power cables for different components. Big hassle..... In fact, if you don't mind going through cable matching, even a Chinese DAC combo with clock at one tenth of the price of DACs like Playback Design can produce sound that is worthy of calling high end.

[audio_engr]

Contemplating an upgrade…
I continue to be amazed by my system and yet am absolutely positive there’s more to come. After listening to some $$$ systems with Solution and CH Precision I’m quite sure an amp upgrade I’ll help my Magico S5’s deliver there all. Despite the MK2 and soon to be Mk3 the original S5 is till exceptional and would be a small fortune to better from the used price I paid!
So, amplification it’s.
I’m contemplating a Merging Nadac and Pass Labs X250.8 not least because it’s available locally. 
That being said there’s also a Krell FPB700 in my town too!

The question is: what’s a worthwhile step up in DAC and amplifier that won’t break the bank BUTbwill be a big step forward?

The biggest thing I’m looking for is soul, body, substance and realism coupled with enhanced spatial out and sound stage.

Thanks in advance.

If you're able to get a FPB700C, grab that one. It will make a helluva difference. Next step would be a DAC with pre. Playback Designs MPD-8 and the less cheaper MPD-6 are excellent. But they are still pricey like heading for dCS Bartok or Bricasti DACs ... all of them are excellent with slight difference in flavors. What I find 'bang for the buck' is the Meitner MA-3. Check this out. A MA-3 - -> FPB700 will be great !!

[LeeC]

So...
After selling my D440 Expert Pro CI, the big question was wait for the new Astra and an unknown entity or jump into something completely different and a whole new world?

Well...
Happenstance brought T+A (Theory and Application), an MP3000HV Mk2 media-play and a PA3100HV integrated amplifier.

To say I'm blown away would be an understatement. Previously I'd auditioned all sorts of high end from many of the main candidates and found the only combinations that bettered the Devialet were mega buck systems from the likes of Solution, CH Precision, Constellation and Boulder. I can't say I'd even read a review of any T+A products let alone the HV series. Go on, look 'em up and prepare to be amazed!
Every single aspect of reproduction is measurably improved. My system has never sounded better and by a significant margin. In my experience this is by far and away the best value high-end components out there. While still far from inexpensive the combined cost is an order of magnitude less than the options I mentioned and the performance directly comparable.

Of course, T+A not only have a significantly better streaming DAC but also a supply to the integrated or even better a sperate power amp that can use the same power supply so there's an upgrade path to nirvana!

[ghosttipper]

15000 Euro vs 37000 Euro. That should be and must be better. What player do you used with your 440?

Congrats. Have a lot fun with the new components.


Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

[Eoin]

For a DAC on a 2nd system I use the T+A DAC 200 into a Michi Amp, same DAC technology as the HV systems for a lot less €€€ I believe.

[markush]

The Michis are nice from what I hear. Also promising should be the new Model 10 by Marantz.

[LeeC]

For a DAC on a 2nd system I use the T+A DAC 200 into a Michi Amp, same DAC technology as the HV systems for a lot less €€€ I believe.

While the DAC is similar and exceptionally good the chassis is significantly different and has independent higher end power supplies for digital and analogue with two power cords needed.
It's a noticeable step up from the DAC 200 though still nowhere near as good as the SHV3100HV.