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    My Mola Mola Tambaqui Revuew

    Has anyone tried the Tambaqui with a Lumin U1x? I’m vacillating between the Tamaqui and the dcs Vivaldi Apex (used) and would pair it with the Lumin and a Nagra HD pre
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    New MSB Cascade DAC

    Thank you Looking forward to th me video. .
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    New MSB Cascade DAC

    This is probably a dumb question but is the cascade dual mono? That is, completely separate parallel architecture once sent to the DAC portion and on to the analog?
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    Downsizing from dCS Vivaldi Stack? Is this dumb?

    And this, I suppose, is why I have a bit of vapor lock. I get the distinct impression (based on nothing but history) that very new tech is bubbling up. Not sure why I’ve got that feeling. It may be because lots of very nice DACs are hitting the used market suddenly.
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    Downsizing from dCS Vivaldi Stack? Is this dumb?

    And that is what is important. I am very happy you have found something that pleases you. That is the entire purpose of a music system. That is not how it works, but, again, very happy for you. I suppose it's a bit like the debate about tubes vs. solid state. One place you might want to...
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    Downsizing from dCS Vivaldi Stack? Is this dumb?

    Thank you for the response. It's certainly not one I can disagree with. I'm down to Vivaldi Apex One (used); an MSB Reference (used) with the clock and director, etc; and and Tambiqui (new). The Apex One would be the least trouble, as I could take out my Esoteric K-03XD (CD transport/DAC) and...
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    Downsizing from dCS Vivaldi Stack? Is this dumb?

    I have no way to judge based on a recording-of-a-recording posted on Youtube. So I have no idea. But I doubt it. I'm assuming you are talking the Oppo bdp-95, the blu-ray player of yore. Came out about 2011? Or is there something new? If it's the old payer, the Oppo bdp-95 uses about a 15...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    Thank you. That’s all I could find, too. By the lack of information, I’m getting the impression that the DAC X has an amazing preamp side (dual mono, “typical”’Nagra perfection on the power supply side, but a nice, but nothing Earth shaking digital side. I’m suspecting the analog side is so...
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    Downsizing from dCS Vivaldi Stack? Is this dumb?

    I’d love to hear where this decision making came out. I’m much more of a vinyl guy, but finally paying attention to my digital which has been an afterthought. My leading contenders are the DCS Vivaldi apex (probably the One, although I already have an excellent transport) and the Mola Mola...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    I don't doubt, for a second, the HD DAC X is fantastic, just based on my Nagra HD pre. I also know the Mola Mola, Vivaldi, and MSB are fantastic. I'm just deeply curious about the actual digital conversion on the Nagra. Ladder? FPGA (what I believe)? It's just an amazing void of...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    You don't happen to have a link (or just know) the tech behind the actual DAC in the Nagra DAC, do you? I believe it's a Field Programmable Gate Array, but that really tells me little. There are a fair number of those and then it depends on who designed/how it is designed the software...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    I agree. I went down a rabbit hole today thinking about stereo components instead of doing my work and that the dCS made the short list. I'm probably going to have to buy based on measurements, which I hate to do. That heavily favors the dCS and the Mola Mola T. And there is the factor that...
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    Best phono stage?

    Level matching. To compensate the various level differences between all your audio sources, the Grail gives you the possibility to change the amplification factor. This amplification factor variation is also meaningful, if you use a quite “super-low”output voltage MC cartridge, or your high...
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    Best phono stage?

    The Nagra HD is an excellent choice. I have the Nagra HD pre and consider it my finest piece of equipment. I have auditioned the Nagra phono. It’s amazing kit. You can also use the gauge to help align your cartridge precisely. Very useful. I was torn between the Boulder, the Nagra, and one...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    I'm debating what DAC to get to pair with the Nagra HD Pre. Currently I just use the DAC that is internal to my Esoteric K-03XD SACD/CD transport. I understand it to be extremely comparable to the stand alone Esoteric DACs, if not identical. It's excellent, but there is room for more...
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    B&W 800D3 = Porsche GT3

    I tend to agree. I have 800D3s and love them. My dealer pretty much pushed me to audition 801D4s, and I strongly preferred the 800D3, even after about 50 hours of play. Dealer (who I will not narc on) agreed. He remained optimistic and thinks they are just extremely stiff and take some time...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    No, I've just got the new (I guess burned in 50 hours from the factory) matching tubes that come with the Nagra HD. It sounds so good that I haven't messed with it. Too busy dialing in the acoustics of my listening room. Lots of ladders, laser levels, and a patient wife as I hang a...
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    Preamp shootout...Predictions on which will be the best?

    Big fan of Nagra myself. Just got thee Nagra HD and getting used to it. Coupled with the VdH Grail SE phono amp, though, I can already tell it's pretty amazing.
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    My Nagra HD is coming Monday! Yea! Paired it with a Van den Hul Grail SE phonostage. Very excited.
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    Well, hell. Need to re-jigger my shelves.
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    One more question, kind of stupid I can’t figure this out from Nagra materials. What is the all-in height of the Nagra HD plus the power supply? I need to make sure it will fit in my rack. The printed materials say 4.8 or 4.3 inches with the power supply, but that’s obviously wrong. I’ve...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    Thank you so much. Or maybe not. The delta between Nagra and Esoteric price tag is great. LOL.
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    Best solid state preamps around $15k used with remotes

    Thanks for the reply. You would think a used C1x would be available, but I haven’t seen one, which I suppose is a good sign. I have the Gandiso turntable (alternative with a VPI titan), k-03XD, and E-02 so I’m bordering on Esoteric fan boy, which makes me want to branch out. Torn between the...
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    Best solid state preamps around $15k used with remotes

    I know this is an old thread, but do you still love your Esoteric C1X solo? Is there any material difference between the C1X and the C1X solo (other than being in a singular box). I'm currently vacillating heavily between a Nagra HD preamp and C1X solo -- the Esoteric being a fraction of the...
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    Nagra HD Pre Amp arrived today

    I don't want to hijack a thread as a newbie, but I am seriously considering the Nagra HD preamp to replace what I consider the weak link in my system. Are you still happy with the Nagra? I am seriously leaning toward the Nagra, but my other contenders are an Esoteric C1X and a used Dan...

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