Recent content by rossb

  1. R

    The new audiophile vinyl series The Original Source from Deutsche Grammophon (AAA)

    I've just received a couple of these Original Source reissues - the Gulda Mozart concertos and Gilels Beethoven piano sonatas. I have played both and they sound a bit thin, and rather cool and metallic sounding. It could be these two specific recordings, but I have a previous reissue from the...
  2. R

    On hunt for new a phonostage

    The idea that the Aura was designed solely for the Rega cartridges and tonearms is complete nonsense. How do you even design a phono stage to match a tonearm? The Aura was designed to match a wide variety of cartridges and vinyl setups, and it does so extremely well. Okay, you owned an Aura...
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    On hunt for new a phonostage

    I'm using the Rega Aura, and it is the best phono stage I have owned. Previous phono stages included the Klyne Series 7, EAR 912, Whest PS40RDT.SE and Ref V, Naim Superline/Supercap, Nagra VPS/Classic PSU, Ayre P5xe and many others. While I wouldn't describe it as "forgiving", it is certainly...
  4. R

    Cheap and natural sounding SPDIF RCA or AES/EBU cable?

    I have recently replaced my Shunyata ETron Python AES/EBU cable with a cheap Van Damme cable I bought somewhere. It sounds better - much better. I ended up selling the Shunyata. I also have a DH Labs 110 ohm cable. The Van Damme cable beats it as well. I have a bunch of Van Damme speaker cables...
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    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    Thanks, I wouldn't mind the bigger Penaudios, but my room is quite small and I listen in nearfield, so the Cenyas suit it perfectly. I am not having an issue with unrefined highs with the preamp. I wonder whether the difference you heard between the Elector and Director was more to do with the...
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    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    The S1200 arrived yesterday. My unit was a demo so already had some hours on it, and was immediately sounding very good. Initial impressions compared with the S800 - similar sound, but a bit more neutral, a shade leaner, but more grip and control, with tighter bass. This was evident even with...
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    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    I've just ordered the S1200, so it will be interesting to compare it with the S800. The local dealer is no longer carrying the SPL line so they had one unit they were able to clear out at an excellent price. Unfortunately, they did not have the Elector, so I will need to continue using my...
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    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    Thanks, I appreciate the additional information.
  9. R

    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    Sorry, one further question. In your comparison of the Elector and Director, was that using an external DAC on both occasions? Or using an external DAC with the Elector compared with the internal DAC of the Director?
  10. R

    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    I agree, I found these amps benefits signficantly from Shunyata power cables, the power amp particularly so.
  11. R

    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    Thanks, that is a very interesting account of your experience. The SPL amps have certainly seen off some much more expensive competition - beating Gryphon, Vitus, Goldmund etc is quite an achievement! In my own case, I sold my EAR 868 preamp and Pass XA25 after getting the SPL amps. Your...
  12. R

    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    That is interesting. Can you describe if possible how the S1200 sounds better "by a wide margin"? I have the S800 and it is ideal for my small speakers (Penaudio Cenya Signature). I don't need the extra power of the S1200 and certainly would prefer not to have the extra size and weight, but if...
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    Anyone have experience with the SPL Performer s800?

    That's surprising. I bought an S800 some time ago as a back up for my Pass XA25 during summer. I ended up selling the XA25 because I prefer the SPL amp. I find it extremely powerful and dynamic, as well as very musical. I use it with an SPL Elector Mk 2 preamp, which replaced an EAR 868.
  14. R

    Brinkmann 10.5 - How would you describe its sound?

    PU7, standard version. I opted not to get the titanium version because I didn't like the two tone look of the titanium, and I was familiar with the standard PU7 having owned one previously and I knew what to expect. J7 at AO told me that he thought the titanium version was maybe a tad faster but...
  15. R

    Brinkmann 10.5 - How would you describe its sound?

    Time to update this thread. The Schroder CB-9 arrived a month or so ago, and was installed on my PTP Solid 9 along with the cartridge I am currently using, an Ortofon Jubilee. (I still prefer the Jubilee to my Windfeld Ti.) The Schroder lasted a couple of weeks, and I ended up returning it...

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