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  1. gadawg58

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    Thanks! My wife thinks otherwise though ... LOL. George
  2. gadawg58

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    I just sold my BAT Rex II Pre and Mono amps ... Its really great sounding gear that for me at least was bullet proof over the past 5 years so if you're going there you'll be in for a real treat! George
  3. gadawg58

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    Many thanks for the kind words Bob! Once everything gets broken in and I'm ready to audition the 3 top picks for dac I'm going to try and listen to in no particular order are ... - Lampizator Horizon (although some have said the Poseidon is super close?) - Esoteric D1X SE - DCS Vivaldi No idea...
  4. gadawg58

    Good Amp Stands for VAC

    I'll chip in as well .. should be receiving my custom M3X2's this weekend for my VAC 452IQ's. These were made with 6 feet rather than 4 to handle the 218lb monsters and the SXR amp stands were built to accommodate that. The custom option didn't add much to the price (already super expensive)...
  5. gadawg58

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    Thought I'd post an update since I have received my Statement preamp and amps in black ... sounds surprisingly good right out of the box so enjoying the break in process! Once that happens then I'll get serious about listening to dacs in my system. DCS, Esoteric and Lampi are all on my short...
  6. gadawg58

    What amplification are you using with your Wilson speakers ?

    As of tonight I’m driving my Alexx’s with a pair of VAC Statement 452iq’s and all I can say is WOW! They certainly have a firm grip on these speakers while being incredibly detailed with just a hint of tube sweetness in the midrange. The Bass is up there with the best with maybe the exception of...
  7. gadawg58

    For what it's Worth-Tesla

    That's really fast and congrats! What is the price per kwh out where you live if you don't mind sharing. When I had one of the many solar panel companies come by my house and quote again recently the ROI was questionable that it would ever be reached during the life of the panels and batteries...
  8. gadawg58

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    So after thorough break in the Rossini Apex does better the D-02X but adding the Esoteric G-05 clock closes the gap considerably. That said the Rossini Apex still has better clarity, detail, bottom end response (tighter and deeper not necessarily more volume). I have a friend going to bring over...
  9. gadawg58

    Lou Ottens Dead, Invented the Cassette tape, Pioneered the CD, and Genuinely Practiced Creative Destruction

    A couple of local younger audiophiles have newly resurrected Nakamachi tape decks they are just raving about. Been there did that in the 80’s. LOL George
  10. gadawg58

    DCS Rossini APEX has arrived!

    New Rossini Apex owner here and wondering if folks use the built in capability for streaming and file playback or do folks tend to use external streamers with the Rossini like an Aurender? I still have my W20SE and have been comparing the built in file playback of the Rossini using minimserver...
  11. gadawg58

    Dangerous topic, so I'd like to be very specific...DCS Rossini vs. Otari (or any) Reel-to-Reel...real comparisons?

    I believe that it can ... but this unit has no tape head direct out so that would eliminate it for some folks. That said I think the built in tube based analog gain section is very high quality and sounds awesome as a total package which is why I bought it after hearing it. To be clear I had...
  12. gadawg58

    Dangerous topic, so I'd like to be very specific...DCS Rossini vs. Otari (or any) Reel-to-Reel...real comparisons?

    Here is a link to their website and Arian's explanation of what SHI (Sonorus Holographic Imaging) does for the recording ... I can assure you it works! The recording of The Dark Side of the Moon is unbelievable! https://sonorusaudio.com/shi George
  13. gadawg58

    Dangerous topic, so I'd like to be very specific...DCS Rossini vs. Otari (or any) Reel-to-Reel...real comparisons?

    I too have a Rossini (Apex) and also own a Sonorus ATR10MkII R2R. The tapes I own are mostly from Sonorus as well and there is great synergy with their tapes and deck. Wonderful in fact. In my setup the Sonorus R2R does things that my Rossini can’t and I’ll be looking to move on from the...
  14. gadawg58

    How Do You Think About Cost/Benefit Analysis for Your System?

    For me as well ... I have tube amps and have to say that getting my amps onto HRS M3 platforms made a huge difference in overall clarity in the system along with more precise imaging. It was night and day in my system. Not surprising in my case though with needing to isolate the tubes from...
  15. gadawg58

    What cables are you using in your system ?????

    Interconnect MIT Oracle MA-X Speaker Wires Oracle MA-X SHD Digital Shunyata USB and AES Power Transparent Reference and XL 17% of cost of the equipment and would do it again so count me as a believer for sure! George
  16. gadawg58

    Introducing the LampizatOr Poseidon DAC

    Any chance we willl see the Horizon at the Southwest AudioFest in Dallas in March? George
  17. gadawg58

    How Do You Think About Cost/Benefit Analysis for Your System?

    Right this second I’d rate my system an 8 but when new amps and preamp arrive along with new DAC I’d say a solid 9.5 for me. Don’t even want to think about how much money over the years but for me the benefit far outweighs the cost as I can just get lost in the music for hours on end. Once in a...
  18. gadawg58

    R.I.P. Jim Winey

    Very sad day … I had a pair of Maggie’s for many years and really enjoyed them. He was a pioneer in our hobby for sure. RIP Jim! George
  19. gadawg58

    Sonus Faber Suprema Flagship Loudspeaker $750,000

    Not saying you can’t enjoy the less expensive things in life … I enjoy my Toyota 4Runner as much as my Porsche’s just for a different purpose … my argument is that on a relative basis the upper quartile of high end audio is disproportionately more expensive than it used to be by a wide margin...
  20. gadawg58

    Sonus Faber Suprema Flagship Loudspeaker $750,000

    Never said you can’t get “good” sound cheaper than ever … just can’t get the best sound without spending much more than in the past and that has dangerous implications for our industry I believe. Again my 2c and not worth a penny more! :cool: George
  21. gadawg58

    Sonus Faber Suprema Flagship Loudspeaker $750,000

    I don’t think it’s a conspiracy at all and if I made it sound like that I didn’t communicate very well. I do think that the price of entry for top end products has exponentially increased and is now beyond the reach of many music lovers which is a shame. I also don’t think the performance has...
  22. gadawg58

    Sonus Faber Suprema Flagship Loudspeaker $750,000

    Well you can really only feel gouged if you purchase them and don’t find sufficient value I guess. I am very concerned about how high prices in general are trending. Many younger aspiring audiophiles are calling it quits because they don’t’ see any possibility of ever owning any of the equipment...
  23. gadawg58

    Best amplification for Wilson Audio Sascha DAW

    I ran my Sasha’s when I had them with a pair of McIntosh MC601’s and thought it sounded great. If you are looking for a slightly warmer presentation the MC2301’s might be worth a listen if you can find any. They are wonderful amps and would also drive the Sasha’s well. A bit on the warmer side...
  24. gadawg58

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

    Happy new year everyone and here's to a healthy and prosperous new year! George
  25. gadawg58

    VAC Statement system inbound!

    What an absolutely gorgeous system you have! Congrats on your system as well ... the VAC gear is wonderful and love how it sounded on my Wilson's also! I've also been listening to a Rossini Apex and comparing against my Esoteric D-02X DAC. Will be listening to several more DAC's as well once my...
  26. gadawg58

    TubeTraps Between the Loudspeakers

    Was just looking on their website and it appears the side with the buttons are the diffusion side.
  27. gadawg58

    TubeTraps Between the Loudspeakers

    Ron ... I'm not familiar with this drawing ... what do the lines attached to the circles represent?? Are they showing diffraction vs absorption? Maybe the side with the line points to the diffractive side and the other side is absorption? Thanks! George
  28. gadawg58

    Best amplification for Wilson Audio Sascha DAW

    I might add the Gryphon Diablo to your short list to audition. George
  29. gadawg58

    Add Subwoofers to Wilson Sasha DAWs?

    Using a pair of Rel 25's with my Wilson Alexx's and the work together wonderfully. George
  30. gadawg58

    Esoteric Grandioso SE products announced

    Question is if the Esoteric Clock with the 50 ohm output is compatible with the 75 ohm tap on the Aurender Clock in?? I'm not thinking they are a good match because of the impedance difference? George

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