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    Wadax Reference Dac and Server arrive

    What an exceptional piece of music. THANK YOU for sharing it.
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    Do I want my every day stereo, all out performance

    Me neither.
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    Do I want my every day stereo, all out performance

    Sounds great. I have found quite challenging to build but one system doing well one of the two!
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    The Rise of the Uber-High End Integrated Amp

    +1 for the amazing Pathos TT, a killer integrated at a real world price. Please share your modifications!
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    Boulder to Gryphon

    Never owned dCS but the few times I heard it, albeit in systems I was not familiar with, I wasn’t swayed. I find DACs often challenging. Liked few of the ones I tried: Lampi Golden Gate (yum), ARC CD9 (first 6h30 based machine I enjoyed, usually don’t seem to like that tube much), my friend’s...
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    Boulder to Gryphon

    Boenicke makes compelling gear always.
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    Do I want my every day stereo, all out performance

    I am also a total dartz 108 fan. The model 1 was my fave SS amp, and among my fave, period. But I found the model 2 to be a VERY significant upgrade, just better all the way around. Firmer bass, more resolution, and no compromise on the quality of highs and overall musicality. Had to let go of...
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    Best EL34 amps

    I owned and really liked the EAR EL34 based stereo amplifier (that can be bridged to monos I believe, can't remember the model designation but that should be easy to find. Not the last word in purity and transparency, but powerful and very musical like all good EL34 designs. Fantastic value...
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    Grandinote Shinai

    I tested it, and found it very musical and well balanced, but its power was insufficient to drive my relatively inefficient speakers. I also heard the pass int 25, albeit in different speakers, and with that caveat, my impression was that the shinai was warmer and slightly more natural and...
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    State-of-the-Art Digital

    Hi all - great thread. I also find good DACs challenging (much more than amplifiers or TT, even speakers, with so many great designs a different price points). I had and absolutely loved the Lampi GG1, especially with 300B, and using the DSD conversion for PCM files. A little euphonic probably...
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Very interesting and useful. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me!
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    This is among the comments I have found online: For maximum power transfer the source should have as low output impedance as possible. However, if the source has a relatively high output impedance and you can't modify it then the load should have the same impedance for maximum power. If the...
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    You're very kind. Could you shed some light on how to evaluate this question of impedance compatibility based on specs? I know it's important but struggle with it!
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Excellent suggestion, thank you very much!
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Thanks for the recommendations guys, but again I would really like the preamp to include a remote control and ideally a good phonostage (if not also a DAC...).
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    I agree the 912 could be a good suggestion, thank you!
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Thank you for the suggestion. too bad it does not have a phone stage!
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Thank you. I tried one (not the GAT2, the original if I recall correctly) years ago with a different amp, and thought it was quite good but I was not bowled over. If memory serves me right, and with the proviso of the amp pairing, I thought it was perhaps a little dense, leaving me to wish for...
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Indeed. I pounced on it! Budget is somewhat flexible, but let’s say $5-7k, used. Any experience with the ARC GS Pre? It’s balanced though whilst the SIT3 is RCA only, so I would need cable adapters though ; and its gain is average rather than high.
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    High gain preamplifier for a First Watt SIT-3?

    Hi folks, I am looking for a preamplifier with high enough gain to drive my just acquired SIT-3 (that had just 11db of gain itself I think). At this stage, unless it proves impossible, I’d like this preamp to include a high quality phono stage and a volume remote control. I assume pre/amp...
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    VAC 452 iQ review in Stereophile

    For what's it worth, I heard a SIT3 driving the equally insensitive and wonderful Boenicke W5 to beguiling results. The preamp was a vintage Cayin, probably quite high gain. That sound was intoxicating on acoustic jazz, we didn't try orchestra or heavy rock though, so perhaps was it more limited...
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    Anyone Using A Lampizator Golden Gate (with volume control) Directly Into Your Power Amp?

    Thank you for the very informative answer! You have a Kalista which is on my dream list!
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    Anyone Using A Lampizator Golden Gate (with volume control) Directly Into Your Power Amp?

    There's an CJ ART 3 on Audiogon offered for sale
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    Anyone Using A Lampizator Golden Gate (with volume control) Directly Into Your Power Amp?

    Did you ever hear the ART 3?
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    Anyone Using A Lampizator Golden Gate (with volume control) Directly Into Your Power Amp?

    Thank you for the advice!
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    CH Precision D1, C1 and A1 for sale

    They are sold. Thank you.
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    CH Precision D1, C1 and A1 monos

    Thank you Chris.
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    CH Precision D1, C1 and A1 monos

    Selling a CH Precision stack. The best sound I have heard in my room, alas I am downsizing. - D1 CD/SACD player with Sync I/O and Digital Out boards - C1 DAC/Controller with Sync I/O, Digital In, USB boards - 2x A1 amplifiers (each with their optional stereo boards) - CH Link Cable Excellent...
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    CH Precision D1, C1 and A1 for sale

    Hi Folks - with much regret, I am downsizing and offering my CH Precision system for sale: a. D1 SACD / CD player, with optional I/O Sync, CH Link and Digital OUT boards b. C1 DAC/controller, with optional I/O Sync, CH Link, Digital IN and USB boards c. two A1 amplifiers ; each come with the...
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    Anyone Using A Lampizator Golden Gate (with volume control) Directly Into Your Power Amp?

    I owned a Golden Gate with VC, and it was the only DAC I had where driving the amplifier directly resulted in better sound. All the other DACs I had in such a configuration provided better transparency/see through, but music lacked body, flow and bloom. Not with the Lampizator Golden Gate. I...

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