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    SUT Shootout

    I would add to the list Nat MC step up. I am using Nat MC xx and is much superior to the Ypsilon step up I also have.
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    Aries Cerat Ianus Essentia Owners thread

    I would appreciate if somebody with direct knowledge could explain me some things about Essentia: (1) in my understanding you can use in the amps several types of tubes: E280f, E180, E810, D3a. These tubes have different amplification, as far as I know D3a has the highest. Does this have any...
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    He spent his life building a $1 million stereo. The real cost was unfathomable

    Reading the WP article made me sad. But the more I have been thinking about it and reading all the comments, the more I am convinced that most of the conclusions are based on simplification and generalization. Probably also biased writer. I am not convinced all his life, relationships and...
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    Riviera Labs AFM-100 SE Class A Monoi amplifiers- something new and different

    My experience is the same. I have extensively tried (owned ) many different types of amps on MAAT and always ended up with tubes. Solid state amps (Gryphon Mephisto, MSB M204) were not really good option. Hybrids were better. Tried Lamm 1.2, Beyond Audio Frontiers monoblocks, Aries Ianus...
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    Riviera Labs AFM-100 SE Class A Monoi amplifiers- something new and different

    Relevant question. I have only tried an older version of second best NAT preamp but mine Ayon Conquistador was better. After Ayon came Riviera which was much better in every aspect.
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    Riviera Labs AFM-100 SE Class A Monoi amplifiers- something new and different

    My system consists - apart of Riviera preamp - of Sigma MAAT speakers, Nat Magma New power amps, Nat Sig phono preamp, Techdas Two turntable with Supreme audio and Thales Statement tonearms, MSL Ex, Hana Umami Red, Miyajima Kansui, Kiseki Blackheart, Metronome cAQWO dac, cardas, boenicke...
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    Riviera Labs AFM-100 SE Class A Monoi amplifiers- something new and different

    Do not want to derail the thread or create unproductive discussion. I have had Lamm 1.2 and tried AFM 100se in my system. Lamm is for me closer to neutral, Riviera closer to natural. Lamm injects some energy in the system, Riviera to me brings out the meaning of music with more holistic and...
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    Riviera Labs AFM-100 SE Class A Monoi amplifiers- something new and different

    I have been using Riviera APL 01se since approx. 2 years and has been the preamp of my choice ever since. I still vividly remember when I have compared it to my past reference preamp (dht, fully balanced, tube power supply) and it sounded almost broken compared to Riviera. APL 01se was much...
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    New Italian book for hi end

    I got mine yesterday. Beautiful book and amazing systems. Highly recommended.
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    Long search ended: NAT phono is the one!

    And there is also (f) Power supply of Signature is very good with high energy of 320J. I think this can also be heard in very good drive and control.
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    Long search ended: NAT phono is the one!

    Good question. Have been considering both but decided for Signature mainly due to the following reasons: (a) Spoke to somebody who heard both and he said that almost equally good. (b) Signature is a little bit more flexible due to the +6db switch for higher output (important for me) and internal...
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    Long search ended: NAT phono is the one!

    It is a gain issue. In my understanding the internal step up has ratio 1:5 and 62 db gain is achieved in the output of the phono pre with a +6db switch, which is a neat feature and increases its the flexibility. In my system I need a bit more gain on the source since both the preamp and power...
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    Long search ended: NAT phono is the one!

    Since we have moved to a new house seven years ago and moved my system to a music room, I have been on a journey of optimizing my analog chain. I have changed everything, from turntable, tonearm to cartridge but found out that phono pre was the weakest link. The search for it was very long and...
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    Aries Cerat Ianus Essentia Owners thread

    Stavros, hi. In my understanding many single stage amps invert phase. Does Ianus Essentia invert phase? Thanks for answering.
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    New DartZeel Owner

    Would you please explain where this ground switch is? I do not see this in a manual. Thanks.
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    VTL TP-6.5 Signature II Phono Stage Reviewed by Michael Fremer

    Not intended to be meant as a direct comment to anybody but in principle I try not to comment on the components I have not used in my system or listened to in few other system I know well. It is very hard to pinpoint the reasons (mainly) for bad or average sound to a certain component if you...
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    VTL TP-6.5 Signature II Phono Stage Reviewed by Michael Fremer

    Well, although I respect Roy I do trust my ears more than his writing ;)
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    VTL TP-6.5 Signature II Phono Stage Reviewed by Michael Fremer

    I haven’t had any experience with VTL phono but had years long experience with VTL Siegfried II and 7.5 III preamp. I think Siegfried II is world class high power pp amp but the preamp is not on its level. Like it was said, it was muddy and noisy, lacking life and transparency. I have tried to...
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    Soulnote E-2 phonostage

    Shakti, would you be so kind and share your impressions of Soulnote E2 after using it for couple of months and comparison to Allnic. Thanks.
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    VTL Siegfried II Input Tube Swapping

    I have experimented with both 12 AT7 and 12BH7 in VTL Siegfried II. NOS RCA 12BH7 did not have important influence on the sound therefore I have focused on 12AT7. I have tried quite some of them, including new ones like Psvane and EH, but found them to technical sounding. Much better were NOS...
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    Best bottle of wine for less than $20?

    The chocolate block by Boekenhoutskloof. A bit more expensive as your limit but still good deal.. https://www.boekenhoutskloof.co.za/thechocolate-block/ https://www.winedeals.com/the-chocolate-block-2020-750-ml-97011.html I have discovered it more than 10 years ago while visiting wine...
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    Looking for warm SS amp (coming from pass, just tried CJ)

    I had many years ago BAT VK 600se which I liked a lot. Warm, musical. Maybe their new Rex 500 could be a great contender.
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    VTL Siegfried II - long term report

    I have been using with VTL and Nat, Sigma Acoustics Maat speakers.
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    VTL Siegfried II - long term report

    Hi, Ron. No, I have not. Too expensive. But in order to optimize sound I have found out that 12at7 tube has quite big impact on overall sound of VTL. More than 12bh7. I have used NOS Mullard. Anyhow, I have sold VTL and use NAT Magma now.
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    Thrax Maximinus DAC & Libra Pre are here …

    Love Thrax. I think they produce beautiful products, highly musical. Their support is first class. But I am not sure that combining Libra tube preamp with Vitus power amp, which has very low input impedance and is rather low sensitive, is a good idea. In my experience you could end up with weak...
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    Tad reference 1

    Yes, exactly what I wrote in my previous post to you. I also thought once there are the best. I think I am quite consistent. But allow myself to be open to evolve...
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    Tad reference 1

    Please google Tad ref one crossover. Google is full of pics. I spent 15 seconds and found many… like: https://www.avmagazine.it/amp/articoli/diffusori/383/pioneer-tad-reference-one_6.html See at the caps and the parts. Also there was even a discussion about CR1 mods, on Audiogon, I belive...
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    Tad reference 1

    Do not want to argue with you regarding the sound. If you think your speakers are the best, then they are the best. This is subjective. And I appreciate that. I also thought at one point in time the same as you do now. What is objective is what I wrote regarding Ref one, esspecially the...
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    Tad reference 1

    Well, I had Tad R1 and my previous car was Lexus ( sadly not LF A). I can relate to what you wrote but would put it a bit differently. LF A was cost no object project and was quite expensive when it was presented. Super V10 machine, carbon fiber parts, pretty progressive for that time. Like it...
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    Zero Distortion: Sigma MAAT speakers, Kondo, Koda, NAT Magma and Lamm hybrid amps, Kondo GInga vs Da Vinci tables

    I think the magic of MAAT is routed on simple, first order crossover and high sensitivity. When my interest in MAAT started to grow I went to Aldo’s place south of Venice, Italy. I was quite sceptical about claimed sensitivity but he proved it by using PP 300B monoblocks with probably around...

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