Sasha DAW vs Alexia 2

[abeidrov]

I've heard the larger CH precision monoblocks and the matching preamp and the immediacy was closest to a real band I've ever heard. But it's a mostly neutral amp (not that that's a bad thing). The Antileon Evo has a bit of warmth if the reviews are correct, and that might be what I'm after. are you now thinking of moving to the CH Precision amp?

Hopefully, Mephisto will stay However, I‘ll have an opportunity to compare Pandora / Mephisto / L1 / M1.1 some time in March, so I will definitely use it.

 

[alfa100]

Now u r talking my language;MSB DIRECT. No preamp. Please post your impression

Apologies for the late reply. I tried a few highly regarded preamps like pass labs XP 22 preamp and Audio Research ref 6 preamp etc with MSB to Pass Labs XA 100.8. I found no preamp best by far. Every preamp added coloration and changed the spectrum curve in mid range. Noise floor lowest without preamp. Attack and decay also better without preamp. Sure , preamp added juice filling out the sound but this was to tonally inaccurate . btw which amp did you choose?

 

[LL21]

Hopefully, Mephisto will stay However, I‘ll have an opportunity to compare Pandora / Mephisto / L1 / M1.1 some time in March, so I will definitely use it.

Any update on this? Most curious as to what fellow Mephisto owners thinks of the CH M10 amps. I am sure they are magnificent...the question as always is how do they compare? Same applies for the heroically built 3060 amps from Boulder. I have spoken with a number of people who have heard the M1 and M1.1 amps...but most intrigued by the latest M10s. Thanks for any update!

 

[CKKeung]

Any update on this? Most curious as to what fellow Mephisto owners thinks of the CH M10 amps. I am sure they are magnificent...the question as always is how do they compare? Same applies for the heroically built 3060 amps from Boulder. I have spoken with a number of people who have heard the M1 and M1.1 amps...but most intrigued by the latest M10s. Thanks for any update!

Listened to the M10 driven by L10.
I prefer a stereo M10 to a pair of M1.1 monoblocks.

 

[Jpspock]

Dear Alfa, in his time I compared with my xa100.5 Pass, Nagra, and ARC. At the end my choice was a ref5se. I upgraded my 100.5 to a 160.5 and it matched very well with thé arc. Two years ago, I decided to test Passive Preamp and I have chosen the Bespoke audio preamp. If you want no coloration, no added or less information, with a very wide band.
Just try it, and perhaps you will adopt it..

 

[alfa100]

Dear Alfa, in his time I compared with my xa100.5 Pass, Nagra, and ARC. At the end my choice was a ref5se. I upgraded my 100.5 to a 160.5 and it matched very well with thé arc. Two years ago, I decided to test Passive Preamp and I have chosen the Bespoke audio preamp. If you want no coloration, no added or less information, with a very wide band.
Just try it, and perhaps you will adopt it..

Bespoke preamp caught my eye. If it is as good as running direct without preamp and I have only 1 source then I don’t need it. But it may be better than running without a pre in that it could drop the noise floor or make the sound more dynamic without adding coloration. What is your experience?

 

[abeidrov]

Unfortunately, the only available demo CH L1 unit went to a guy, who ordered L10. Of course, delivery of L10 has been delayed by several months, now it’s finally in the country, but has been delayed at customs. I could have bought Pandora months ago... But I’ve been waiting so long now, I should probably wait for another month.
And this guy has a pair of demo M1.1s while he is waiting for delivery of M10s. Only God knows, when they will be delivered
BTW, he just ordered the new Alexx V. After he auditioned old Alexx. This will be a mega killer system: L10 + M10 + Alexx V!!!
This is a picture of his listening room during audition of Alexx.

 

[abeidrov]

 

[abeidrov]

Finally, I’ve auditioned Pandora and L1. First of all, they are both world class preamps and I would be able to live happily with the either one. Pandora has more slam and a bit wider soundstage, L1 is more refined, but softer sounding. It is really a matter of personal taste and music choice. Pandora is for a classical music lover and L1 - for jazz? May be.
It was not an easy choice. In the end I chose L1 only because I want to have the best of both worlds: the crazy drive of Gryphon and the delicasy of CH. Also, I plan to compare M1 to Mephisto probably in a couple of months and in the unlikely event that I prefer M1 and sell Mephisto, L1 is a natural choice.

 

[MyFairLady333]

My Audio Research 250SE mono-blocks provide wonderful power to control and provide blossom to the Wilson DAWs.

 

[abeidrov]

Any update on this? Most curious as to what fellow Mephisto owners thinks of the CH M10 amps. I am sure they are magnificent...the question as always is how do they compare? Same applies for the heroically built 3060 amps from Boulder. I have spoken with a number of people who have heard the M1 and M1.1 amps...but most intrigued by the latest M10s. Thanks for any update!

So, the mighty Mephisto is gone and you have Robert Koda K160 monos now! Is it your preamp that has led to this change? Please, share your impressions of K160 vs Mephisto. Thanks in advance.

 

[tima]

My Audio Research 250SE mono-blocks provide wonderful power to control and provide blossom to the Wilson DAWs.

Nice amps. I had them in house on a pair of Sashas and original Alexias. They work well with Wilsons.

 

[GSOphile]

Apologies for the late reply. I tried a few highly regarded preamps like pass labs XP 22 preamp and Audio Research ref 6 preamp etc with MSB to Pass Labs XA 100.8. I found no preamp best by far. Every preamp added coloration and changed the spectrum curve in mid range. Noise floor lowest without preamp. Attack and decay also better without preamp. Sure , preamp added juice filling out the sound but this was to tonally inaccurate . btw which amp did you choose?

alfa100, which MSB model are you using to go direct?

 

[abeidrov]

I’ve received my L1 yesterday.

Amazing performance, even brand new. It’s like a preamp is not in the system!

 

[LL21]

So, the mighty Mephisto is gone and you have Robert Koda K160 monos now! Is it your preamp that has led to this change? Please, share your impressions of K160 vs Mephisto. Thanks in advance.

Yes, that is exactly right...and the Mephisto went out the door at an attractive price so I could not complain. I had a unique opportunity to replace the CJ GAT 2 with the Robert Koda K15EX (first one in this country)...and took the opportunity to do the same with the matching reference monos.

I will update when the system is fully in...expected later this month.

 

[analyzer]

I’ve received my L1 yesterday.
View attachment 80705
Amazing performance, even brand new. It’s like a preamp is not in the system!

So the Coincident Statement linestage has gone? Can you tell about Sonic differences?

 

[LL21]

I’ve received my L1 yesterday.
View attachment 80705
Amazing performance, even brand new. It’s like a preamp is not in the system!

Congrats!!! CH is a big move...very exciting!!!

 

[abeidrov]

So the Coincident Statement linestage has gone? Can you tell about Sonic differences?

It is not a fair comparison considering the 6 times price difference. Also, the Statement high output impedance is simply not compatible with transistor amps. There was too much gain with Mephisto, and the bass was boomy. Coincident is a fine preamp for its price and in the right setup (with a SET tube amp). With CH there is so much transparency and resolution - it feels like there is no preamp at all.

 

[analyzer]

It is not a fair comparison considering the 6 times price difference. Also, the Statement high output impedance is simply not compatible with transistor amps. There was too much gain with Mephisto, and the bass was boomy. Coincident is a fine preamp for its price and in the right setup (with a SET tube amp). With CH there is so much transparency and resolution - it feels like there is no preamp at all.

Thank you very much for the answer. Also me I sold my CSLS in 2019 along with the old Power amp I used. Great choice the L1 CH precision! I listened in the Gian's system paired with M1 Power amps and It was simply superb.

 

[abeidrov]

CH M1.1 monos vs Gryphon Mephisto. So far, Gryphon is holding it’s ground, but I should probably give CH a few more days .