Which phono stage did you have before the current XP25 and when did you switch?
Wow that back drop is spectacular what water is it looking out on ?Here is a photo of a concert Al and I heard yesterday taken from Tasos's usual first balcony center first row position. It was an excellent performance of Schubert's Die Winterreise. Tonight, Al, Ian, and I will hear an intimate performance of cello and violin in what was once a private home. The program is Bach and Kodaly. Let's say the listening perspective will be very up close and personal. It will be a sober reminder of how far our systems sound from the real thing.
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Wow that back drop is spectacular what water is it looking out on ?
Sorry for OT, but this view is just breathtakingHere is a photo of a concert Al and I heard yesterday taken from Tasos's usual first balcony center first row position. It was an excellent performance of Schubert's Die Winterreise. Tonight, Al, Ian, and I will hear an intimate performance of cello and violin in what was once a private home. The program is Bach and Kodaly. Let's say the listening perspective will be very up close and personal. It will be a sober reminder of how far our systems sound from the real thing.
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I enjoyed reading this post and everyone's impressions.
Did you sell any of your friends on Spectral after this listening session?
Btw, a Spectral phono stage would certainly look nice on your rack to replace that XP-25![]()
Al was sold long ago, IF he were to switch to solid state. At the end of the day, economics and sonic priorities are the first criteria
Tasos, can you describe what happens to the sound of your system when you use different settings on your MIT cables? I wanted to ask about that during the visit, but forgot. I think you mentioned that you now use the lowest setting. If this is the case, and you prefer that setting for sonic reasons, why do you think MIT has the higher settings?
I would consider Spectral, but I don't like having to commit to a specific cable manufacturer. Also, the brand seems to have a very strong following, but one must commit to their dealer network which basically means full retail pricing and little flexibility. The other concern is that their older models were once described as being excellent, but they existed only to be replaced fairly quickly with newer models which seem to have improved quite a bit in terms of noise and power. I remember very specifically when Goodwins tried to sell me the 360 only a few years ago as the latest and greatest, and I think you said they could not control your speaker load. The new 500s are obviously a much improved design.
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