Tidal Intra Stereo Amp

[3125simon]

As TIDAL-Audio’s Premium Dealer and Brand Ambassador in the US, you are correct. I am very aware of things (see the attached ad that ran in TAS’s Speaker directory submitted in May). As a side note, the Contros that gleeds ”leaked” was in my Studio “before” the official press release I distributed in June 2022. TIDAL will indeed release the Contriva G3, and I quote, “when it’s ready”.

Hello Doug,
very curious about the use of sub-woofer with Tidal.
i have a pair of Piano g2 powered with prisma/impulse. Very open and transparent real sound, but sometimes I’d like some more body.
my room is 10 ft wide by 19 long with the speakers firing down the room, so I listen quite near field and believe that a tidal ContrIva would be too much and also too tall.
appreciate your thoughts and advise on a suitable sub-woofer - I’d prefer one rather than 2 or any staking as I don’t have the room.
thanks Simon

 

[TVTI]

Hello Doug,
very curious about the use of sub-woofer with Tidal.
i have a pair of Piano g2 powered with prisma/impulse. Very open and transparent real sound, but sometimes I’d like some more body.
my room is 10 ft wide by 19 long with the speakers firing down the room, so I listen quite near field and believe that a tidal ContrIva would be too much and also too tall.
appreciate your thoughts and advise on a suitable sub-woofer - I’d prefer one rather than 2 or any staking as I don’t have the room.
thanks Simon

A S/810, or Carbon Special, connected to the Impulse would be my preference. One will work very well however a stereo pair is the ideal way to go if you can find a way to fit it in your room. The S/510 will work as well and, due to its smaller size, may make the stereo configuration more accommodating.

 

[Karmacoma]

I have 2 Rel S/5 SHO subwoofers with Tidal Piano Cera and they work great together. However I have the Lyngdorf RP1 room correction to help with this, the integration is seamless. It literally transformed the Piano to Contriva.

 

[3125simon]

I have 2 Rel S/5 SHO subwoofers with Tidal Piano Cera and they work great together. However I have the Lyngdorf RP1 room correction to help with this, the integration is seamless. It literally transformed the Piano to Contriva.

A S/810, or Carbon Special, connected to the Impulse would be my preference. One will work very well however a stereo pair is the ideal way to go if you can find a way to fit it in your room. The S/510 will work as well and, due to its smaller size, may make the stereo configuration more accommodating.

Thanks Doug, I borrowed one and then two Carbon specials and they were really good in adding body and weight, but much more clarity and depth to the sound that makes it easier to listen and the music more intelligible and relaxed.
I have order two which I hope to have delivered at the end of the month.
thanks for your input.
Simon

 

[TVTI]

Enjoy!

 

[R S]

Thanks Doug, I borrowed one and then two Carbon specials and they were really good in adding body and weight, but much more clarity and depth to the sound that makes it easier to listen and the music more intelligible and relaxed.
I have order two which I hope to have delivered at the end of the month.
thanks for your input.
Simon

Congratulations. I would be very interested to hear how you go with integration of these and listening impressions once you receive and get them bedded in.

 

[TVTI]

There are no hard fast rules. Refer to the included manual and consult with your dealer on this.

 

[3125simon]

There are no hard fast rules. Refer to the included manual and consult with your dealer on this.

Just a quick update.
In the end I added a single Rel #31 sub woofer to my system.
Quite an amazing improvement - more body, greater depth to the sound, more texture and harmonic in the base, better sound stage, and somehow a more relaxed and believable sound….
Very happy, but it’s a rather large unit……

On a different note I recently changed my digital front end from a Vitus MasterPiece DAC 3 to the new Tidal Contros - this is the largest single improvement I think I have ever made…….

I listened to CH Precision, Soulutions, DCS Vivaldi Apex and MSB reference, and of course the Vitus Masterpiece and Tidal Camira - Tidal Contros by far the best both streaming from my Melco as a NAS and via Qubuz……

amazing that Tidal goes so under the wire here……

 

[TVTI]

Just a quick update.
In the end I added a single Rel #31 sub woofer to my system.
Quite an amazing improvement - more body, greater depth to the sound, more texture and harmonic in the base, better sound stage, and somehow a more relaxed and believable sound….
Very happy, but it’s a rather large unit……

On a different note I recently changed my digital front end from a Vitus MasterPiece DAC 3 to the new Tidal Contros - this is the largest single improvement I think I have ever made…….

I listened to CH Precision, Soulutions, DCS Vivaldi Apex and MSB reference, and of course the Vitus Masterpiece and Tidal Camira - Tidal Contros by far the best both streaming from my Melco as a NAS and via Qubuz……

amazing that Tidal goes so under the wire here……

Congrats on the #31. It’s a great sub. Ideally a stereo pair is the way to go. The experience you realized with a single unit will come into better focus and scale. Further congrats on installing the Contros. It’’s an amazing product.

 

[Ron Resnick]

On a different note I recently changed my digital front end from a Vitus MasterPiece DAC 3 to the new Tidal Contros - this is the largest single improvement I think I have ever made…….

I listened to CH Precision, Soulutions, DCS Vivaldi Apex and MSB reference, and of course the Vitus Masterpiece and Tidal Camira - Tidal Contros by far the best both streaming from my Melco as a NAS and via Qubuz……

Thank you for this report! Congratulations on selecting a winner!

It would be great if you could start in the Digital/DACs sub-forum a new thread about your DAC comparison journey and give us your sonic impressions of each of these units on a comparative basis.

Did you compare these DACs side-by-side?

Why, sonically, did you prefer the Contros over the other contenders?

 

[Audiocrack]

Just a quick update.
In the end I added a single Rel #31 sub woofer to my system.
Quite an amazing improvement - more body, greater depth to the sound, more texture and harmonic in the base, better sound stage, and somehow a more relaxed and believable sound….
Very happy, but it’s a rather large unit……

On a different note I recently changed my digital front end from a Vitus MasterPiece DAC 3 to the new Tidal Contros - this is the largest single improvement I think I have ever made…….

I listened to CH Precision, Soulutions, DCS Vivaldi Apex and MSB reference, and of course the Vitus Masterpiece and Tidal Camira - Tidal Contros by far the best both streaming from my Melco as a NAS and via Qubuz……

amazing that Tidal goes so under the wire here……

 

[Audiocrack]

I played many years with the Tidal Camira dac and really liked it. Did my best in the Tidal La Assoluta thread to give the Tidal audio brand more deserved attention on WBF. Unluckily this LA thread was lost but I totally agree with you: Tidal is really a great audio brand. Good luck and enjoy the Tidal Contros.

 

[R S]

Just a quick update.
In the end I added a single Rel #31 sub woofer to my system.
Quite an amazing improvement - more body, greater depth to the sound, more texture and harmonic in the base, better sound stage, and somehow a more relaxed and believable sound….
Very happy, but it’s a rather large unit……

On a different note I recently changed my digital front end from a Vitus MasterPiece DAC 3 to the new Tidal Contros - this is the largest single improvement I think I have ever made…….

I listened to CH Precision, Soulutions, DCS Vivaldi Apex and MSB reference, and of course the Vitus Masterpiece and Tidal Camira - Tidal Contros by far the best both streaming from my Melco as a NAS and via Qubuz……

amazing that Tidal goes so under the wire here……

Congrats on the upgrades. I have heard great things about the Contros. Are you keeping the Prisma (for phono?) or using the Contros as preamp? Great system.

 

[tasadam]

A great thread to read, and drool over. I’m on the journey.
I had the most wonderful listening experience last night, great music selections and a great mood, good wine to go with it and my wife for the best company.

On a different note I recently changed my digital front end from a Vitus MasterPiece DAC 3 to the new Tidal Contros - this is the largest single improvement I think I have ever made…….

That’s really hard to fathom. It excites me to think that such improvements are still to be found. Doug has said I haven’t heard my speakers yet. I’m flying blind, but will be finding out.

Currently my biggest single improvement was the introduction of these Tidal Contriva Diacera SE speakers - something I never, ever thought I would own. I’ve had them for a bit over 6 months now.
Adding a pair of REL No.31 subwoofers has been the second biggest change, I have had them about a month.
All the superlatives!

Now I have Ferios monoblocks and Contros source on the shopping list, and it seems a Prisma as well, so I can integrate the speakers for home theatre duties in our multi use loungeroom.

Exciting times ahead. Serious spending to do, that’s my current challenge.

 

[calloway]

tasadam...calloway here.. I,too, own Tidal Contriva Diacera SE speakers and have REL subs also...212 SE x 2.I have had mine for about 10+ years. They are superb. I have listened to the G3 Contriva speakers and think they are superb but would not part with my Contrivas.I have SET mono blocks ..Chalice Audio and would not trade for any other amp/amps. There is only one other pair of these apps world wide and interesting that individual has Tidal T1 Sunrays.Glad to here you are enjoying the Contrivas.

 

[calloway]

tasadam...let me edit my previous post. after rethinking my previous experience with the latest Tidal listening session I now remember that it was in fact the G2 Tidal speakers and not the G3s which I heard.I don't think they have been released in the USA as of yet.Hope I didn't cause any confusion. Again..you have a superb pair of speakers and enjoy the listening.

 

[tasadam]

My Contros and the Ferios monoblocks arrived.
System is now:
Tidal Contros Streamer / DAC / preamp
Tidal Ferios monoblocks
Tidal Contriva Diacera SE speakers
Two REL No. 31 subwoofers with Bassline Blue cables.
My experience suggests, to me, the biggest single change I have made were the speakers, followed closely by the Contros, then the monoblocks.
The precision in the soundstage that the Contros has revealed is an emotional experience.
Some songs I know and have listened to a number of times now have new definition. The placement of individual instruments in the music is something I have never experienced before.
I am told there is another level to be found, when I get better cables - currently using some basic XLR cables from the Contros to the Ferios, and Chord Epic XL speaker wire from the blocks to the Contrivas.
Seems there is a lot of money to spend on cables worthy of this system. All in good time / as budget allows.

 

[3125simon]

Very nice!
i have a Contros also and it’s transformed my listening. I don’t really listen to my turntable anymore!!

I listened to lots of expensive DAC’s and streamers, and in the end it was easy to settle on the Contros.

Regarding cables, Tidal make their own, which create a complete system. I tailored my loom. Power Ansuz, Ethernet Ansuz, interconnects Tara labs muse, speaker tidal.

if I where to change anything, I’d look at Tara Labs muse speaker cables, and add more Ansuz DTC3 power cables.

id love to change my Piano G2 for Contriva G3, but they are too large for my room.

i see you are using 2 Rel no. 31 subs. I have one of those also and it made quite an astonishing difference and I wouldn’t be without now. I’ve been thinking about adding a second and keeping my pianos, but wonder what real improvement a second would make? Did you start with one or go straight to two?

I’ve listened to many of the very Uber-fi brands and I’ve found Tidal to be at the very top of the league and with a system synergy with outstanding loud speakers…. Take your time finding cables that bring out the best and enjoy the music…

simon

 

[viola]

My Contros and the Ferios monoblocks arrived.
System is now:
Tidal Contros Streamer / DAC / preamp
Tidal Ferios monoblocks
Tidal Contriva Diacera SE speakers
Two REL No. 31 subwoofers with Bassline Blue cables.
My experience suggests, to me, the biggest single change I have made were the speakers, followed closely by the Contros, then the monoblocks.
The precision in the soundstage that the Contros has revealed is an emotional experience.
Some songs I know and have listened to a number of times now have new definition. The placement of individual instruments in the music is something I have never experienced before.
I am told there is another level to be found, when I get better cables - currently using some basic XLR cables from the Contros to the Ferios, and Chord Epic XL speaker wire from the blocks to the Contrivas.
Seems there is a lot of money to spend on cables worthy of this system. All in good time / as budget allows.

View attachment 129251

Very nice. I have been thinking about replacing my Lumin X1 with a nicer streamer / dac, and the Contros is definitely a consideration. I currently have a new Tidal Prisma that feeds two Westminster Lab Rei monoblocks driving Tidal Audio Contriva G2 speakers.

I have owned or auditioned some very expensive interconnects and speaker cables, but at the end of the day, I settled on relatively inexpensive speaker cables -- the Fidelium, made by Silversmith Audio -- and interconnects, the D4 and Kumihimo by Zenwave Audio (the latter are a new, more expensive product and not yet on the Zenwave website) and the new XLR cable made by Silversmith Audio that is also not yet on the website. With these interconnects and speaker cables, you get terrific performance at a reasonable cost. Plus, they have a money-back guarantee over an audition period.

 

[Linkster]

Anyone heard the new Piano G3 who can offer opinions regarding its improvement over the G2 version?