Best Speakers with a DNA-1?

Offnon, I promise you that if you go listen to some of the newer speakers like a Vandersteen or even B&W (Johnny also sells those so you can hear side by side) you will be floored.  

Bob, I will need a preamp/volume control is I get the Vandersteen new mono blocks.  I was told they are as good as most of the 30-40k mono's out there. I wouldn't be able to afford a good Audio Research LS28 ((even used), Richard said to get a great volume control.  The only input I use now is a balanced from the new The Memory Player or the Ayre QX5/20 (if I decide to keep this and not take delivery on TMP).  Was told that Lightspeed is the best sounding, but it's not balanced and can't be. I spoke with the designer, who's in Austrailia, and he said there are too many small variances so balanced won't work.  '

@ctsooner Now that I’ve had a chance to compare the LSA to tubes, I feel like the LSA adds very little coloration to the signal. The design seems as simple as it gets, using light to attenuate the signal, a pure genius idea wouldn’t you say? And for such an affordable price! I don’t know of any other pre that might offer such clarity for such low cost.

I might sell it in near future, because at the moment I feel my ears might be enjoying tube coloration. Also, I like the idea of tube rolling to attain even more enjoyment. If youre interested I can take some pics and email to you. I had kept the LSA inside an empty aluminum chassis that I ordered new from Burson, this gave the LSA a better look having it encased in aluminum. I’m silly that way.

Sure, may as well send some pics.  I won't know for a few months since the amps won't be ready quite yet.  Have to move a few pieces before I can afford it. I also wanted to do balanced if possible as that's how the amps are maxed out and I have a lot of money invested in balanced interconnects, lol. I am speaking with someone who actually made a similar volume control years before this guy did and he said he'd see if he could max one out in balanced mode by matching components better.  Way above my pay grade lol.

@ctsooner ,
I think I will consider something like what you described. Now that I am basically using streaming to listen to music, I really don't need a full preamp.
Does this Memory Player allow you to use it a DAC, in addition to CD player?
B

Bob, I'm gettin The Memory Player by Sam Laufer's company.  You can get it with or without the DAC built in. I'll have the DAC built directly into it as they do it properly so everything is shielded and isolated properly.  They have totally separate power supplies for the player and the DAC. They have a built in transport for easy ripping etc...  It is one of, if not the best server/streamer in the world.  Constant upgrades included etc...  

You have been over and seen my system.  My end game (if I can get there) would be the new Vandersteen mono blocks with HRS footers, a 'best' volume control and then The Memory Player.  I have my Apple TV and cable box going directly into my TV.  I'd then do an optical out into The Memory Player or into my Synchro Mesh reclocker first and then into TMP.  Then go balanced out into a volume control or take the high output RCA from TMP into the Lightspeed control.  That would then to into the mono blocks.  Much cleaner system with fewer boxes, cords etc...  not quite a high end lifestyle system, but not far away.  All I'd have in my rack/tv stand would be TMP and a small box for the remote volume control.  TMP is controlled by an app on a touchscreen or from my TV and the volume would be from the TV remote (an all in one remote) so I'd only need one remote control out and then use the phone or the pad or the TV.  Just versatile and simple. Also Sam has total remote control into TMP so he can reset fix and install anything whenever it's needed.  

Bob, if you want to talk, I am selling my Ayre QX5/20 that is a complete digital hub with 10 inputs and streamer built in. You've heard it.  It's a SICK unit.  The volume control on it is as good as any pre I've heard under about 4k or so.  It's not quite as good as my Ayre integrated pre as that's in the range of a 10k preamp, lol.  The DAC is silly good.  We had it up against DAC's in teh 20k range and it's a SMIDGE below, but not that much. It actually has a bit more detail than the great Brinkmann Nyquist DAC (love this DAC), but not quiet as much bloom, but close.  

I also use the balanced outputs on the QX5 headphone amp and it's as good as any of the Woo headphone amps I've used.  sorry for the long post. 

Here's a link to The Memory Player:    https://www.thememoryplayer.net