Enough is Enough

Thanks to everyone that took the time to be part of my thread. I just wanted to share my experience with other's in this crazy hobby. 

Thanks to the nice comments about my system!

We all have our own journey. Individually we decided how much we want to spend on a component and the sound we prefer.

Some have commented that I don't need a new DAC, but I'll tell the story of how I got to this point. I do have a good dealer(3ma Audio) and I try to purchase from them when possible. For over a year I listened to several speakers in my price range. I never heard speakers within my price range that made me want to sell my speakers. 3ma Audio recommended subwoofers and they brought them to my house. My wife thinks adding the REL No. 32 subwoofers was a great decision. I did the same thing with my amplifier and preamp. I sold my old amplifier and purchased Jeff Rowland 735 mono-amps. My next focus was on my source(music server and DAC). I was grateful to be able to get a home audition of the Antipodes Oladra music server. I don't want to exaggerate, but the Oladra simply took my system to the next level. Many said the DAC had more impact than the music server, so I got a home auditions of the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, DCS Bartok(non-APEX), and DCS Rossini APEX. The Tambaqui was very similar to the Dave. In my system the Bartok lacked detail. The Rossini did everything better than any DAC that I've ever heard in my system. The soundstage was bigger, better spacing, and more detail. Unfortunately, in my system the overall tonality was too forward/bright. My experience with the Rossini made me want to pursue changing from my Chord Dave. I would love to find a DAC that does everything the DCS Rossini APEX does, that isn't as forward/bright. 

Perhaps consider approaching an established YouTube reviewer for feedback on your system.

I have access via Patreon (£30 subscription) to the British Audiophile who has provided excellent feedback and suggestions to improve my system synergy.

Of course there are many YouTube reviewers who offer this service, John Darko, Ron at New Record Day, Cheapaudioman etc.

Enjoy the music!

I’d have some fun with the idiot…Go back with some really poorly recorded media, some really poorly mastered stuff, some cheap 80’s vinyl or something…Let him play it on his so called better system… LOL, then tell him how crappy his stuff sounds and walk out … LMAO 😂😂😂

@hgeifman So paypal probalby has good cybersecurity...but we thought all the airlines did too.  and we thought United Healthcare did too.  Now most of our SSNs and healthcare history is on the dark web.  

and did Audiogon really erase it or did they just delete it and it is sitting there waiting for a skilled hacker to restore it?

I'll pass.

Jerry

In my experience, dealers are useless. I'd love to give a brick and mortar store my business, but so far it's been mostly disappointing. 

- when looking for a TT upgrade, shop said LP-12 or bust. Said I don't like the LP12, never got a reply, so went elsewhere.

- Tried to get a Pass amp and also a Rega table from local stores, but they cannot provide.

- Tried to get some TT education and requested testing set-up (at their discretion) to find out whether I could hear differences plinths. Flat out refused/could not do it. And that was a major, well-known player, from whom I bought stuff before. The critical mind wonders why that could be ...

- bottom line, I just pick equipment based on reviews&discussions then find someone who can ship. So far so good.