I just bought the DI SEs, only been a few hours listening, first thought I’ve noticed is how incredibly revealing of the equipment behind them they are. I had Martin Logan SL3s before and it seems in comparison...so long as my MLs had plenty dynamic power, they generally sounded the same no matter what equipment was behind them. How I found out the DIs are revealing besides articles saying it, was when I started switching out my equipment. First, I took out my emotiva xmc1 processor and used my Cambridge 851n, the sound improved, better sound stage, better detail. Then I swapped the Cambridge for my long boxed B&K Ref 30, again, even better detail and stage but introduced a good bit of noise. Now I’m ready to finally upgrade my amp and preamp. Been thinking of going with Bryston, their new BR20 preamp (just love the idea of streamer and analog/digital preamp in one package) and their 4b3 amp. All that said I wanted to see what people with more DI experience found to be great matches.
I looked through at least 60-70 percent of this 112 page DI thread. Felt like somewhere I’d find an answer to what amp preamp these DI speakers need. What I found was that the DI’s benefit having tubes either in the preamp or amp stage.
Is that now considered set in stone, they need so much warmth to sound their best that tubes must enter the picture???
thanks -marc