@
lalitk
Thanks, yes I really enjoy it and don't worry at all about what might be better. Sounds like you are putting something special together. The Shindo sounds intriguing, I often consider a tubed front end and would definitely look at that unit. I have friends who love their Hana's and for now the price/value ratio is incredible. I have used AT products for years and have always trusted them. Kiseki is the one product you mentioned that I have no personal experience with but if reviews and comments are reliable their reputation is well deserved. I would recommend checking the Soundsmith line but you can't trust me, I am very biased :) If, however the Kiseki is a serious contender check the Zephyr Star. The list price is less than the Blue, output is comparable to the 9 or Blue with bandwidth and separation at least equal to any of the others. I have owned carts from Shure, Stanton, Empire, Grace, Fidelity Research, Grado (cheapos and Siggys), Otofon, Audio Technica, Dynavector (loved them all), Denon, Sumiko and Soundsmith plus whatever else I have forgotten. I have also listened to a host of other brands on friends and dealers systems. I would love to have a brand new Grace F9e to try in my current rig for curiosity sake but as for the rest I would only bother if someone else set up the entire comparison against the Zephyr.
Thanks, yes I really enjoy it and don't worry at all about what might be better. Sounds like you are putting something special together. The Shindo sounds intriguing, I often consider a tubed front end and would definitely look at that unit. I have friends who love their Hana's and for now the price/value ratio is incredible. I have used AT products for years and have always trusted them. Kiseki is the one product you mentioned that I have no personal experience with but if reviews and comments are reliable their reputation is well deserved. I would recommend checking the Soundsmith line but you can't trust me, I am very biased :) If, however the Kiseki is a serious contender check the Zephyr Star. The list price is less than the Blue, output is comparable to the 9 or Blue with bandwidth and separation at least equal to any of the others. I have owned carts from Shure, Stanton, Empire, Grace, Fidelity Research, Grado (cheapos and Siggys), Otofon, Audio Technica, Dynavector (loved them all), Denon, Sumiko and Soundsmith plus whatever else I have forgotten. I have also listened to a host of other brands on friends and dealers systems. I would love to have a brand new Grace F9e to try in my current rig for curiosity sake but as for the rest I would only bother if someone else set up the entire comparison against the Zephyr.