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Shop w/me

I am in the process of upgrading my current system: the only possible holdover are Linn Klimaxx monoblocks. I listen to jazz, rock, blues mainly. As I stat to audition stuff, I will keeing a journal here: any comments, feedback, ideas, more than welcome. I listen only to CDs and SACDs...apologies to analogue fans (I have no qualms, just don't like the required storage space and software availability!)

1st Audtion:
target: Wilson Watt Puppy 7s
retailer system: Spectral amps and Audio Rsch CD3. arcici suspense rack. unforuntately retailer here in Asia try to stick to their own systems: indeed I wanted to try the Sophias too which they did not have in stock

Impressions
Ben Allison: Peace Pipes: transient detail, attack simply outstanding, imagin quite good but sound stage a bit narrow?
Caia: MAgic Dragon: try chill out and see what they can do: tweeter clarity outstanding as I can hear the dinstant triangles more clearly than my current Proac Response 4s Bass very solid and taut, perhaps too much. But something is bothering me...I wonder what it is
Patrica Barber: Modern Cool: perhaps vocals will the stopry: sounds very ,live, u r there. distance btwn mouth and mike easy to tell...but still
Dennis Chambers: Outbreak: let's see if it can boogie: bass kick drum well defined, elec bass slapping transients/attack great: no muddiness whatsoever...yet soundstage underwhelming

soundstage and lack of sweetness seems to be a common theme: is it the amps? excessive toe in? will tubes help? needs to warm up? hmmmm

Oliver Nelson: Stolen Moments..ahhh...that's more like it. Perhaps it WAS the recordings. Same thing happens w/ Little Feat's remastered Waiting For Columbus. And w/ David Sanborn....is it warming up?

Back to Scott Henderson Well To The Bone: yuk....back to same issues and worse. Cannot rock out.

Overall: biggest thing is very accurate, transient detail, attack, ...but soundstage cld be an issue, and certainly not sweet...biggest issue for me: did not make me want to dance when it should, and less involving than my set up (Pro Ac Response 4) for some reason though certainly more "hi-fi". Possibly much better with different amps and less toe-in, but should keep in mind

Well, one is never convinced at first try: this only the first of many. May be I will come back to this: I did like the looks though, and perfect physical size for me: also liked the arcici suspense racks though how much they contributed to the sound, I have no idea

Next audition to come: comparing Linn Klimaxx-Kontrol vs HP200-Radia.
henryhk
henryhk OP
648 posts
 
Thanks Gregm.

By the way, tested the Linn Klimaxxes w/ the Kharmas at a friends's place (which was closer to the retailer). Stunning. I have heard a lot about the Tenors and Lamms w/ the Kharma's, and I am sure they are great, but to my hears Linns worked really well w/ the Kharmas, far better than than Pass Labs the retailer had hooked up, with better control and tautness on the bass, opening up the sound stage even further, and better detail, transients, the last perhaps a Kharma weak pt. So I guess I am set on the speakers, and I don't have to buy a new amp

I will be investigating sources and preamps, the latter if necessary. If the source can directly drive the Linns, then I can do a very gradual test on the preamps, electing to not go full bore, and get used to the new set up better.

First up today is EMM Labs DCC2. Talk 2 u guys later. Chow!
henryhk OP
648 posts
 
Its been awhile. Early on I decided I wanted 2 channel SACD capability but without sacrificing CD quality. So far I've tried the Meitner gear, Linn's own Unidisk 1.1, Accuphase player (forgot the model but the top single box player), MF Tri-Vista, Sony 777 ES. Among them, no contest. Meitner takes the cake. ON SACDs only Accupahse was very nice indeed, sexy even, but CDs sounded a bit harsh to me. Tr-Vista seemed too laid back for my tastes and bass definition seemed a bit wobbly, which I don't want given the type of music I listen to as well the Kharmas (bought the CRF 2.3!), ...The Unidisk I would put at the bottom of the pile: good but didn't do it for me: SACD was behind the others and I don't need DVD-A or video anyway. Plan to try Esoteric but the Meitner combo seems not only great in sound quality but flexibility: transport + DACC2 which also offers pre-amp functionality (tested thru my Linns which worked fine)...but also bypass so if indeed I wanted say a tube pre-amp later on I will have that option. Getting there....
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,391 posts
 
Henry, this is a fun thread. If you ever want to come to PA to shop, I'm in.

Cheers, Spencer
henryhk OP
648 posts
 
Well the Kharam 2.3 Fs have arrived. The retailer loaned me a Hartley tube CD player and a CJ tube pre-amp (17s) to use for the time being until I settle on the front end. This system made very good sound, and I love the Kharma's but the Hartley CD player was quite cumbersome: occaisionaly didn't read disks, and took too much time warming up etc. Frustrating to use...and one of the advanatges of digital over analogue should be ease of usage.

Did try the Esoteric: liked it a lot, though still did not beat the Meitner gear. Esoteric did seem to dig up detail with the best of them, but I prefer a more open ended sound character if you will. As such I've ordered the Meitner combo....and waiting for delivery....
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