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Difficult Choice

HI,
choosing a HI-FI from scrathc is a difficult exercise.
I'm asking for help.

I might get Lamm2.1 amps or Tenor 75i
i tried the hybrid amp from tenor and was very disappointed
I found it not as full and "real" than the 75i (kind of normal) but it was on the top "messy", lacking precision.
I was using a EMM Labs transport + Dac directly plugged in the amp + Kharma Grand Midi Ceramique
Very disappointing
I have to say that those EMM Labs did not impress me that much and I wonder if it is not better to use a preamp with them.

Kharma exquisite Midi seem to be a good choice even if it lacks some guts with the Tenor
A sub could be a solution but i did not try
I'm wondering if those VR9 Von S. are that much better than the Kharma
I'm interested to know as well what people think of
Sonus Faber Stradivari (do they work with SET)
Dynaudio Temptation (do they work with SET)
Pipedeams model 18
Audio Physics Caldera ?

More over, what preamp to use ?
There is a Audio Note on the offer but does it go well with
Lamm ?
What about the new ARC reference3 ?

Concerning the source, is the DCS suite that good ? I was not that impressed by the EMM Labs.

Thank you
dck
r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles
872 posts
 
Choosing a system even from scratch is a daunting task. Sorry. Possibly starting with the source of your choosing would be a good starting place. Then you could drag around your source as a common denominator.
Opinions are fine and well, just that... opinions. Sounds as if you have the scratch (very deep pockets) and some resources for auditioning excellent high end equipment. Maybe you should consider letting your ears be the guide, unless the point of this thread is really to just talk about cool gear. Enjoy!
hooper
396 posts
 
I agree with the first three posters. With the money you're considering spending, you owe it to yourself to try the various pieces out for yourself--in your home. That's the best solution. As for the EMM Labs stuff--which I own--I'm curious if you made your judgement based on the context of the whole system, rather than taking just the EMM out of the equation and replacing it with something else. That's the only way to truly distinguish two components. FWIW, I don't agree that the Reimyo is better. I recently tried the CDP-777 in my system, and while very good and impeccably well built, I didn't think it possessed the dynamics or resolution of the EMM gear. It was pleasant and soft sounding, while the EMM was more revealing, more dynamic, and just as musical. But that's in my system. YMMV.
kw6
692 posts
 
Hi David,

I have a pre-amp suggestion for you: c-j ACT2

Good Luck!*>)
linkster's avatar
linkster
432 posts
 
Hey Hooper, I don't doubt that the EMM Labs stuff is great, but I also suspect that the Reimyo you listened to was not broken in or had some odd PC interface. Me, I had the 15 second audition and stone cold new out of the box, I sent my Accuphase DP-75V packing and reached for the checkbook.
cincy_bob
270 posts
 
Linkster, it's funny you mention your experience with the Accuphase DP-75V. I owned the DP-75V up until the time I bought my EMM Labs equipment. My experience was just as you described. As good as the DP-75V was in its day, that CDP is not even in the same league with the best digital front ends on the market today. IMO
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