Since last posting in this thread, I’ve changed up my system. Gone is the Oppo 95, replaced with the Nad C 565BEE which was a clear cut improvement. I was hoping for equal performance but didn’t need the universal swiss army knife player, hoping that a dedicated cd player from a well respected brand would not disappoint. Plus I ended up with cash in pocket as a result.
I also sold the Paradigm Signature S6 towers. They just never sparkled in my system, plus the midrange was too warm for me and they had limited bass for a tower. I could have experimented more with cables, as I only had Audioquest Type 4, but with the same cables my existing Ascend Sierra 2 had superior midrange, and the highs were pretty much a wash.
Then(!) I upgraded the speaker cables with Wireworld Oasis 7, and that brought an immediate improvement as well, though I haven’t broken them in yet. That all said, the A21 with P7 have the detail, imaging, and 3D soundstage that can take advantage of good cables and good speakers. The speakers completely disappear and the artist is in the room, it’s that dramatic.
I also sold the Paradigm Signature S6 towers. They just never sparkled in my system, plus the midrange was too warm for me and they had limited bass for a tower. I could have experimented more with cables, as I only had Audioquest Type 4, but with the same cables my existing Ascend Sierra 2 had superior midrange, and the highs were pretty much a wash.
Then(!) I upgraded the speaker cables with Wireworld Oasis 7, and that brought an immediate improvement as well, though I haven’t broken them in yet. That all said, the A21 with P7 have the detail, imaging, and 3D soundstage that can take advantage of good cables and good speakers. The speakers completely disappear and the artist is in the room, it’s that dramatic.