Hello Greginnh,
How is the Esoteric fairing now (with another week under it's belt)?
I've been considering going 'intergrated' (currently no genuine preamp just a two line passive switching devise .. which I had bought to fill in for a time having sold my CAT Ulimate Mk1 preamp 4 years ago and have done nothing since .. can't make up my mind!).
I've considered the Accuphase E-470, have seen details of the new Esoteric (F-05), and have even 'casually ..ie not serious sit down and listen audition' to a T+A PA 3000HV (very heavy and expensive in comparison to the other two but still cheaper than buying a new separate power and preamp).
Currently I have Evolution Acoustics Micro 1 with Shunyata Anaconda interconnect and speaker cables, Triton Mk2 and Sigma power cables into modified Oppo D105, Dynavector HX 1.2 power amp (Aussie amp) as well as the Triton. I also have an Accuphase T-1100 tuner (my last purchase 4 months ago) but have a JPS labs cable 'feeding' it with intention of putting a Sigma on it as well.
Every time I look at separates I think expense and every time I think intergrated I think compromise! ... a vicious circle of inaction!
Before the Micro 1s, I had a pair of Proac Response 2s which went 3 years ago. However I sometimes miss a certain 'something' the proacs gave me (the Evolution Acoustics are very transparent but with ceramic drivers I still perceive a certain coolness). So a further consideration could be to go back to a current Proac model (D2) or go Harbeth Super 5s.
The amp is still a priority but if I change the speakers would I find myself 'short' in amp performance and have to go and spend good money again.
