My Experience with Dave from Audio Doctor NJ

ctsooner: Guys, digital is a strange beast and most folks just don’t want to spend the time to ask the right questions or do it correctly.

Strange beast no doubt!! When first indulging in any endeavor, such as digital music, I think most people don’t know how much they don’t know. So they don’t know the right questions to ask. I place myself in that category. The transition from pure analog to pure or hybrid digital can be a steep and expensive learning curve as I’ve found out.

When jumping into digital music, I got a great deal on a pair of Tannoy 8 dcti speakers. IMHO they are excellent speakers at their price point. My next purchase was a NAD 12 pre & NAD 22 v2 power amp. At first, the highs were way too bright; the mids were too "in your face"; and the bass was fine. So I started doing some research. Almost everyone said a tube amp and acoustic treatment would solve my problem. So, I did some more research.

My next purchase was a Furman 15psi power conditioner. Then a demo Innuos Zenith MK2 from a local dealer, along with a Wireworld Ethernet cable, Wireworld USB cable, and Wireworld power cable. Streaming Tidal, playing ripped FLAC CDs and DSD files opened my eyes to how wonderful a digital system can sound.

My next purchases were VooDoo power cables for the Furman, M12, and M22 v2. As time when on, I noticed the highs and mids settled down a bit and the SQ became more "lush."

My next purchase was a Technics SL-1200G and Ortofon Quintet Black, with Ortofon interconnects and a power cable, which replaced my 35 year old Technics SL-1600MK2 w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve never heard vinyl sound so good!

By this time, all of new gear was sounding pretty good. But, I know I still need acoustic treatment. But, I’m not convinced I need tubes anywhere in my music chain. I recently purchased a Mytek Liberty DAC at the DC audio show and noticed an immediate sonic sound improvement. I’m now looking to purchase a better phono preamp, with the Music Fidelity MX-VYNL and REGA - Aria on my short list.

I plan to listen to that combination for about a while, and then decide my next steps. I listen mostly to Jazz and old school R&B, at moderate levels. When I do "crank" it up a bit, the sound is a little overwhelming - due mainly because I have a small 11.5 x 13.5 listening room (and no acoustic treatment).

I joined the DC HIFI Club this past month. The wealth of knowledge and experience in that group is awesome. I’m looking forward to learning more as I continue on this journey.

great post.  Thanks, I feel better about my own journey now, lol.  

Also, most run FLAC as it's easy and you get the art, but most top designers I know only use WAV and that's what I use.  I have about 1T of Flac now, but we will change it over to WAV.  

Great post and thanks for sharing.I feel better about myself now, lol.

Folks, so many use FLAC as it's easy and you get album art easier etc....  Try the same files in WAV.  Many designers will tell yo it's much better for SQ.  I feel the same way.  

Great thread! I am in DC area too. As a matter of fact, the US Distributor of Innuos is located in Tyson’s Corner. Well Pleased Audio. They were present at CAF, with their own room, and Mark Sosa himself.

The local dealer for Innuos in our area is Command Performance AV, in Falls Church. You may want to pay them a visit @oldschool1948. They were at CAF too, and using the Zennith MKII

@thyname. I purchased my demo Zenith and WireWorld cables from Command Performance AV.  Good group of guys.

@ctsooner.  Why WAV?  What’s the benefit?