Hello Douglas.
MANY thanks for you valuable advise and elaborate reply. I have read and enjoyed your reviews on the Ayon CD5, Focus, Whisper DSW and Helix. My purchase has also been influenced by you! I have the Ayon Skylla (same DAC/Pre as your CD5) as a source with a MacMini/Wavelength Wavelink HS as transport.
I intend to continue using the Skylla as a pre with the Whispers as I really want to preserve the Tube sound in the system.
I understand your advice on amp power and fully agree. I also use an Ayon Triton and Krell S-300i (with HT bypass for pure power amp application) and find much more punch/dynamics in the system with the SS amp, but the vocal are thinner and less dimensional.
What I'd really like to do is have the best possible of both tubes and ss in amps for the Whispers.
While the more powerful AR amps may do the job well, they are beyond my budget. So I am considering the Mac MC501 or the Parasound JC1 or Bryston 7BSST2 as options.
I have spoken to Doug Brown at Legacy who recommends Coda and McIntosh. But between them I prefer the Mac for resale value. Your valuable input on this will be greatly appreciated.
Also, how much of its own sonic signature does the Xilica processor put on the sound. Will it preserve the tubey signal coming into it?
Best,
Sajid
MANY thanks for you valuable advise and elaborate reply. I have read and enjoyed your reviews on the Ayon CD5, Focus, Whisper DSW and Helix. My purchase has also been influenced by you! I have the Ayon Skylla (same DAC/Pre as your CD5) as a source with a MacMini/Wavelength Wavelink HS as transport.
I intend to continue using the Skylla as a pre with the Whispers as I really want to preserve the Tube sound in the system.
I understand your advice on amp power and fully agree. I also use an Ayon Triton and Krell S-300i (with HT bypass for pure power amp application) and find much more punch/dynamics in the system with the SS amp, but the vocal are thinner and less dimensional.
What I'd really like to do is have the best possible of both tubes and ss in amps for the Whispers.
While the more powerful AR amps may do the job well, they are beyond my budget. So I am considering the Mac MC501 or the Parasound JC1 or Bryston 7BSST2 as options.
I have spoken to Doug Brown at Legacy who recommends Coda and McIntosh. But between them I prefer the Mac for resale value. Your valuable input on this will be greatly appreciated.
Also, how much of its own sonic signature does the Xilica processor put on the sound. Will it preserve the tubey signal coming into it?
Best,
Sajid