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From an MHDT to an Audio Mirror, quick impressions

A Tubadour IV SE I ordered on 10/12 appeared today.  It replaces a stock Orchid fed by an n130 Node with PD Creative power board and Sbooster LPS.  I’ve just finished a half hour session, including 15 min of warm up.  Right out of the box it’s showing off.  Smooth, articulate and quick with much tighter bass.  It keeps the musicality of the Orchid and improves on the pace.
The soundstage is deeper with a more “You are there” feel than the up front “They are here” feel of the Orchid.  That’s all for now.   For three times the cost I hoped for a noticeably better DAC.  What I got was a major surprise and a huge upgrade.  Really anxious to put some hours on it.

wlutke
curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,726 posts
 

I’m still very happy with the Pontus ll, but am always happy to hear others thoughts about their equipment. 

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wlutke OP
726 posts
 

My further impressions another 4 hours in:

Delicate signals have location, articulation and body.  I can easily follow backstage instruments and vocals to the micro level. Nothing etched or exaggerated.  Natural.

Treble is sweet.  Not rolled off or syrupy sweet.  Sweet as in "I love percussion, give more".  

Very dimensional.  It's as if the recording space is being recreated as well.

Very analog.  

 

wlutke OP
726 posts
 

About 25 hours now and it's a keeper.  The only downer is the stock knobs are frumpy.  I added guitar amp knobs.  They're beautiful.  View my virtual system for a peek.  

wlutke OP
726 posts
 

new

New knobs!

old knobs

old

Larger images are in the virtual system view.

True color is satin aluminum, inbetween my flash blue and the stock photo sepia.

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