Gentlemen,
After weeks of anticipation torture, I finally received my Signature mkIIa preamp with the MC/MM phono stage! I guess I got in just under the wire, because after January 1st the price has gone up to $23,000 including phono stage, which now lists for $5000 as an add on.
I'm finding myself just staring at it at times... It truly is a thing of beauty. I opted for the mirror-polished silver knobs on the black faceplate to match my system and it's just gorgeous.
After all the discussion about burn in hours and ways to expedite that process, I decided not to deprive myself of the forthcoming experience of the sound getting gradually (is it possible?) better. I'm euphoric. The day I installed it to replace my trusty VAC Standard LE, I didn't get to sleep until 7:00am the next morning! You guessed it, I was up all night coming up with appropriate expletives to define my shock. My wife was sleeping and I was listening at low volume and still heard things I never heard before and marveled at how this instument recreates the soundstage even at a SPL that would be appropriate for soft background music!
You would think that after a few decades of audiophile experience I would be better prepared. Uhhh...not so much. Even right out of the box, this beautiful beast and its incredible phono stage had me pulling out LP after LP and blowing my socks off. Paired with my Phi 200 amp, this is by far the best system I've ever heard in my home or anyone else's.
I'll go into more detail as the pre burns in, but for now I want to thank all of you who kindly posted on this thread and helped me make the decision to invest in this superlative pre with the optional phono stage. What I learned is that the Sig2a's phono has its own power supply, it does not share the line stage's power supply, which sounds like it may account for at least part of its remarkable performance with vinyl.
I've never been happier with my system. This pre, although not inexpensive, is making everthing sound better and on some recordings I'm left breathless. I'm totally smitten. I can't get the goofy smile off my face.
I'll check in soon, but please feel free to ask any questions or comments.
Once again, thanks for helping me get to this magical place in audio nirvana. Kevin Hayes is an industry superhero!
After weeks of anticipation torture, I finally received my Signature mkIIa preamp with the MC/MM phono stage! I guess I got in just under the wire, because after January 1st the price has gone up to $23,000 including phono stage, which now lists for $5000 as an add on.
I'm finding myself just staring at it at times... It truly is a thing of beauty. I opted for the mirror-polished silver knobs on the black faceplate to match my system and it's just gorgeous.
After all the discussion about burn in hours and ways to expedite that process, I decided not to deprive myself of the forthcoming experience of the sound getting gradually (is it possible?) better. I'm euphoric. The day I installed it to replace my trusty VAC Standard LE, I didn't get to sleep until 7:00am the next morning! You guessed it, I was up all night coming up with appropriate expletives to define my shock. My wife was sleeping and I was listening at low volume and still heard things I never heard before and marveled at how this instument recreates the soundstage even at a SPL that would be appropriate for soft background music!
You would think that after a few decades of audiophile experience I would be better prepared. Uhhh...not so much. Even right out of the box, this beautiful beast and its incredible phono stage had me pulling out LP after LP and blowing my socks off. Paired with my Phi 200 amp, this is by far the best system I've ever heard in my home or anyone else's.
I'll go into more detail as the pre burns in, but for now I want to thank all of you who kindly posted on this thread and helped me make the decision to invest in this superlative pre with the optional phono stage. What I learned is that the Sig2a's phono has its own power supply, it does not share the line stage's power supply, which sounds like it may account for at least part of its remarkable performance with vinyl.
I've never been happier with my system. This pre, although not inexpensive, is making everthing sound better and on some recordings I'm left breathless. I'm totally smitten. I can't get the goofy smile off my face.
I'll check in soon, but please feel free to ask any questions or comments.
Once again, thanks for helping me get to this magical place in audio nirvana. Kevin Hayes is an industry superhero!