sutts

Responses from sutts

Gabriel Gold vs Marigo vs NBS
You need to move up to at least the GG Rapture 'r', or better yet, the Reflections... 
Gabriel Gold IC's are they really this good?
EMM CDSA-SE and GG Reflection (rca) = excellent match 
to SACD or not
Love my EMM CDSA-SE (~ $5,500 used)- reviews are spot on. More natural sounding than my friend's Esoteric P-03/D-03 combo... The only other machine I would consider at a similar price point would be the Marantz SA-7S1 (~ $3k used) with mods by Jen... 
Single box tube linestage preamp - $3,000 used
Bat VK-32SE 
Marantz SC-7S2 solid state preamp- how good is it?
thanks guys- good comments- the (few) reviews I have read seem to always pair it in the context of a 'full Marantz' system (with the MA-9S2 monoblocks)- was wondering how it was with other amps as well... 
Throwing your gear under the bus
yes- but in my case, a nice watch (Omega Seamaster Chrono in white)- luckily the guy still had it- I bought it back immediately- what was I thinking??!! :-) 
Power conditioner for EMM CDSA ?
I use the excellent Ensemble Isolink on mine... 
SS Amp to replace VAC 300.1 in a side-ways move?
agree with Tvad- having owned Aerial speakers many years ago, solid state worked best... 
Gabriel Gold IC's are they really this good?
Steve- is the directional flow the same as the others with the Reflection? 
New Transport Suggestions for Bitstream DAC
agreed with Bigkidz... 
Digital IC- I use Stealth Sextet- anything better?
Thanks Powder- I have a Marigo 5.7 as well- was not aware of the newer model. 
Gabriel Gold IC's are they really this good?
yes, the Reflection are amazing- a further refinement of the Rapture 'r'- inner detail incredible, lack of congestion excellent- no glare- simply music... 
Stereophile "confirms" Moncrieff's SACD comments ?
would be good to 'resurrect' this thread 8 years later- I think SACD has come a long way- I find the EMM Labs CDSA-SE not to exhibit these high-frequency aberations, at least not that I am noticing anyways... 
The Big Ayon Triton KT-88 Int Amp- tube rolling?
thanks guys- I do keep in touch with Paul at USA Tube Audio (Ayon Distributors) about this from time to time, and I do know that they are always 'on the hunt' for the best tube combo for the Ayon amps- they still recommend what was shipped with my... 
Amp for Coincident Super Eclipse
lately I have been using two different amps for driving Coincident Total Victory II's, both with outstanding results- 1) The big Ayon Triton integrated (*80 watt triode mode); 2) custom built 211 SET.As I have stated previously, with the larger Co...