If the Mini 1 is indeed available again - buy one! (But it’s only 11 Watts). Btw, Chris is honest and straightforward, fixed my Mini 1 foc after they ceased original production. One of the few hifi items I have that will never be sold (for less than £1K).
A few years back at Signals hi-fi show listening to statement amps and a wall full of power supply’s connected to top end Focals, god it sounded dire, played at a ridiculously loud volume, I wanted to leave within 30 seconds, it was only not wanting to appear rude that I didn’t. Pure torture.
Well, I just wanted to be sure. I'm going to Munich this year so might even get a listen... Will let you know my thoughts if they are exhibited.If I was a betting man, what do you reckon
I remember your story... I think you mentioned it a few years ago with more detail and displeasure... Time's a healer (is that a song.. )I have had a few WTF moments, but one that came to mind while reading this thread is the time that I was watching a YouTube review and realised that the speakers being reviewed were mine. Not just a model that I sell or a similar looking pair, but the same serial numbers. I had lent them to a "customer" for a home demo. The kicker is that they came back with a bent speaker terminal and some cracked veneer.
...Time's a healer
I don’t think anyone who buys a Mini 1 will be in any way disappointed but I’ll row back a little to temper expectations: It’s only 11 Watts so it needs efficient speakers, it works best in power amp mode with a separate preamp, it does sound better with an LPSU that costs four times more than the amp, some £1K power amps do sound better. Nonetheless…
That is almost my exact experience, except I had a CD2 (with CDM9Pro) and I was left scratching my head about what happened with my CDS2 ‘upgrade’.My WTF moment was replacing my Naim CDI with a new CDS2. It was quite the letdown for me, maybe my expectations were too high? And admittedly, getting caught up in the hype. For whatever reason, I felt that the “soul” of the music went away with the CDS2 in place. The CDI was/is a fantastic player, I miss it.
That is almost my exact experience, except I had a CD2 (with CDM9Pro) and I was left scratching my head about what happened with my CDS2 ‘upgrade’.
IMPORTANT - It's always easier to obtain forgiveness than permission for that new purchase.