Recent content by Navyblue

I chose AMB Lab Alpha 20 as my preamp build partly because I can use it to drive Purifi modules (or other class D modules) directly, thus eliminating stock or third party buffer. Class D, or other "hifi" sounding class AB, pretty much guarantees clarity. But they are also never aggressive...

I hope I don't have to say this on every page. I'm not trying to turn a Harbeth into a Klipsch, or even a Dynaudio, which I find somewhat too sharp at least with certain amp btw. I listen to mostly vocals, most often with acoustic instrument. I do not major in rock music or mainstream music. If...

Anyone heard the Cambridge Audio CXA81? Some review says they are punchy and forward while some say they sound warm and vintage. I don't know what to make of it. On the new market currently these models stood out for me: - Cambridge Audio CXA81 - Audiolab 8300MB (250W into 8Ω monoblocks, I've...

Thank you very much for your kinda offer, I'm in Singapore, so a little far. :D My tube amps actually sounds more dynamic than my Class D. The problem is sometimes (not all the time) the midrange can sound overly sweet. The class D has more resolution and transparency, but less punch and bite...

Yeah, and Krell too from reputation. They are pricey unless they are very old. I tend to be wary of old electronics.

I think the trend of hifi in general, be it speakers or electronics, is towards detail, smoothness, low sensitivity and low distortion. I suspect this this psychoacoustic "punchiness" is a kind of nonlinearity. I find it's easier to make higher sensitivity speaker sound punchy, but they are...

Thanks guys for your input, I will look into the models mentioned. To clarify, I am not expecting a Harbeth to turn into a Klipsch. I like smooth, I listened to mostly acoustic stuffs. When everything in an audio chain is on the smooth side, all you get is smooth and not much else. I'd like to...

My setup: Transport: Singxer SU-6 DAC: Denafrips Pontus 2 12th Anniversary Preamp: AMB Lab Alpha 20 (DIY build, balanced with stepped attenuator) Speaker: Harbeth C7-ES3 40th Anniversary When the speaker is used with Line Magnetic LM-211ia, sometimes I feel the midrange sounds too coloured...

It might be a synergy thing, or a change of taste, but I am over with the sort of overly sweet sound with this pair of speakers. I already bought a DAC and the hunt is over for now.

The DAC is called "Rega DAC", the original one. The latest one is called Rega DAC-R which was released soon after. I think they are exactly the same thing, but with asynchronous USB input and less filter options. Good to know about the Naim.

I asked Vinshine which Denafrips DAC should I get for my speakers. He recommended the Pontus 2 12th. On Youtube, some reviewers are using Venus 2 on systems that aren't very high end, claiming the Venus 2 is an improvement over Pontus 2. That might vex some people, but fortunately I am in...

May I ask why?

Thanks guys for your inputs and ideas. The Bryston DAC is particularly interesting to me. At the moment I ruled out the Audiolab 9000a, because it has a screen. Those things don't age gracefully. For an amp I expect them to last upwards of a decade. For a DAC it might be more acceptable as...

Thanks guys for your responses! I use the Harbeth on the 4 ohm taps of the amp, most speakers works better on the 4 ohm taps with my amp IMO. I also have an SMSL A300 class D amp. It's more neutral than the tube amp, and might even be more detailed. When I feel the tube amp too syrupy I would...

My current DAC is the original Rega DAC, I had it for more than a decade now. In recent years I have been trying to upgrade it, but I have not found a worthy successor. My amp is Line Magnetic LM-211ia. My speakers are the Harbeth C7-ES3 40th anniversary. I told myself I am done upgrading...