Probably time to update the system, since there have been a few changes.
The main change is the replacement of the Graham LS6s and LS3/5s with the Neat Ekstras. Over the last few years I have used a number of variations on the BBC school of speakers from Graham and Harbeth - M30.1 and M30.2, Graham LS5/9, LS6, and LS3/5 with and without Sub 3. I decided to I wanted to move away from that sound for a while, and listened to a few different speakers. I initially thought I wanted Focal Sopra 1s, but when I heard them in the store (with my amp) they had me running from the room - a quite coarse sound with a treble so prominent it almost reached out and smacked me in the head. The Dynaudio Confidence 20 in the same store sounded much better and I was almost tempted to buy them, but Dynaudios have never lasted long in my system in the past, so I was wary. I borrowed the Neat Ekstras for a home dem and thought they sounded fantastic. I initially was interested in the Neat Ultimatum series, but they were too big for my room and, when I heard the XL6, I thought it sounded quite bright and rather fatiguing. It was a relief to find that I actually preferred the much less expensive Ekstras, which not only sounded better to me, but are a perfect match for my small room. They sound great in nearfield and at low levels (which is how I mostly listen) but also sound equally good at higher volumes. Bass is deep and very tight and fast, not at all boomy in my small room. The ribbon tweeter - which is where I have had issues with Neat speakers in the past - sounds detailed but not prominent, and very sweet and smooth. The Ekstras also have some of the Harbeth/Graham rich midrange, and are not harsh with poor recordings, while still sounding fast and dynamic where required. Overall, I have been very pleasantly surprised by these speakers and am very happy with them. The LS6s have been sold but I will keep the LS3/5 which I still love.
I have swapped out my LFD amp for the Exposure 5010 pre and monos which I have owned for a few years and which I was using in the living room. The LFD is a great amp, but on balance I prefer the presentation of the Exposures, particularly as I have been using Exposure amps in various forms for over 25 years, and have always loved the sound. The new series have a more neutral, detailed and refined sound but retain enough of the Farlowe era DNA to be musical and engaging. The extra headroom of 200 watts also helps.
The DAC is my go-to Mytek Manhattan II. For some reason I just love this DAC. I have owned some more expensive DACs, including the Chord DAVE/M Scaler, Lumin X1 and most recently the Nagra HD Dac (upgraded to Tube Dac internals), but somehow always come back to the Mytek, which I have used for a few years now. The Nagra was really overkill for this system and although it sounded fantastic and was better in so many ways, I could not justify keeping it without upgrading the rest of the system so have decided to sell it and just use the Mytek.
Last time I posted I was running two turntables and three phono stages. The second turntable, a Rega P8, has been boxed and put in storage. I never really used it, the PTP is so much better. The P8 is still a great turntable which I could happily live with, but I really only need one.
I was alternating between the Rega Aura, Tron Convergence Signature/EAR MC4 and Whest 40RDTSE phono stages. I am now just using the Whest, which is the best of them (although the Tron/EAR is close). The Rega Aura has now been sold, and the Tron will be brought out for a listen from time to time.
The cartridge is an Ortofon Cadenza Black. I was using a Benz Ruby Z which I liked, although it was a bit coloured. The Ortofon is completely uncoloured, an excellent tracker and sounds very detailed and neutral while still remaining on the right side of "musical". I also have a Cadenza Bronze which I like, but on balance prefer the neutrality of the Black. Even so, I have ordered a Windfeld Ti and will be curious to see how it improves on the Cadenza Black.
