My much loved SuperUniti was moved on as I no longer had box count restrictions and I started to play around with alternative streaming approaches - initially inspired by John Darko.
I eventually ended up with an Allo DigiOne Signature + Shanti PSU. And I started to run Roon for the first time. This was a pretty big upgrade in sound quality and day to day experience. In all honesty I was surprised that I could improve on the Naim streamer section so significantly.
Next up was the DAC section. Tried the RME and loved it. Again the performance difference was significant but at least here I wasn’t quite so surprised. Ended up with a Qutest which just edged the RME for me with a little more soundstage depth but I might be imagining that. Not really sure I could pick the difference in a blind test. The choice of Qutest was really clear simply because others have to switch the DAC over to the TV when I’m not around and whilst I loved the RME it’s interface complexity was not universally appreciated (understatement!).
With streaming and dac section of Superuniti becoming redundant it’s sale was inevitable as a separate amplifier seemed obvious. The SU with the Qutest and Allo was sounding great so there was no desperate need.
I tried a few things and eventually spent time with a good local dealer and an Aethos. It’s a lovely thing but that volume control ruined it for me. The subtle differences in volume between streamed content just could not be managed by the remote volume control. The steps were too big and it drive me nuts. SQ wise the Aethos is wonderful but I just couldn’t bring myself to buy it.
Next up was a home trial of a Luxman 505. Oh my. I fell for this amplifier in a big way. Everything about it from the way it was packaged to the build quality and to these eyes at least, it’s sheer beaut, had me hoping it would sound half as good as it looked. I needn’t have worried. I had been a Naim addict for more than 30 years and was wondering whether anything other than more Naim amplification would do it for me. The Luxman simply took music to a different place for me without losing the excitement I enjoyed from my Naim systems over the years.
I genuinely want for nothing more than the Allo/Qutest/Luxman into ProAc D20R’s that I’m running. Except perhaps it’s time to look at my 1983 LP12 which has no mods. I’m really tempted to go fuss free bullet proof Japanese DD but can I really bring myself to move on the LP12. It’s a daily debate with myself!
This journey wouldn’t have happened without help and support from
@Amber Audio of this parish. Gus, you are a gentleman and have helped me enormously, thank you !!