Congratulations, Lloyd, on your latest acquisition. I'm sure you'll have a great time with this latest combo.
Yes congrats lloyd , zanden always good
(...) On the computer bit, i have been a long, long fan of going with a DAC, when nearly every designer was solidly doing 1-unit CD players (back in '06). I managed to pick up a 2nd hand Zanden DAC at the time, waiting for the day i could get an easy-to-use, easy-to-set up (for me), server. After 5-7 years of waiting, searching for a server to run with my DAC (after many who originally thought i was nuts in '06 finally started to agree with my original decision)...i finally went out (and went 'backwards!' ) and managed to trade in my older Zanden DAC for a latest spec 4-box Zanden Ref Transport/DAC (2nd hand).
(...)
Lloyd,
If you went in the direction of enjoying your music it was not surely a backward step! Don't you feel tempted to try an all Zanden system?
Hi Microstrip,
Yes, for me and my tastes, i agree completely..full Zanden digital not a step backwards. A huge step forward.
As for an all-Zanden system, i was very close to considering the Zanden monos. After much discussing with owners and reviewers whom i know...i decided to keep that on hold for now. The reason is that while they would probably be magic with the Wilson X1s (i have been told by a few people the demo with Q7 and Zanden monos in Amsterdam was breathtaking)...i think if i ever went to Rockport Arrakis...i would need to keep my Gryphon. Not just for synergy since those speakers are 'voiced' to a degree with Gryphon, and certainly Rockport like them with their speakers as evidenced by their own HQ...but also just purely for the power requirement of the Arrakis. Plus, i love the Gryphon in any event and really have not been inspired to look much further into the Zanden monos.
As for the Zanden pre, many love it...i was advised by a dealer whom i approached about the Zanden, Shindo and Wavac preamps...to go with my other top choice...the CJ GAT. Given that he sold those 3 but not the GAT, i thought that was incredibly honest of him. Having loved CJ for over 10 years, i am pleased with my choice and have no desire to investigate further there either. Thus an all-Zanden system would be absolutely magic to hear...but i suspect not in the cards for me.
Love the planning and thought process ... A big congrats on your new front -end . Enjoy them in good health .
Love the planning and thought process ... A big congrats on your new front -end . Enjoy them in good health .
Well, to bring Digital and analog back together (sort of)...i just got a second hand HRS M3 isolation platform under my Zanden transport...i admit to being shocked. i was hoping for something good, but i am still trying to understand what has happened to the system...only just started playing discs. I suppose there are some big similarities between a turntable and a transport from a vibration standpoint. More to come once i've tried a few more albums...
I'm waiting (trying to do so patiently) for LH's The Source server. In the meantime my MBP will have to do. For CD only playback the Tentation is keeping me very happy.
Well for anybody whose curious...here's my take on HRS M3 under the Zanden Transport:
Preliminary real time notes...still evaluating.
Any plans to try the Stillpoints U5 under the transport ?
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