End game pre amp + amp upgrade

[morricab]

I have Cessaro Qian Long field coil speaker. The rest of the system is simple. Digital streamig only. Chord Dave + Blu2. Theone music server coming. Soulution 5 series electronics. Kuro, Argento and Furutech dps-4 cables. All tripoint grounding boxes. Custom isolation transformer and power conditioner.

Nice speakers...screaming for tubes...

 

[Kingsrule]

Didn’t you sell the Nagra sir?

No. Nagra replaced them with a revised version about a year ago. Truthfully, the original version was pretty bad and when I received the new ones they sat in their crates for months because I had lost interest. Finally I got around to trying them and it was like a new model. They haven't left my system... BTW I don't think Nagra advertised or promoted the revision. They reached out to me. Rene' and Nagra treated me very well.

 

[Hieukm]

No. Nagra replaced them with a revised version about a year ago. Truthfully, the original version was pretty bad and when I received the new ones they sat in their crates for months because I had lost interest. Finally I got around to trying them and it was like a new model. They haven't left my system... BTW I don't think Nagra advertised or promoted the revision. They reached out to me. Rene' and Nagra treated me very well.

Thank you for the information. How big of a jump did you feel from the Soulution 511 to Nagra HD? Any other choice was in your consideration or comparision?

 

[SuperDave]

Neither tone, resolution, are top notch, and bass, drive and slam are particularly weak. Pre is better than the power.

Any thoughts on the Nagra HD pre + amp combination? The build for the amp looks not up to par compare to other heavy weight. It seems the tone and resolution is top notch.



Totally disagree.

Had both Nagra HD amps and Soulution 511's on Magicos.......The HD amps are wider, deeper and more delicate. Bass is unbelievably detailed. Resolution is outstanding. Highly recommended

I disagree as well. I feel the opposite of bonzo75, tone and resolution are strengths and I have never had an issue with drive or slam. Agree 100% with Kingsrule that the bass is unbelievably detailed. The HD amp and pre are my end game. The Elite connecting everything takes it even further.

Dave

 

[bonzo75]

I disagree as well. I feel the opposite of bonzo75, tone and resolution are strengths and I have never had an issue with drive or slam. Agree 100% with Kingsrule that the bass is unbelievably detailed. The HD amp and pre are my end game. The Elite connecting everything takes it even further.

Dave

This is in comparison to either of boulder, CH, Vitus, Dartzeel, FM?

 

[SuperDave]

Neither tone, resolution, are top notch, and bass, drive and slam are particularly weak. Pre is better than the power.

This is in comparison to either of boulder, CH, Vitus, Dartzeel, FM?

Not in comparison, just my impression. I haven't spent enough time with any of the above to compare them with any relevancy. I would love to hear the Dartz though. I was just offering a counter opinion. Was your statement in comparison? I haven't heard too many amps on the same system to be able to pick out their shortcomings.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Not in comparison, just my impression. I haven't spent enough time with any of the above to compare them with any relevancy. I would love to hear the Dartz though. I was just offering a counter opinion. Was your statement in comparison? I haven't heard too many amps on the same system to be able to pick out their shortcomings.

Dave, you would be most welcome to come and hear the darts, any time you are in the neighborhood.

 

[SuperDave]

Dave, you would be most welcome to come and hear the darts, any time you are in the neighborhood.

Mike,
That would be hearing the Darts!! I will take you up on that someday hopefully sooner than later. I really enjoyed the Rives room I've listened in before and I have no doubt your room would make quite an impression. Thanks!

Dave

 

[bonzo75]

Not in comparison, just my impression. I haven't spent enough time with any of the above to compare them with any relevancy. I would love to hear the Dartz though. I was just offering a counter opinion. Was your statement in comparison? I haven't heard too many amps on the same system to be able to pick out their shortcomings.

Yes. Compared On YG Hailey. And separately heard on a focal stella utopia system local to me a couple of times, and have heard other amps on the focals.

 

[SuperDave]

Yes. Compared On YG Hailey. And separately heard on a focal stella utopia system local to me a couple of times, and have heard other amps on the focals.

I guess each component has strengths and weaknesses depending where our audio priorities are at. To my ears the HD amps get tone just right but that was a weakness for you. Which of the above amps is more accurate (if that's the right word)? I'm not looking to debate, I'm looking to learn, so feel free to say how you feel. No offense taken here.

Dave

 

[bonzo75]

I guess each component has strengths and weaknesses depending where our audio priorities are at. To my ears the HD amps get tone just right but that was a weakness for you. Which of the above amps is more accurate (if that's the right word)? I'm not looking to debate, I'm looking to learn, so feel free to say how you feel. No offense taken here.

Dave

Tone wasn't a weakness. It was average. Drive, energy, bass, slam were weakenesses. As well as large staging.

 

[SuperDave]

Tone wasn't a weakness. It was average. Drive, energy, bass, slam were weakenesses. As well as large staging.

I can't speak to staging, I'm in a pretty small room but drive, energy, and bass are not weaknesses in my room. I feel like we're talking about 2 different amps. I'll ask Rene about Kingsrule's amps if if there was a change that made them better for him. Thanks for the info!

Dave

 

[Kingsrule]

Thank you for the information. How big of a jump did you feel from the Soulution 511 to Nagra HD? Any other choice was in your consideration or comparision?

It was like a giant leap...I hated the 511's. They sounded like 70's ss. The HD's sound like music.

 

[Kingsrule]

I can't speak to staging, I'm in a pretty small room but drive, energy, and bass are not weaknesses in my room. I feel like we're talking about 2 different amps. I'll ask Rene about Kingsrule's amps if if there was a change that made them better for him. Thanks for the info!

Dave

So you don't believe me or what?

 

[SuperDave]

So you don't believe me or what?

I believe you, I just want to make sure I'm not missing out. Sorry if it came out that way, that was not my intention.

Dave

 

[Kingsrule]

I pretty sure you got the HD's after I received my revised pair...

 

[morricab]

I pretty sure you got the HD's after I received my revised pair...

Maybe Bonzo heard a pre-mod version?

 

[Kingsrule]

As far as other amps I really would like to check out the CH M1 in mono and the Dart 468's.
The Dart distribution in US is abysmal so its almost impossible to get a listen, the CH a bit better.

 

[microstrip]

Tone wasn't a weakness. It was average. Drive, energy, bass, slam were weakenesses. As well as large staging.

In such case blame the owner or the demonstrator. He was not able to get a system and room that could show the real performance of such electronics.

More than ten years ago I could not resist to an used Nagra CDC, PLP and VPA at a bargain price for a secondary system. It was not an easy system - first impression was that is sounded delicate and musical, but lean. The 2x845 pushpull monoblock amplifier seemed to lack power. However after I got the proper power cables, signal and speaker cables and speakers it was a terrifying system.

IMHO an experienced audiophile should be able to diagnose the problems of the system (or the incompatibility with his preferences) before emitting hasty general negative judgements concerning pieces of equipment. All IMHO, YMMV.

 

[bonzo75]

Yes. I did the check in two different systems. It was consistent. And attributable to the amps. If you did an incorrect assessment that's your problem.