Recent content by Backpacker

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    CAD USB Ground Control

    I just added the USB control to my system. It’s connected to my streamer and I was surprised how much it improved the sound. Lower noise floor and a more natural, pleasing tone. Scott is definitely on to something here….Great upgrade for the price. I also have a GC1 connected to signal ground...
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    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    Please let us know how it sounds in your system It would be nice to know the associated equipment too
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    Looking for a new CD-player, Aesthetix, Esoteric, Lux or….

    The Aesthetix can be upgraded to Eclipse level at any time and you don’t have to be the original owner to do it. But Nemal1 has the right idea - pick the sound you like
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    QOBUZ - The hidden gems

    There is a HiFi Partners playlist section on Qobuz. It has some really good stuff. Just listened to Heart doing Stairway to Heaven at the Kennedy Center. Led Zeppelin approved of this performance The living band members were in the audience
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    Upgrade to Vandersteen Model 7 XTRM

    Fantastic! Great th hear that about the side woofers. I wish my wife would tolerate the looks. But she doesn’t mind my other upgrades so there is that….
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    How much impact does driver material has on SQ??

    OP, can you see this is no way to pick a speaker? How are you going to make sense of other people’s preferences? Travel expenses to audio shows and dealers will be much less costly than changing your mind. It’s not just the speakers because the speaker choice affects the upstream electronics...
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    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    Fatter was in the context of bass response. Most noticable in the Madonna track. Warmer was in the context of midrange and it was pervasive. Everything sounded a little "warmer" and more realistic. This may be due to subtle noise or distortion that the Metis gets rid of versus a frequency...
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    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    For the last couple of months I have been able to compare the Calypso Eclipse to the Metis in the same system. All listening was digital due the unfortunate demise of my record collection in a flood a few years back. The Calypso, in its Eclipse edition, is a great preamp. I could live with it...
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    New MSB Owner

    Nice full body massage on that track though Try Emmy Lou Harris “Goodbye” off Wrecking Ball. That should let the Select strut its stuff Or New Favorite from Allison Krauss
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    How much impact does driver material has on SQ??

    And one other thing…. There is an audible benefit of using the same materials for all drivers (except subs). My two favorite speakers do this - the Vandersteen Model 7 and the classic Zellatons
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    How much impact does driver material has on SQ??

    It can matter. A lot. See this from Vandersteen https://www.vandersteen.com/news/the-truth-about-pistonic-driver-cones
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    $80K budget for Speakers

    It doesn’t make sense to spend like that until you learn what you like. Attend some shows. Get overwhelmed. Wait until you figure out what you like. Waaaay too many options. Even drastically different categories
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    Vandersteen Seven Mk.IIs and M7-HPA monoamps

    Wow, enjoy them. If my better half would tolerate the looks I would be joining you (at least with the speakers). I think I saw those at Audio Connection and was lusting after them. The 5A carbons come close but are not as coherent. They were available in wood which has become a requirement…..
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    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    This thing takes forever (minutes) to come out of standby. It is worth the wait (more on that later). I think it very slowly raises the power supply as part of the process. The owners manual says you must not use after market footers. I am guessing its because they want everything to rest flat...
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    Aesthetix Metis Linestage

    I am picking up mine this Saturday at Audio Connection. It will replace a Calypso Eclipse and I will have both preamps for some time so I can compare. As another data point for you: Audiogon Discussion Forum I heard Jim's system a couple of years ago as I bought my Romulus Eclipse from him. He...
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