I would appreciate if somebody with direct knowledge could explain me some things about Essentia:
(1) in my understanding you can use in the amps several types of tubes: E280f, E180, E810, D3a. These tubes have different amplification, as far as I know D3a has the highest. Does this have any...
Reading the WP article made me sad. But the more I have been thinking about it and reading all the comments, the more I am convinced that most of the conclusions are based on simplification and generalization. Probably also biased writer. I am not convinced all his life, relationships and...
My experience is the same. I have extensively tried (owned ) many different types of amps on MAAT and always ended up with tubes. Solid state amps (Gryphon Mephisto, MSB M204) were not really good option. Hybrids were better. Tried Lamm 1.2, Beyond Audio Frontiers monoblocks, Aries Ianus...
Relevant question. I have only tried an older version of second best NAT preamp but mine Ayon Conquistador was better. After Ayon came Riviera which was much better in every aspect.
My system consists - apart of Riviera preamp - of Sigma MAAT speakers, Nat Magma New power amps, Nat Sig phono preamp, Techdas Two turntable with Supreme audio and Thales Statement tonearms, MSL Ex, Hana Umami Red, Miyajima Kansui, Kiseki Blackheart, Metronome cAQWO dac, cardas, boenicke...
Do not want to derail the thread or create unproductive discussion. I have had Lamm 1.2 and tried AFM 100se in my system. Lamm is for me closer to neutral, Riviera closer to natural. Lamm injects some energy in the system, Riviera to me brings out the meaning of music with more holistic and...
I have been using Riviera APL 01se since approx. 2 years and has been the preamp of my choice ever since. I still vividly remember when I have compared it to my past reference preamp (dht, fully balanced, tube power supply) and it sounded almost broken compared to Riviera. APL 01se was much...
Good question. Have been considering both but decided for Signature mainly due to the following reasons:
(a) Spoke to somebody who heard both and he said that almost equally good.
(b) Signature is a little bit more flexible due to the +6db switch for higher output (important for me) and internal...
It is a gain issue. In my understanding the internal step up has ratio 1:5 and 62 db gain is achieved in the output of the phono pre with a +6db switch, which is a neat feature and increases its the flexibility. In my system I need a bit more gain on the source since both the preamp and power...
Since we have moved to a new house seven years ago and moved my system to a music room, I have been on a journey of optimizing my analog chain. I have changed everything, from turntable, tonearm to cartridge but found out that phono pre was the weakest link. The search for it was very long and...