Bill, how would you describe the differences between GG and T+A overall when both are being fed optimally?
Or are you covering that in your upcoming review?
Your guests seem to differ in this regard, would like to know your personal opinion.
Hi,
I will touch on this in the review but not too much as it is really about the SGM rather than differences between GG and T+A driven optimally but in very simple terms as written below - thing is a GG sounds so very different depending on what tubes you like so "optimally setup" really is in the ears of the beholder AND system dependent. I don't subscribe to statement like "the best tubes are..." as that is akin to saying "the best cartridge is" which no normal audiophile would countenance. Those who are all about dynamics and speed will be possibly best served with 242, those who want to kickback and luxuriate in midrange might be suited to Elrog 300b (by accounts not heard yet).
>> Fundamentally if you are predisposed to the GG type sound, then IMHO no ss dac will suffice for you.
T+A (fed by SGM @ 512)
> higher resolution of finest detail including ambient spatial cues - due to lower noise floor imho
> deeper and tighter bass
> deeper and wider soundstage with clearer delineation / layering of instruments although on one occasion with GG and 242 in my system things were unparalleled.
GG (fed by SGM all @ 128 or dsd native and PCM @ 384)
> smoother, richer, and more full bodied sound (from DHT). Customers who crave this will likely not be happy with most ss dacs (T+A inclusive).
> timbre of strings have a slightly sweeter sheen. Cellos and double bass carry a little more body that is perceived as harmonic richness
> little to no fatigue and thoroughly enjoyable