Discussion
Max&Ruby
The world is your oyster, there is a lot of heavyweight kit in that price range. If you can put up with the heat output, I would go full class A, and head for someone like Pass Labs. I also wouldn't buy new their stuff is superbly crafted and likely to outlive you. Something like a s/h X2.5 preamp and a pair of X1000 monoblocks should do the trick and set you back about 10k (s/h). Pass Labs is just about the only thing I'd change my heavyweight Meridian Amps for.
Your biggest problem is going to be getting a decent home demonstrations, as the dealers for this kind of kit both new and s/h are far and wide.
You might find also that you prefer other amplifier - loudspeaker combinations, so don't discount changing them as well!
Happy hunting!
davidy
The world is your oyster, there is a lot of heavyweight kit in that price range. If you can put up with the heat output, I would go full class A, and head for someone like Pass Labs. I also wouldn't buy new their stuff is superbly crafted and likely to outlive you. Something like a s/h X2.5 preamp and a pair of X1000 monoblocks should do the trick and set you back about 10k (s/h). Pass Labs is just about the only thing I'd change my heavyweight Meridian Amps for.
Your biggest problem is going to be getting a decent home demonstrations, as the dealers for this kind of kit both new and s/h are far and wide.
You might find also that you prefer other amplifier - loudspeaker combinations, so don't discount changing them as well!
Happy hunting!
davidy
Lyngdorf stuff is out of my league for the moment, unfortunately.
Don't want to change my PL300s, they are phenomenal, and by far the best speakers I have ever heard (cue Plotloss and DavidY telling me I need to get out more!).
I assume X1000 (Pass Labs) means a kilowatt each?
That's some serious power. I currently have 500watts with my audio lab, and have only used 60%. Can't imagine using any more power than that, although I assume that more power means better sound reproduction because the components are less stressed, no pitting, etc????
Don't want to change my PL300s, they are phenomenal, and by far the best speakers I have ever heard (cue Plotloss and DavidY telling me I need to get out more!).
I assume X1000 (Pass Labs) means a kilowatt each?
That's some serious power. I currently have 500watts with my audio lab, and have only used 60%. Can't imagine using any more power than that, although I assume that more power means better sound reproduction because the components are less stressed, no pitting, etc????
M&R
As in a car, you can never have enough power! Although my speakers are rated at 'only' 200W, I drive them with 1kW monoblocks (Meridian 559s in bridged mode), this has resulted in much more control, better bass (especially at low volumes) and unreserved amounts of power when big dynamics kick in. There is no overhang to notes (unless intended in the recording) and stop/start ability of the system is amazing. I'm still stunned 6 months after I started using this configuration.
I have heard this Pass Labs combo and it was just amazing, the control over the speakers (in this case Wilson Watt Puppy 7s) was staggering.
Pass Labs do make lesser powered kit, but I would always go for more over less where possible.
You probably need to have some demos of different class amplifiers before demoing in more detail, Class A, class A-B, and plotties fave class D
There is also a national HiFi show coming up, with most of the big names there, on Sept 26-27 orgainised by the Chester Group http://www.chestergroup.org/
Whatever you do don't rush, this is a big purchase, and get some home dems
davidy
As in a car, you can never have enough power! Although my speakers are rated at 'only' 200W, I drive them with 1kW monoblocks (Meridian 559s in bridged mode), this has resulted in much more control, better bass (especially at low volumes) and unreserved amounts of power when big dynamics kick in. There is no overhang to notes (unless intended in the recording) and stop/start ability of the system is amazing. I'm still stunned 6 months after I started using this configuration.
I have heard this Pass Labs combo and it was just amazing, the control over the speakers (in this case Wilson Watt Puppy 7s) was staggering.
Pass Labs do make lesser powered kit, but I would always go for more over less where possible.
You probably need to have some demos of different class amplifiers before demoing in more detail, Class A, class A-B, and plotties fave class D
There is also a national HiFi show coming up, with most of the big names there, on Sept 26-27 orgainised by the Chester Group http://www.chestergroup.org/
Whatever you do don't rush, this is a big purchase, and get some home dems
davidy
MaxAndRuby said:
Lyngdorf stuff is out of my league for the moment, unfortunately.
Don't want to change my PL300s, they are phenomenal, and by far the best speakers I have ever heard (cue Plotloss and DavidY telling me I need to get out more!).
I assume X1000 (Pass Labs) means a kilowatt each?
That's some serious power. I currently have 500watts with my audio lab, and have only used 60%. Can't imagine using any more power than that, although I assume that more power means better sound reproduction because the components are less stressed, no pitting, etc????
As another 'out of the box' suggestion, I would recommend if you have that budget to spread some budget as this would get more 'bang' per buck.Don't want to change my PL300s, they are phenomenal, and by far the best speakers I have ever heard (cue Plotloss and DavidY telling me I need to get out more!).
I assume X1000 (Pass Labs) means a kilowatt each?
That's some serious power. I currently have 500watts with my audio lab, and have only used 60%. Can't imagine using any more power than that, although I assume that more power means better sound reproduction because the components are less stressed, no pitting, etc????
After being dubious for years about power conditioning, I bought a £500 Isotek unit for a system costing in the region of £25k. Not only was there a clear difference, it was physically measurable too, in the dynamics and especially the bass reproduction in both power and clarity right down to the inaudible frequencies.
A year ago, I upgraded it to the Isotek Nova as a bit over a grand, and that is a big step up again. It literally made the difference of having a new, more powerful amp with 'larger' dynamics.
That is where I would go first. After that, I would look at a DAC. Although there is nothing wrong with the Cyrus, with that kind of budget I would certainly see what is around as a standalone unit.
Those two would make a noticable difference straight away, and would still leave you with £9k or so...
JustinP1 said:
MaxAndRuby said:
Lyngdorf stuff is out of my league for the moment, unfortunately.
Don't want to change my PL300s, they are phenomenal, and by far the best speakers I have ever heard (cue Plotloss and DavidY telling me I need to get out more!).
I assume X1000 (Pass Labs) means a kilowatt each?
That's some serious power. I currently have 500watts with my audio lab, and have only used 60%. Can't imagine using any more power than that, although I assume that more power means better sound reproduction because the components are less stressed, no pitting, etc????
As another 'out of the box' suggestion, I would recommend if you have that budget to spread some budget as this would get more 'bang' per buck.Don't want to change my PL300s, they are phenomenal, and by far the best speakers I have ever heard (cue Plotloss and DavidY telling me I need to get out more!).
I assume X1000 (Pass Labs) means a kilowatt each?
That's some serious power. I currently have 500watts with my audio lab, and have only used 60%. Can't imagine using any more power than that, although I assume that more power means better sound reproduction because the components are less stressed, no pitting, etc????
After being dubious for years about power conditioning, I bought a £500 Isotek unit for a system costing in the region of £25k. Not only was there a clear difference, it was physically measurable too, in the dynamics and especially the bass reproduction in both power and clarity right down to the inaudible frequencies.
A year ago, I upgraded it to the Isotek Nova as a bit over a grand, and that is a big step up again. It literally made the difference of having a new, more powerful amp with 'larger' dynamics.
That is where I would go first. After that, I would look at a DAC. Although there is nothing wrong with the Cyrus, with that kind of budget I would certainly see what is around as a standalone unit.
Those two would make a noticable difference straight away, and would still leave you with £9k or so...
Plotloss said:
The Millenium is very much within the initial budget, you're not that much over adding the DP1s and the BW1s but it will still make your existing speakers sing...
I can't get my head around that one box doing so much so well. Do you just feed it FLAC and it feeds the speakers?Plotloss said:
The Millenium is very much within the initial budget, you're not that much over adding the DP1s and the BW1s but it will still make your existing speakers sing...
I know it says that it replaces the DAC, pre-amp and power amp, but I'm assuming that's with active speakers. Passive speakers such as mine must need a power amp???JustinP1 said:
I would look at a DAC. Although there is nothing wrong with the Cyrus, with that kind of budget I would certainly see what is around as a standalone unit.
Been down this road many times and drawn blanks. Please, someone recommend me a DAC that I'm going to put into my system that will blow the Cyrus away, whenever I compare it I keep coming to the conclusion it punches high above it's weight.Anyone moved from a DAC-X with significant gain?
MaxAndRuby said:
JustinP1 said:
I would look at a DAC. Although there is nothing wrong with the Cyrus, with that kind of budget I would certainly see what is around as a standalone unit.
Been down this road many times and drawn blanks. Please, someone recommend me a DAC that I'm going to put into my system that will blow the Cyrus away, whenever I compare it I keep coming to the conclusion it punches high above it's weight.Anyone moved from a DAC-X with significant gain?
From the research I have done and in the pro-audio community, 80% swear by them whereas 20% are naysayers. Out of those naysayers, the majority are those who have never tried it but believe with pseudo-technical arguments it shouldn't work.
Here's a link:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/big-ben.php
Apogee have been at the very top of the pro-audio league for 20 years, so doubt it is 'snake oil'.
JustinP1 said:
MaxAndRuby said:
JustinP1 said:
I would look at a DAC. Although there is nothing wrong with the Cyrus, with that kind of budget I would certainly see what is around as a standalone unit.
Been down this road many times and drawn blanks. Please, someone recommend me a DAC that I'm going to put into my system that will blow the Cyrus away, whenever I compare it I keep coming to the conclusion it punches high above it's weight.Anyone moved from a DAC-X with significant gain?
From the research I have done and in the pro-audio community, 80% swear by them whereas 20% are naysayers. Out of those naysayers, the majority are those who have never tried it but believe with pseudo-technical arguments it shouldn't work.
Here's a link:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/big-ben.php
Apogee have been at the very top of the pro-audio league for 20 years, so doubt it is 'snake oil'.
Plotloss YHM
MaxAndRuby said:
JustinP1 said:
MaxAndRuby said:
JustinP1 said:
I would look at a DAC. Although there is nothing wrong with the Cyrus, with that kind of budget I would certainly see what is around as a standalone unit.
Been down this road many times and drawn blanks. Please, someone recommend me a DAC that I'm going to put into my system that will blow the Cyrus away, whenever I compare it I keep coming to the conclusion it punches high above it's weight.Anyone moved from a DAC-X with significant gain?
From the research I have done and in the pro-audio community, 80% swear by them whereas 20% are naysayers. Out of those naysayers, the majority are those who have never tried it but believe with pseudo-technical arguments it shouldn't work.
Here's a link:
http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/big-ben.php
Apogee have been at the very top of the pro-audio league for 20 years, so doubt it is 'snake oil'.
Plotloss YHM
I did quite an exhaustive test of the Apogee clocked internal DAC on my AV pre-amp and the standalone Chord DAC 64. Even though the Chord DAC imparts a delay to reduce the jitter by putting the data through a buffer, it was no better and in fact did not have the same crispness of the former.
M&R
I've heard a system with a BigBen in place bewteen first a Wadia Transport and Wadia DAC/Pre-amp and secondly between a Squeezebox and the Wadia DAC/Pre. Here it was also reclocking all the data (de-jittering). Yes it made a difference, but if your DAC already has FIFO buffers it may reclock the data internally anyway.
From reading info on the Cyrus site, the DAC X reclocks all the incoming data , so although a BigBen may have an effect, I'm sure that it wouldn't be as great as the effect of going into an older non-reclocking DAC.
At this level equipment is very much a personal choice and you may prefer he presentation of the Cyrus. Other DACs you could consider are:-
Reimyo DAP777
Pass Labs DAC
Nagra DACs
Audio Synthesis DACs (DAX Decadefamily)
The new Naim DAC (just launched, also has Apple Authentication chip to enable digital data streams to be exracted from an iPod)
Weiss DACs
and many others
Hope that helps
davidy
I've heard a system with a BigBen in place bewteen first a Wadia Transport and Wadia DAC/Pre-amp and secondly between a Squeezebox and the Wadia DAC/Pre. Here it was also reclocking all the data (de-jittering). Yes it made a difference, but if your DAC already has FIFO buffers it may reclock the data internally anyway.
From reading info on the Cyrus site, the DAC X reclocks all the incoming data , so although a BigBen may have an effect, I'm sure that it wouldn't be as great as the effect of going into an older non-reclocking DAC.
At this level equipment is very much a personal choice and you may prefer he presentation of the Cyrus. Other DACs you could consider are:-
Reimyo DAP777
Pass Labs DAC
Nagra DACs
Audio Synthesis DACs (DAX Decadefamily)
The new Naim DAC (just launched, also has Apple Authentication chip to enable digital data streams to be exracted from an iPod)
Weiss DACs
and many others
Hope that helps
davidy
DavidY said:
M&R
I've heard a system with a BigBen in place bewteen first a Wadia Transport and Wadia DAC/Pre-amp and secondly between a Squeezebox and the Wadia DAC/Pre. Here it was also reclocking all the data (de-jittering). Yes it made a difference, but if your DAC already has FIFO buffers it may reclock the data internally anyway.
From reading info on the Cyrus site, the DAC X reclocks all the incoming data , so although a BigBen may have an effect, I'm sure that it wouldn't be as great as the effect of going into an older non-reclocking DAC.
At this level equipment is very much a personal choice and you may prefer he presentation of the Cyrus. Other DACs you could consider are:-
Reimyo DAP777
Pass Labs DAC
Nagra DACs
Audio Synthesis DACs (DAX Decadefamily)
The new Naim DAC (just launched, also has Apple Authentication chip to enable digital data streams to be exracted from an iPod)
Weiss DACs
and many others
Hope that helps
davidy
davidy, have you heard a Lyngdorf Millenium IV digital amp?I've heard a system with a BigBen in place bewteen first a Wadia Transport and Wadia DAC/Pre-amp and secondly between a Squeezebox and the Wadia DAC/Pre. Here it was also reclocking all the data (de-jittering). Yes it made a difference, but if your DAC already has FIFO buffers it may reclock the data internally anyway.
From reading info on the Cyrus site, the DAC X reclocks all the incoming data , so although a BigBen may have an effect, I'm sure that it wouldn't be as great as the effect of going into an older non-reclocking DAC.
At this level equipment is very much a personal choice and you may prefer he presentation of the Cyrus. Other DACs you could consider are:-
Reimyo DAP777
Pass Labs DAC
Nagra DACs
Audio Synthesis DACs (DAX Decadefamily)
The new Naim DAC (just launched, also has Apple Authentication chip to enable digital data streams to be exracted from an iPod)
Weiss DACs
and many others
Hope that helps
davidy
No, but I may well try to next time I'm in the Thames Valley.
I have heard a lot of high end systems though, but...I'm very happy with what I have at present and don't have any urge to change it.
With the sort of money that you're considering investing I would try and get to hear as much kit as possible (and not be in a rush), A trip to Plotloss has got to be worth a day out, if only to confirm that the style of presentation of the Lyngdorf kit is for you or not.
davidy
I have heard a lot of high end systems though, but...I'm very happy with what I have at present and don't have any urge to change it.
With the sort of money that you're considering investing I would try and get to hear as much kit as possible (and not be in a rush), A trip to Plotloss has got to be worth a day out, if only to confirm that the style of presentation of the Lyngdorf kit is for you or not.
davidy
DavidY said:
No, but I may well try to next time I'm in the Thames Valley.
I have heard a lot of high end systems though, but...I'm very happy with what I have at present and don't have any urge to change it.
With the sort of money that you're considering investing I would try and get to hear as much kit as possible (and not be in a rush), A trip to Plotloss has got to be worth a day out, if only to confirm that the style of presentation of the Lyngdorf kit is for you or not.
davidy
Is your system the best you've heard?I have heard a lot of high end systems though, but...I'm very happy with what I have at present and don't have any urge to change it.
With the sort of money that you're considering investing I would try and get to hear as much kit as possible (and not be in a rush), A trip to Plotloss has got to be worth a day out, if only to confirm that the style of presentation of the Lyngdorf kit is for you or not.
davidy
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