Mr Peabody
10-16-2005, 01:24 PM
Adding the Audio Note 1.1x DAC to my system has got me re-thinking the type of sound I want to listen to. I have found tube gear that would be strong enough to drive my Dynaudio speakers carry a big price tag. I also have HT tied into my system which adds new problems. So I was kicking around either going with a tube preamp and SS power or a hybrid of some type which led me to the Blue Circle FtTH integrated. The FtTH is not cheap either but it would provide a SS power section and a processor bypass.
So any opinions on Blue Circle? Or any suggestion on other equipment to look at?
Some one also told me that mixing Audio Note with other gear could have mixed results depending on the gear. Any thoughts? Because I was thinking about getting an AN preamp and maybe using a SS power amp.
I personally found the 1.1x on the front end of my Krell to sound good but maybe I got lucky. I also listened, very briefly, to the 1.1x going into my Musical Fidelity X-Can and HD-600's. My first impression with this set up was not so favorable. The sound seemed a little dead and lack the depth I usually heard. I need to go back and run some more CD's through and let the X-Can warm some more. This did get me wondering about if I'd be better off just staying with what I have.
I like the AN DAC sound with my Krell but I was wondering if tubes would bring the sound stage more presence. And maybe the lack of presence is something inherent to AN.
So any opinions on Blue Circle? Or any suggestion on other equipment to look at?
Some one also told me that mixing Audio Note with other gear could have mixed results depending on the gear. Any thoughts? Because I was thinking about getting an AN preamp and maybe using a SS power amp.
I personally found the 1.1x on the front end of my Krell to sound good but maybe I got lucky. I also listened, very briefly, to the 1.1x going into my Musical Fidelity X-Can and HD-600's. My first impression with this set up was not so favorable. The sound seemed a little dead and lack the depth I usually heard. I need to go back and run some more CD's through and let the X-Can warm some more. This did get me wondering about if I'd be better off just staying with what I have.
I like the AN DAC sound with my Krell but I was wondering if tubes would bring the sound stage more presence. And maybe the lack of presence is something inherent to AN.