I heard the B&W 800d's today

[Mr Peabody]

I have the Audio Note 1.1x in my system. This was a demo unit and when I received it the guy forgot to send me a BNC to RCA adaptor for the digital input. Talking about an excitement killer. By the time I hooked it up and noticed it was too late to go out and find one. I'm using a Radio Shack Gold until the one shipped arrives. I'm also using Transparent cables off other gear until I decide if I want to stick with them.

Anyway first impressions, I like it. It's the first digital source with RCA hook ups that gave the Krell's XLR balanced a run for it's money. First let me say in other comparisons I've done to the Krell I firmly decided the 280cd is a great sounding unit and even at retail of $3,250.00 a good value. With that being said, comparing it to the 1.1x makes the 280cd sound sort of glaring. The 1.1x has a very nice high end that decays even slower than the Krell. I like the 280cd better for drums and it makes things sound somewhat larger than the 1.1x. The 280cd has more impact and gives things a harder sound where the 1.1x conveys a softer presentation without sounding artificial, sluggish or valed. The 1.1x also seems to give music more of a groove or sense of rhythym. The 1.1x is not as euphoric or fleshy as I was hoping but that may be due to running it through solid state pre and power amp and different brand cables may make a difference. But I don't plan to experiment much with cables unless I can find some loaners. Both DACs seem to be equal as far as revealing information off the disc. They have different presentations but I haven't heard anything from a disc that the other unit didn't show as well. If I had to choose only one I'm actually leaning toward the Audio Note. This unit has been described to me as "organic" which didn't mean anything to me but when you hear the unit you understand. It sounds so good I think I could for go the strenghs the 280cd brings to the table for the strenths of the 1.1x. The 1.1x is far from sounding digital yet it does not have any of the stereotype tube weaknesses, the highs are not rolled off, the bass is not as tight and forceful as Krell but it's not mushy or tubby either. It would be interesting to see if the bass integrity was as good through a tube amp. The 1.1x is a very nice piece. I'd love the hear their better DAC's and even some of their gear but once you are used to 250 wpc of Krell power I know a single ended amp isn't going to cut it with me. If I ever got serious to convert my system I'd have to look at some larger powered tube models.

RGA, you should drop one of the 1.1x into your system. For some one who seems to be able to hear the difference in gear I'm surprised you don't have a better digital source. Trust me when I tell you there is a difference in the sound of cdp or DAC's. Cambridge is no slouch but they are not in the league with AN.

[RGA]

Mr. Peabody -- You know I have been highly impressed with PMC and Bryston match-ups...we live in a world where there is so much choice little time to simply just relax and enjoy something. In an ideal world I'd like the an all AN system and perhaps two or three other systems in 2-3 other rooms just to have a different flavour - my favorite ice-cream is chocolate chip mint but I don't want it ALL the time.

You wanted the tube dac for a specific purpose and hopefully it does what you want and makes you happy - seems so far you're pleased. And after being in tirade arguments here over the last two days or so the reality is that the only person you need to answer to is yourself. You don't need to try an AN set-up because you like what you have - why? The AN speakers are not efficient enough with their SET amps to be able provide the "impact" of some systems. If you love impact then there are many out there and you probably already have it. This is RGA attempting to be objective in an overall sense. I would not mind hearing a HF version of their speaker and one of their upper scale amplifiers.

Perhaps if you get a chance to hear one view it more as a medium room system at relaxing levels -- or a bedroom set-up on music that does not require "slam" but intimite kind of stuff. I think You'll be surprised at the power transfer and their ability to Rock -- but they are not going to compete I don;t think with a big PMC with 250watt monoblocks -- I personally left those truly stupifying deafening levels behind years ago. I think Constantine Soo also noted that with the AN set-up compared to his big mondo Gensis IV that the AN presented Metallica in a "philisophical" way. I say the same with Motley Crue that my AN system is less grungy sounding clearer and a little more exacting -- but for this kind of music it almost helps it to have a bit of grunge added and it sounds more fun on my Wharfedales which will hit 119db.

Do you mind me asking how much a Dac 1.1 goes for? is it the Dac 1.1X MkII that was released recently -- apparently the new ones don't even have an analog filter.

"I'm surprised you don't have a better digital source."

Tell me about it but there is only so much money. I think I'm doing pretty well for a guy who has not worked since 2000 and has been going to school the whole time. I live frugal to be able to get where I am. I never planned to buy any Gear but I could not pass up the deal on the speakers even though I had to take black. And the amp I had trade ins that could get it affordable enough (I could not trade for a source because the trade in would have left me with no amp). So it's sort of being in the right place at the right time.

Sorry for the length. If you ever do get an opportunity you may be surprised that their speaker amp cd system is anything but a sterotypical tube sound -- it probably won;t have the impact I suspect you love but it won;t sound warm and mushy or veiled I can gaurantee you of that. And apparently each kind of tube design brings different perspectives to the table -- some like AN's 300b some don;t and prefer the 2a3 design while more amazingly some like my OTO's EL 84 over the more expensive 300b Meishu. Some find the Meishu presnets a more organic full bodied sound but it's a little slower on the uptake so it suits small scale intimate music best but not as good on large scale stuff. All of which is part of the fun aspect associated with the tube world. I'm not enough of a gear head to get into that I don't think.

Anyway I'm quite surprised to tell you the truth that the AN would work with the Krell's so well -- though Bob Neil mentioned that the DACs travel across brands better while the amp and speakers are generally suited for each other.

I have a fellow who is willing to sell me his 1.1x MK II because he wants a 2.1 badly.

I NEED A JOB --- LOL