Topic: decisions...

[cshepherd]

i'm being so wishy washy about all of this.

i've got the bel canto for a good price, IMO.
and Carl...I dont know what you're talking about.  I've never had a bel canto to listen to, none of their models.
from what i've read, this one is really good.  Plus, built in digital preamp makes for a very attractive solution for me (so long TT though).

 
Nick, what kind of turntable would make you think about giving it up for a digital pre amp? 

Chris

[Nick's Picks]

thorens TD160.

[Nick's Picks]

but..now i'm re-considering and researching a bit on the Grace m902.  that would allow for phono as well.

[Craig T]

just put a good adc between your phono pre and digital pre/dac, problem solved....   

i'm being so wishy washy about all of this.

i've got the bel canto for a good price, IMO.
and Carl...I dont know what you're talking about.  I've never had a bel canto to listen to, none of their models.
from what i've read, this one is really good.  Plus, built in digital preamp makes for a very attractive solution for me (so long TT though).

 
Nick, what kind of turntable would make you think about giving it up for a digital pre amp? 

Chris

[cshepherd]

I think the Grace would be ok as a headphone amp & adc, but it's performance as a pre amp is not going to rival the VTL.  Here's a VTL 2.5 pre that just came up today for $895 http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1194038267.   This won't last long.  Their reference line stage is considered one of the best in the world. 

Chris

[carlbeck]

Plus isn't VTL designed by David Manley or his son? I think they left Manley at one point to start vtl?

[cshepherd]

I think VTL started out as Manley's home audio side of the family business and was eventually spun-off.  Luke Manley runs VTL & EveAnna runs Manley. 

Chris

[carlbeck]

Yep, that sounds about right from what I remember.

[Nick's Picks]

so what I ended up doing was getting a Grace m901, which Dough Oade is going to modify for me.  Something w/the analog output path that will greatly open up the soundstage ...says he.
im going to get it here first, listen to it for a while ( i've heard one, and I know I like it) before sending it down to GA for some Oade magic.

but..this does everything for me only w/o a remote.
welcome to high end.

a nice analog stage on the 901 will allow me to try out the Audio Experience phono preamp i've been wanting to play with.
analog will survive...for a while longer, in our home.