Yet another "What to buy?"

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

I'm looking into upgrading my playback system, but have a few hang-ups.

I recently purchased a Denon-2910 for redbook, HDCD and DVD-A (of the 2ch variety) discs. 

Denon 2910: Burr-Brown 24-bit, 192-kHz DSD-1791 Audio DACs that decode PCM and DSD signals discretely with no cross-conversion of DSD Full Digital Bass Management for DVD-Audio, featuring Analog Devices Melody 32-bit processor
80Hz crossover with 12dB high and 24dB low pass slopes

I'd like to concentrate on 2ch sound, not HT, am I losing anything by not utilizing the players dig outputs?   

Considering (lacking dig inputs):

Cambridge Audio Azur 640A
NAD 320BEE

Part of my playback is the Tascam DV-RA-1000, for DSD playback there is no digital output, so a nice analog input is prefered.

I've heard some not-so-encouraging reviews on the Sony ES-X000 models analog inputs, but great reviews on the digital in.

I'd like to upgrade speakers as well (eyeballing B&W), but the ones I'd like aren't in the budget right now.  If I'm looking to incorporate an amplifier later, would any of these choises be sufficient as a pre-amp?

[Nick's Picks]

what can you spend on the amp ?

if you go seperates, a nice symphonies and then a decent amp behind it could be had for under a grand all together w/some looking.  that would be pretty nice.

shit, those ps-audio hca2 digital amps are now $800ish on the used market. 

[Nick Culbreth]

what can you spend on the amp ?

if you go seperates, a nice symphonies and then a decent amp behind it could be had for under a grand all together w/some looking.  that would be pretty nice.

shit, those ps-audio hca2 digital amps are now $800ish on the used market. 

I'll second the Symphonies vote, I ran one with a B&K ST-140 and really liked the combination.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

what can you spend on the amp ?

if you go seperates, a nice symphonies and then a decent amp behind it could be had for under a grand all together w/some looking.  that would be pretty nice.

shit, those ps-audio hca2 digital amps are now $800ish on the used market. 

I'll second the Symphonies vote, I ran one with a B&K ST-140 and really liked the combination.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are you refering to the Symphonies High-Definition Tubes Line Preamplifier (USD$995)?

I might be able to find one used for a decent price, but I'm a bit skeptical buying used tube gear.  I'm hoping to put something together in the $1000-1500 price range (pre/amp, hybrid integrated or a smooth open sounding integrated setup), with upgradability in mind.  By smooth I don't mean laid back, most of my musical tastes are rock to heavy rock, something that doesn't punnish the ears on the high end but has detail, solid bass.  From the few A-B comps I've been able to hear tube pre's seemed to get in the way (my personal taste), I can see why some dig the sound, but it's not what I'm looking for.  I did really like a tube pre in from of an integrated amp, the tube seemed to massage the sound just enough to take off the digital edge.

[Nick's Picks]

yup, thats the one.
its $400 new.  dont pay any attention to that MSRP crap.
look on eBay, or audigon.  that is where the retail end of YS audio is.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

+ Thanks!

Only one hang-up.

How do I listen to my cans with this setup?  I'm not always lucky enough to have an empty house. 

Either way I might pull the trigger and give it a try, I know where I can get a loaner AMP for now.

[Nick's Picks]

CMC641 / DPA4022 / DPA4062- mod MPS6030 / AT853RX's
Field ready DV-RA1000 / PMD-671 / Trusty M1
V3 / MP-2

dude...you've got a fucking TON of great gear.
you'd best be saving up for some serious stereo action to match it.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

CMC641 / DPA4022 / DPA4062- mod MPS6030 / AT853RX's
Field ready DV-RA1000 / PMD-671 / Trusty M1
V3 / MP-2

dude...you've got a fucking TON of great gear.
you'd best be saving up for some serious stereo action to match it.

I which order of importance?  Speakers > Pre > Amp ?

I'm liking the B&W 703's, haven't heard much else.

[Nick's Picks]

1. speakers
2. amp
3. pre (active, passive, digital..etc)

and the DAC is big too.  be it in a very high end deck, or a stand alone box...the "source" signal has be be good to sound good on a refference system.
and then there is cables....
:-)

[scb]

i might be selling my benchmark dac-1...deciding this week

[vwmule]

for speakers, consider Paradigm. Great stuff.

[shane]

[/quote]

I which order of importance?  Speakers > Pre > Amp ?

I'm liking the B&W 703's, haven't heard much else.
[/quote]


I just purchased the same player and love it so far.  I bought a Jolida 1501RC Hybrid integrated to go with it but haven't gotten it yet so I can't comment on the sound but it is killing me sitting here waiting.  Tell me about your 703's.  I'm looking for speakers and these are the ones I'm leanign towards although I can't seem to find a price on them.  I need to know if should be leaning somewhere else.

Shane

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

for speakers, consider Paradigm. Great stuff.

It could just be the particular ones I listened to, but to me they seemed to get in the way of the music, somewhat closed in.

Edit: See below

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

for speakers, consider Paradigm. Great stuff.

It could just be the particular ones I listened to, but to me they seemed to get in the way of the music, somewhat closed in.

OK, the Paradigm's that I was referring to were the Studio 40's, I gave them another listen today, it didn't have much of an affect on my opinion.  Detailed, whatever, the presentation was just plain boring.

What I didn't hear last time was the Signature Series S2's, HUGE difference!  The S2's had a much more spacious soundstage without compromising focus.  The highs we smooth yet crisp, but not in any way fatiguing.  The best for last, the mids... I was in love after only 2 minutes of Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Live Pulse version), smooth, full and warm.  Next I threw in  Tools's Ænima for some more aggressive abuse, unlike the Studio 40's, the S2's ketp up with every changing guitar chord, kick of the drum seemingly without any effect to detail.  I threw in some Mule (You've Got To Hide Your Love Away - Beatles cover live 4022>671 outdoors), I was sold, I had to run out before I broke out the plastic, I want to give some others a try before I dropped the cash plastic.  ($950ea for Cherry, $1100 for maple, glad I prefer Cherry) ouch. 

Thanks vwmule for the suggestion!

Also listened to Phase Tech PC-33.1's and PC-9.1's, well built, but I'd rather have nice sounding bookshelf speakers for half the cost.

[Genghis Cougar Mellen Khan]

I couldn't help myself, I dropped the cash for some B&K 705's, pick them up next Friday...  

S2's slightly out of the price range would probably go head to head with B&W 805's, but for neary $1000 less after tax I'll be more than happy with the 705's.  805 vs. 705, was too close to justify nearly double the cost.  If I felt I could get what I wanted w/out a sub they would probably have been the one.  The 705's sounded a bit more lively than the larger 703s (same tweet/mid and add 2 bass drivers), but for obvious reasons a better bass response, but still falling short of what I'd like.  Maybe I'm just a bass head. 

The nice thing is... I still have a little scratch left over for the other components.