Good post. Also our systems don’t become bad just because we don’t buy the latest upgrade or offering. I’ve fallen foul to this on occasion. The system that I’m currently using is worth every penny though. I love it!
Now listening to ND555 with 2 555PSDRs and it sounds superb!
Hahaha!
Gonna take some time out listening to system, enjoy it . Will check out other DACs and Tangerine Audio products and see where I go. It’s all fun and a good distraction from all these horrible procedures and treatments.
At this elevated level, the usual comments about diminishing returns apply.
Otoh, many have noticed that a Keel is a good deal better than a Kore, and a KRad2 is well above an ARad1 (which is well above L4, which is well above L1, which is well above Valhalla).
I got the Stiletto and Skorpion together, as others have done, so can’t comment on their individual benefits. However, I am sure a really good dealer that carries these products will be able to demonstrate the extra benefit of a Skorpion.
I am also sure that they would support the usual comment here that, if you personally can’t hear a difference from the extra spending, then that’s no sin and will save you money.
Little update on this, my turntable and lingo 4 were collected on monday. It’s being brought back tomorrow morning. excited to hear the difference tomorrow evening
Just got mine back today. Ekos SE has been rebuilt completely. New bearings vertical and lateral. New arm wire and antiskate. Tracking dial replaced, lift lower cleaned. So basically all parts serviced or replaced. Sounds epic now.
It sounds absolutely perfect. Linn do a set price on repairs as well. So cost was £480 including carraige. Dealer has been top notch too. Thanks to Audio T Brighton
Iv had to order a right angle Neutrik xlr though, otherwise its simply too deep, be with me tomorrow that, for tonights listening we took off a section of the plug, had the platter spinning all day to help bed in the psu etc
Well if your going to be an absolute cheap skate and only get the Akurate Radikal 2 then make sure you have a right angle socket, otherwise it wont fit on Fraim
I’m thinking about whether I should get a CD player. One with SACD capability and not outrageous price, but able to compare favourably with ND555. Not too sure what to look at though. What’s the Esoteric model you’re thinking of Dan?
I’m good with what I have Marantz SA12SE. It’s discontinued now I believe. There is a bunch of us here all got them at half price for £1600.
I use it analogue and into ND555 as DAC.
I know Esoteric make very good CD players. Take a demo.if you can.
Marantz SACD players are very good. Their flagship one now costs £10k. The SA10 out going model may be worth looking at as well. Maybe be one up for half price at £3.5k.
Why is the SA10 more expensive than the SA12SE, is it the better player? There’s a used SA-11S1 for sale here, but not sure where they all fall within the range.
The SA12SE looks impressive and is still listed on the Marantz web site. It has digital inputs, so could have a Mac optical output connected to it for streaming and then an Uniti Core for local streaming. You could probably even output a Bluray and TV to it? There are probably adapters to connect two digital streams to a single input?