First off, ty for the rune down. Tbh I haven’t realy looked into tube options for the wa33 so idk whats even out there.
Quick question here. When you say open, do you mean an airier stage?
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I use to term to describe a clarity of presentation, things are less confused in the stage with upper frequencies. Some of it is just better resolution, some is perceived tonal balance.
Stage might be marginally larger, but it’s fundamentally less congested.
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Tyvm. Just trying to make sure I understand what people are describing since I’m fairly certain my expectations for wa33 were off base due to misinterpreting impressions of it
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Back at TSAV cause a buddy just got the new raal tube amp and this is half way.
Tried this on a whim while the raal warms up, and tbh its pretty damn good with sus. Would be currious to hear it with music I know better (gunna hook up a roon end point in a few and test)
MCD350 (with classic audiophile test music) → Audio Research I/50
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A friend of mine was in search of a new dac and I have found a MHDT Paradisea, has anyone heard it? From what i read MHDT makes some good dacs like the Orchid and the Pagoda but this seems to be an older model, was wondering if it was any good. Found it used for €250 and the seller is also giving away 15 NOS tubes.
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Tubes alone probably worth the funds. It’s an older model can’t speak to the sound quality in relation to your preferences though, never heard one. There is at least one thread on head-fi if you want to read a bit.
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For that price you’re not too deep in the hole even if you had to move it at a loss of say €50; is probably worth it for the education factor alone right?
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Just to follow this up. I ended up hooking up a roon end point and later just using my dap. Without the integrated dac or phono its 5k USD RRP. The headphone jack probably won’t have enough play for sus for most people (i listened ~35/45 and I listen quiet) but I wasn’t disappointed in bass drive or texture. Its ultimately quite colored but I found it pleasant and fun. Quite lush and holographic with solid detail (less than 13r but much more than my forge at least) and awesome room acoustic reproduction. I would be quite interested to try it off the taps at some point but I didn’t have my adapter with me unfortunately. Tbh I havent heard enough to say if its worth the price or not but I think it is at least worth a look if you have easy access to a demo.
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Not so long ago I was working a BF2 that I ran the balanced xlr out to a Little Bear switchbox and to a Jot2/MLP/V281 - I never thought too much about it except how convenient it was to be able to switch to different amps from the same source.
I am thinking to do something similar now, balanced xlr out from Spring3 ->Little Bear and then-> Orr | v550
Is this something I can consider or, was that something I could getaway with then but perhaps not so much now?
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You could try it and see how it sounds, if you notice any degradation or not. You should be fine, might notice a bit of a quality hit, but I’d assume it wouldn’t be large or anything
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OK, then. This is not something that would be long-term. Primarily for easier A/B Sometimes I hear something and want to know how it compares to the other but by the time I un power, disconnect cables, swap gear and re cable up etc., I’ve totally lost the moment.
I think I have three sets of cables better than bargain basement just not sure all are same length or number of hours run. I know one set is new, never used. I’ll check into that but I’m not trying to be ultra scientific or get a certification…
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Just fwiw, while I’m not using a little bear (had a switch box made by viking weave cables a while back) I don’t have enough confidence to say I can 100% hear the box. Maybe slight more noticeable on certain chains but very very minor and I use hart cables for interconnects when I use it. I personally wouldn’t worry about it if it significantly improves the ergonomics of your rig. Just for me personally, I’d rather chance a small hit in sq and actualy use an item than only use it every couple months cause its a pita to hook up (and I’ve certainly done both)
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@MaceHindu This popped up for sale and it may be right up your alley.
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Freakin A it’s already gone! Thanks though for thinking of me
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Anyone have experience with the playback designs merlot? I can’t seem to find much info on it but its in my size range for a dac so naturally I’m currious how it stacks up
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No, but I’m guessing it’s the dark red one. (Couldn’t help it, sorry.) 
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Does anyone have any suggestions for a compact (not portable) record player? I’ve got a crazy idea to have one stow away in a computer desk drawer and want to see if i can make it happen.
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Starting to think about my next amp purchase, to get something that pairs well with the Focal Utopia. I want to be in the $1k-$3k range. Prefer solid state for simplicity, but would consider tubes. For now I want to stick with the BF2 DAC, but that would be the next upgrade down the line.
I’ve been looking at the entry level Violectrics as well as the GS-X Mini. But I have no idea if they would pair well the Utopia
Any thoughts? Recommendations? Thanks!
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Absolutely a ECP DSHA 3F if you can find one in that price range, awesome pairing with the utopia for that money. I would also personally look into a mass kobo 433 if you aren’t too hassled to try and import one, those are likely the highest performing for the dollar in that range. I do think a pass hpa-1 is a pretty great paring as well so also worth a look. Generally those would be my go to’s in that price range. I personally really thought the gsx mk2 had terrible synergy with the utopia, not heard a mini with one, but I’d personally stay away from the gsx stuff with focal. Regarding the vio, I do think something like a v550 would likely be solid if I base my experience off the 590 and utopia as well so if you enjoy the g111 and want to stay in that vein then the 550 makes a lot of sense.
I do really think the utopia takes really well to some of the tube amps right above that price range that would really be worth the extra expenditure, namely the lta mz3 or eddie current studio b, but if you don’t want to get into tube amps fair enough
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Sweet. Thanks @M0N! I’ll do some reading on these.
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