I have just started to upgrade my college sound system. I decided to transfer my CD collection to MP3 (3000 titles and growing). I put together an off lease PC with new harddrive for the digital juke-box, bought an Audiotron to spool the files and have been happy with the result so far. The first step towards a mid-fi system was the purchase of a set of Linn speakers ( i am amazed at their responsiveness and clarity - i listen to a great deal of minimal electronic music so i wanted something responsive and tight)
So now i would like some advice on what next.
As a preface i prefer things on the minimal side so I care somewhat as to what the components look like - (hence the Linn). I am considering buying a new integrated amp. I have thought a little about tube amps and wonder if there are any suggestions that won't break the bank. I also want to get DA converter, since the internal converter in the Audiotron is awful. I have looked at the Channel Islands VDA-1 and the reviews have been pretty positive - any comments?
you are the only reference to audiotron i've seen in audiogon.com. i'm a big audiotron fan. i've ripped all of my cds at 320kbps and have a wireless network in my house allowing three different systems to access my server (proper security precautions taken of course). i knew that a good dac would be necessary because the audiotron's dac sucks big time. i've been very happy with the musical fidelity x-dac (i've bought two here for about $200 each). i've got one going into a creek 5350se amp and the other a musical fidelity 3.2 integrated amp - both going into b&w speakers (my third audiotron goes directly into the digital receiver of my home theater system so i don't need a dac). i couldn't be happier with the sound quality - three cheers to audiotron and the future of sound!
I have tried four different solid state integrateds recently - Plinius, Mistral, Magnum, and Puccini. These are excellent, I recommend them all, but with one qualification: none of them, in my home, offered quite the musicality and pleasure of tubed amps. I'm currently runing a Cary SLI-80 in 40 watt triode mode and I'm very happy, probably long term keeper. The Musical Fidelity and Creek systems that I heard at recent Stereophile shows were also excellent but to my ear lacked something that tubes offer. So, if you have the time and patience that tube gear can require, have reasonalby efficient speakers, and won't find yourself losing sleep over which tube is now just a little bit worn..... the inexpensive EL-34 based tube units I cited would probably be better sounding alternatives.
nbkaye, i added a REL Storm to my system and do like the addition with its extra "weight" to tracks. its also nice to boost up low or mid bass depending on the type of music i'm listening too. here's my system: Audio System Rega Planet Original Linn Majik w/o phono - Activ Mono - Bass Linn LK85 - Activ Stereo - Treble Linn Katan in Maple Sand filled Katan stands two 16' runs of K400 two 1m Harmonic Technology RCA interconnects two Virtual Dynamics Power 2 power cables PS Ultimate Outlet
I added a $100 Soundstream / Krell DAC, Glass TOSLink cable and a set of DIY Home Grown silver interconnect cables. The improvement in sound has been staggering (just goes to show how poor the analog out was on the AT). I am going to wait a while for the sub but i am currently auditioning REL and will now add the Sizmik to the list. Thanks for the responses. Each add or tweek so far has been really great
Artmaltman thanks for teh response. I have been considering the following amps and wonder how they would comapre with the Jolida 1. Creek A50 2. Muscial Fidelity A3 I think the issue with my system so far is that althought the Linn have great clarity the sound need filling out Any thoughts?
Check out Jolida tube integrated amp (302b might be the sweet spot for you) or Antique Sound Lab tube integrated (again, el-34 based would probably be the best sound/value for you).
Get the 6550 based versions if you play more rock and need the power.
