Finally I entered the higher fidelity realm. I can rest for an extremely long time before any major upgrade and concentrate on listening to music merrily.
It is a long journey for me to reach current stage, 22 years. I started with Ariston CD1 with Marantz mini system in 1991, then moved to Carver CD-490T (6922 tube based), Bryston and Tannoy combination in 1993. Not until 2001, I entered the Hi-Fi world by assembling BAT CD-5 (6922 tube based), Counterpoint SA-11 6SN7 tube based pre-amplifier, Counterpoint fully upgraded SA-100 6SN7 tube based hybrid monoblock amplifiers and Thiel 3.6 speakers. By switching BAT CD-5 with Resolution Audio CD-55 and Thiel 3.6 with Piega P-10 in 2008, I twisted the sound of my system closer to my personal taste. But I recognized then the next upgrade would be challenging and would be very close to the central realm of musical Valhalla.
Now here I am after 5-year auditing and searching. More as a music lover, less as an audiophile.
It leads me ever closer to live performance no matter what recording I place in it. The subtlety of the sound it generates is simply amazing comparing to the previous CD players I used BAT VK D5 and modified Resolution Audio CD-55.
EDGE Electronics NL Signature 1.2
After decades of the invention of transistors, the debates over solid-state and tube are still unsettled. Personally I am satisfied with the balanced neutrality it deliveries. The sound is just like my favorite orchestra, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, not overly mellow or overtly aggressive.
Montana Loudspeakers EPX
Not an ideal choice but the optimal one for my listening room with authoritative lower frequency. The sound can be too relaxed at times. It is the weakest component in my current system, in my opinion.
