Michael, I should have read the thread more carefully, as someone already made a comment about the compromises of a all in one preamplification+digital source, as the Wadia provides.

What do you think about the DNA-2? Are you happy with its unmodded performance? It is a bear of an amp, and I wonder if you have any qualms or noticed any shortcomings with it. I myself have a DNA-225 that is sitting on my rack.

After looking at your system, it makes me wonder whether my system is pulling into too many directions and have too many sources that I would like to play with, such as Phono, Tuner as well as Digital. In all honest reality, how many of these sources do I use extensively? Some I use more than others.

Therefore, your system had got me really thinking about sonic and space priorities.

Have you tried passive attenuation with a source?

I have a pair of EVS Ultra Attenuators and I am thinking about experimenting with what I have. Once I did something like that, pairing my Op Chip monos, the EVS, a DAC and the Epos ES11s...Sure the sound was clear, but it felt a little too bleached out, presentation wise. The instruments and the vocals seem to be distinct and yet, lumped together...almost clinical.

But, with this sort of experimentation, I think one needs just the right set of pieces, be it cabling, source, amplification and loudspeaker. More than equipment matching, it is more like alchemy.

Cheers for all the good music that you must listen in your system.

bemopti123 January 22, 2006 23:32

Wow, I guess history repeats itself, the pattern in the handles of the vases makes it reminiscent to the vases from those earlier dynasties. In any case, they are a stunning addition to the room and the system. Fabulous.

How do you feel about driving the DNAs directly from the outputs of the Wadia? The Wadia, for what I remember has a preamp section built in, with digital volume control. Since I have tried to passively control the volume of the source to my DNA 225 via a pair of EVS ultimate attenuators, I wonder what sort of differences have you noticed in the quality of the dynamics and the speed of delivery. My impression about passive control are the way too frequent assessments, that what is gained in accuracy of sound, is not sufficient to compensate the lack of weight and dynamics that music should have.

Wish I could hear what your set up sounds like.

Paul K

bemopti123 January 15, 2006 16:14

Awesome and simple system Micheal. But more than the system itself, I am impressed with the ancient either Shang or Zhou dynasty vase that you have next to the system. Is it authentic or a reproduction. Once again, excellent and refined system.

Paul K

bemopti123 January 14, 2006 01:24