Recent content by emperor's new clothes

That's why I will stick with my Marantz. Have a good collection of SACDs and feed CD out to the MF DAC, where it is upsampled. Have a few MQA CDs which play on the Marantz and are unfolded by the MF. 24/352.8 and sq is up there with SACD. Too expensive as Japanese imports. surprised that it...

A ray of sunshine amongst the inane and ill informed. Having owned the ud701n, I agree with you. The DAC 's delta sigma was co-developed with Esoteric and their versions are 10k plus. I also added the cg10 master clock which raised the bar more than expected. Considering the technology, this is...

Hi Drummerman, Thanks for the Mea Culpa - it was remiss of me to single out that as an example when most missgivings are found in the HiFi section. Everyone is of course entitled to an opinion, there is no wrong or right whether audio or vision and our hearing and vision senses are certainly...

Hi Gel, The firmware promised last March to enable DV/HDR via HDMI on you new Sony TV has allegedly failed to materialise - one of several reasons I discounted the A1 when demoing OLEDs. Android OS was another red flag. See the sloping stand that has been ditched for 2018 which was also a...

They would certainly help, IMHO. Don't have the neighbour problem, but Nick Mason's kick drum had previously set off the anti-tamper in my alarm's PIR located in the dining room below. Wife can get upset with the siren so pleased that the GAIA's have spared me the wrath.

Hi Buzz, Spot on. The price match took the first cash back out of the equation. BTW, took 8 years for the PQ of my Kuro to be beaten to my eyes and still got a good price for it on fleabay making the upgrade very reasonable indeed. Only initial downside of the LG vs Kuro was some motion...

Hi BS, Didn't seriously listen to the Rubicons on spikes. Ran them in for 48 hours before switching to GAIAs. In that time it was obvious that the extra output in the bottom octave was causing some boom and overhang, which was not apparent with the Opticons. The GAIAs instantly transformed...

They work brilliantly in my room/system. Cannot vouch for other applications. Would suggest trying on loan if you can find an amenable dealer such as Jordan Accoustics in Bournemouth. (Hurn). Easy to fit as replace spikes and supply range of screw sizes M6,8 etc.It is important to align the logo...

many thanks DIB - I would have missed it. Quite a nostalgia trip. Only watched half of the recorded show thus far, but very impressed with live performances of Peter Frampton and fellow herefordian Albert Lee - easily confused with Alvin Lee who is sadly no longer with us. Kiki Dee not so good...

Thanks for the reviews and to Drummerman and others. Agree, sadly too many doubters and cynics who post without the benefit of experience. I don't care whether due to sound engineering principles or witchcraft, the GAIAS are worth every penny, IMHO. Just smile at the continuation of threads...

Again sorry for delay. Only had the Rubicons 2 days before collecting the GAIA3s on loan. An amazing difference, tightening the bass with much better definition. Opened up the soundstage and more musical with better timing. Guess I had more bass overhang than I realised - a real hifi killer...

Hi Nopiano, Sorry for the delay, but locked out again. Might just give up! I have an old MB Pro too and was not impressed with the SQ to the SA8005 so not bothered trying with the SA14. Too much digital noise. Just use a standard apple lightning to USB and plug in front USB. Start the RP app...

Hi BS, Sounds fiendishly complex, if you don't mind me saying so. You have a CD/DAC, Streamer/DAC, AV amp with more DACs and built in streaming and a OPPO203 multi disc player/DAC already? Another DAC making 5? Instead of increasing boxes and spagetti, you could sell the 203 and Yamaha CD...

Hi insider, I moved house a few years back and although hifi went to a similar sized room, it has a suspended floor. My pride and joy sounded awful. I changed electronics and speakers (twice), used granite slabs, spikes/rubber feet and bass traps. My new Rubicons' extra bass sounded a bit...

I am obviously biased, but you will not go wrong with the Opticons if they suit your room plus electronics. Ask how many hours they have as take 100+ to sound their best.