First off, I know the best way is a side by side audition, but I need to travel into London to audition anything so I want to narrow down my options first. Second, sorry for my life story before I even ask the question....
I have a Marantz NA7004 and PM-KI Pearl Lite (plus a turntable). I like the fact that the aethetics match (part of it being acceptable to the rest of the household) and that the remote integrates. I'm also content with the sound quality. However, I hate the glitchy operation of the NA7004. If I leave it on network ready, it starts quickly but then drops out during play, if I leave network ready off, it plays reliably but takes over a minute to start. The app is glitchy (although slightly better than it was) and there's no queue creation option.
So I was going to buy a stream magic 6 V2 after a glowing review but I notice CA are bringing out an 851N and a mid-range CXN which presumably build further on the SM6 so I thought I'd wait.
Back to the remote integration and the aethetics, assuming I do replace the streamer with a new CA box, I'm wondering if I should also replace the Pearl Lite at the same time? Would the CA851a be a step-up in terms of sound? I'm pretty sure the 851e/w combo would be but that's an extra £1500 plus space and wiring (back to the being acceptable to the rest of the household).
Sorry for such a long post, any opinions/experience of the two amps appreciated.
I have a Marantz NA7004 and PM-KI Pearl Lite (plus a turntable). I like the fact that the aethetics match (part of it being acceptable to the rest of the household) and that the remote integrates. I'm also content with the sound quality. However, I hate the glitchy operation of the NA7004. If I leave it on network ready, it starts quickly but then drops out during play, if I leave network ready off, it plays reliably but takes over a minute to start. The app is glitchy (although slightly better than it was) and there's no queue creation option.
So I was going to buy a stream magic 6 V2 after a glowing review but I notice CA are bringing out an 851N and a mid-range CXN which presumably build further on the SM6 so I thought I'd wait.
Back to the remote integration and the aethetics, assuming I do replace the streamer with a new CA box, I'm wondering if I should also replace the Pearl Lite at the same time? Would the CA851a be a step-up in terms of sound? I'm pretty sure the 851e/w combo would be but that's an extra £1500 plus space and wiring (back to the being acceptable to the rest of the household).
Sorry for such a long post, any opinions/experience of the two amps appreciated.