I have just ordered a Soul Note A1 amplifier from my local dealer.
It is an ex-demo, lightly used.
It is an ex-demo, lightly used.
Your latest purchase
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Jasonovich
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Gel
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Gel
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GroeneLeeuw
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In black
Just for the sake of it
Just for the sake of it
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GroeneLeeuw
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Not really for the sake of it, this may be part of future plans.
At this moment I have 2 sets
Integrated amps (Denon + Topping EX5 DAC/headphone amp + Laptop as source & Rotel + Eversolo DMP-A6) with Focal speakers
I hardly use the Denon set, thinking of selling it all.
Both the integrated amps have weak headphone amps built in, the reason why I have the Topping EX5 and now bought the DX5II(don´t have it yet, just order it yesterday.
Thinking of selling the Rotel amp as well and move to either use the Eversolo or 1 of the Topping DACs, that are also pre-amps, as pre-amp and add a class D power amplifier.
I´m not sure which will be the better pre-amp, I´ll try when I get there.
Either way, the DMP-A6 stays as source, maybe I´ll sell 1 of the Topping.
Speakers will be the Focal Vestia N4 I bought in 2025. I like them enough to not consider a replace.
The other pair, Focal Chorus 726 will go.
That was my most recent purchase too - also for the sake of it (we recognised the value).
I also chose black, the display blends in better 👍
GroeneLeeuw
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Pleased with it?
I like my EX5 quite a lot. The headphone amp is brilliant!
Expect at least the same performance from the DX5II
Yes.
I still own their A50S amp-only model and Doug from this forum kindly loaned me his A90D for a while - so I knew the DX5ll would be good.
Needless to say the DX5ll headphone amp has all the power anyone could ever need, the display is nice and the menu options are comprehensive (and seemingly designed with some thought).
I've been distracted by turntables, amps, speakers that I've inherited from a house clearance - so haven't used the DX5ll for quite a while - but plan to feed it from a Raspberry Pi in a headphone rig soon.
Will also be comparing it as a DAC with the one built into my Cyrus amp (also an ESS type).
I think Topping Tune has caused some issues for users - hence the amount of software updates there have been for the DX5ll. I'm not one for EQ, flat neutrality for me - but my brother used Topping Tune on my DX5 without issue - he also did a software upgrade for me (mine was originally on a version before crossfeed was added).
Good luck with yours, I don't think you'll be disappointed - but I will be interested to read your thoughts 👍
GroeneLeeuw
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I ± followed the complaints people had/have with the EQs etc.
As I stay away from it, I don´t expect problems.
Talking of EQs, maybe I´m missing on something that may be a serious improvement but I can´t be bothered.
The Eversolo A6 has it, I played around it using a mobile phone microphone (I have the Pixel 6) and gave up. Maybe it´s me who doesn´t know how to set it correctly, maybe the microphone was not good enough, I don´t know.
What I do know is that I´m not going to spend money on a decent microphone and spend more time with it. It´s good as it is. I have quite a decente room, I´m able to position my speakers quite well too, I don´t hear anything strange, all in all it´s good as it is.
Jasonovich
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Biting into my wish burger 🍔 right now, hopefully in 6 months, I'll be revisiting the Gustard R26II, hopefully, when prices mature, I'll be in a position to purchase.
Most likely I'll end up with the original R26, better suited for my pocket.
It's one of the few R2R designs that matches or even surpasses chipsets in resolution while maintaining the natural musicality that is often associated with ladder resister DACs.
Most likely I'll end up with the original R26, better suited for my pocket.
It's one of the few R2R designs that matches or even surpasses chipsets in resolution while maintaining the natural musicality that is often associated with ladder resister DACs.
You've got enough stuff - as no doubt your wife repeatedly tells you 😉
Jasonovich
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Sssssh I never tell my missus what I brought, very glad she can't tell the black boxes apart! 😉 My priority is getting the conservatory refurbish and if I happen to have some loose change, I'll settle for the R26 or preferably R26II.
I'm getting quote tomorrow, we'll see. 🙂
Shrek
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Jasonovich
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Please may I have another double wish burger, pretty please!
Most of my listening is done through my headset and it makes more sense, to invest in this setup. My Hifiman He1000 is one of the most resolving cans on the market, my Gustard H26 dual mono class A is beautifully refine but never tame.
I have upgraded my streaming source from WiiM Pro Plus to Primare NT-5 streaming transport and that's made an audible difference in sound quality. I also have a separate digital transport JF-MX Pro for my local DSD and other format files, upgrading this, not sure what benefit this will bring? Possibly in the near future, just having a top end streaming transport to do both streaming and local file networtking, such as Eversolo T8 or the Matrix TT-1 (not the 4K NT-1, oh I wish!) would work best? Ah sachs why have I put that in my head!
Anyway, where was I? The Eversolo Z8 DAC is somewhat over shadowed by it's streaming siblings but it is an excellent ESS DAC, very neutral but never clinical sounding. Love this DAC but need something like R26II to make a real difference, something that would be worth the investment.
The Gustard as well as being 26 bit R2R DAC it also plays 1 bit DSD natively, this will work best with my DSD collection.
Also if you connect it through the Aye Square Two connection, you can potentially play DSD2048, I can't recall seeing anything with that insane resolution but there are handful of recordings for DSD1024 but honestly, it's an overkill. DSD256 to DSD512 is crazy enough resolution and more than does the job.
I prefer direct analogue recordings from Master tape, though, there are many DXD or Native DSD recordings which are also excellent.
So that's the direction I'm going in the near future. Don't know when, but priorities lie in a different direction.
Ah Audio Nirvana!
GroeneLeeuw
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Those are big plans @Jasonovich
About DSD, I have quite a few and to be honest I´m never that impressed.
Then there´s the question of the music available in DSD.
Much is not of my taste.
Not so long ago I´ve purchased Megadeth´s "Rust in Peace" album as a DSD file from either HDTracks or ProStudioMasters (I don´t know from memory which).
I was a bit disappointed, and I presume the master is different as it sounds so much louder than the FLAC version I have from the original CD I own.
I know https://www.nativedsd.com/ but I wouldn´t be buying much music from them I like.
About DSD, I have quite a few and to be honest I´m never that impressed.
Then there´s the question of the music available in DSD.
Much is not of my taste.
Not so long ago I´ve purchased Megadeth´s "Rust in Peace" album as a DSD file from either HDTracks or ProStudioMasters (I don´t know from memory which).
I was a bit disappointed, and I presume the master is different as it sounds so much louder than the FLAC version I have from the original CD I own.
I know https://www.nativedsd.com/ but I wouldn´t be buying much music from them I like.
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Jasonovich
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It really is down to the quality of the recording.
FLAC is already good and you'll be hard pressed to hear the differences between SACD or DSD64.
There are some good jazz stuff on Nativedsd but sadly lacking on mainstream material.
The catalogue is expanding and there's a shift towards vinyl.
Hoping the vinyl bubble will burst, once the Z-Gen moves on to the next big thing, and the industry will then start looking for the new golden egg goose, hopefully they'll start investing more in DSD.
Integralista
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Hi, my latest purchase is Moon Audio 260 D. It was demo from Belgian distributor. I have searched for new Rega Saturn mk3 for a long time. No Saturn found and this Moon was proposed for the same price like Rega. It is combined with my Rega Aethos and some Rega turntables, Cabasse speakers. I am very happy with this purchase. Sound signature of Moon is more similar to Rega than different. Very fast reacting CD drive, proper Dac with USB, coax and optical inputs and the best of all is displey. I am myopic with some 2,5 dioptries but this displey I can read without my optics....😉
Juzzie Wuzzie
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I am toying with a WiiM Pro Plus or a Schitt Modi 5 (and stick with the WiiM mini) but, at the moment, all my listening is compromised, so don't much see the point. Might have a go at a "parts only" Primaluna power-amp on ebay as it comes with a great set of tubes.
Integralista
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Hi, Primaluna are very good tube amps. I have no experience with WiiM products, just Eversono and at home using streamer Bluesound Node as a "Toy". BR.
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