My Current Setup

[ijrussell]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/lv_zpsjk4weelu.jpg

Triode TRV-845se - 20 watts SET valve amp and Living Voice Avatar OBX speakers

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20151018_001_zpssf9yaapl.jpg

Meitner MA1 DAC and spare Ayre K-5xeMP pre amp and Albarry M608 monoblocks

[Sovereign]

Very sweet set up there.

[Macca]

Lovely finish on those speakers.

[jandl100]

Ooo - a Meitner DAC :drool: - nice, you very rarely see those. Said to be very special.
Impressive and interesting amp, too.
LVs are a Marmite thing.
What source(s) do you use?

[ijrussell]

Ooo - a Meitner DAC :drool: - nice, you very rarely see those. Said to be very special.
Impressive and interesting amp, too.
LVs are a Marmite thing.
What source(s) do you use?

I've only had the Meitner for a couple of weeks and I'm really liking it. :) If I get a room, I'll be using it at Scalford.

I'm currently using a Cyrus CDT but I also have a Perreaux CDt and Bel Canto CD3t but they are a bit temperamental. I've got a NAS and am going to get a streamer in the next few weeks.

[Spectral Morn]

Nice, very nice :)

If there is a pre-amp in on the amp, try your Ayre into it, you might be surprised by what you hear.

[Audio Al]

:eek::):cool:

[trio leo]

Lovely looking system Ian, I'll bet it sounds great, you may not be aware but, there is a Series 2 upgrade available on your M608's, I think it's about £200, well worth it IMHO, unless of course you've already had it done, that valve amp looks a beast.

Enjoy your music :)

cheers Al:)

[ijrussell]

Lovely looking system Ian, I'll bet it sounds great, you may not be aware but, there is a Series 2 upgrade available on your M608's, I think it's about £200, well worth it IMHO, unless of course you've already had it done, that valve amp looks a beast.

Enjoy your music :)

cheers Al:)

I knew there was a S2 upgrade for the M1108 but I didn't know that there was one for the M608; I shall investigate.

The Triode weighs in a over 40Kg. Sounds lovely though. :)

[ijrussell]

Nice, very nice :)

If there is a pre-amp in on the amp, try your Ayre into it, you might be surprised by what you hear.

There is a pre-in (balanced and single ended). I shall give it a go this weekend.

[Spectral Morn]

There is a pre-in (balanced and single ended). I shall give it a go this weekend.

I think you might find that interesting, defo worth ago.

[ijrussell]

There is a pre-in (balanced and single ended). I shall give it a go this weekend.

I tried running the Ayre pre into the pre-in on the Triode and the results were interesting but to be honest, I much preferred running the Triode as an integrated amp. The sound was a bit wider and cleaner but I lost the life and bounce in the sound.

[ijrussell]

YBA Passion 400 CD player to be used as a transport and my trusty Cyrus CDT.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20151111_001_zps7v9ksdot.jpg

[vouk]

Outstanding set up Ian and congrats on the new CD player. The YBA is one of the finest players I've ever heard (albeit in an all YBA Passion system); I look forward to reading your impressions of it.:)
-j.

[ijrussell]

Really enjoying my new office system -> DDDAC [USB + SPDIF], Auralic Taurus II Headphone amp and Audeze LCD-X headphones.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20151116_005_zpsezjymqu1.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20151116_001_zpshwzttc4n.jpg

[Andrei]

Nice Triode TRV-845se. I've been toying with the idea of those or their KT88 monos. Are you able to compare them with any other power amps?

[ijrussell]

Nice Triode TRV-845se. I've been toying with the idea of those or their KT88 monos. Are you able to compare them with any other power amps?

This is the only Triode amp that I've heard; they're quite rare in Europe. I have listened to a number of other valve power amps in the last year and I definitely have a preference for 845s and 211s with big transformers. I like the extra power and drive that they give to a system over others like 300B.

[cyclopse]

How do you find the DDDAC compares to the Meitner?

Thanks

Steve

[ijrussell]

How do you find the DDDAC compares to the Meitner?

Thanks

Steve

To my tastes, the DDDAC in this trim is better than the Schiit Yggdrasil that I tried a few weeks ago but not even close to the Meitner.

Having said that, I did hear a similar DDDAC to mine with beaglebone black inside streaming via i2s and that was a lot closer to the Meitner.

[User211]

I had an EMM Labs CDP in for a bit (Meitner design). Best solid state digital I ever heard, if that helps Steve.

[Parkie37]

How do you find the DDDAC compares to the Meitner?

Thanks

Steve

I agree with Justin. I owned the MA-1 for a year and a half and it was the best sounding DAC that I had heard. It gets upgrade firmware every six to twelve months and the free sound quality improvements are terrific. They aren't looking to add useless features, but rather much better sound if possible.

The only DAC that I have preferred is a very expensive tube DAC by Audio Note.

[ijrussell]

Sold the Living Voice OBXs and bought Harbeth P3ESRs which are a much better match for my room.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20160101_001_zpsntdrue5a.jpg

I've dusted since seeing the photo. :)

[walpurgis]

Nice! :thumbsup:

[canuckaudioguy]

Very nice system!

[ijrussell]

This came up for sale at a great price; Croft 7. Supposedly great synergy with my P3ESRs.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/af281/farrowhoward/croft/DSC_0005_zpsdnfgadus.jpg
Photo from sale thread.

[ijrussell]

My Triode amplifier on it's new home purchased from Loz (HackneyRF) yesterday.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/new_amp_rack_zpsmonfwvwx.jpg

[southall-1998]

Looks nice.

S.

[ijrussell]

My new Aleph 30 clone (30ish watts of single-ended Class A)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20160313_001_zpsl2rm0zeo.jpg

[ijrussell]

My latest toy -> Lumin D1 streamer. I also have an L1 NAS as well but haven't got anything transferred onto it yet!

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20160507_001_zpselgfnwe6.jpg

[Frazeur1]

The Lumins are pretty nice streamers, played with the D1 for awhile on loan, but already had my Naim Uniti, otherwise the Lumin would probably be in the stand now. Am also curious about the new Auralic Altair streamer, maybe more of a mild curiosity though...Enjoy, nice setup you have!

[walpurgis]

So tell us. Which do you like best, the valves or the Aleph clone? My choices in amps are not that different (I like my valve monos and the Class A SS).

[ijrussell]

So tell us. Which do you like best, the valves or the Aleph clone? My choices in amps are not that different (I like my valve monos and the Class A SS).

They're both excellent. I'd say that I prefer the Aleph. Why? Since getting the Aleph just before Scalford, I haven't felt the need to plug the Triode in.

[ijrussell]

The Triode integrated valve amp has gone to be replaced by a Vitus SS-010 -> 25 watts of Class A goodness. :)

http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq39/PRSRDS/Vitus%20Audio%20SS-010/VitusSS-010-Used-2_zpscc5ed7e5.jpg

[jandl100]

^^ Yum. I think the Vitus range are fabulous visual designs. :drool:

Class A trannies are probably not for me, though. They are more a Geoff-sort-of-sound. :)

[Marco]

Class A trannies are probably not for me, though. They are more a Geoff-sort-of-sound. :)

That's an interesting (and for me) somewhat surprising comment, Jerry... Didn't know you felt that way about Class A. What gives - could you explain in a little more detail? It's a Marco-sort-of-sound too - well when it applies to valves! ;)

Marco.

[jandl100]

That's an interesting (and for me) somewhat surprising comment, Jerry... Didn't know you felt that way about Class A. What gives - could you explain in a little more detail? It's a Marco-sort-of-sound too - well when it applies to valves! ;)

Marco.

I've yet to come across a solid state class A amp that I could live with for a while.
I've had quite a few and they all are a bit laidback dynamically for me.

Pass Aleph 3, Krell 50, Monarchy SM70 monos .. and a few more that slip my mind at the mo!

Valve class A, no problemo. There's something about tranny pure class A that just doesn't sound right to me - pizzaz extracting machines, ime & imo.

[Firebottle]

I tend to agree on this.

It's all the electrons having to fight their way around other in SS, whereas they can whizz around to their hearts content in a vacuum (tube).

:eyebrows:

[jandl100]

I tend to agree on this.

It's all the electrons having to fight their way around other in SS, whereas they can whizz around to their hearts content in a vacuum (tube).

:eyebrows:

:thumbsup:

I knew there had to be a proper technical reason.
Thanks, Alan. :lol:

[ijrussell]

^^ Yum. I think the Vitus range are fabulous visual designs. :drool:

Class A trannies are probably not for me, though. They are more a Geoff-sort-of-sound. :)

It's been on my bucket list since I heard/saw one a couple of years ago. This one is switchable between A and AB from the menu. I love SS Class A. :)

[jandl100]

Yup! There are lots of fans of SS class A, it does have a distinctive sound, I think.
How would you describe it, Ian?

[ijrussell]

Yup! There are lots of fans of SS class A, it does have a distinctive sound, I think.
How would you describe it, Ian?

I find that there's a warmth and naturalness to the sound (tone, detail, dynamics and flow) like a valve amplifier but a solidity to the bottom end that you generally only get from good solid state amp. For me, it's the perfect compromise. :)

[walpurgis]

Class A trannies are probably not for me, though. They are more a Geoff-sort-of-sound. :)

They are! :)

Class A valves is fine by me too.

I'd be interested in an Aleph 3 if one comes along at a sensible price. Never managed to get my hands on one yet.

[Arkless Electronics]

The "distinctive sound" of class A solid state is called accurate! :D

[jandl100]

I find it a good cure for insomnia!

[ijrussell]

I find it a good cure for insomnia!

I wish you could listen to John Martyn's Grace & Danger as I'm currently hearing it. Definitely not sleep inducing. :)

[ijrussell]

Graham Audio LS5/9 speakers and Vitus SS-010 amplifier.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/vitus-and-graham_zpszveqlshf.jpg

Just the cables left to sort out now. :D

[hifinutt]

I find that there's a warmth and naturalness to the sound (tone, detail, dynamics and flow) like a valve amplifier but a solidity to the bottom end that you generally only get from good solid state amp. For me, it's the perfect compromise. :)

yes i adore my class A power amp . it is exceptional and works so well with many pre amps . all the above attributes apply

[walpurgis]

I have one of these little things driving my Tannoys at the moment. It would be difficult to imagine them sounding better. It's a great amp.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2v32bdw.jpg

[ijrussell]

I have one of these little things driving my Tannoys at the moment. It would be difficult to imagine them sounding better. It's a great amp.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2v32bdw.jpg

Nice. That looks like the Pro version and you can easily use that as a mono if you got another one. :)

[walpurgis]

Nice. That looks like the Pro version and you can easily use that as a mono if you got another one. :)

I have this 'Pro' and the smaller, regular (but rarer) SM-70. They sound different! Both very good though. (got other amps too.....just in case :))

Yes I know they can be used as monos. Not much point for me. I certainly don't need more power and an improvement in sound quality is unlikely as the current unit sounds just sublime. There are mixed reports about using pairs. Some imply there's not really any gain.

[ijrussell]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/chevron_dddac1794_zpsqxnwvsyt.jpg

Chevron Audio ddDAC1794 NOS DAC.

[HackneyRF]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/chevron_dddac1794_zpsqxnwvsyt.jpg

Chevron Audio ddDAC1794 NOS DAC.

The HiFi Rack still serving you well Ian? ;)

[ijrussell]

The HiFi Rack still serving you well Ian? ;)

It's doing a grand job Loz. :)

[tapid]

I have one of these little things driving my Tannoys at the moment. It would be difficult to imagine them sounding better. It's a great amp.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2v32bdw.jpg How much Geoff ?

[ijrussell]

I've got an SME IV to go with my Orbe and Accuphase AC-5 cartridge.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20170423_001_zpshhcf8fya.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/accuphase_ac-5_zps7yb7swt8.jpg

[ijrussell]

Bespoke Pass DCB1 Buffer.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/dcff57b574afdcb1bc5500db3b20b71c890e8bb8_1_610x500 _zpssprjarnr.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/D600-2728_zpsrmihd7v2.jpg

[Bigman80]

Bespoke Pass DCB1 Buffer.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/dcff57b574afdcb1bc5500db3b20b71c890e8bb8_1_610x500 _zpssprjarnr.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/D600-2728_zpsrmihd7v2.jpgThat's a stunning piece mate. Still waiting for your man to get in touch!!

[ijrussell]

Another item ticked off from my bucket list - a Phison PD2 Pre/DAC (stock photo)

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/phison/1.jpg

and I got one of these (EWA M-50 power amp) a few weeks ago - it's been a bit of a revelation. :)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/ewa-m50-amp_zpsvxwol4zm.jpg

[ijrussell]

A view of my speakers and amps taken by one of the participants (Nick) at yesterdays DACoff -> DIY Aleph 60 monoblocks and DIY CAOW1 speakers with Corian enclosures and external crossovers.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/IMG_6269.JPG.288942a7a3a631c9948fe95ac67dadf8_zpso 3iwkpvl.jpg

[Jozua]

Very Impressive kit !!

[Bigman80]

How's the Wonfor amp, Ian? Always wondered and never bit the bullet.

[ijrussell]

How's the Wonfor amp, Ian? Always wondered and never bit the bullet.

It’s very revealing of what it’s fed and controls my speakers extremely well without stifling the dynamics. I think you’d like it a lot.

If you’re up for hosting a mini bakeoff, I could bring it over to try in your system.

[Bigman80]

It’s very revealing of what it’s fed and controls my speakers extremely well without stifling the dynamics. I think you’d like it a lot.

If you’re up for hosting a mini bakeoff, I could bring it over to try in your system.Krell V EWA.

I am up for a mini bakeoff. Definitely.

Not sure when. I'll drop you a PM with some dates and we can sort something out.

[johnsteer]

When you get round to that Oliver please let me know what you think

[Colin Wonfor]

Another item ticked off from my bucket list - a Phison PD2 Pre/DAC (stock photo)

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/phison/1.jpg

and I got one of these (EWA M-50 power amp) a few weeks ago - it's been a bit of a revelation. :)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/ewa-m50-amp_zpsvxwol4zm.jpg


So what are your thoughts on the EWA M50?.

[ijrussell]

So what are your thoughts on the EWA M50?.

I've been extremely impressed with the M-50. I can't believe the solidity of sound that comes out of such a lightweight and compact unit. I'm uncomfortable describing the sound in detail but it never fails to put a smile on my face. :)

I'll be using it in my room at the HifiWigwam Show at Kegworth in March 2019.

[ijrussell]

My current headphone listening system -> Oppo BDP-103D, Singxer SU-1 USB Audio Bridge, Bryston BDA-2 DAC, DIY WHAMMY headphone amplifier and Sennheiser HD700 headphones.

https://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20181221_005_zpsvx08xyfy.jpg

[struth]

how do you find the singster?

[ijrussell]

how do you find the singster?

I'm really happy with it. It has performed faultlessly since I got it six months ago. Much better sound with the Singxer and Bryston than direct USB to the Bryston. I'm using Stereolab Black Cat Silverstar 75 MK II SPDIF digital cable BNC to BNC. When I swap over to the DiDiT 212SE DAC, I use the I2S HDMI connectors.

[Bigman80]

When you get round to that Oliver please let me know what you think

Will do John.

[ijrussell]

I've treated myself to a new top loading CD Transport -> Jay's Audio CDT2 MK2.

https://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/jaysaudio/1.jpg

I'll put in-situ photos up over the next couple of days.

[Landloper]

Looks like 15 Kilograms of heaven....

[antonio]

Very nice, looking forward to your findings.

[Spenagio]

Looks the business Ian.

Let us know how it compares to your streaming set-up, I still use CD more than vinyl so thinking of improving on my current transport.

[Marco]

That looks 'propa', Ian! Very nice indeed....Can't be many companies now building high-end CD transports. How much did it set you back and what mech does it use?:)

Marco.

[ijrussell]

That looks 'propa', Ian! Very nice indeed....Can't be many companies now building high-end CD transports. How much did it set you back and what mech does it use?:)

Marco.

They are £1850 including delivery from Willow Tree Audio.

It uses a Philips CDM4 -> https://www.vinshineaudio.com/product-page/jay-s-audio-cdt-2

I'm extremely pleased with it. The only negative is that there is no on/off switch on the front panel or remote.

[ijrussell]

My digital-only system.

https://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e49/ian917/WP_20190216_002_zpsqeqxptlf.jpg

From top to bottom
Jay's Audio CDT2 MK2 CD transport
DiDiT 212SE DAC
Magna Mano Ultra streamer
Chevron Audio DAC1794 NOS DAC
Phison PD2SE preamplifier + DAC