Source
SW1X Universal Music Server UMS I Signature with Power Supply Unit PSU I Signature
SW1X USB II
SW1X DAC III Special
Audiolab 6000 CDT transport
Amps
Pre amps -- Hi fi Collective twin mono ladder stepped attenuator, with Charcroft Z-foil and silver wired. And First Watt B1 active no gain buffer.
Power amps -- Welborne 45 SET monoblocks 1.8W / Decware Taboo 6W / Elekit 300B TU-8600SVK plus further improved components 9W / ICE Power 1000W
Speakers
Highly modified Endorphin P17 open baffle speakers containing both vintage and modern alnico drivers and paper cones. All silver wired - 8" Cube Audio FC8 full range drivers and vintage 15" Altec VOTT 416 bass drivers. All sat on Townsend Audio Podium seismic isolation platforms.
BK Electronics XLS400FF Sub.
Cabling
Silver mains cables, interconnects and speaker cables by SW1X
Headphones
HRT HeadStreamer and SennHeiser HD650 headphones
Location: gone
Posts: 11,519
I'm gone.
Location: North Essex United Kingdom
Posts: 18
I'm Michael.
Well I like the Micromega as it gives a more analogue sound, which their kit was renowned for back in the day. But maybe that isn't such an issue
with the upgrade in technology in the time since. I imagine the early versions could have sounded a tad brittle. My first CD player in the 80's was a
NAD and then I moved on to a Micromega Stage, which I later augmented with the DAC. Utterly transformed the sound.
Source
SW1X Universal Music Server UMS I Signature with Power Supply Unit PSU I Signature
SW1X USB II
SW1X DAC III Special
Audiolab 6000 CDT transport
Amps
Pre amps -- Hi fi Collective twin mono ladder stepped attenuator, with Charcroft Z-foil and silver wired. And First Watt B1 active no gain buffer.
Power amps -- Welborne 45 SET monoblocks 1.8W / Decware Taboo 6W / Elekit 300B TU-8600SVK plus further improved components 9W / ICE Power 1000W
Speakers
Highly modified Endorphin P17 open baffle speakers containing both vintage and modern alnico drivers and paper cones. All silver wired - 8" Cube Audio FC8 full range drivers and vintage 15" Altec VOTT 416 bass drivers. All sat on Townsend Audio Podium seismic isolation platforms.
BK Electronics XLS400FF Sub.
Cabling
Silver mains cables, interconnects and speaker cables by SW1X
Headphones
HRT HeadStreamer and SennHeiser HD650 headphones
Location: gone
Posts: 11,519
I'm gone.
I intend to get a Dorado for my SEG soon, as to be honest I am very slightly underwhelmed by my SEG at the moment.
I am in the minority for sure, as the internet is full of glowing reviews of the SEG. I do love the flexibility and number of inputs of the SEG though. Mr Beresford has excellent customer service and he offers a 30 day trial.
If I were in the OPs shoes, I would be tempted to try a cheap Chinese DAC as well. If you are running limited sources, it may well be enough.
Are you just running the CD transport through the DAC, or will you be streaming etc.?
Kevin
Too busy enjoying the music....
European loan coordinator for Graham Slee HiFi system components..
You're not alone there, Kevin. I recent got a Caimen II here and to be honest, I just didn't get where all the plaudits for it had come from. The XiangSheng DAC01 I had here was, in my opinion, ahead by a length. However, Mr Firebottle has informed me that his new "clock" (whatever that is) has pushed the Caiman to a new level.
Now, I will say this, the first time I heard it, the wrong voltage was used via a linear PSU and It was awful but not it's fault at all. I do think that the first impression may have clouded my further feelings on it. We didn't realise it was the wrong voltage at first btw.
We then tried it with the supplied PSU and it was far better. Trouble is it was up against a Bel Canto DAC which really took me by surprise. It was excellent and by far the best DAC I have heard. That's not to say I've heard many.
I'd give the Caimen SEG and fancy supply thing another shot because I'm sure it's got to be better than I thought. I'd like to give one a really serious listen before deciding what I thought of it. I'd also not listen to any vinyl before hand because any DAC would struggle to beat that.
Location: North Essex United Kingdom
Posts: 18
I'm Michael.
Location: Mildenhall, Suffolk
Posts: 380
I'm John.
Hi Micheal
As a alternative thought process, how about looking into a good quality linear power supply.
This should have the makings to improve things and also can be used on any further devices that are to be trialed if required.
Location: North Essex United Kingdom
Posts: 18
I'm Michael.
Thanks for your input everyone. Does anyone have any experience of Young Dacs?
Any thoughts?