Due to recent purchases, a change of hifi system strategy might be in the offing.
Here is the current set of principal electronics ....
The device with large red letter display is the Chinese RVC (resistor volume control) passive preamp that Alan Firebottle sicced me on to. eBay link.
It's a thing of wonder to me. Just seems like a transparent window for the music. In the absence of immediate direct comparisons, I'll still stick my neck out and say it's the best passive pre I have heard.
I tried it with an Arkless solid state buffer and preferred the sound without it. Alan brought along a valve buffer, but for some reason that buzzed loudly in my system so no comparisons were possible.
Not sure yet, but I'll probably keep my Herron VTSP-2 valve pre as it's nice to have a bit of a change, and I'm sure to enjoy a bit more enveloping warmth now and then.
The small box to the right of the passive pre is a Topping D30 DAC. I've had it for over 4 months now and remain convinced it's the best DAC I have owned. It's powered via a 15V Chinese linear PSU, which added an extra soupcon of goodness.
My new idea for a Cunning Plan is to substantially reduce the box swapping by keeping excellent alternatives to hand that can be swapped in and out as the whim takes me.
- speaker (MBL / Podium) and preamp (RVC / Herron) alternatives now sorted.
Let's see how long I can resist the lure of eBay and the classifieds.
Of course, following the dictates of the Cunning Plan, I still need to establish an alternative power amp and DAC, and perhaps cables as well. So that's an excuse for keeping looking.
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