Really, in the end, it is all about your speakers and your room. Changes to electronics, given the very high quality of sources (let's assume quality CD player, SB3, SB3+DAC, or Transporter), the generally excellent quality of even budget amplifiers, are real, but are not as important as getting your room and speakers right.
To wit: In my system I have had $10k speakers (harbeth M40s) with McIntosh MC-501 monos ($9k; I didn't pay retail for either!) and, for the fun of it, an old Carver A-500x (worth $400). Mind you, the Carver is an excellent amplifier, with no output network, and is a real steal. The point is, positioning my speakers correctly and using EQ made a far greater difference than the amplifiers. I kept the Carver. (I now have a set of Nuforces (and smaller speakers) because I am moving to Europe and needed something 220/240 friendly. Otherwise, I'd have something more modest.) The best place to compromise, really, is the amp. Most good quality solid state amps are so good that the differences between them are far more than people (and hype, and self-delusion) are willing to admit. However, getting your source right (Transporter!) and getting great speakers should come first...and then save up for an amplifier upgrade. Just my opinion. -- highdudgeon SB3->Lavry DA10->Nuforce 9.02s->Harbeth Monitor 30s/Skylan stands. Simple and satisfying. In a larger room, I would move back to larger speakers, subs, and probably RCS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ highdudgeon's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2195 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=28057 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
