sonq

Heard good things about the Viena. I'm just getting back into full sound system again, so nothing except for the Pioneer DVD. It's their current flagship model and plays SACD as well. Hasn't been fully burnt-in yet so can't tell its full poyential but I doubt it'll be in the same class as a good mid price CDP - likley need a good DAC later but it tested incredibily well as a transport. I have a longish & highly reflective space that's accosutically unpredictable - so just taking baby steps. Just borrowed a pr of speakers to test out last night with mixed result - likely to need a lot of room treatment. I prefer full range speakers as their have to serve HT function as well (2 channels) I'll likely buy used speakers to test out 1st.

Just managed to hook up a temp low cost setup using the 8471. Sounded pretty nice and airy after 10 hrs of burning - not too dynamic still. Amp is a cheap Sonic Blaster and using Lofx speaker. Source is Pioneer 989 DVD in direct mode with only 15 hrs of running in.

I'm also looking for speakers and bottom of my list in terms of price level is the Infinity Primus 360 - lowest price I've seen in forum is S$590! It's a full range speaker with sensitivity of 93db. You can google for a Stereophile review. Heard it driven by low power Sun SETs amp from low/mid end TT source - tomally well balanced and fluid midrange. The bass is ample but not taut & well defined, but this could be mainly due to the room accosutic & amp. BTW, I was going to audition the Revel F12 till I called up the agent and was told it retails for $3K! Supposed to be retailing for USD1.2K in the US, which works out to be about S$2K.

I just ran across review on Revel Concerta F12. It has good sensitivity on spec, why is it not suitable for SET amp? It it the impedence load?

Robert recommeded the 8471 to me too. Bought it 2 weeks ago but my speakers only arriving tomorrow. How long did it take you to burn-in? Can you give a shot review with some details on setup?

Mackie, Thanks for your info. I should've said best in LHS as I was planning a visit today as I wrote that - i'll get the 1694 for my DAC to DVD. I juts went to order more of the 259 (confirmed) as I like the sound. I was planning to order 2 sets of 89364 for my pc, but they ran out. I ordered a 83803 to try out instead. Did cross my mind to try out the Koltz in my system but changed my mind as I doubt I'll like it much given the negative impression before. Robert did mentioned just now that 259 is quite an old standard that was popular before all this DIY became popular. I left the 207 to burn-in in office system further before testing again as it's quite characterless - neither good nor bad. I've fitted all with Neutric connector, so can easily resolder with new cable if I don't like the sound. Besides affordability, all this DIY cables does add another dimension to the hobby.

What's the current spec (A) & price? I've swapped the stock PS on FubarII to a 3A unit and the improvement is quite obvious - focus & bass.

vaguely remember seeing this on Headfi forum, it's a copy of a AT amp, and sold in HK. Review is not too positive iirc.

Robert from LHS recommended me 89207 & 259 to try, so took both They're all wrapped up in black dressing, so can't tell from each other, but the non-directional thinner one really fit's into my sytem - 880/HA-1A. I've tried half a doz others, but this one though not the most transparent, sounds really well balanced and spacious. I've heard the Klotz GY107 on a similar setup but different source. Compared to the Belden above, it was thick & prodding. Maybe the source though. I'll go down to LHS & get some 89364 PCs, by the way, is the 1694A the best cable they have for digital 1/c?

The Stello was sold out at the shop in HK, will get it thru mail order.

My colleague is getting one for me in HK now, should get in Sg next week. By the way, which shop did you get if from?

You've burned in for a week. How's your DA100 coming along? Buying one soon, will be great to read your review.

May I know the price you paid for both DA100 & HP100?, I'm thinking of getting a set from HK next month. Quote I got from the HK agent, Tara Lab is slightly higher than official selling price.

Great, look forward to some photo and review from you soon.

BTW, visited Club21 Apple shop over weekend and they were selling G5 iPod at 20 or 25% disc while stock last.

Swan M200 has great sound and ESI nEar 04 is puchy & for Rock. Read in audio forums but not heard them. You can google for reviews.

Call agent at Parklane for M-Audio Transit - price is $140.

I'm migrating to headphone setup and have been trying out some low cost solutions after buying a used HA-1A & 880. PC based running FubarII usb dac & Foobar2K sounds quite musical except for some noise that appears as treble grain. I site my PC a meter away. Ferrite core to curtail noise screw up the dynamics somewhat. Frankly, more than good enough for me for casual listening while doing work on PC. I borrowed a Japanese ICL Model2 tube dac (USD650) to try out and the sound is much cleaner and even more musical (high treble slightly muted though, but midrange is really liquid). Connected using a Straightwire digital i/c to a cheap Pioneer DVD. By the way, this dac looks terrible! By the way, listening done using a HA-01 with rolled tubes (JJ, Mullard) and using silver i/c are hi-end power cord. I'm still looking and have not settled on a source. was looking at the Stello DA100 but only concern about the noise. The FubarII sounds nice but it's a relatively lower res design and may be concealing a lot od nasty stuffs.

Was told by another source to get regulated supply too, so guess this must be important. By the way, jaben PM me that they sell this. Will check it out. Thanks.

The wall wart for my FubarII is kind of puny looking. Will replacing with bigger unit improve sound quality? Can someone advice where's a good place to buy wall wart?

I don't know much about it. Check out diykiy or see here: http://cgi.ebay.com/Zhaolu-new-DA-convetor...2QQcmdZViewItem

I was asking around for i/c in Adephi and noticed the markeup can be great. For example, the van den hul 102 listed for 79 pounds in HifiChoice but Kingsley quoted S$300. Id this common pricing practice or am i expected to bargain hard?

Just bought a Mullard CV4004 tube from Well to replace the GE and still rather quiet. I've left it on for over 24 hrs and sound is more organic & fluid. Fortunately not overly warm & euphoric - edges are still quite crisp and nasty recording still sound the same. Slightly more bass but not taut as before. Having said that, I'm operating in triod mode and i/c is stock that comes from DAC, will be trying out some silver i/c. The tube's glow is very dim - hardly visible, not sure if this is normal?

Hi Mackie, going off track from this topic, found your legendery post on ha-1a, if i should roll my tube 1st or change i/c 1st? If I only change the 4003 mullard, is there sufficient impact from stock tubes?

Found Wireworld Lunar 5 to be recommended in 2 UK mag reviews & cost 30 pounds. May try as this is about same price as a good DIY using LOK connectors.