I've been buying and building Hi-Fi for many years now. My newest set up is the best "Bang for a Buck" that I have ever heard.
I'm using an Arcam CD36 as source.
This goes through a DIY Kevin Gilmore single ended to balanced convertor.
Then through a Pass Aleph P 1.7 Balanced Preamplifier.
I use a DIY Aleph J power amp.
The final output is through a pair of B&W CM8 s2 speakers.
It's not a mega-expensive set-up but the pairing of the components are really lovely to listen to.
I'm using an Arcam CD36 as source.
This goes through a DIY Kevin Gilmore single ended to balanced convertor.
Then through a Pass Aleph P 1.7 Balanced Preamplifier.
I use a DIY Aleph J power amp.
The final output is through a pair of B&W CM8 s2 speakers.
It's not a mega-expensive set-up but the pairing of the components are really lovely to listen to.
I also run a Linn LP12 with an Ittok arm and Aktive cartridge through a Pearl 2 but the CD36 is better.
I kind of know what you mean. When I heard the described setup, I was like, "That's it!" A DIY friend tried my gear at his house and he said there's some synergy at my place he couldn't recreate.
My favorite right now is Sonus Faber Grand Piano circa 1999, J2 simulated circuit and BA3-Pre single-ended connection/cables. Source is DIY music server running Daphile software. Also have Avid Ingenium with Sumiko Blue Note No2 cart. I like the music server better. 🙂
Close second: substitute the preamp and amp with S5 Electronics SE tube preamp and F4 amp. It's so close they are easily interchangeable systems. Have a second F4, but it needs repair.
Running F4s as mono-block could change things.
My favorite right now is Sonus Faber Grand Piano circa 1999, J2 simulated circuit and BA3-Pre single-ended connection/cables. Source is DIY music server running Daphile software. Also have Avid Ingenium with Sumiko Blue Note No2 cart. I like the music server better. 🙂
Close second: substitute the preamp and amp with S5 Electronics SE tube preamp and F4 amp. It's so close they are easily interchangeable systems. Have a second F4, but it needs repair.
Running F4s as mono-block could change things.
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I've got an Aleph 4 but it is not as pleasant as the Aleph J.
TBPH the Aleph P1.7 just adds the gain that the Alephs don't possess, allowing them to run as they should.
To get the best out of the Alephs, I run them in balanced mode.
TBPH the Aleph P1.7 just adds the gain that the Alephs don't possess, allowing them to run as they should.
To get the best out of the Alephs, I run them in balanced mode.
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Oddly enough, the Aleph J at 25W packs more punch than the Aleph 4 at 100W.
The Aleph 4 is certainly louder but the Aleph J is far more detailed.
The Aleph 4 is certainly louder but the Aleph J is far more detailed.
