I have not done that. I got the Phoenix after the Matrix and just never tried it. I will now since you planted that seed. Ill let you know.
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Yes I have visited him once, and he offers quite the value proposition. Seems as though he has a lot on his plate, and is adding new product. I understand he has plans to expand his production capabilities, a good thing. I had intended to attend this year’s Dec Fest but other priorities came into play. His Zen amp seems to be the sweet spot in the line-up, and then it’s on the customer to fine tune with various tubes.
I had the Magnepan Tympani 1D speaker and while I enjoyed the sound, the restricted dynamics, need for power, and size worked against them in my situation. At one time I considered returning to Magnepan with the 3.7i.
Thanks for checking, @njlinuxmike! I asked because I’m using the Phoenix USB and have wondered if adding the Matrix would make much of a difference when the Phoenix is already in the system. The Matrix is not an especially expensive addition until you add in a LPS and a good HDMI cable.
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I have to write this.
I know the I2S input is the best input on the DSD. But the AES/EBU is no slouch either. I can’t help but think a high quality AES/EBU cable between your G2 and the DSD would compare favorably to that long string of devices and additional expensive cables, low power cables, power supplies, etc. I hope some day you try it just for giggles and report back.
My experience with a G1 involved a Matrix but I ended up just running AES/EBU and being very pleased.
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I’ll echo this. . . the AES/EBU is very good, nearly indistinguishable from I2S with Redbook in my estimation in my system.
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Agreed! I’m running a Kimber Select KS2120 (all silver) AES/EBU to my DSD Sr and I love it.
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Well, now I have two things to try and another cable to buy. Damn you all.
Hopefully Ill be listening to the Nenuphar’s this weekend, perhaps he will have an AES cable in the showroom.
Cheers,
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Been thinking speaker performance…either upgrade to insane Pass Labs amps for my B&Ws, maybe 20.7 Maggies, or even active speakers and say screw the amp/speaker/cable combo. The thing is everything sounds pretty good at present, and is so well placed in the room (imho), that I don’t know if the game of diminishing returns will be fun, or just expensive.
Smaller: new CAT6 coming from Blue Jeans to replace the CAT8, a couple of Furman devices for wifi and more distant audio spaces…still looking for the perfect linux roon core (mine is getting by with a Celeron, which is below their minimum req…have been eyeing one that’s ALWAYs out of stock, and not that interested in a Small Green or Roon’s suspect offering).
Would love to figure out how to make my phono tube amp more “black”, but am running out of ideas. 3M EMI tape for the perforated cage I’ve purchased to block wifi or anything else?
And now, back to the music…
If your phono preamp has XLR inputs or outputs not used these ridiculously priced caps may make a difference–in my phono preamp they quelled a noticeable amount of noise.
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Thanks for the suggestion! I’m running the Hagerman Trumpet MC, which does not have XLR outs. The guy is brilliant (Hagerman Technology LLC: Cartridge Loading), and I have a fully loaded FARAD feeding it, NOS tubes, Cardas Clear RCAs in and out…but I live in the city, and even when I turn off everything in my house and kill the wifi stuff near the system, leave devices in the other room, the blackness isn’t quite where I’d like with LOMCs. I’m pretty anal though…it sounds very nice. Thanks for chiming in.
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You and me both!
They make RCA caps as well though I don’t see where to buy them at the moment, they may be discontinued. I may try some if I can find them as the XLR worked. . . they actually worked. 
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Big Fan of 20.7 Maggie sound field and transparency. Subs complimented them well. I would take a used pair of MBL 120’s over the Maggie 20.7’s. They both require the same amount of power and the 120’s omni pattern is a step up from the Maggie 20.7 wavefield.
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It will be both 
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Hmmm…I have the concern that M1200s might not be the right amp for those. Darren told me the 20.7 or a Harbeth 40.2 or 3 would be one of the best pairings, which led me to the MN company. Anyway…love your MBL set-up. Gorgeous.
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I’ve tried both RCA and XLR caps on my two phono preamps (Rega Aura and Modwright PH150) as well as my BHK pre and Pass amp. Not these Telos caps, but a combination of Cardas and Audioquest caps which are no different in design. Zero impact. Pretty much nothing but cosmetic. YMMV and I’ll grant whether caps are worth the money is going to be system dependent. Based on my experience, the best advice I can offer is ensure you have the privilege of exchange or return if they’re a bust. So that you can invest your upgrade bucks on something else that will have a positive impact.
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I’ve tried Cardas caps and others as well in the past and zero impact. They kept dust out, not a bad thing, but nothing else.
These Telos Audio for whatever reason did have an effect in lowering the noise. They solved the one nagging complaint I had with my phono preamp, a low level, very low level, hum.Surprised me, I was expecting to send them back but I kept them and ordered more. . . .
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Hey Al…thanks for sharing your experience with us…
Just wondeing if MBL gear might replace your Gryphons?
Have always wondered at just how amazing the MBL series speakers
would recreate music…
Best wishes…
I think it’s going to be difficult to pull Al away from the Vivid/Gryphon combo!
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