Less is more–in my case:
I just hooked up my new First Watt F7.
It’s been playing for about 30 minutes.
30 watts into 4 ohms, damping factor around 100.
It should not sound this good but it sure does.
Imaging is a strong suit, as is bass definition.
So far so good–30 minutes in.
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Ha, I can relate. I have the BHK 300s, XA25 (I bought from you), SIT3, J2 and F2/j.
The J2 and the F2/j are absurdly good and better than all the others. I only swap between the J2 and F2/j anymore. Luckily I have very sensitive speakers because the F2/j is 5 watts.
I am now starting to view my system in a reductive way rather than additive, fueled by my abandoning USB for AES along with the total satisfaction of the stereo amps over mono’s.
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Ok. 12 days after installing a mono cartridge which unfortunately with my current lifestyle means about 2O hours of mono LP listening. Elated is the appropriate word. My mono cart and mono arm are less than half the price of my respective stereo arm and stereo cart. The mono system blows the stereo system out of the water when playing mono records. The density of the sound wave, the leading edge on percussion notes, Billie Holiday breathing on me. If you like any pre 60s music you might want to consider getting a reasonably priced mono cart. You won’t be disappointed.
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Mono can be compelling.
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As long as one doesn’t have mono 
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If you listen to mono with mono, are you stereo?
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Yes, that would be dual mono
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Or mono y mono.
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Do I hear some moaning mono?
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Talk about moaning mono!
Just released.
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Rossini - now I understand. It’s remarkable!
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Kent is great
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I have been reading about the Grimm MU2. It actually may be unavoidable! Dang it! The DAC design is intriguing, and it is also an excellent Preamp. So server, streamer, preamp and DAC. All it needs is an amp or a pair of them. Yikes!
Same size and shape as the MU1 but many inputs and Analog outputs. Dang. I didn’t think i needed another DAC. Wrong again.
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new high end components weekly, this one sure ‘sounds’ great, actual sound tbd
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That system is very intriguing to me and is on my short list of possible box reduction setups
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Arrived yesterday evening and burning it in now. Initial impressions are positive (I made the right choice). It will benefit from a minimum of six days burn in from what Mark at Reno HiFi shared with me. Thanks to those that shared experience and insights with the Pass Labs XP-12, XP-20, and XP-22. My final decision came down to several factors, (1) it easily fit in my rack, (2) a bias for new over used, (3) sonically it aligns with my current listening bias for this particular system, (4) price (a great value.
For my current system what I have been seeking is ultimate transparency with no edge, grit, or emphasis on transient leading edge while not being overly veiled or warm. Reviewing the system a new preamp was destined for the Pass Labs XP-12 hit all the buttons when discussing with Mark. As it turns out my discussion with Mark identified the particular voicing of each preamp, the XP-12 offered ultimate transparency trading off a slight degree of warmth, the XP-20 offered a warmer weightier sound in comparison typical of a hybrid solid state tube sound, and the XP-22 offered a step-up in transparency over the XP-22 with a slightly improved bass weight and sense of warmth improving on the XP-22. The Pure Audio Project Trio 15 with the wood cone Voxativ PiFe driver driven by a Pass XA-25 would not benefit from additional weight and warmth IME. Interconnects are Iconoclast single ended Gen. 2 Ohno continuous cast copper. Speaker cables are the lowly Discovery Essential in a bi-wire configuration. PC is a lowly Shunyata.
Can’t say I’m a fan of the panda look, so maybe a can of flat black Krylon will do the trick, .
This LP sounds especially fine at the moment:
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Back to the mono thing… I’m sure my contemporaries will remember this:
Wait for it…
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I had this Furutech power cable back shell with NCF markings lying around. The connectors ground pin broke and I had replaced it with a wattgate silver plated connector on my Preamp power cable.
Furutech backshell being too fancy to throw away I found a way to repurpose.
It is now aAB7050HF tuning-ring cover for a Ghent Gotham 12V DC Power Cable powering my Nighthawk Modem/Router/Switch going out of a RCore LPS.
I was skeptical if it would help or be eye candy. So I did a listen before and after. It seems to have a profound and noticeable difference for the better. I was careful to keep tuning ring position. Measurements before and after.
The detail and image space is unworldly tonight and less clutter on my desk with the Furutech piece put to use
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McIntosh MA252 in the house! This one gorgeous amp and sounds even better than it looks. Driving a pair of KEF LS50 Meta’s with a KC62 subwoofer.
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Fantastic!
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