I am planning to audition 2 integrated amps, sometime next week at Ultra Fidelis in Milwaukee (an hours drive away)
They will be running a pair of Focal JMLab bookshelf speakers “Chorus 706S”.
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Exactly what I strive for and found with my new speakers.
BTW–Very smart, neat, almost minimalist looking rack of top notch stuff.
Am thinking you like his Pass Labs gear too.
Donald, the third day is now over. I like the result with the Marantz Link 10n, which has now replaced my Cambridge Edge NQ in the system. In contrast to the Cambridge Edge NQ, the sound is now somewhat more differentiated and better organized. In terms of sound, it now seems smoother and more detached, with finer details, more open sound.
The Cambridge Edge NQ probably emphasized the lower area a bit and went a bit in the warmer direction. Maybe that’s what Cambridge means by the great British sound. Marantz advertises the best musical sound. I can agree with that.
What should be taken into account in this unfair comparison is that the Marantz costs three times as much as the Cambridge. The Cambridge Edge NQ is an excellent component.
Today I swapped the device plug on an Audioquest Dragon Source for a Furutech Rhodium NCF. I like the slightly smoother tone better now. The Audioquest connector with silver-plated copper contacts seems to brighten the treble range a bit. I noticed that the Audioquest Dragon Source cables of the old and new versions differ in the structure of the conductors and also in their sound. The old, braided version sounds more physical and a little bit warmer. The new version sounds a bit more open and forward. I’ll post more about this in the Dragon Thread. Greetings Andreas
The Marantz Link 10n will probably continue to improve based on your comment. It is another device that needs a couple hundred hours or more it seems.
AQ Dragon S. does have an open sound. In my system it does not have a forward sounding character, but I have not tried Furutech NCF power cord so I do not know. Looking forward to your future evaluation.
Donald, I compared the two versions, old and new, of the Audioquest Dragon Source. The new version sounds more like silver cables are said to sound. It sounds a little further forward in the line than the old version and more open sound of the Dragon Source. The old version has silver and copper conductors. I’m curious to see how much the Marantz Link 10n improves. Fortunately, the thin sound of the first few hours, like a radio, is over. The component also has fuses. 
You know how long one or the other fuse has changed in sound. A component can have many parts that take some time.
Another rabbit hole?
Thought I would share with you Stealth Audio’s take on upgraded Grounding cables.
Here are a few examples…
I gave in and bought a Zenith Mk3 along with a fancy AQ USB for it.
Anxiously waiting for its delivery.
With tuning ring of course.
Out of curiosity, I’m looking at an Innuos Zen Mk3 with 4TB. How much music, CD’s, can I realistically expect to be able to store on that?
Approx 1400 per TB
Unless you have a lot of DSD256.
Maybe that doesn’t belong here.
Today I dropped off my Cambridge Edge NQ at my dealer and I saw that he had a lot of new stuff from Ideon Audio lying around. As wide as a component, but only half the depth. Real briquettes I thought, what is that? I don’t know that at all. 
When I got home, I first asked Google. I would have preferred not to take a closer look at it. Reclocker, DAC, Time and what not. Prices that skyrocket. It seems like good stuff. Should I ask my dealer the next time I visit what he has brought into the shop again? Not for me. I actually thought that I had finally reached the end with the Marantz Link 10n.
Oh well, there is never an end to the hobby, says Luca.
With their 17 stage ultra-low noise solution, you know you need to try it. Marantz 10n is still within 30 day return period, right? I heard Ideon is the next level. 
Yes, Marantz offers a 30 day trial period.
I think either my cryptocurrencies have to rise sharply, I have to win the lottery or rob a bank. 
I had missed out on purchasing Solana in 2020 and perhaps beyond. A friend had bought 10,000 SOL for around €7,000 and sold it at a rate of €244. Man, what an opportunity! 
When I bought the Marantz Link 10n, I had a bad feeling about whether it wouldn’t be better to invest the money. But the addiction was too great and the offer too tempting.
I am absolutely sure the Marantz is a great choice and providing you a lot of joy. Especially still when major market corrections happen in 2025.
Yes, the Marantz is nice to look at. The ambient lighting also has its appeal in the dark room. He also sounds very good. I think I will enjoy it for a long time and not make any further comparisons. If Qobuz follows suit, I’ll be happy.
Yes Qobuz Connect to finally launch publicly and will be integrated soon. Build wise it’s on a unique level. Enjoy!
