Very simple. Music from the CD touches me more than LP. This could be very subjective depending on the type of music that I am listening to.
To give you another example, I was totally thrilled by the Michael Jackson album played via Bigpiece's vinyl system. But I have no special feelings on the reproduction of classical on the same system.
So far, I have not experienced a big "WoW" factor in Marvel's LP system. But remember I don't live in his home, and my feelings does not represent his own.
This is a very subjective comment. Also, I truly feel that the Conductor enlighten the Zanden system more so than the LP in the 1st two hours of the preamp's operation.
I connected Heritage into the new preamp. Although I was not using the XLR input, I could still hear a 'close-to-real' performance by Maisky and Agerich on Scheburt Sonata on Arppegione which I have both the LP and CD. Frankly, they are really really close in all fronts. I cannot imagine what level would it reach if I use the balanced output from the Heritage which matches perfectly with the balanced design of the Conductor....
Here is a little quote from AE about the components inside that of the preamp which might satisfy some of your technological curiosity:
"you can see it
because the condensers inside all not sourced from any
off the shelf manufacturer.
They went through the pain of having own condensers
developed, all of which carry the AudioValve logo"
2nd night just slipped away before i realised it was already midnight when I finished listening to the entire Arpeggione CD!!
Hi Guys, I own the Zandan combo. PT said CD sounds more convincing than vinyl at Marvel's place, the statement can be true but not always true. If you have the time to mix and match with the tubes(mostly 50's GEC) and power cords of the Zanden (the processor loves the FMR), you can get what you want from the Zanden. To get a TT sound right, it's more complicated. I give you an example, my 301 tt sounds its best (assuming all settings are right) when a FMR is used to power its motor, even the FLOW cannot match its requirement of a very steady power supply, I did try power conditioners to feed power for the TT, it restricts the dynamic , destroy the music completely (don't accuse me of madness about using exotic cables in a turnable until you try it yourself). I don't care whether the Zanden is the best CD combo or not, it is and will remain as a very important tool/measurement device for me to confirm if my vinyl gears are set up properly. The Zanden afterall is still very good even head to head with the 301 TT.
Mainly on LPs. I told PT a few hours ago that I still believe LP in my system sounds better than CD but PT counter argued that he expects the difference should be bigger which I agree. Meaning my LP can still further be tuned up.
Conductor continues to burn in with another few hours put in. If I have to put one sentence to describe it now...I think "musical with ultra neutrality and precision" is probably what I would choose to use. Different recordings, different editions of the LPs, different performers of the same music composition all presented in the truest way possible in my system with flying colors...
To allow a more 'flat' layout of the circuit board, I notice that the width of this preamp is wider than all the gears that I have.
Dickson,
It is worth waiting...are you also using Baldur power amp?
This preamp seems not requiring too much time to burn in before entering into a very steady state producing lively performance with scale and 3-dimensionality. To put it simply, musical objects are floating like balloons with shadings, movements and 3-dimensiality. I believe the ability of Baldur in reconstructing the soundstage is further enhanced by the Conductor.
Last night, a 'forumist' Danny So, nice gentlemen with in depth understanding on musicals, orchestral music, visited me...I'd leave it to him to share more on his views of my system. He pointed out some inherent definciency in the room acoustics which I need to further work on to mitigate and improve. Thanks Danny!!!
Marvel, yes. I drive Alexandria x2 by Baldur, much better match than my previous FM611x. Wilson is more listenable with tubes. In the early days, I just follow the crowd. Everyone says Wilson best match with FM acoustics. But I never read about this match from any overseas magazine nor did I spot any such combination in an audio trade shows.
I think FM is good electronics, just don't agree they match wilson well. Your speakers seem to small for the baldur.
That is true..probably Wilson/FM were on the same dealer in HK previously and they want to provide a one-stop shop for you. Actually my place is too small for the big speakers either, physical constraint would become an issue when my 'big' speaker comes along in 2008. I was reassured by many including Ralph of Cessaro that it will work, so I will close my eye and trust only my ears when the 'big' ones arrive.
Are you using FM preamp to pair with Baldur at the moment?
Marvel, you misread me. I commented your speakers are too small for the baldur amp, not your space. The damping factor of the baldur is high. I am surprised by how well it controls big bass driver. The diameter of your speakers look like 8inch or less than that, do you find the bass too tight?
Comments
To give you another example, I was totally thrilled by the Michael Jackson album played via Bigpiece's vinyl system. But I have no special feelings on the reproduction of classical on the same system.
So far, I have not experienced a big "WoW" factor in Marvel's LP system. But remember I don't live in his home, and my feelings does not represent his own.
This is a very subjective comment. Also, I truly feel that the Conductor enlighten the Zanden system more so than the LP in the 1st two hours of the preamp's operation.
My comments are far from conclusive.
I connected Heritage into the new preamp. Although I was not using the XLR input, I could still hear a 'close-to-real' performance by Maisky and Agerich on Scheburt Sonata on Arppegione which I have both the LP and CD. Frankly, they are really really close in all fronts. I cannot imagine what level would it reach if I use the balanced output from the Heritage which matches perfectly with the balanced design of the Conductor....
Here is a little quote from AE about the components inside that of the preamp which might satisfy some of your technological curiosity:
"you can see it
because the condensers inside all not sourced from any
off the shelf manufacturer.
They went through the pain of having own condensers
developed, all of which carry the AudioValve logo"
2nd night just slipped away before i realised it was already midnight when I finished listening to the entire Arpeggione CD!!
Marvel
Mainly on LPs. I told PT a few hours ago that I still believe LP in my system sounds better than CD but PT counter argued that he expects the difference should be bigger which I agree. Meaning my LP can still further be tuned up.
Conductor continues to burn in with another few hours put in. If I have to put one sentence to describe it now...I think "musical with ultra neutrality and precision" is probably what I would choose to use. Different recordings, different editions of the LPs, different performers of the same music composition all presented in the truest way possible in my system with flying colors...
To allow a more 'flat' layout of the circuit board, I notice that the width of this preamp is wider than all the gears that I have.
Marvel
I have mistaken your previous comment made to PT,and that PT refers to Piano Tuner and not to PTsang, sorry about that.
It is worth waiting...are you also using Baldur power amp?
This preamp seems not requiring too much time to burn in before entering into a very steady state producing lively performance with scale and 3-dimensionality. To put it simply, musical objects are floating like balloons with shadings, movements and 3-dimensiality. I believe the ability of Baldur in reconstructing the soundstage is further enhanced by the Conductor.
Last night, a 'forumist' Danny So, nice gentlemen with in depth understanding on musicals, orchestral music, visited me...I'd leave it to him to share more on his views of my system. He pointed out some inherent definciency in the room acoustics which I need to further work on to mitigate and improve. Thanks Danny!!!
Marvel
I think FM is good electronics, just don't agree they match wilson well. Your speakers seem to small for the baldur.
That is true..probably Wilson/FM were on the same dealer in HK previously and they want to provide a one-stop shop for you. Actually my place is too small for the big speakers either, physical constraint would become an issue when my 'big' speaker comes along in 2008. I was reassured by many including Ralph of Cessaro that it will work, so I will close my eye and trust only my ears when the 'big' ones arrive.
Are you using FM preamp to pair with Baldur at the moment?
Marvel