New guy in San Diego

[tjbearman]

I'm and old audiophile who started with Quad and Linn in the 70's. I still use and love the ESL-57 speakers, but have long ago retired the 33/303 amps. I've cycled through Audio Research tube amps with great success and audio pleasure. Today, I'm back to solid state, using a Musical Fidelity A3 dual-mono preamp paired with my brand new Schiit Aegir 2. The Linn Basik turntable with moving coil cartridge has seen better days, but still serves its purpose when I'm in a vinyl mood.

I discovered this haven while researching ways to rip SACD. I sure found what I needed, and so much more! I've begin the process of ripping my handful of SACDs. I never really liked the analog output of my now-busted Sony SACD player. Spending thousands on a better SACD player never seemed quite worth it. I am researching DSD/.DSF capable DACs versus converting to high bitrate PCM to continue using my current DAC. My music lives on a Mac mini interfaced with an old Meridien Explorer USB DAC using its optical pass-thru to a Musical Fidelity A3 192K DAC and/or a Musical Fidelity X-DAC.

Yes, I keep old equipment in use and in good repair until I find something new that really blows me away - and that I can afford. I'm headed up to the Schiitr in Santa Clarita this week to spend some time listening and chatting.

Thanks, all of you for a great haven for audiophiles.

TJ

 

[Audionut]

Welcome to the haven!

How is the Aegir and have you heard the V1 too? It’s on my list to buy, but now with the V2 out…

 

[adnick]

Welcome from TX

Andy

 

[JoeThePop]

Welcome to the Haven

 

[MrEd]

Welcome from TX

Andy

What he said x 2 from another Texan 🙂

 

[tjbearman]

Welcome to the haven!

How is the Aegir and have you heard the V1 too? It’s on my list to buy, but now with the V2 out…

I’m real happy with the Aegir 2 so far. Just got it a few days ago. I never heard the earlier v1. The Aegir 2 is my first piece of Schiit, but probably not my last. I hope to try out some of their preamps and DACs on my visit up there later this week.

 

[RDSChicago]

Welcome to the Haven. Definitely a cool place to hang and talk audio and other miscellaneous and sundry topics!

 

[Punker X]

Welcome to Haven TJ..

 

[RoadDawgWest]

Welcome @tjbearman
Always wanted to hear the ESL-57's.

 

[asilker]

Welcome, TJ!

 

[airdronian]

Welcome aboard !

 

[vinyl master]

Welcome to The Haven from Michigan!

 

[tjbearman]

I’m real happy with the Aegir 2 so far. Just got it a few days ago. I never heard the earlier v1. The Aegir 2 is my first piece of Schiit, but probably not my last. I hope to try out some of their preamps and DACs on my visit up there later this week.

I’m a bit sad to report that I had to return my Aegir 2. It just wasn’t stable with my electrostatic speakers. I had some great visit with the folks up at the Schiiter in Santa Clarita. I still have my eye on them, but decided to upgrade other parts of my system for now. I just got a Topping D50 III DAC and am very impressed. I still have a hankering for a new power amp. I hear such great things about the Benchmark AHB2, but it’s pricey.

 

[asilker]

I’m a bit sad to report that I had to return my Aegir 2. It just wasn’t stable with my electrostatic speakers. I had some great visit with the folks up at the Schiiter in Santa Clarita. I still have my eye on them, but decided to upgrade other parts of my system for now. I just got a Topping D50 III DAC and am very impressed. I still have a hankering for a new power amp. I hear such great things about the Benchmark AHB2, but it’s pricey.

Wonder if something with a Hypex module would be a good fit. The new Ncore line is supposed so sound great

PS I share your curiosity about the AHB2

 

[tjbearman]

Wonder if something with a Hypex module would be a good fit. The new Ncore line is supposed so sound great

PS I share your curiosity about the AHB2

Thanks for the suggestion about Hypex Ncore! I did lots of researching around, thought about a bit of DIY, but finally settled on Nord MP NC122 power amp. I just received it yesterday and I’m quite impressed. It is a lower power “value line” model, but all the power I need for my Quad ESL57s. It sounds different than my familiar tube amps, but it sounds very musical and engaging. I’m not one to spend lots of words trying to describe the quality of sound. I’ve been listening to very familiar recordings and find them as engaging as ever and possibly even more so (do I hear new things?).

 

[asilker]

That's great news! It's nice to change things up every once in a while. Lots of cool ways to build an amp

 

[Ampexed]

Welcome from So. Cal.

 

[rogerfederer]

a big welcome and another vote for hypex ncore! i have monoblocks that sound great with a tube preamp.

and, by the way...

 

[Pat McGinty]

NCore. Flawless. Brutal.