Exposure 1010 or 2010 amp for Sonodyne 2605V2

[vijwilso]

Hello vsg , Congrats on the purchase . Can you share your experience with Halide HD .

 

[mpw]

Hey guys, just wanted to provide an update regarding purchase of the amp which I have been contemplating for sometime now...in the meantime lot of things changed.. job, location etc (its been few days that I moved back to Mumbai from London) hence the plan of getting the ex-demo Electrocompaniet didn't materialise ...by the time I could check, it was long gone...also given my traveling, couldn't demo most of the amps which I planned...( only managed to demo Naim 5i which I didn't like)...so it all boiled down to the last day in London....on that morning... quick drive to a nearby shop.... took demo of 3 amps...Arcam FMj A19, Roksan Kandy K2 & Audio Lab 8200a for 5 mins each using the speakers Dynaudio 2/7 ...as for Arcam the sound was fantastic in terms of clarity but was bit lean compared to my taste...AudioLab - had lot of oomph...nice midrange...and also nice low end extension....was getting convinced that this is the one...then came the Roksan - sheer raw power came into the fore....it kind of opened up the speakers...made it much more lively...It was like being in a live performance...very nice vocals and had that 3D soundstage effect which I was looking for...so that said Roksan Kandy K2 was quickly packed....and got it straight to the movers & packers who were held up at home waiting for the last item to be packed ...so now waiting in Mumbai for the shipment to arrive....I know its a rushed decision...n I am sure there are far better products in that range...but given the circumstances couldn't help...will be plugging the amp to my current dac (Halide hd) ...and mostly will be using my laptop for my music needs...Wanted to thank everyone for their valuable inputs ! as I have experienced time n again...the end purchase is never as planned

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i have heard the kandy you mention. good one. Good choice.

sometimes things happen for the good.

now for the speaker upgrade )

mpw

 

[vsg]

Vijwilso...incase you are looking for a dac to use in your laptop (Flac files or otherwise) I would think Halide would be the best bet...I compared that with Rega, Dragonfly, NAD and Metrum...one disclaimer here is that I tested these quite sometime back so part of that listening experience is now blurred...also some of these didn't go thru proper burn in which also changes the dynamics quite a bit...
1) Rega - if I remember correctly sounded bit dry more so using digital input, maybe using SPDIF converter would help...
2) Dragonfly - this is more often compared with Halide, but the sound clarity wasn't there, was supressed... infact had to increase the volume quite a bit to get some meat out of it
3) NAD M51 - I really liked this one..nice clarity, very transparent and layering was clearly audible..but at that time it was being quoted around 1200 GBP so sound quality had to be good to justify the price
4) Metrum - was nice...was spot on in terms of tonal accuracy.. but thought too analytical...also if I remember correctly bass impact was bit recessed......
5) Halide Dac HD - This suited my needs perfectly...while being portable with supplied wires...the sound quality is amazing..very tight bass and good midrange...the most important quality for me...vocals comes out nicely...very analog like sound (though not sure if you like that)....also with my current setup (avr and speakers) which is bass heavy ...this complemented the system nicely...
One important point on Halide is that after your post I checked the price point...its been quoted in excess of 300 GBP...while I bought it as 220..so that has to be kept in mind...

mpw - I am still nursing the wound of buying this amp (damage of GBP 720) , so not sure can think of speakers yet...:sad:...Infact now I am thinking of selling the 2605 and running the dyns (DMs) with this amp...and using the avr as a 3.1 setup...what say?

 

[mpw]

mpw - I am still nursing the wound of buying this amp (damage of GBP 720) , so not sure can think of speakers yet...:sad:...Infact now I am thinking of selling the 2605 and running the dyns (DMs) with this amp...and using the avr as a 3.1 setup...what say?

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i suspect the kandy will be better with the dynaudio standmounts you have,

now that you have the dyns and the sonodyne.. check it out and see how it feels by your ear and then decide.

give attention to the basics and that way you can maximise your musical enjoyment.

about a year ago the kandy k2 in mumbai was quoted at 115k here.. so that should make you feel a bit better.

take it slow..and steady..

put up some pics when possible.. would be fun to see your setup.

mpw

 

[vijwilso]

Thanks a lot vsg . I immediatly want to buy Halide HD for your description below . I do have AQ Drangon Fly , it is good DAC for its money .

Can you share where did you buy this DAC ?

Halide Dac HD - This suited my needs perfectly...while being portable with supplied wires...the sound quality is amazing..very tight bass and good midrange...the most important quality for me...vocals comes out nicely...very analog like sound

 

[vijwilso]

vocals comes out nicely...very analog like sound (though not sure if you like that). --- This is THE most important part for me

 

[vijwilso]

what is the Metriam you compared - Is it Octave or HEX ?

 

[vsg]

mpw - its quite heartening to know that the current price in india is higher than my purchase price...though right now the bigger headache is how to fit the avr and stereo setup separately...I was using the avr with dyn focus in the front n dm as surround and jbl as center along with the svs sub...admittedly it was sounding fantastic both in surround and stereo...never knew good speakers used as surrounds can make such a difference...now having moved to Mumbai to fit all these will be a challenge...also the reason for buying the separate amp was using the 2605 which is there in Kolkata....but I understand dynaudio speakers (even the dm series) will perform better with roksan compared to 2605...now since am in no position to buy any more speakers...and if I let go off the 2605 and use the DM's for stereo amp then my current 5.1 system changes to 3.1 which will be a compromise...sorry for this long blabbering... net net have to solve this jigsaw puzzle...but will surely post pics once I solve this fitment issue...

Vijwilso mate, I would still suggest not to go for a blind buy...you will see lot of reviews raving about each of these dacs and more ...n also we agree or not most of us try to justify our purchase...so try n demo in your existing system and trust your ears...I bought this dac from an online shop in London...the metrum i think was the mini nos octave...also if I may ask since you already have dragon fly are you planning to replace it? If yes...whats missing thats prompting you to buy another dac? At times the problem lies somewhere else...

 

[vijwilso]

Vijwilso mate, I would still suggest not to go for a blind buy...you will see lot of reviews raving about each of these dacs and more ...n also we agree or not most of us try to justify our purchase...so try n demo in your existing system and trust your ears...I bought this dac from an online shop in London...the metrum i think was the mini nos octave...also if I may ask since you already have dragon fly are you planning to replace it? If yes...whats missing thats prompting you to buy another dac? At times the problem lies somewhere else...

Do we have an option in India to demo and buy .. especially for the DACs .

Honestly i am very happy with the DragonFly for what it offers at this price range. I looking for more fuller , tonally richer and more analog like sound and your comments did match to this . This was already on my wishlist , just needed another push .

 

[mpw]

mpw - its quite heartening to know that the current price in india is higher than my purchase price...though right now the bigger headache is how to fit the avr and stereo setup separately...I was using the avr with dyn focus in the front n dm as surround and jbl as center along with the svs sub...admittedly it was sounding fantastic both in surround and stereo...never knew good speakers used as surrounds can make such a difference...now having moved to Mumbai to fit all these will be a challenge...also the reason for buying the separate amp was using the 2605 which is there in Kolkata....but I understand dynaudio speakers (even the dm series) will perform better with roksan compared to 2605...now since am in no position to buy any more speakers...and if I let go off the 2605 and use the DM's for stereo amp then my current 5.1 system changes to 3.1 which will be a compromise...sorry for this long blabbering... net net have to solve this jigsaw puzzle...but will surely post pics once I solve this fitment issue...

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ahhh.. mumbai.. wilkommen !!

I got rid if my 5.1 system and now its only 2 channel for me.

kandy + dynaudio would be nice to listen to and i would so love to have a listen.

mpw

 

[vsg]

Vijwilso - then I think you will be happy with the Dac Halide...would you know the price which is being quoted in India?

mpw - more than happy to do a demo once the system is setup...will find it difficult to part with the avr setup (the arcam avr600 is probably one of the best I have heard within 'avr' category...) so hopefully will find a middle path...

right now eagerly waiting for the stuff to arrive...

 

[vsg]

Hi..it's been a while since I got the stuff..have unpacked just the speakers dynaudio focus 140 and the amplifier Roksan Kandy connected thru dac Halide hd...source is laptop using interface JRiver MC18...was eager to do a A/B comparison with the other speaker sonodyne 2605 V2 so kept both ..bit of a hurried arrangement...have a setup pic attached ...will soon put in my views on the comparison between dynaudio and sonodyne ...

 

[mpw]

vsg,

Focus on giving the focus a lot of current and you will know what to retain / keep.

for speakers..do provide as much room as is practically possible so both of them get breathing room and you will be aware the Focus 140 will need a pair of worthy stands for it.

good luck !!

mpw

 

[Amitkg]

Koushik you are right.. but given the different price points maybe not fair to compare the two... its just that since childhood had a fascination towards Sonodyne system (maybe that prompted the purchase...I still remember that I was blown away listening to a Sonodyne Uranus system ) ... given that it will not be my primary system so expectation is low...just tying to ensure getting the best possible sound using a compact amplifier.

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If you are highly dissatisfied with your present Sonodyne 2605 v2, you can sell it to me. :licklips::licklips:
PM me if you are interested.

 

[vsg]

Thanks mpw, I would surely put them on stands once I take a call which one to go for...as of now it was just installed to do the speaker comparison...initial impression is that for current Roksan isn't short of it...can easily run most speakers that I know of...and built quality is quite nice...few more listening sessions and think I am done though some people can decide in just few mins of listening

Amitkg, I think I may need to pm you in a few days time

 

[koushik]

Amitkg, I think I may need to pm you in a few days time

I predicted that on 13th Sep 2013

 

[vsg]

Koushik - your prediction is turning out to be right...started the testing with the feeling that I wanted to like the Sonodyne...had a fascination since the Uranus days...BUT....one any one parameter it doesn't stand a chance...be it the low end, midrange, soundstage, treble, vocal...you name it... the focus is in a different league....and I mean miles ahead...I tested with various kinds of music..EVA Cassidy, Eagles, western classical, Jagjit Singh, Arijit Singh...honestly I am astounded how a bookshelf speaker can have a such a soundstage, I didn't experience it earlier maybe the comparison is making the dynaudio standout so much...I tried b-wiring the 2605 which improved the sound...and it does sounds nice....but the moment you switch to the dyn you are in a different world...started the Enigma opening notes...it was eerie the kind of impact it creates...as for the low end ...I don't think you will ever need a subwoofer with this kind of speaker...same goes for the vocals...you can literally hear the singer gasping for breath in the higher notes...I don't know but is it that a 4 ohms speaker creates this impact compared to 8 ohms?...assuming you are providing enough power...I know technically it doesn't make sense...but somehow most 4 ohms speaker atleast the ones I have heard tend to impress more...but for sure dynaudio is a different beast altogether...So think I have to let go off the sonodyne...and I would agree inspite of everything it offers good value for money...just that have no space to accommodate both brands at this point...Now I understand why most experts in this forum suggest buying speakers first and spending most of the budget in getting good speakers....

 

[reignofchaos]

VSG you should get a pair of good mass loaded stands for the dyns and it'll sound much much better than what you are hearing now. So far you've not even scratched the surface.

 

[vsg]

reignofchaos - thanks for the suggestion...will surely do that....till now I never filled it...think I will be filling it with sand this time...last shot is to try the same combo (Dyn n sonodyne) with the arcam avr600 and see if that changes anything...though I doubt...

 

[Amitkg]

Thanks mpw, I would surely put them on stands once I take a call which one to go for...as of now it was just installed to do the speaker comparison...initial impression is that for current Roksan isn't short of it...can easily run most speakers that I know of...and built quality is quite nice...few more listening sessions and think I am done though some people can decide in just few mins of listening

Amitkg, I think I may need to pm you in a few days time

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I am still waiting to hear from you. See, it was not a joke, if you are interested to sell the sonodyne stuff, you can PM me or mail me at [email protected]
bye for now, :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:
Amit