Last minute suggestions on a Stereo setup for around 4L

[prem]

Hi John

In case you like the 300 tube sound and want to pair a 300 tube amp with the Rethms, you will need a Wavac. Most 300 tube amps are extremely mid centric. While that will work beautifully with a lot of speakers, they sound a little thick with the Rethms

 

[hydra]

John, the Rethm studio is 99% done. I think you will be able to get an audition in the studio now.

Like Prem said, you have to listen to them in the studio, to know what they're really capable of! You can also do an A-B of the Saadhanas and the Maargas right there, with the Ganam Amps.

 

[mpw]

FM Jaibir in bangalore has the rethms too.. packed up i think..

maybe worth a visit to his place sometime.

mpw

 

[john_k_antony]

Oppo, a BDP, can't hold a candle to even an entry level CDP like Maantz CD6003. We had once played it in one of the meets in Chennai (held at Gandhinagar Club) and CD63 Mark III which I had briefly, beat it pants down.

Capt,

Did you test the high end Oppo(95/105) or the entry level Oppo(93/103). The high end Oppo, 95/105 have one of the best DAC chips and analog circuit that has been raved by critics around the world. And the Oppo analog circuit needs a long burn-in time to settle down, almost close to 200hrs of playback. So lots of people have shot down Oppo based on its out of the box performance.

I do agree that a dedicated CDP will beat a universal player. I went with Oppo for the package it offered and better than average 2 channel performance.

Thanks,
John.

 

[john_k_antony]

Going to try a new setup at Jochen's place soon.

Trigon Energy Integrated + Blumenhofer Big Fun 17. My current budget doesn't allow me to go for the Trigon Pre-Power combo. So I am trying the Energy integrated now. If I like the sound, I will consider the integrated now and later add power mono blocks when funds are available.

I am so excited about auditioning the Blumenhofer Big Fun 17 as every one in this forum has given very positive feedback on that speaker.

Has any one tried the WSS Silver line RCA and speaker cables Jochen stocks? Gold line is again out of my budget

How about the Trigon Advance MM/MC Phono Stage? Is it worth a try or I just stick with Lyrita MM Phono Stage?

-John.

 

[Ash]

Hi John

I bought the WSS silver RCA cables from Jochen after trying them along with the speaker cables. Will also be going in for the speaker cables in some time. Don't want to influence you with my opinion but I bought them as I liked them very much. You must listen to them and see if they suit your listening preferences. I also have the chord chameleon and VDH D102 mk iii interconnects which I had bought earlier. All of them are different in their own way.

 

[captrajesh]

Did you test the high end Oppo(95/105) or the entry level Oppo(93/103).

Don't remember that. It was brought by our erstwhile Moderator VenkatCR.

 

[anm]

Don't remember that. It was brought by our erstwhile Moderator VenkatCR.

IIRC, he had oppo 83.

 

[john_k_antony]

IIRC, he had oppo 83.

Hmm. I guess Oppo 83 would be in the same league as Oppo 93/103 if I remember correctly. Oppo 95/105 are in a totally different league all together compared to 83/93/103 in terms of 2 channel audio performance. Mainly due to the better DAC chip, power supply, chassis and analog audio components and circuit.

However if it was Oppo 83 Special Edition, then it would be in the same league as Oppo 95/105.

Still I am with Capt Rajesh on the fact that a high end CDP will beat Oppo 105 hands down. But looking at the performance / $, flexibility and versatility Oppo 105 brings in is unbeatable according to me .

Thanks,
John.

 

[john_k_antony]

Hi John

I bought the WSS silver RCA cables from Jochen after trying them along with the speaker cables. Will also be going in for the speaker cables in some time. Don't want to influence you with my opinion but I bought them as I liked them very much. You must listen to them and see if they suit your listening preferences. I also have the chord chameleon and VDH D102 mk iii interconnects which I had bought earlier. All of them are different in their own way.

Hi Ash,

Any comments on the sound signature the cable brings in or influence in the entire setup ?

Thanks,
John.

 

[jai1611]

Hi John,

Having experimented with a range of amplifiers with the older Rethm Saadhanas, my suggestion would be to stick with the Gaanam. Most solid state amps don't work with them - make them sound too dry. I guess the Firstwatt amps are an exception with their low damping factors. Particularly the F1-F4 lot. With tubes, you need something which has sufficient extension (good transformers) and sufficient drive (8w and up). Given these constraints, its hard to find a better match than the Gaanam at any sort of reasonable price. Out of the options available in India, the Wavac and Line Magnetic gear may be worth trying out. Neither is particularly cheap though.

If you do freeze on the Rethms and are looking for a pre owned Gaanam, mine is for sale here: http://www.hifivision.com/sale-owner/38202-lampizator-level-3-dac-rethm-gaanam-amplifier.html . Unfortunately, the amp and the speakers are packed up. Otherwise would have invited you over for a listen.

Best
Jaibir

 

[Ash]

Hi Ash,

Any comments on the sound signature the cable brings in or influence in the entire setup ?

Thanks,
John.

Hi John

Sorry for the delay in replying as I think I missed your last post. Hope I am not too late and you havent already visited The Listening Room.

Comparing it with what I had with me.

Nordost Blue Haven XLR (now sold to FM) - Nordost is brighter maybe with a bit of a bite, WSS is smoother - to my ears .

VDH D102 mk iii - VDH is warmer. WSS has more sparkle in the higher frequencies. VDH is a little darker, closer, denser. I hope I'm making sense. Just my feeling.

Chord Chameleon - WSS - higher frequencies come thru more clearly with a sparkle. More forward in presentation.

Over all, the WSS gives you the feeling of letting the music come thru. Neutral. No excessive bass.

When I heard certain pieces of music with the WSS, I thought I was hearing some new instruments in the far background, especially the higher frequencies. When I changed to cables to one of the other brands, I realised the same instruments were audible with them too, just that they became more noticeable with the WSS.

I am not an expert at these things so this is my personal experience with the rest of my equipment. Some may believe otherwise. Its not that I dont like the other cables. I keep switching them around according to the music or sound I desire. The VDH goes better with my Roksan Caspian M2 amp whereas the Chord pair better with my Arcam A32 FMJ. The WSS goes with both.

Hope this helps.