Resolution Audio CD50 (and don't use linestage), or Bel Canto Dac-1. MIT 330 Shotgun interconnects, balanced ones much better than RCA. Just a thought. However, you still are wanting a particular sound, so you are still analyzing it. It's not something you should have to consciously reject, IMHO. And being an audiophile is nothing to be ashamed of either, so don't deny that part of you too much. The amplifier will make the most difference, with regard to how much you "don't" want to analyze the sound. If you are using adequate room treatments correctly, you can get to a point where the music doesn't "demand" to be analyzed, again in my humble rack-and-pinion (heh heh). I envy your speakers. A tube amp is probably the way to go, but I'm no expert on them, and have never heard any that I've liked a lot (besides my headphone amp).
Wilson Benesch ACT 1:component help
Nearly new pair on the way at a fraction of list. While my current components will not do these speakers complete justice, neither I hope will the sound be embarrasing. None the less, I would be interested in opinions on where to start upgrading the rest of the system to better match the capabilities of the Wilson Benesch Act Ones (www.wilson-benesch.com for info and links to reviews) . Current system: Arcam Alpha 8, McCormack Deluxe Line Drive, McCormack DNA 0.5 rev B, Theil CS2s, Tara RSC Master cd-to-pre , MIT 330 Series II pre-to-amp, MIT 750 speaker cable. . Pre amp may need description as it is an 11 year old passive unit. Input impedence: 8200 ohms; Output impedence: dependent on volume setting, varying between 800 and 2050 ohms to which the source's output impedence must be added; WBT sockets; Penny & Giles volume attenuator; MIT 330 and Wonder Wire used internally. At least Class B and, "with the best source components and cables, it will consistently produce Class A sound quality" according to John Atkinson in his Stereophile review (Jan 1989, Vol.12 No. 1). . Other interconnects/cables that I have access to include: Tara RSC Decade, Norsdost Blue Heaven and Tara RSC Master Gen II speaker cables. . My initial thoughts are to use Tara Decade from the Arcam CD to pre amp, Tara Master to power amp and Tara Master to the speakers. I presume that upgrading the Arcam to an Alpha 9 would make sense. . Assuming that this is reasonable given what I have on hand, where do I go next? Here are my initial thoughts on monetary allocations: CD player app $1,250, pre and power amps app $2,500 each, interconnnects app $500 each, speaker cable (8') $1,000. Virtually every component in my existing system was aquired used. So, please do not hesitate to recommend more expensive components that might be found used at the above prices. The allocation for CD is lower because of the still rapily changing nature of digital (therefore, likely to stick with the Arcam Alpha 9 for a while). . I am tired of trading musicality for detail, imaging and instrument ambience (female vocalists can get real harsh when they belt one out through the Thiels). I do not listen at extremely loud levels (the listening room is 14'X20'X8') and I do not consider bass to be the foundation of music. . Relative to the goal of neutrality, I amd willing to trade a tad bit of detail to avoid brightness or a cool/cold sounding system. I am willing to venture out into the world of tubes. I want to listen to and enjoy the music. I do not want to analyse how it sounds. . I listen to a wide variety of music. Lastly, reproduction of human voice has always been my first evaluation criteria (one hears voices every day and when they are not right, it sticks out like a sore thumb). . Any and all advice welcome. Sorry for the long post.