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Aesthetix,cary audio and pass lab synergy

Hi there,
This is my first posting here and i am glad to be a part of this forum as i have been reading a lot from here before i joined up.

Coming from a car audio enthusiast over the years and after marriage things have changed and i have been looking, reading and auditioning over the past 6 months or so for a proper home proper hifi set up.
I will building my system around a pair of dyns confidence C1 speakers which I have acquired from my uncle who sold it for a very good price.

Finally i have narrowed down to these few brands that I am seriously looking into Aesthetix, cary audio, pass labs and rogue audio. These are the only brands that appealed to me due to its price ,sound and support.
CDP/DAC : Aesthetix Romulus
Preamp : Aesthetix Callisto, cary audio slp-05, pass xp-20
Amp : Aesthetix Atlas, cary S500.1, x250.5 and rogue M-180
Others are like ARC, Lamm, audio note, bryston and audio space i did auditioned but somehow it was either above my budget or it just didn't sound right to me. Also the dyns are on the power hungry side which was a factor for me when driving it with to its full potential which was why i didn't include cary tube amps ,passx100.5 monos and atlas monos(again also due to price factor).
Now the problem i am facing, is trying to get a good understanding on these system synergy when mixing these brands and a comparison shootout between these brands as its hard for me to get it on loan as I stay very far from those audio shops. So my question is :
1) Has anyone heard/auditioned a combination between these brands together such as romulus--slp-05--atlas as in compare to a full aesthetix setup or even a mixmatch such as romulus--slp 05--rogue M 180?

I have heard a full same brand matching but the curiosity side of me was to always think of better system synergy by mixing it up (this was how i did for my car audio and there was nothing on the same brand for my final setup)

2)for that some reviews showed that slp-05 was not a good combination with the SS pass x250.5 due to its impedance miss match how would it be with the combination of slp-05 or xp-20 with atlas amp or even rogue m180?

Well that's all for now, there will definitely be more questions coming from me but for now i shall leave it to this only.
Hoping for all of those who have had the experience and pleasure of listening to this brands could please chime in and give your advice to a noob like me..Cheers
128x128tjbhuler
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
thanks AC for your input.....You've sure helped me spend my money wisely....I love what you've put together for me. I will say that when I've heard the Aesthetixs at your place they just sounded right.
pdreher's avatar
pdreher
1,184 posts
 
I've owned Dyn C2's & C4's. IMO, they are not as power hungry as many believe. You would be just fine with Pass XA 60's... BTW their XA series amps seem to be preferred over their higher powered class AB "X" series amps. Don't assume you have to run with a solid state amp, as I remember talking to the Mktg Mgr of Dynaudio about 6 years ago and him speaking of his fondness of ARC tube amps with the C2.

While I have not heard Aesthetix Atlas amp or Romulus CDP, I am a big fan of their preamps, previously owning a Calypso and now a Calypso Signature. I've yet to read anything negative about the Romulus and it will be on my short list if I change my current digital setup.
rrsclyde
83 posts
 
I have the Romulus Signature (which I love), and have been using a Calypso pre and various SET amps, and have always got very good sound--I just switched to the Manley Neo Classic 300B pre, but primarily because it is also a great headphone amp. I'll likely sell the Calypso but I think it is a great pre--I'd really like to hear the Calypso Sig (I've considered having mine upgraded). But bottom line I've found the Aesthetix products to mesh with other brands quite well.
tjbhuler's avatar
tjbhuler OP
55 posts
 
thanks for the replies, maybe I'm thinking too much due to my car audio experience which I was in for 10 years buying amps with preamps mixing it up gained a lot of benefit sound wise but not financially..i really like the aesthetix line and cary series a lot and yes XA series is nice but the price is abit on the expensive side for me..well i guess you have to start somewhere..thanks
m-db's avatar
m-db
930 posts
 
Welcome. At this point its usually suggested to choose a speaker that works well in your room then tailor the electronics around the room/speaker.

Your considering well established designers which is a good thing. Sonically, there are going to be subjective differences that will depend on your own taste. While you may get a fairly good read on these differences on these boards, IMO its worth taking your time to hear them in person. Even then your results at home will most likely vary. Also, IMO attending all the days of an audio show can be a level playing field for this purpose.

The key is to take your time. You may have made a solid choice and get some decision making information the following week.

I feel compelled to share a recent audio show experience. I've mentioned this before so my apologies. I hadn't been to an audio show in some time and this one had a very few surprises. First of all, no matter how good the digital playback was, and it was very good, I immediately relaxed when I entered any room that featured analog play back.

I entered the small Pass Labs room which seemed dwarfed by a pair of 50 year old Jensen Imperial speakers which were faithfully reproduced with reconditioned Tannoy drivers by the demonstrator. The front end was a Technics SP 10 (12" arm and cartridge?) Pass two chassis Preamplifier and their 50 watt amplifier. The demonstrator said the cabling was extremely affordable.

From disgustingly loud Hip Hop and Rap which drew actual complaints from nearby rooms, Rock, Jazz, large and small scale Classical, this system was a run away stand out for many who heard it.

With modest wood working skills and a little luck on eBay for the drivers these Jensen's could be made somewhere in the $2-$5K area, The only big ticket seemed to be the preamplifier.

I can't speak for anyone else, if you find yourself listening to your system and not the music, beware. Welcome and good luck.
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