@audio-b-dog that’s why I bought MA3i. The concerns I noted with the original MA3 are addressed.
I’ll also add that Pass Labs gear tends to homogenize things a bit. That in combination with the sonic signature of MA3 might be too much of a good thing.
I’m also confident you can improve upon the MA3 with better Ethernet cable or by adding a network filter or isolator. Removing an extra layer of network induced smearing might help clean things up a bit.
Does anyone have a digital system that is as involving as their analogue front end?
I have a good analogue front end. Not stratuspherically good but good enough for this comparison. VPI Prime Signature 21 turntable, Pass Labs XP-25 pono preamp, Pass Labs XP-30 preamp and Hovland Radia amp. It has a lovely, very involving sound. On the right recording, I just drop everythng and am drawn in to listen.
My streamer, on the other hand, is decent but not spectacular. It is better than my CD player, but it is not jaw-dropping like my analogue front-end. My question is this: does anyone have a high-end, tier-one streamer (dCS Bartok Apex, Lumin X2, or something like them) that can rival a good analogue system?
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No. I’ve taken out Roon ROCK NUC with library on internal SSD and replaced it with dBpoweramp on a Windows NUC using a back of the library on a ReadyNAS controlled by Linn App.
Thanks, I like jPlay, but unfortunately it’s not hapless with Linn DSMs.
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My ethernet run is 35 feet so high-grade audiophile cable would be expensive. But tell me more about the network filter or isolator. BTW, I don't hear any homoginazation on my Pass Labs equipment. My preamp is a newer issue (XP-30) with three boxes, one for power and one for each channel. I replaced an ARC Ref. 3 with it, and it is as good as the Ref. 3 and superior in clarity and clean soundstage. When I say clean, the soundstage might not be as large as the Ref. 3, but it is quite exact in separating and placing instruments. It's very highly reviewed. And, of course, my ultimate test is with well-recorded records which sound amazing on my system. |
@newton_john that’s interesting about gapless and Linn. So even if you enable gapless in jplay settings it’s still a no go? |
@audio-b-dog Pass is great stuff. It leans warm. And so is the MA3. Combination of the two can create the type of presentation you’re describing. As to network filters and isolators, I’m looking to try Matrix Audio SI-1 in the next few months. What this unit can accomplish in your case is provide isolation and enable you to use a shorter, higher quality Ethernet cable. The unit takes copper Ethernet in, converts to fiber internally, reclocks the signal and outputs copper again. |
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