chachi112

Responses from chachi112

Streamer choices
Lumin D2 
Recommendation on power amp
I’d recommend checking out the Hegel H30.... plenty of power and hold on the speakers. KEF and Hegel play really well together  
DAC/Streamers Under 10k - Mytek, PS Audio...
I would personally suggest taking a look at something from Lumin... very happy with mine. If not Lumin, possibly Aurender. 
Difficulty with SoundStageDirect
I’ve also had issues with SSD in the past... last September I ordered a VPI Prime Signature from them paid on full, luckily on my AMEX, then It was radio silence for about 6-7 weeks. After that period I kept calling every single day till I got an ... 
Good monitor speakers for 300B amps.
Super happy with my Focal Sopra 1s 
Recommended phono stage to go with McIntosh
When I had my MA8000 McIntosh integrated I paired it with their MP100 phono stage. It was a nice improvement over the built in phono stage in my integrated. I ended up swapping out to a Lehmann Decade and it’s honeslt a vast improvement over the M... 
Integrated amp + dac for Focal
I used to drive my Sopras with a Mcintosh MA8000 then moved on from McIntosh to Hegel. The H360 would definitely be worth a look. It has a pretty nice sounding DAC as well 
MA9000 VS MA8900
Totally understandable and I could see how the Hegel could have possibly sounded a little dry or thin. I’ve heard their equipment in other set ups and didn’t like it nearly as much as I do in my room. Have you thought about giving the Pass Labs in... 
MA9000 VS MA8900
Before I went with separates I had a McIntosh MA8000, the older 9000, and it was pretty great. I had an opportunity to in home demo a Hegel H360 with my own equipment and after two weeks sold my MA8000 and went with the Hegel. It might be worth th... 
Ready to move onto next stage of streaming
You can give the Lumin D2 a look... I noticed a nice upgrade going from my node 2 to my Lumin D1 with upgraded power supply. I’ve since moved up the Lumin line but I believe you’d be very happy with a D2 
Stand mount loudspeakers
I currently have a pair of Focal Sopra 1s and am very happy with them... great sound stage and imaging. Highs can sound a little tipped up depending on accompanying electronics so match carefully. I’m running mine with Hegel separates 
Full-Range to Monitors
I recently had a pair of Paradigm Prestige 95Fs and McIntosh XR100s. In the end I dumped the floorstanders for a pair of Focal Sopra 1s. Initially it was for the silly reason of us having a small child and I figured it would be easier to replace b... 
If you like Revel F208, you would love ....
Have you looked at Focal Sopras? 
Bluesound Node 2 - Next level up
My first streaming device was a node 2 and I’m currently using a Lumin D1 with an upgraded power supply. Sounds fantastic and definitely worth the extra money. I’m So happy with it that I’m actually currently looking to move up the Lumin product l... 
PS Audio Power Plants
I’m a fan of the AQ niagara units myself...