relentless

Responses from relentless

Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
The dealer has a few people that wanted to demo the Ayre DAC and I had decided to go with the CDP so I let him give it to the others, but after more thought and research I am going to go with the server. The dealer said that the DAC and the CDP ar... 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
After a lot of thought I am really considering the Ayre DAC because of the Ayre sound and the asynchronous USB.But, I am concerned about what I have been reading about how different USB cables affect the sound. Now I will have to play the cable ga... 
CDP / DAC Advice required
Benchmark Media DAC 1 is very popular right now($1500). You could get the USB version and a mini mac for about 2K.Is it going to be as good as the 581 ... no(the Wadia is a superb player), but how big of a difference depends on how resolving the r... 
Favorite Female vocals that give you goose bumps
Lalah Hathaway, Asha Rabouin ... both I like mostly when they do guest vocals on other peoples songs. 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I have read this...."A traditional transport device must convert the stream to a different format to accommodate Toslink, SPDif, or USB, and then the DAC converts it back to I2S to send to the DAC chip". Does this conversion happen in the CD Playe... 
Ayre C-5xe vs Ayre C-7xe??
After more extensive listening I think the difference in bass was that the Ayre was tighter and had a quicker decay. As you stated, closer to neutral. I found I could play the Ayre louder to get the bass at the same perceived level and the mid ran... 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I am still weary about the USB input. Wouldn't there have to be an extra conversion to send the data to the DAC that would not happen in the CDP? 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
From what I have read about the 808.2 I have to believe it is a incredible sounding player. But it puts you in a whole different category price wise with lots of great players to choose from, Wadia 781i, Esoteric X01/D2, Puccini to name a few. I t... 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I was reading the post with Charles Hanson comparing the C5 to the QB9 and he writes that they are comparable and each outshine the other in somethings. He did not go into specifics on what those things were. He was asked if he used a beefed up co... 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I brought the loaner back and got to talking with the dealer about the C5 or a DAC. He said that he has this conversation every day and feels that in the end you can achieve better sound with a hard drive and a DAC. He feels that CD's are not trul... 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I have heard the 505 at my dealer with a 707 and cast connections and I liked the Wadia 871 he had better. Even know I am using Nordost cast from processor to mono's like he is his speakers, PC's and room are different. The 871 is probably an unfa... 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I was excited about the Ayre DAC but it only has a USB input and I have read that USB has a limited bandwidth and that is what has me scared about that piece. 
Want to buy Ayre C-5xeMP but...
I stated I didn't want to let it go because I was happy with the G08 but while the other CDP's I tried were better in some respects there was something about them always telling me to stay with the Meridian. I initially felt that way about the Ayr... 
Ayre C-5xe vs Ayre C-7xe??
I have had the G08 in my system for 3 years. My system has grown around it. I have a C5xeMP for audition. I went in to this change thinking the Ayre was going to be better in every way but my early impressions on the differences are.The Ayre is be... 
What Color is your system
Ok, the truth is that my system is as uncolored as I can make it. I try to have nothing stand out which could be considered laid back or boring but to me it is a pleasure to listen to.