Looking to upgrade but....

Jhayman

Here's the story..

The other day I was online looking to upgrade my phono stage I've tried a few now all were ok but still felt I could do better so I've been pretty good at waiting for deals to pop up now and then and finding so really good deals.
So I saw a Audio Note L3 phono preamp for sale along with various other very good gear, I called about the L3 then after reading about it saw it needed a step up transformer to use a MC cart which he had already sold so then I was left feeling lost as I have never used this type of set up before, so we talked on the phone for a bit, eventually he said why don't I bring over some stuff and we will try out a few things to see if you like them I said ok.
30 min later he here first he comes in to see my gear and set up tells me to out on something good for reference I do after 45 secs he says ok that's enough you can turn it off..
I feel low now , he says I'm not going to bring in anything because it won't make a difference because the way I have my room set up is all wrong, nows he's very nice about it and asks me what I'm doing later on, I say nothing so he invites me over to his place I go over later and spend the rest of the afternoon there in aww..
His room is under construction for HT conversion with 2 channel as well, he's running Casta Model A speakers from Italy, HiDiamond speaker and interconnects running from an old Scott tube amp and the sound I heard that day was arguably the best sounding I have ever heard anywhere..
He's all about vibration control and power he's using Audience power control as well, his modest little set up sounds Amazing.
Anyway while I was there I did buy the L3 phono stage, he said he has a guy that makes step up transformers and charges around $800 retail or more but will get me one for his cost $300 maybe a little more perfectly suited to my Ortofon Cadenza Red cart..
I also spotted a Nitty Gritty there which he not yet placed for sale, so I asked him how much he said give me $200 and it's in perfect shape the cheapest I have ever seen these go for used is $400 so I got the L3 and Nitty for $1200 plus I owe him another $300 when I get the step up transformer..
So in our talking he said he had personally evaluated over 300 different speakers brands and personally knows many of the owners but his favorite right now is the Casta's and he's the sole distributor in Canada and the USA I believe.
I was impressed so much with his system I'm selling mine to go all in with him and what he recommends, I've never heard Stevie Nicks sing like that before or everything I put on Diana Krall cry me a river she never sounds like she's crying at my place, but on his system it's an amazing experience..
So my question to the Grand Masters of The Polk Forum have any of you heard of Casta speakers and HiDiamond cables or Audience power conditioning?
And your thoughts on any..
He would like to see me in a red floral print dress, lol kidding..
We talked the speakers are Fantastic his demo pair $4000 or $7000 new..
For my room size I have way to much crap in there, he would like to sell me Melody integrated tube amp $4000 and Audience power conditioning $4000 , I have the TT and he recommends HiDiamond cables for all..
The rest of the digital front end he's using I can pick up later as I'm into vinyl, he's only using a Macmini and a home made Dac that I guy makes for him...
I've sold my DNA 250 this week, got my Paradigms up for sale then I will sell the DNA 500 and Rogue ...
He said he would never have floor standing speakers in a room so small also need a couple of room treatments to catch the first reflections from the speakers..
He says if I'm not 100% satisfied he will take it all back..

Just looking for some friendly advice...

tonyb

Well, too many things in your post are telling me conflicting things.

To start, just because his gear sounds good in his home, doesn't mean it will in yours. Your friend stated your room was set up all wrong, if your going to use the same room....changes may not be as profound as you like. Speakers are going to play heavily into what you hear too. I think we may have even made a statement along the lines of having a lot of stuff in that room at some point, but you work with what ya got, like we all do.

If vinyl is your thing, a tube integrated is a good idea not only for sound quality but to limit the amount of gear taking up space. That DNA500 is a monster alone. The least amount of stuff you have in between the speakers the better. I personally thought your gear was out classing the speakers, but you seemed to like them.

If your musical tastes slide towards what your friend listens to...then shake things up and give it a go. Like I always say, you never discover anything locked in a box with a closed mind. I would have the guy play some of your recordings, maybe some rock, see how it handles everything you listen to. A lot of speakers do well with certain genre's but not so much on others. Haven't heard the Casta's myself.

He's offering you some good advice imho, since he's seen your room and listened to your system. Floorstanders in a small room, first reflections, good advice there. I say go for it, especially since you have someone close to you to help you along the way.

BTW...I'd still hold on to that DNA 500 a tad longer. Try it on the new speakers first before deciding to sell it.

marvda1

if only it was that easy, everyone would have the exact same system. in this hobby the fun is in the journey.

Jhayman

Hi guys sorry for the delay, DSkip my room is W/L/H. 12 and one half by 21 by 8f ceiling..
Now there is a pole in the room about half way in and a third over from the wall, it's a load bearing pole.
What it really is, is a PITA...screws up everything can't place a couch properly or a nice chair without it being to close to the speakers..
Tonyb I think I'm going to go back over and have another listen and try all different types of music, I really Love the McCormack but it's way to much amp for those speakers, they are rated for 18watts really for tubes..
But I won't be hasty I'll take my time..
Marvda I hear what your saying, by going this route it does not mean I'm done my searching although a part of me wishes it was, I spend all my free time looking at other gear and thinking about what I can do..
My friends are starting to get concerned lol..

F1nut

So, he comments on your room and instead of helping you get that squared away, he wants to sell you gear. Does he talk fast too?