Musical Fidelity X10-D Tube Buffer Pricing ???

2

Comments

  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited January 2010
    I like the Grant Audio choice....be different, follow your own path.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    I like the Grant Audio choice....be different, follow your own path.

    Hmm...I don't know if you are being serious or sarcastic, MARK....

    I did email Grant's to see if they offer a tube upgrade option. Why buy tubes that I will just take out to upgrade?

    Course I am not the first, there is Dawgfish who said he got one, in the Inspired's review thread.

    I like the fact that I will get a 30 money back guarantee from Grants, and they have US distributors. If they have a tube upgrade, so much the better.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Thanks for the encouragement Keiko.....I have heard that those Mullards are hard to come by...WHat do/ did they cost, BTW?

    Have you tried the cyro's 6J1's?
    I have been reading some tube reviews, and they seem to add depth to the 6J1's, or a blacker background, as he put it, course it was Ian Grant who was reviewing them, so I guess he could have been biased (tube joke...hehe) I have to go back and look (thread was from last year) but he had them for $30 a pair, is that a good tube price?

    I really have no idea....BTW, How long does a set of tubes last?

    Since it is a B-283/Yaqin CD-2 it might be of some interest to you and Ben as well.
    http://grantfidelity.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=90&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20


    Also, have you or anyone else, put your tube buffer in the tape out/ tape in loop?
    I was reading that we can do that and have it buffer all of your system, especially applicable on a receiver, I would guess.

    Gosh, this tube thing is a whole new world unto itself.... :D
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  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited January 2010
    Kcoc321,

    I do have a GF B283 and like Keiko, I find it being far from bright even with the stock tubes. Keiko turned me on to the Mullard 8100 tubes. He found me a deal on Fleabay. I bought two sets of Mullard 8100s shipped from England for $48. Hard to beat that! The stock tubes acutally don't sound that bad, but the Mullards are definitely warmer and easier to listen to for longer perionds of time. The stock tubes are a bit more detailed.

    I am running my buffer between my pre and my amp, so in effect, all of my sources are buffered. I wouldn't mind getting one more of the buffers to place between my CDP and the pre. I've heard others experiment and say they heard the most profound difference with the buffer between the CDP and pre. I know you get some gain in the output signal with the use of the buffers also, so I've thought about using this as a kind of stepup transformer for a phono between a turntable and the phono section of the pre just to see what it might do. That's one of the wonderful things about the buffers, they are versatile and you can place them pretty much where ever you want to see what works best in your system. I really enjoy the benefits that the buffer has brought to my system. BTW, if you get one, look at buying some Herbies Audio Tube Dampers. They are a good tweek that adds consistancy and detail to the buffer in the upper mids and highs.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Yeah, my CD2 was under $100 shipped as well, and even with the stock 6J1s sounds great. I've got it between my CDP and Pre, thinking about putting it between the pre and amp and see what that does.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited January 2010
    Just to further confuse the issue, there are currently two MF X-10 v3's on eBay, both inviting offers where you may be able to negotiate a great deal by pointing out the competition.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120521344242 $225.00 or Make Offer + $15.00 S&H
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230427032144 $239.00 or Make Offer + $9.99 S&H
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,502
    edited January 2010
    Dawgfish wrote: »
    Kcoc321,

    I do have a GF B283 and like Keiko, I find it being far from bright even with the stock tubes. Keiko turned me on to the Mullard 8100 tubes. He found me a deal on Fleabay. I bought two sets of Mullard 8100s shipped from England for $48. Hard to beat that! The stock tubes acutally don't sound that bad, but the Mullards are definitely warmer and easier to listen to for longer perionds of time. The stock tubes are a bit more detailed.

    I am running my buffer between my pre and my amp, so in effect, all of my sources are buffered. I wouldn't mind getting one more of the buffers to place between my CDP and the pre. I've heard others experiment and say they heard the most profound difference with the buffer between the CDP and pre. I know you get some gain in the output signal with the use of the buffers also, so I've thought about using this as a kind of stepup transformer for a phono between a turntable and the phono section of the pre just to see what it might do. That's one of the wonderful things about the buffers, they are versatile and you can place them pretty much where ever you want to see what works best in your system. I really enjoy the benefits that the buffer has brought to my system. BTW, if you get one, look at buying some Herbies Audio Tube Dampers. They are a good tweek that adds consistancy and detail to the buffer in the upper mids and highs.


    Speaking to the "chain of buffers", I am doing this also and have done a lot of experimenting with and without the buffers in place.

    I currently am using the following configuration which may not make sense to most, but it sounds the purest to me.

    CDP
    > Yaqin CD-1 ----> Conrad Johnson PV-7 tube preamp ----> Musical Fidelity X-10 v3 ----> NAD 2600A SS power amp ----> Polk SDA SRS 2's. All cables and IC's are MIT S2. All components are either new or have been professionally recapped/rebuilt.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited January 2010
    I might have stopped bidding on one too soon!:mad:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190362724464&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    gdb wrote: »
    I might have stopped bidding on one too soon!:mad:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190362724464&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

    Nah, i think you're ok. Spend another $15 and get the Yaqin CD-2 shipped instead, brand new.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Thanks for all the input guys...and thank you Inspired for making it even 'cloudeir', gawd damn you....hehe

    I heard back from Ian Grant. I asked him to compare the Yaqin Cd-2 and the B-283 and about the cyroed tubes.
    Hi KC, Ours is built to much tighter spec and has the highest grade Shuguang tubes, plus a dual voltage transformer. Our's isn't bright, it is balanced, many have done some rolling, Mullard GE etc, a lot have come back to the stock tubes as it is more balanced. No one needs to mod our gear as they do the Yaqin version. I have some Cryo treated 6J1 tubes same as the stock, that offer a blacker background and is quite nice if you have a transparent system. I sell those for $40 a pair. The B-283 retails for $229, so you are already getting a substantial discount but I can give you another 15% off the tubes, so they would $34 a pair....
    ...
    If you have any other questions, ask away.
    Ian

    total would be $184 if I got the the cyroed 6J1's too(asked back to confirm the listed $150 already includes the discount for VIP's (15% off) or not and IF I could just get the cyroed tubes...not heard back yet. Then start looking for the M81000's (none even showed on the eBay finished sale search.

    I "think" I would probally start with the upgraded GF tubes, unless, no matter what, the 6J1 just don't cut it, even the better spec ones. I guess there isn't really any way to know except to try. Nice thing is GF is offering this with free shipping and 30 day money back guarantee.

    Anyone is Seattle area have the MF X10v3, the Yaqin CD-1, the Yaqin CD-2 or the GF B-283????
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Dawgfish wrote: »
    .... Keiko turned me on to the Mullard 8100 tubes. He found me a deal on Fleabay. I bought two sets of Mullard 8100s shipped from England for $48. Hard to beat that!

    Do you have the Seller saved? That sounds like a great deal.

    I think it got buried in other comments, but how long does a pair of tubes last?
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2010
    Tube junkie!
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    Don't see any M8100s right now, but here's some British made CV4010 that should work well. 20.00 a pair, and I'd bet they'd blow away those 40.00 tubes Ian is trying to sell you.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-NOS-MULLARD-CV4010-VALVE-EF95-M8100-6AK5-5654-Tubes_W0QQitemZ270506323434QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVintage_Electronics_R2?hash=item3efb6eedea

    kewl, I had actually book marked these last night

    Whew, that is a slew of tubes to consider, thanks :)
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    what about these RCA's?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370323243324&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Lol B-283 to a "tighter spec" than the CD-2? It's the same exact damn unit. Wow.

    Kcoc321, want to go halves on that 5 for $30 shipped deal? :D You can keep the odd one.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    well, IDK, I quess the only way to actually compare them is a head to head comparison. I have asked Ian for any reviews comparing the two. IF I have not heard back on Monday, I will give them a call. He did say they upgraded the "dual voltage transformer" as well. Do you have any spec's that came with yours? Also, would you email or PM me some front on shots of the front of the Yaqin? I wanna see what would take to make it into a silver face, since all my 'new' stuff is silver.

    We have a couple of days on the tubes, as they are only listed BIN and once I 'pull the trigger' on one, I would do that just to try them. You can hold onto the extra tube, and it can go for whoever needs it, if in fact one tubes can go out?

    Boy I can see how one can collect quite a few different tubes. Sure would be nice if there was someone out here that I could swap tubes with.

    On a side note, and just cuz it isn't raining and I will have a chance to pull out my table saw, how do you store your extra tubes? I was thinkin a nice wood box with dividers for different tube boxes. Can you also measure one of your tube boxes for me?

    I'll PM you my address. Send me back yours and I'll send you a MO.
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Those are beyond what I am budgeting right now. This just to get my feet wet. I am not going for a full conversion, yet....

    Also, when you ordered yours from HK, how long did it actually take?
    I saw this on one of the seller's add.
    Air mail = GBP57 (delivery time takes: 10-15 working days)

    EMS Speed post (air mail + GBP20) (delivery time take:3-5 working days)

    I also see one CD-1 for $89 + $45s = $133 on eBay

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Yaqin-CD-1-Tube-Buffer-Brand-New_W0QQitemZ400083352505QQihZ027QQcategoryZ81741QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3911.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D63

    specs:
    Technical Data:
    ●Frequency Response: 5hz-500KHz(-1db)
    ●Distortion: <0.15%(1khz)
    ●S/N Ratio: >90db
    ●Tube: 6H1C x1 (Russia Made in 1970s)
    ●Weight: 1.9 kg
    ●Size: 17.5 x11.5 x13 cm
    ●Power Supply: AC 110V-120V, 220V-240V
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    ah, okay thanks...those shipping times had me concerned.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Tube junkie!:D
    Keiko wrote: »
    Vinyl ****! :p

    Touch
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Kcoc321,

    My CD-2 took about 2 weeks to get here, maybe a little sooner.

    I'll pull the trigger on that set of 5 right now, and we'll sort everything out when i get them, no worries.

    I don't have any tubes to store yet, so i haven't quite gotten to storage issues yet. :p

    There's some pics in this post:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1229548&postcount=48

    Ignore the dust, please. ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Tubes ordered. Now hurry up and get a buffer. ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Oh... i didn't notice that you can get the Grant for $130 shipped. If you want the silver face, then go for it. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    Bigfoot monger! :eek:

    LOL!!! Depends relying poopy pants!!!:D:eek::eek::eek:
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    Geritol bandit! :p

    Walker Jockey!:eek:
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2010
    Keiko wrote: »
    **** addict! :rolleyes:

    You win, I surrender.:o
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited January 2010
    Where's Cathy? I think you need a talking to again!:eek::D
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    Ready for me to get REALLY annoying? :p

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Yaqin-CD3-Tube-Signal-Upgrade-Tube-Buffer-6H8C-Tubes_W0QQitemZ260541556727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca97ca7f7

    Gentlemen! Behold! The Yaqin CD3!
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Dang you :p

    You can buy this one...
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Yaqin-CD3-Tube-Signal-Upgrade-TubeBuffer-TJ-6SN7-Tubes_W0QQitemZ260534337609QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca90e8049
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  • kcoc321
    kcoc321 Posts: 1,788
    edited January 2010
    Interestingly enough (besides the CD-3 thread here http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95525 ) I just found a post from Ian on AK about a week ago, that Grant Fidelity is also coming out with a new release, the B-283 GT, which is 6SN7 tube based. I would guess, and it is only a guess, that it will be based on the SD CD-3, at least that is a logically assumption. to me anyway.

    Is there any noticable benifit to using a 6SN7 tube buffer vs the 6J1/ CV4010 one?

    I emailed him for more information, and will keep you posted.....

    PS: I also asked Ian about a Club Polk discount, and he did say he would do a Group Buy discount on the B-283 for $125, shipped, with the same 30day return policy ect. We would need to have 15 ppl. Now that there is also the GT version (soon?) I'll see if that can be part of the deal as well, different $$, of course.

    Anyone is interested?

    Pss: Don't worry Ben, I'll get those tubes with you either way.

    Gosh this tube stuff is fun...hehe
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited January 2010
    I like my CD2, so i'll pass on the new one. ;)

    I doubt it'll be any better, just different.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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