I just came back from a demo of three superb phono stages,in a system consisting of three different mfgrs electronics.All running the JM Labs Nova Utopia Be speakers,in a huge room,with all Nordost Odin cabling.Imposing,and very expensive!!All digital comparisons were either the top DCS or in the case of Zanden's demo,the Zanden CD system.
I've heard this speaker,many times,and in the same room,aplenty,and I really like them.....Just some opinions...
Firstly,the price of "anything" not made in the USA is getting absurd!Of course the US dollar is big time "low",but someone with good experience can do well,financially,with local mfgrs.For the first time(for me) I can truly see why many folks look to the Far East mfgrs,in an effort to save money.This HUGE price chasm seems to be more than economy(or performance)to be honest(only my opinion).Highly polished chrome,and solid aluminum chasis(even in "some" areas not always needed,for sonics)add big time to price.
OK,my point....if you have a really good system,and have spent much time tweaking/modding/voicing it,be "thrilled",because the very exotic/expensive stuff does not be too far ahead of "well thought out" alternatives,like many experienced guys "here" have mentioned they own.
To the superb demo....First up VAC's 150 wpc stereo amp,with the NEW preamp with built in phonostage,we started out with the DCS and though it was OK(46,000 dollar digital front end)I simply cannot see the big difference between something like a 9,000 dollar Audio Research CD player(CD-7)and "these" mega buck two box units.Maybe I'm losing some hearing.
Swithching to vinyl,made the DCS stuff(to me,and only an opinion)sound "flat,lifeless,and thin".Sorry!....THIS using a top Brinkman Table(gorgeous table and arm,btw)with "only" a Lyra Helikon.Not close,to "me"!More realistic warmth,depth yadda,yadda,yadda.The VAC built in phonostage is absolutely superb,and Kevin Hayes stated it was NOT close to being broken in.Damn good,to me.Loved it!
Next up ZANDEN(all Zanden,incl CD system,the two boxer).CD play was warmer(in a good way)than the DCS.Still knowing what vinyl was about to do,I could NOT get excited,and I DO own a fine CD player,for music unavailable on LP.
We moved to LP,and heard the difference when the RIAA feature was used(on that phono stage),using a good Decca LP.It was not bad before,and I'm not going to run out and buy it,but there was definitely better stage,and depth,with more "thereness" utilizing the RIAA feature on that Phono Stage.The thig that I LOVED about the Zanden phono stage was an uncanny sense of tonal beauty(not coloration,Imo)in female vocals.The Cantate Domino LP really was amazingly "real".Of course the Zanden is about 25 to 30 grand(just for phono stage),but wonderful....BTW,the VAC,with a price of 18,500 dollars(linestage included)really held up well,and seemed a superb design,BUT the Zanden is everything my friends have told me it was.Fabulous!
BTW,the Zanden amps were only 60 wpc,but did the BIG speakers(in a big room) justice.
Finally,HP's latest rave...The HUGE VTL mono amps(800wpc),with the Full Monty of VTL stuff,incl seperate Phonostage,but back to the DCS demoing digital first,which sounded slightly cold compared to the Zanden CD player.BIG bass though(with those 800 wpc)and some guys loved "that" bass sound.
Then VTL phono stage,and I am sorry to say the two previous sets of electronics were more convincing to me.The VTL amps seemed to be voiced to give real JOLT,and I think the speaker,which is really quite efficient,did not need this magnitude of power.It just sounded OK,to me(I don't think the "tube" topology in the VTL stuff was to my tastes).....Whereas the VAC and Zanden demo BOTH had me "thinking real",with my eyes closed,especially on the Cantate Domino LP.STUNNING!!
Yet,and Yet...I really have to give credit to my various friends' systems,who have spent years voicing/toying/modding,and just being good/experienced hobbyists.The actual difference(I know this was a dealer demo,and a very well-done one,but I know the speaker well,and it WAS being driven superbly)between "this" 350-400 thousand dollar set-up,and the "mere" around high five figure(really high) set-ups of my pals was "not" all that big.Definitely "gorgeous" and wonderful stuff,but the moral of my experience was/is...if you have a good system,and have been at it for a while be VERY happy!You are most likely within "so what" distance from the dream stuff.
Best.
