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Best Integrated for SF Signum?

This is my first post in this forum. I recently fell in love with Signum. My current equipment is; Marantz SR-18EX, Pioneer 525, DH Labs Q-10 + siver bananas, and Energy Encore 5.1 package (one pair used for main is now up for sale). As you can see, I am shifting from HT to more 2 ch. I bought Signum because Marantz is so good and it deserve more decent mains. Now, my bug is telling me that Signum is so good and it deserves more decent amp. Based on my estimate that I will NOT be able to have a much bigger listening room (living with TV and other stuff - there is not much space to spare for equipment) for the next 10 years and that I will stick with Signum for 10 years, I decided to go with integrated. My current candidate are as follows; - Plinius 8200 - Sim Moon - Krell 300i or 500i My favorite music are Classic, especially strings, piano, organ, and choral. Also, I still would like to utilize Marantz and Encore for movie watching. Am I asking too much? Please let me know which one you would recommend, with respect to combination, balance, flexibility (for HT system), and Manufacturers' service. Or if you have strong oppsition to my selection, please free to bash me. Thanks in advance!
khokugo
rute1
71 posts
 
Dekay, Which digital cable are you going to use with the canto? Thanks, Rute.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
Hi Rute: Don't follow my lead because I am clueless when it comes to digital cables. This is the first time that I will have used one. I received recommendations for Illumination 60, the top of the line Wireworld and Nordost cables and a $300.00 Tara Labs. What I have ordered is a digital cable from Mapleshade (their Double Helix model). I went with this one because I have enjoyed talking with Pierre at Mapleshade in the past in regard to other hi-fi matters and I wanted to check out one of his products. I do not know anyone that has used this cable and I have gone with a product that is completely unknown to me. That said, I am looking forward to checking it out and have an odd hunch that I will like the cable. When I get the system settled in again I will then audition other cables from The Cable Co., but you have to start somewhere and who knows this may be the one.
khokugo OP
122 posts
 
Dekay, I am getting very much interested in DAC 1. Now I even feel that it may be the first thing to do for my system. In addition to Rute's question, how much is it really (I saw some mint used one priced at 800 to 900 on Audiogon) new retail, and where? Thanks, Ken.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
Hi Khokugo: $800.00 plus seems to be the going used price right now. I think that the list price is around $1300.00. If you search the web under "Bel Canto" and hifi you should be able to locate their website that will give you the specs as well as dealer information. I had really wanted to go with a good all in one unit like the Theta Miles or the Resolution Audio units, but even used they are very expensive and I felt this was the best way to go for my budget as I wanted a pair of new speakers as well. I am not certain what the upgrade path is with the Bel Canto but for now it suits our CD collection and should work well with my CAL player as a transport. Some people say that Bel Canto is slow to return calls and emails, but when I emailed them telling them up front that I was going to purchase a used unit they returned my email answering my questions the same day. This was my experience with them. I do believe that they are a small company and because of this may be overwhelmed with calls and emails at times. When it rains it pours.
khokugo OP
122 posts
 
Dekay, let me know how you think about it after you hook up Bel Canto (modified, I presume). Oh, I will let you know the outcome of bi-wiring experiment on my SF Signum once it has broken-in. Thanks again. Ken.
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