cal. audio ikon mkII power boss upgrade

Dekay- I think you hit it on the head...Interaction between components plays a major roll over how the entire system sounds. I know I'm stating the obvious here, but it always takes alot of playing around to find that great match. I have to say that in the past year vinyl has been quite a joy. You have to thank ebay for all the great vinyl deals we are able to get our hands on. Lets not forget Music Direct and Acoustics sounds! Also as of the past six months the addition of the Luxor power cords in my system have made an amazing difference, much more authority, also deeper insight into the detail of the music and a blacker background. An upgrade that really made a big difference. Best-Gary

I am running mine through CJ pv10a pre, Proceed HPA 2 amp and ML aeruis i speakers, not getting any glare and I enjoy the sound as it is, but you know how it is allways have to wonder what you might be missing. I used to have Transparent wave connecting everything then traded up to the premium line, it really was like night and day. Thanks for all the input Dkay and Gmele.

No Money: I forgot one thing. I tried a borrowed set (3) of Black Diamond cones and did not like the sound on the CAl. It made the sound kind of brittle and out of balance (quite an achievment on the stock CAL). I mentioned it to a dealer and he asked me which set I used. I din't know, but he told me that there was a major difference between #2 and #3 or between #3 and #4 (can't remember) for what I was using them for and that I had probably used the wrong model. I don't know if this is the case or not since I have not tried any other models. I can find out which ones I used this weekend and will post that info. It is interesting (to me anyway) that your preamp is also on my hit list though I have not heard it, noted as "classic" tube sound. I have made a list of tube preamps from the threads at this site in the case that I decide to go whole hog when our finances losen up a bit.

I found the CJ pre-amp IMO to be the best money I have spent in the system yet. Well.... the amp too but it cost 3x what the pre amp did, so I expected it to perform.

No Money: Cannot get a hold of the person that loaned me the racing cones. Mute point anyway as I am sure that you know what you are doing with them. I just purchased a MF X gear power amp yesterday so I am one step closer to going with a tube preamp. For now though I will play with a bi-amp setup using the little X-A1 for the top end. Another member here that has been there and done it suggested going with a good DAC. I think that they are right though it would be nice to get another player or transport.