Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I have a pair of Nola Metro Grand Reference Gold speakers coming on Sunday. Which is good because I crated up my Muzik's and my MM3's, and I returned all the other speakers I had. So I am actually speakerless right now.
The Metro's are rear ported. But the dealer and manufacturer feel that since the woofers are two small, very fast 6.5" woofers, that the rear port will not interact as poorly with my room. I'm not sure I believe that, but they are willing to put them in my room to prove it. They are very aware that I am skeptical, but I certainly won't argue as they are supposed to be great speakers. Also, if I do like the voicing but the woofer ports are an issue, the next larger model up (The Baby Grand Reference Gold, which is still a reasonable size for my room) are sealed enclosures. They are, of course, also twice as expensive.

Matt, I wish I had your direct contact info. More efficient, but so be it.

Best for AG speakers will be a very fast high bandwidth SS amp like a Goldmund Job225 or Telos. I know becuase of a good Boston pal who hated his AG Duos for years till he accidentally borrowed an amp from a mutual pal. Now for the first time in years he is loving it.

As the bass was powered, it didnt make sense, because for the first time the bass was keeping up with the horns. When I spoke to the AG guy at the Zurich show, he said it made sense as the bass amps ONLY cover up to 150hz and the rest is being done by the main amp.

The Ypsilon speakers sounded exceptional. Look at the pictures on the 6Moons Zurich show coverage link I posted above. Short write up at theaudiotraveler.com as well.

EA has a MM7 which is their new Top of the line. Same as MM3 but with Bass drivers added on top....even more HUGE.

If you can somehow find the Phaeton, grab a listen!

Thanks for the fast feedback.

My apologies Matt its not the Phaeton (that is the amp) its the Eratos! My bad.

Not only were they showing the brilliant integrated Phaethon 110wpc integrated which had been previewed in Munich and should start to export by November, they also had their very first production speaker called Eratos built from 10-year old aged solid wood.

A docked two-box three-way, the pièce de resistance here is Ypsilon's home-rolled ribbon tweeter obviously tapped off their own transformer. Their designer claimed a colossal 15mm of linear excursion and a 2'900Hz crossover point with a for this driver type shallow filter slope of 12dB/octave. Having petitioned these folks for a review sample of the Phaethon already in Munich, I'll reserve sonic comments for the formal occasion later in the year except to say there's good reason why this exhibit opens my report.

http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/highendsuisse2014/1.html

http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2014/05/29/high-end-2014-ypsilon-audio-introduces-phaethon-integrated-amp/

http://ypsilonaudio.de/lautsprecher/erato-ls-100/

Wisnon - pm sent

I know of the MM7. It's their statement product. Four huge towers. I think the MM3 is their "realistic" reference product.

Ypsilon doesn't have any speaker on their web site, nor does the U.S. Importer. No matter the name. It's just not there....

AG speakers are great. I'm hesitant because of my 11' listening distance and my smallish room. I think my Burmesters are fast enough for the AG and up to the challenge.

I set up an audition for the Pearl 3 next Tuesday. I'm hoping to get to hear the Avalon within a few weeks as well.

Mattnshilp I think you would like the Boenicke W8SE or W20. Heard the W20SE at CES a few years ago and they were great.