[EdipisReks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 Yes yes cables are mighty fun... almost as much fun as tubes... wish I could DIY tubes

well, you probably could. the investment may not be worth it, however

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandenigma1 I am real... take a look at any industry... GE kitchen products has a failure rate of something like .005% and thats for a $30 blender... I would certainly hope Eastsound had higher standards... imagine 1 out of every 100 planes crashing, 1 out of every pace makers failing... heck anything. 5% is even better thats 1 in 20. and that is completely unacceptable for NAD I hope someone got fired for that one. All that aside... are the parts to repair it readily available in the US? or have you ordered spares from China?

NAD solved their problems - they have been reliable now for years. The laser is the problem with any transport - the Philips transport and laser is as reliable as any made, if not the most reliable. They have a life of about 7 years - if they don't have early failure. Put a laser in GE kitchen products and watch the failure rate zoom up. I have seen a price of $24 for the Philips 1202 laser here in the states.

The Philips VAM 1202 is widely used in many CDP and will be readily available for years to come.

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by drarthurwells NAD solved their problems - they have been reliable now for years. The laser is the problem with any transport - the Philips transport and laser is as reliable as any made, if not the most reliable. They have a life of about 7 years - if they don't have early failure. Put a laser in GE kitchen products and watch the failure rate zoom up. I have seen a price of $24 for the Philips 1202 laser here in the states. The Philips VAM 1202 is widely used in many CDP and will be readily available for years to come.

ah cool i didnt know thats what the E5 used....darn...must not get E5, have no desk space, DAC fine

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdipisReks well, you probably could. the investment may not be worth it, however

Says you! Ill make the best tubes ever!

 

[raisin]

McManus provides a considered review of the rca outs of the E5 over on the NYMeet Impressions (page 9 post 180)

 

[Enverxis]

we also had someone else comparing to the grace m902, who believed the Eastsound lacked dynamics and detail compared, but was smoother and easier to listen to ... havent heard the m902 but sounds like a fair comparison.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enverxis we also had someone else comparing to the grace m902, who believed the Eastsound lacked dynamics and detail compared, but was smoother and easier to listen to ... havent heard the m902 but sounds like a fair comparison.

Yes, but this test was done on the balanced outputs. Completely different output stage that is OPAMP based. The RCA outs have a discrete output stage that is far superior.

 

[Enverxis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox Yes, but this test was done on the balanced outputs. Completely different output stage that is OPAMP based. The RCA outs have a discrete output stage that is far superior.

Oh Shucks I didnt notice

I know its far superior hahah, well even though I have grados, i wouldnt exactly say my system is overly dynamic (tube amp, ic's probably cause that). cant wait for Dynahi + K3000 though

 

[hendrix142002]

This will be my first post.

I'm currently using a Consonance Ref 2.2 which I had upgraded some of the parts. I'm just curious, has anybody been able to hear The REf 2.2 and E5 side by side? Will it be a better option for me to get the E5?

Thanks

 

[Vicks7]

My E-5 arrived last night after finally clearing Brazilian customs. I have to say I think it is a fantastic machine. My Marantz was no slouch but in terms of timing, detail, soundstage etc. the E-5 really does take it to the next level and this is just on a preliminary listening session straight out of the box with run of the mill interconnects. Thanks to everyone for their advice over the last several weeks. I am still confined to speaker listening through my TDLs at the moment (can't complain!) until the PPX SLAM arrives.
Cheers
James

 

[grandenigma1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicks7 My E-5 arrived last night after finally clearing Brazilian customs. I have to say I think it is a fantastic machine. My Marantz was no slouch but in terms of timing, detail, soundstage etc. the E-5 really does take it to the next level and this is just on a preliminary listening session straight out of the box with run of the mill interconnects. Thanks to everyone for their advice over the last several weeks. I am still confined to speaker listening through my TDLs at the moment (can't complain!) until the PPX SLAM arrives. Cheers James

...just wait util she is burnt in and set up with some nice cables and the SLAM... you will be one happy man! Glad it finally arrived

 

[raisin]

That's going to be a sweet set-up, I was listening to a Supra hooked up to an E5 last weekend, and although it was excellent, i believe the slam set-up will enhance the E5 sound signature more vigoriously.

 

[Vicks7]

Pleased to hear it

I guess Mikhail is pretty busy at the moment but I am hoping the SLAM will arrive within the next few weeks. Shame I cannot also run the SLAM and the E-5 through my speakers as well........

 

[sacd lover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicks7 Pleased to hear it I guess Mikhail is pretty busy at the moment but I am hoping the SLAM will arrive within the next few weeks. Shame I cannot also run the SLAM and the E-5 through my speakers as well........

You can use a 1/4" to RCA adapter coming from the headphone output and run the SLAM as a preamp.

The IC may need to be fairly long but this works fine when I have used my Singlepowers in this fashion for preamp duty. The only problem you may have is if the amp has so to much gain. If so ..... you will have virtually no range on your volume control.

 

[Mikey01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hendrix142002 This will be my first post. I'm currently using a Consonance Ref 2.2 which I had upgraded some of the parts. I'm just curious, has anybody been able to hear The REf 2.2 and E5 side by side? Will it be a better option for me to get the E5? Thanks

Good Gosh!

Two huge power supplies and a bunch of very large caps.

 

[drarthurwells]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hendrix142002 This will be my first post. I'm currently using a Consonance Ref 2.2 which I had upgraded some of the parts. I'm just curious, has anybody been able to hear The REf 2.2 and E5 side by side? Will it be a better option for me to get the E5? Thanks

Ask Snowy Law at infor@cattylink.com - likely familar with both units.

It would come down to listener preference of sound signature.

I have a bias against a tubed source - I think tubes should only be used in the preamp stage of a system. The second order harmonic emphasis of tubes should be blended with the higher order emphasis of solid state IMO to get the best characteristics of both with a natural and uncolored timbral body. I like a SS source, a tube preamp (or first amplification stage), and a solid state final amplification stage. My home and headphone system does this and I love both.