NeilPeart
Headphoneus Supremus
I am thinking of selling my NAD/PSB system and building a HiFi that surpasses even my old Unico/Vandersteen rig. This is my plan:
Transport 1 - Panasonic DVD-S47: great sound and completely unmolested, full-bandwidth digital output (up to 192kHz) of DVD-Audio signal via coaxial. Access to advanced menu will be provided by the Samsung 510MP (connected via S-Video).
$0 (I own it)
Transport 2 - Hush MiniITX system with Chaintech AV-710 as transport outputting via optical digital and connecting to Samsung 510MP via VGA. It will connect to my file server via an 802.11G USB adapter.
$1,000
DAC/Preamp - Benchmark DAC1: I already use one in my computer-based rig and I am very satisfied with its performance and sound signature. It will accept the signals from the DVD-S47 and PC-based system (lossless FLAC, of course).
$900 (I have one already but it’s in my other system and I can’t let it go)
Paradigm Active/40 - I recently heard these speakers with my DAC1 and I was absolutely floored. They were easily better than my PSBs or Vandersteens and throwing in the Servo-15 subwoofer was amazing (though unnecessary for most pieces, IMO). I still need to find these elusive speakers, and I do prefer the wooden veneer if possible. I will accept no other substitutes for these speakers. They will connect directly to my DAC1 via XLR cables (they are active and feature their own power amps).
$1,000 - $2,500
Headphones - HD580/Oehlbach: My HD650/Zu XLR is serving my PC-based rig perfectly, and I’m certainly not gonna connect the Active/40s to my DAC1 via single-ended cables to make room for the balanced headphones! The HD580 will suffice, though its use will be limited; it sounds great out of the DAC1's headamp, IMO.
$0 (I own it)
IC/PC Cabling/Power conditioning – This will be decided when the system is more or less complete and after my wallet recovers.
~$500 (the actual figure will depend on the components selected)
Total: $2,400 - $3,900
Building this system will require me to first:
Pay off my debt (within 3 months)
Buy a condo (within 6 months)
Sell off my NAD/PSB system and extra guitars (ASAP)
What do you guys think? Any helpful hints/criticisms/suggestions? Has anyone else heard a system using the Active/40 speakers? What stands should I use for them? What should I use to fill up said stands? Thanks guys – any input will be appreciated.
Transport 1 - Panasonic DVD-S47: great sound and completely unmolested, full-bandwidth digital output (up to 192kHz) of DVD-Audio signal via coaxial. Access to advanced menu will be provided by the Samsung 510MP (connected via S-Video).
$0 (I own it)
Transport 2 - Hush MiniITX system with Chaintech AV-710 as transport outputting via optical digital and connecting to Samsung 510MP via VGA. It will connect to my file server via an 802.11G USB adapter.
$1,000
DAC/Preamp - Benchmark DAC1: I already use one in my computer-based rig and I am very satisfied with its performance and sound signature. It will accept the signals from the DVD-S47 and PC-based system (lossless FLAC, of course).
$900 (I have one already but it’s in my other system and I can’t let it go)
Paradigm Active/40 - I recently heard these speakers with my DAC1 and I was absolutely floored. They were easily better than my PSBs or Vandersteens and throwing in the Servo-15 subwoofer was amazing (though unnecessary for most pieces, IMO). I still need to find these elusive speakers, and I do prefer the wooden veneer if possible. I will accept no other substitutes for these speakers. They will connect directly to my DAC1 via XLR cables (they are active and feature their own power amps).
$1,000 - $2,500
Headphones - HD580/Oehlbach: My HD650/Zu XLR is serving my PC-based rig perfectly, and I’m certainly not gonna connect the Active/40s to my DAC1 via single-ended cables to make room for the balanced headphones! The HD580 will suffice, though its use will be limited; it sounds great out of the DAC1's headamp, IMO.
$0 (I own it)
IC/PC Cabling/Power conditioning – This will be decided when the system is more or less complete and after my wallet recovers.
~$500 (the actual figure will depend on the components selected)
Total: $2,400 - $3,900
Building this system will require me to first:
Pay off my debt (within 3 months)
Buy a condo (within 6 months)
Sell off my NAD/PSB system and extra guitars (ASAP)
What do you guys think? Any helpful hints/criticisms/suggestions? Has anyone else heard a system using the Active/40 speakers? What stands should I use for them? What should I use to fill up said stands? Thanks guys – any input will be appreciated.
