Lece

I am curious as to what else is out there since the last demo I had...any thoughts on what I should be looking at for around $2000 and under?

The Mini Maggies are excellent...granted you have the space to play with the mid bass module's placement. Once dialed in they are by far the largest sounding desktop speakers I have had in the office, but once space got a little tighter under the desk and I had to move that mid bass unit, the sound thinned out quite substantially.

One day...one day

I wish that I could fit Magnepan's, but they are just too large.

I have been doing some research and this is what I have begun to think about: Harbeth Compact 7es3's, DeVore Fidelity 3XL or Super 8's, or Vandersteen Treo's I know that a crossover module can be installed into the VSI60 when using the Vandersteen's (6db at 80 or 100Hz) and then I can use their sub. This would free up some energy in the VSI60, but I would need the sub (extra $$$). The 3XL's would be comparable to the 7es3's so it would have to come down to which one I liked better of the two. Both would lack low end extension. The Super 8's would fit in nicely as a all around performer, but I would have to give them a listen. Thinking either the Bel Canto 2.5 or an AYRE QB9 (but that is limiting me to only USB) as the DAC. I would love to DIY with a Buffalo III, possibly a tubed output stage? Thoughts?

Maybe a trip is in order. About the DAC, how do you like that twisted pear buffalo, I was thinking about getting the kit and using it as the dec for this system?

The issue is that there is no Los Angeles dealer of the speakers. The closest one is 350 miles away.

I also started to look at the DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 8 and 3XL's...any experience?

The current setup is amazing, but it is moving locations so I need something of a smaller scale to take its place: 1) I would like the system to have a separate integrated and separate sources. 2) There is no restriction on speaker size. 3) We listen to all styles of music so the system should be versatile, but we rarely turn it to 11. 4) 85% of my listening is of digital media

Interesting option with the Linn. I would like the system to have a separate integrated and separate sources so that I can keep the heart of the system unchanged as newer types of sources come and go.

I also have the computer, a macbook pro.

And don't worry about the cables and interconnects, I have plenty.

Hello All- I am switching things around here at the house and need your help designing a computer audio focused system for medium sized room (20' x 14' 6" x 9' H). The budget is $10K. I was thinking of using a Audio Research VSI60 as the main power section of the system, but I am open to all suggestions. I listen to all styles of music. Let me know how you would do it.

I have owned a set of these and they are fantastic, I would run and grab this ( http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/clearance/542999394/vienna-haydn-grand-rosewood ). They are a little more than your budget, but they are better than the Canton's and the B&W's in my opinion.

Here are the results from the session from a few weeks ago (the short version): Tied for best overall - The Audio Research DAC8 and the Bel Canto DAC3.5VB. At this level, your choice would be based purely on system pairing and your sonic tastes. Both were grain free and transparent, however each did have a distinct sonic character. The ARC had a taller and wider soundstage with an overall faster/tighter presentation. I heard the most separation between instruments with this DAC and I felt it put instruments in the most natural position within the space when I was listening to it. The Bel Canto had a deeper soundstage with a sweeter tone. I felt that I was getting more high frequency information out of the recordings with this DAC which gave instruments a sense of completeness. If your speakers through a huge soundstage, I feel that you will lean towards the Bel Canto, and if your speakers are more on the sharp and detailed side, probably the Audio Research. Needless to say, both were amazing and I could live happily with either. Second - The Lector Digicode 2.24. This was an amazing DAC and is easily up there with the ARC and BC in terms of quality... but, it only played redbook data. Whatever this DAC lacked in terms of speed and transparency (which was very little), it easily made up for it with its' top level musicality and sonic weight. It was the most "fun" DAC of the test. I am eagerly awaiting to see if an HD version of this unit comes to the market. If this was able to play HD data, I would have to reassess the list, it was really that good. Tied for third - Wyred4Sound DAC2 and the Bel Canto DAC 2.5. Think of these as the younger brothers of the ARC and BC DAC3.5VB. They are great at their price, once again your choice would be based purely on system pairing and your sonic tastes. Much like the ARC, the W4S had a large soundstage with a tight sonic presentation. The BC DAC2.5 had a smaller yet deeper soundstage with its tone leaning towards the sweet side. In comparison to the DAC 8 and 3.5VB, both seemed less refined with a hint of added grain, but at less than half the price that is to be expected. Fourth (and only by the smallest of margins) - The mod'ed Music Hall DAC25.3. This has a strikingly similar tone and presentation to the ARC DAC8 when using the DAC25.3's RCA outputs (these tie in with the tube output stage). For the price, this DAC is a steal, but don't expect all of the nuance and dimension of the top level performers, however you will get awfully close. The RCA output was relatively low and that added some compression to minute details and harmonics. It did have some of the reminiscent "fun" of the Lector, maybe it is the tube? Overall a non fatiguing sound and a solid performer at the price. The rest - The M2Tech Young handled its' decoding stage as well as I expected it to, the only issue is that it did not handle output stage as well. I tried both USB in and AES in, the USB was the superior input for this DAC. The separation of instruments and dynamics it displayed were up there with the top level units, it was just a little grainy and harsh in comparison, which made it fatiguing. This companies first attempt at a full blown DAC was good enough to make me keep a close eye on their future endeavors, they just need to listen to some top level analog sources so that they can get a bar for comparison. Just a note, I did have some issues when using this DAC with Amarra in which it locked my computer (could be my fault, who knows, but it only occurred with this DAC). The PS Audio Perfectwave was a solid performer, but it lacked musicality when compared to the others. Construction and features alone would put this DAC easily at the top, but something just didn't mesh with my test setup. Lack of instrumental weight and subtly combined with pronounced sibilance kept this one off of the top. The dealer suggested that this DAC sounds best when connected to a network using a NAS drive to stream all my music. I tried for 30 minutes to a hour to get it to connect to my network with no success. Thanks to Acoustic Image, Affordable Audio, and Weinhart Design for the use of their products and expert advise. Test System: - Audio Research LS27 / VS115 (KT120's) - Marchand XM44-2 Balanced Crossover - Harbeth Super HL5's on S/A Stands - JL F112 Subwoofers - M2Tech EVO + CI AUDIO VDC9.0 + Macbook Pro 13" w/ 8GB RAM + Amarra 2.2 - Shunyata Hydra 8 + Power Cords - Audioquest Analog & Wireworld Digital Interconnects / Straightwire BiWire Speaker Cable I ran everything AES/EBU and XLR out (except with the Music Hall and the M2Tech Young) Music Hall DAC25.3 Mods: Burson OpAmp, Clock, Cap Mods, & Siemens CCA Tube