richieb

Little ol' Mc MA6200. Second system with a rare Pioneer Elite PD 93 CD player -

Yes I will. And to turn the tables on Rich when he buys 3 P5’s and finds he needs but 2 it is this third cast off I’ll report on. But my offer to RP is $250 not $300. He shouldn’t have been so greedy to buy three. Just because you have a lot of money doesn’t mean you should flaunt it - 😏

You’re correct in that I have no data or listening experience to back up my opinion. Admittedly it is my Nelson Pass Labs bias who is quite clever himself without infringing on others past work. And helll for $350 I may well give it a shot.

Rich It is not going to stack up to the “space heater”. I doubt the Topping will give the listening nuance of a Nelson Pass design. I’ve convinced myself Hypex nCore doesn’t and I’d bet this is no better or not even as accomplished as Hypex. It’s winter, so cozy up to the J2 and be content or make yourself even happier and buy another watch - 😉

I agree with your assessment and a reason to roll the dice. And in this hobby it is an inexpensive roll. I have said for years the way most of us go through gear we are indeed just leasing equipment -

When the Hypex are in the system, they run 24/7 -

Thanks for the clarification. I can relate to the Hypex comparison and you probably saved me a few bucks. Since I believe the Benchmark plays above the Hypex than so it must the Topping.

Use it freely😄. And bananas for speaker input? And you’re liking what you “don’t hear”?

Thanks Westie. How the helll are the preamp and speaker’s connected? Certainly not a standardized format?

Claude are you using the PA5 as a single stereo amp or monoblocks? Looking at the rear panel didn’t appear it could run monoblocks? Will you verify?

So Claude, are saying the PA5 is to your liking or too clinical and that distortion graphs are just that, lines on paper and not sound to your ear? Comparable, better or worse than the Hypex 400? It seems the ASR site is meaningful when only looking at bench tested results, hearing/listening to what the published specs report is not reported. I’ve said earlier that while the Benchmark and nCores have near identical results on paper I find the Benchmark, for whatever reasons, has better sonics. As does the F3 which I’m sure is a failure in testing mode. And you say today it’s a keeper but I wouldn’t be surprised that after extended ownership you grow tired of sound with no redeeming sonic value. I have come to find there is a difference -

Ohhh, just pulling a number out of thin air, say around 60k. Give or take a thousand or two. But that’s just a guess, there is no post count etiquette that I’m aware of. Even Google won’t touch this -

Oh boy. That there will open up a big’o can of worms - 🪱🪱🪱🪱

Don’t be - means you have somewhat of a life -

Much too formal for this band of ne’er-do-wells - working undercover gets better results

Okay I’ll play - I’ll bump you and raise your bump. Jeeez -

I’ve gone back and forth, forth and back between nCore 400 monoblocks, Benchmark and First Watt F3 hoping to actually say I favor one over another. I really believe the Benchmark and FW sound better than the nCores. There is a sense of better clarity, more “air” particularly in the upper mids and top end and just an overall sense of an openness not there with the nCores. Sure they all play Jubes louder than helll but I can play the FW and BM much louder More Comfortably than the nCores. That alone tells me that either distortion or harmonics are cleaner or friendlier than that with nCores. Of course my ears, my associated gear, my room etc. But I believe what I’m hearing -

I believe Dennis Had ex owner/president of Cary Audio build’s these as well. He offers pieces on eBay from time to time and will build to suit -

I believe your ears are “pinned” to your head - 🎳

I thought the piece was quite positive. So it took his head 400 hours to adjust to the sound and a year for the Heresy 3, so what. And compared to other reviewers his audio-speak was rather tame. Ever read a Srajan Ebaen review on 6moons? Now That guy can spin a word -

I think buying a tube amp depends on your timeline in the hobby. If you’re just getting your feet wet, I’d avoid a tube amp. If you’re more experienced with audio then you know the drill -

This could easily be derailed with political comment but that in itself is needless. This has proven itself to be more than any government can control. Know one can control or appease peoples mental state with month after month of depressing news. Which is not helped with “the news” constantly describing death, rates, shortages, overload, etc. Then of course positive news doesn’t sell -

What - are you Travis’ point man? Keeping the Forum safe when he’s away?

🤔

I’ve used Balanced Power Technology (BPT) transformer line conditioners for years. All my gear is plugged into it. Not sure they remain in business. And yes, they are quite heavy. Used them for so long I can’t say what audible difference it makes but initially I “think” I “heard” a quieter background and the presentation did “sound” different. Please note quotations on key words.