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Re: A brief note about the new Cardinals

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Budrew

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In Reply to: A brief note about the new Cardinals posted by Jeffm on July 25, 2005 at 10:22:45:

Thanks. I have not used the WA Cosine in a while. Over the next few weeks I plan to try it with the new AN CDT2 II transport. But I'm more excited about the USB DAC notion. Very convenient! Even my wife is into it. She's discovered iTunes and any album on demand and thinks CDs are too much of a hassle now.
Your description of the Cardinal sounds very intriguing.

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USB DAC's, Wives and Cardinal Stuff - Jeffm 16:31:35 07/25/05 (3)
If only my wife were computer literate . . . the idea of another computer in the house, or even running a network line from our office to the family room/listening room, is really too much for her. She is more of the artistic type and, while she very much appreciates the 'ol stereo system, she does draw the line at her idea of too much technology. It is a shame since I have iTunes installed at work and at home and will be getting a Shuffle this week.
The Cardinal X2's are a real suprise and are incredibly good. I wouldn't have believed it unless I heard it. Not your father's 300b! They are worth a serious audition.
How is your system working out so far?
Jeff
- Re: USB DAC's, Wives and Cardinal Stuff - Budrew 16:53:18 07/25/05 (2)
  The Audio Note system is very good. I'm only missing one AN cable and in its place I'm using something dirt cheap. It seems to take an enormously long time to get components and parts out of England, and I'm still waiting to have the Meishu repaired, which arrived with a buzzing transformer.
  Before the Meishu I was using a deHavilland amp from another system. The deHavilland is more dynamic with very, very good PRAT. A lot of fun to listen too. The Meishu sounds very slightly more natural, but lacks the dynamics and pace and timing. The deHavilland ebbs and flows with the music, keeping up with the natural pace of the musician, while the Meishu just flows, seemingly glossing over the pacing. For whatever reason these differences make the deHavilland more engaging and interesting. It has more life and presence to it.
  Besides the Meishu the AN speakers, cable, and digital, especially the transport, are excellent. The Meishu's not bad at all, I think I'm just looking for something different that it isn't designed to provide.
  Anyway, because of the time issues with AN and because I feel there is something missing in the amp I'm interested in hearing other 300Bs, which is a tube I like. I've dealt with Gordon in the past and his products get very high regard, and he's responsive to customers. I'm keen on his designs that combine the digital (and USB DAC) into the amplifier. His new headphone amp with the DAC will have a pre-out too. I still love the deHavilland (they are very responsive too!), but the tubes are big and run very hot and with little ones in the picture someday I'm concerned about it. Plus, I want to explore the 300B more.
  So... in a nutshell it's doing great, but I don't think my journey is over yet : )
  - Thanks for the update and good luck - Jeffm 19:43:24 07/25/05 (1)
    Thanks for the update on your system and I hope you find what you are looking for. I was curious as to how the Audio Note gear was working out since it has always had very good reviews. If my local AN dealer had ever been able to get his act together (which he never did), I might have gone down that path for a while myself.
    Gordon's Ultimate line certainly has my attention as well (if you can afford it). I don't know how well the Cardinal X2 sound translates into the Ultimate series but I have to believe that it is at least as good. I just haven't heard anything from the Ultimate series yet. I think that you really do need to give one of Gordon's 300B's a try since my experience with the X2 puts the new WE 300B's in a completely different light. And in a very good way.
    I may try putting together a longer description/post on the X2 since I think it really stands out as something different and very, very good.
    Jeff
    - Re: Thanks for the update and good luck - Budrew 09:27:40 07/26/05 (0)
      I'll look forward to your X2 commentary. There is in fact a local WA dealer so hopefully I can get some exposure soon, though it sounds like he focuses on the lower power amps. My AN dealer has been great, fantastic in fact. He does what he can to nudge them and has provided a lot of help in working the system to its potential.

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