Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

HuddieLedbetter said:
My thanks. I try to keep in mind that it has come also with a lot of blessings. Switching to job, home-schooling, single parenting, while working through my loss was a shift -- but I also got so close to my kids (they may have heard more Pharoah Sanders than your average 4 and 7 year old...) as I used to travel 70% for work and I was able to give my wife the time to be with her family. Her dad's fight was hard and long, but that also meant that I was better prepared to support her now. A few friends made huge differences in my day to day functioning and taught me more about love, empathy, and support. I'm also mindful that I've still got a job during a time that has been hard for so many, been able to donate some, kept the kids well-fed, did all the dad things, and bought a bunch of records -- some of which my dad would have really loved. There was a great moment here when my dad passed that a bunch folks spun some Brubeck (What's Spinning) that in a time of no funerals was deeply affecting for me and filled a huge gap and is a piece that I'll carry to my last day. Empathy, and kindness are amazing. So yes, it got weird, but I'm good, lucky is so many ways. I get to talk about records.

(and hey folks, wash hands, wear a mask)

and In a transparent effort to get the thread on track, how much of a difference is there between an integrated prima and the separates -- because it seems like $4k and I've always been inclined toward separates because, well, tinkering....
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Your ability to find blessings among the tragedies and grief you’ve experienced is truly commendable. I’m not surprised that music has had a part in that. Hang in there and let’s keep having good conversations about music (and equipment!).
 
HuddieLedbetter said:
how much of a difference is there between an integrated prima and the separates
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I haven't heard these specific separates, but I can tell you any time I've heard an integrated vs the same line in separates (only a few times) the biggest difference I notice is the separation of space. This is especially true with monoblocks vs stereo. This really is about squeezing out ever single little bit a design has to offer. If you like the sound of a units integrated, you will likely find the separates a little more captivating. Now is that worth double the price (or more), the extra cables, loss of extra space, etc etc? Well, that's why you don't see many people doing it. It's almost always a big financial jump. But I've never met anyone who's tried integrated and separates from the same line and preferred the integrated. But I've often heard "I wish I could justify the separates/monos."
 
displayname said:
I haven't heard these specific separates, but I can tell you any time I've heard an integrated vs the same line in separates (only a few times) the biggest difference I notice is the separation of space. This is especially true with monoblocks vs stereo. This really is about squeezing out ever single little bit a design has to offer. If you like the sound of a units integrated, you will likely find the separates a little more captivating. Now is that worth double the price (or more), the extra cables, loss of extra space, etc etc? Well, that's why you don't see many people doing it. It's almost always a big financial jump. But I've never met anyone who's tried integrated and separates from the same line and preferred the integrated. But I've often heard "I wish I could justify the separates/monos."
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I like my pre and mono block power but then I’ve not heard a similar level tube integrated so I don’t want to comment 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
displayname said:
I haven't heard these specific separates, but I can tell you any time I've heard an integrated vs the same line in separates (only a few times) the biggest difference I notice is the separation of space. This is especially true with monoblocks vs stereo. This really is about squeezing out ever single little bit a design has to offer. If you like the sound of a units integrated, you will likely find the separates a little more captivating. Now is that worth double the price (or more), the extra cables, loss of extra space, etc etc? Well, that's why you don't see many people doing it. It's almost always a big financial jump. But I've never met anyone who's tried integrated and separates from the same line and preferred the integrated. But I've often heard "I wish I could justify the separates/monos."
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I wish I could justify the separates.:LOL:
 
On the PrimaLuna -- I really would be hard pressed to by from the dealer that they have in MA. They have a brutal reputation for customer service. Has anyone purchased from Upscale?
 
HuddieLedbetter said:
On the PrimaLuna -- I really would be hard pressed to by from the dealer that they have in MA. They have a brutal reputation for customer service. Has anyone purchased from Upscale?
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I've gotten tubes, a phonostage as well as my PrimaLuna amp from them. Quick, really well packed shipments. Great customer service. I wouldn't be surprised if you called them about your options and end up having a really informative 30 min conversation with Kevin Deal, the owner. He is also the most knowledgeable person on Earth, save for the designers themselves, to speak to about PrimaLuna.
 
I have been thinking about making some upgrade to my system and i was hoping maybe some of the smarter chaps here could give some recommendations? I have the MoFi UltraDeck and Marantz CD6006 with a MoFi StudioPhono and an Onkyo receiver. I definitely want to switch out the Onkyo. I don't know about budget since cost is a bit different (higher) over here but i would guess somewhere in the $1000-1200 range?

Also, i've decided to jump on the Grado Opus3 bandwagon but i'm not sure if it should be the low or high output cartridge. @Joe Mac said that what i currently have would fit a high output but wasn't sure if there was enough db's for the low output.
 
The Denmarkian Wonder said:
I have been thinking about making some upgrade to my system and i was hoping maybe some of the smarter chaps here could give some recommendations? I have the MoFi UltraDeck and Marantz CD6006 with a MoFi StudioPhono and an Onkyo receiver. I definitely want to switch out the Onkyo. I don't know about budget since cost is a bit different (higher) over here but i would guess somewhere in the $1000-1200 range?

Also, i've decided to jump on the Grado Opus3 bandwagon but i'm not sure if it should be the low or high output cartridge. @Joe Mac said that what i currently have would fit a high output but wasn't sure if there was enough db's for the low output.
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Well, the MoFi StudioPhono has gain settings up to 66db, I'm running my low output at 50db on the Insight. You would be ok running the MoFi at 46db and see how it sounds, maybe even go up to 60 (40, 46, 60 and 66 available on the MoFi).
 
AnthonyI said:
Well, the MoFi StudioPhono has gain settings up to 66db, I'm running my low output at 50db on the Insight. You would be ok running the MoFi at 46db and see how it sounds, maybe even go up to 60 (40, 46, 60 and 66 available on the MoFi).
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My initial instinct was that 46 might be slightly on the low side and 60 slightly on the high side for the Low Output. That’s why I told @The Denmarkian Wonder to throw it out to here because the High Output would work fine at 40.
 
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Is anyone running a Bluesound NODE 2i for streaming? Peachtree has thrown in the towel on developing their own WiFi module and instead are offering a bundle/add on of the NODE 2i for $349. Certainly a good discount off of regular retail, but wondering if anyone has experience with it, good or bad? Also, if you are a Peachtree nova owner, you can contact their CS team for details. Offer expires end of Sept.
 
Joe Mac said:
My initial instinct was that 46 might be slightly on the low side and 60 slightly on the high side for the Low Output. That’s why I told @The Denmarkian Wonder to throw it out to here because the High Output would work fine at 40.
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Valid point, better solid at 40db's with the high output than in no man's land with 46/60........which always made me wonder why the gain was set up that way, maybe a limitation on "give and take" with the switch assignment.
 
AnthonyI said:
Valid point, better solid at 40db's with the high output than in no man's land with 46/60........which always made me wonder why the gain was set up that way, maybe a limitation on "give and take" with the switch assignment.
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Id guess the bottom two are aimed at MM and the top two at MC and this cart sorta falls somewhere between the two.
 
Cheesefry said:
Is anyone running a Bluesound NODE 2i for streaming? Peachtree has thrown in the towel on developing their own WiFi module and instead are offering a bundle/add on of the NODE 2i for $349. Certainly a good discount off of regular retail, but wondering if anyone has experience with it, good or bad? Also, if you are a Peachtree nova owner, you can contact their CS team for details. Offer expires end of Sept.
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Im sure that a couple of people on the digital thread have, and like them. That’s a nice markdown on It too!
 
Cheesefry said:
Is anyone running a Bluesound NODE 2i for streaming? Peachtree has thrown in the towel on developing their own WiFi module and instead are offering a bundle/add on of the NODE 2i for $349. Certainly a good discount off of regular retail, but wondering if anyone has experience with it, good or bad? Also, if you are a Peachtree nova owner, you can contact their CS team for details. Offer expires end of Sept.
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I use one and I love it. It's super easy to navigate and has never crashed or failed to connect to my Qobuz account. Sound wise, I think it sounds excellent. I have never owned a standalone DAC, and have never had anything more than basic Sony cd players, but I have a good vinyl setup. I'm not saying the bluesound sounds as good as that, but with HiRes files especially, it sounds phenomenal. Huge soundstages, great detail, and dare I say even a bit warm. Maybe that's due to the rest of my system, I dont know, but it definitely holds its own along side everything else I have and it cost at least half the price. $349 is a steal! Ive thought about running it thru an external DAC, but I don't know what aspect of the sound I'd be looking to improve upon, and I LOVE coming up with flimsy excuses to get more gear. If you buy it and don't like it, for $349, you should be able to sell it for cost in no time. DO IT!
 
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Splunders said:
I use one and I love it. It's super easy to navigate and has never crashed or failed to connect to my Qobuz account. Sound wise, I think it sounds excellent. I have never owned a standalone DAC, and have never had anything more than basic Sony cd players, but I have a good vinyl setup. I'm not saying the bluesound sounds as good as that, but with HiRes files especially, it sounds phenomenal. Huge soundstages, great detail, and dare I say even a bit warm. Maybe that's due to the rest of my system, I dont know, but it definitely holds its own along side everything else I have and it cost at least half the price. $349 is a steal! Ive thought about running it thru an external DAC, but I don't know what aspect of the sound I'd be looking to improve upon, and I LOVE coming up with flimsy excuses to get more gear. If you buy it and don't like it, for $349, you should be able to sell it for cost in no time. DO IT!
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Really appreciate it, that’s very helpful!! You’re right, not much to lose at that price, I can always flip it if it’s not for me, but sounds like a good fit. The nova300 has a nice internal DAC, but I’m definitely missing an easy streaming solution. Right now I’m using my iPad with a lightning cable, sounds great but not as easy to use as I’d like. Do you run any other sound around your house through the NODE 2i or solely your main setup?
 
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