Hello folks, first post here, but long-time (20+ years) DIY'er.
Does anyone have experience going from a decent amp (in context) to a world-class measured amp (like the Ncore 400 or Purifi) and their impressions?
The results I'd be looking for would be a more 3 dimensional soundstage and better anchored instruments (all else being equal). Something that my current setup is decent at (in the right room and in the right listening spot). I'm currently considering the Ncore NC400 dual-mono kit that Madisound sells as a winter project.
Some background as well:
First off; I've never heard a high end system. Ever. Never been in a dedicated room at a high-end shop, never been to an audio convention or to a friend/coworker that had a high end system. My only frame of reference are the systems I've built and the rooms I've acoustically treated myself and their results. So I don't have that experience of plugging in or listening to a $10,000+ amplifier on a $50,000+ setup. Or being in a room that's had $10,000 of professionally measure and applied room-treatments. I don't know what I don't know, if you know what I'm saying!
My current 2ch setup is as follows:
Speakers: Paul Carmody Speedster TMM
meniscusaudio.com
Amplifier:
ICE-Power 200ASC, in a large Par-metal case (fairly well laid out)
DAC/Pre-amp:
Raspberry PI 4, with HifiBerry Dac+ Pro hat (hat fed 5v power by https://diyaudiostore.com/products/linear-audio-silent-switcher) running Moode Audio and using hardware controlled volume (no preamp).
Interconnects are DIY based on some belkin cable from years ago that was highly rated with some Parts-express knockoff compression RCA.
I realize that room treatments, ideal speaker placement and a subwoofer would improve the sound, so let's leave that one off the table for now.
Does anyone have experience going from a decent amp (in context) to a world-class measured amp (like the Ncore 400 or Purifi) and their impressions?
The results I'd be looking for would be a more 3 dimensional soundstage and better anchored instruments (all else being equal). Something that my current setup is decent at (in the right room and in the right listening spot). I'm currently considering the Ncore NC400 dual-mono kit that Madisound sells as a winter project.
Some background as well:
First off; I've never heard a high end system. Ever. Never been in a dedicated room at a high-end shop, never been to an audio convention or to a friend/coworker that had a high end system. My only frame of reference are the systems I've built and the rooms I've acoustically treated myself and their results. So I don't have that experience of plugging in or listening to a $10,000+ amplifier on a $50,000+ setup. Or being in a room that's had $10,000 of professionally measure and applied room-treatments. I don't know what I don't know, if you know what I'm saying!
My current 2ch setup is as follows:
Speakers: Paul Carmody Speedster TMM
Meniscus Audio is coming soon
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meniscusaudio.com
Amplifier:
ICE-Power 200ASC, in a large Par-metal case (fairly well laid out)
DAC/Pre-amp:
Raspberry PI 4, with HifiBerry Dac+ Pro hat (hat fed 5v power by https://diyaudiostore.com/products/linear-audio-silent-switcher) running Moode Audio and using hardware controlled volume (no preamp).
Interconnects are DIY based on some belkin cable from years ago that was highly rated with some Parts-express knockoff compression RCA.
I realize that room treatments, ideal speaker placement and a subwoofer would improve the sound, so let's leave that one off the table for now.
