The system has changed a lot over the last 25+ years. After chasing the dragon and getting to the zenith of what I could afford, I realized I much more enjoyed having various cheaper components that I could swap around and enjoy instead of constantly looking for the next bigger, better, and more expensive thing. Swapping tube and SS component combinations provides variety and scratches the upgrade itch.
The Primaluna’s are running NOS Amperex and La Radiotechnique 12AU7s, Mullard rectifiers, and new GOLD lion KT66s, a great combination! The Cardas speaker cables were a revelation in transparency. I never had cables that were perhaps even more impactful than a component change, and I’ve owned a full Nordost loom at one point.
I also use the system to play my digital Hauptwerk organ through, which is cool.
@oldschool1948 I had the Luxman L550-AX. It was a great match. I don’t listen loud, but it was never a problem with having enough power. They do respond well to power though - I’ve also had the 509x, though not at the same time with the Turnberry’s. The class AB amps might be a better match in some ways depending on how loud you listen and the size of your room. I read your post on this subject - I don’t think you could go wrong with any of those choices you are looking at. You’d just have to see if you could audition to find out which brand’s sound you might prefer.
@milpai thanks for the comment. The NAD M23 is excellent. I’m extremely impressed with it. I’ve had various class D amps going back to around 2010, including Ice, hypex ncore and Pascal modules. It seems every few years the latest one comes out and proclaims ‘class D has arrived’. The NAD is the first time I agree with that. It is super detailed and neutral but unlike many of the others I have tried it is not boring at all, or dry. I’ve had benchmark AHB2s in my system, and those being super neutral, the NAD has a little more character somehow while also being neutral. It has texture. I liked it so much I preordered the M66. The tube amps are less neutral and less powerful of course, which shows with the Kanta 3s. The bass on the NAD is faster and tighter. Midrange is excellent. The tube amps are more holographic and liquid sounding. All said, I get about as much listening enjoyment from both amps. The Kantas are very amp friendly though, not sure how the NAD would sound with other speakers.
I still have the T+A DAC. I will keep it to listen to DsD files. I have read all the info about upsampling and have tried a little bit of it (up to DSD 128) with PCM files and still preferred the Weiss. But with Actual DSD files it is really good.
@toro3 the Elektor is really good. It is different though than the Evo400 as you’d expect. I’ve also had the Benchmark LA4 in my system. I bring it up because it’s also a Pro-audio heritage company. The SPL is extremely smooth sounding while also being detailed. I’d almost call it ‘velvety’. I’d say it is not as resolving as the LA4, and as far as resolution on par with the Evo400. The tube preamp is actually not warmer than the SPL in my system. The Primaluna is more holographic, and the highs are a little airier. If I had to choose I’d definitely take the Evo400. But for the money the SPL is very good.
