HenryHonda
Established Member
Hi all, after 5 years with my Elex-R, I'm seriously thinking about what amp upgrade I can do to improve particularly bass control and definition.
My current system:
Auralic Aries G1 streaming transport
Denon DCD-2500NE SACD player
Rega Planar 3 (2016) + Hana EH MC cartridge + Moon 110LP v2 phono pre-amp
Chord Qutest DAC + SBooster BOTW MkII LPSU
Rega Elex-R integrated amp
Neat Motive SX1 floorstanders
QNAP 4-bay NAS on network - serving ripped CDs (dBpoweramp) and ripped SACDs (ISO2DSD v2)
I have been gobsmacked at the amount of detail retrieved from a CD by carefully ripping at slow speed using dBpoweramp - I have ripped all my favourite CDs, but still have 100's which I play via the Denon and Chord. I use the Auralic Lightning DS Server software and LDS app on an iPad - get's close enough for me to Roon.
(MCRU Mains DC Blocker - no more transformer hum)
The Auralic and Chord have given me the most significant improvements over the last few years, and the SBooster LPSU gave very noticeable improvements to SQ - in spite of Rob Watts (Chord) claiming that the standard wall-wart SMPS is all that is needed.
I perceive the Neat speakers as relatively neutral and revealing - with the bass response from the downward-firing bass port giving lovely extended frequency response.
However, I perceive (real or imagined) that control of the lower frequencies could be improved. The Elex-R, whilst driving and energetic, appears to not be brilliant at giving clearly defined bass notes. It doesn't appear to be controlling the bass driver as tightly as it could.
Therefore, I will be home auditioning two alternatives next week - the Hegel H190, and the Rega Aethos. I may also try the Primare i35 analogue, and the Naim Supernait 3.
Hegel make much of the high damping factor of their amps - the H190 being right up at 4,000 - giving much improved control of particularly bass drivers. However, I have also read that too high a damping factor can result in a 'dry' or 'bland' presentation.
Of course, I would also be paying for the Hegel built-in DAC facility - but I doubt if it could better the Chord...
Anyway, as always, a home audition is essential - recognising that integration with the whole system, and the listening room, can have a significant influence.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has first-hand home experience of one or more of these amps - and your thoughts...
Thanks in advance for your help
My current system:
Auralic Aries G1 streaming transport
Denon DCD-2500NE SACD player
Rega Planar 3 (2016) + Hana EH MC cartridge + Moon 110LP v2 phono pre-amp
Chord Qutest DAC + SBooster BOTW MkII LPSU
Rega Elex-R integrated amp
Neat Motive SX1 floorstanders
QNAP 4-bay NAS on network - serving ripped CDs (dBpoweramp) and ripped SACDs (ISO2DSD v2)
I have been gobsmacked at the amount of detail retrieved from a CD by carefully ripping at slow speed using dBpoweramp - I have ripped all my favourite CDs, but still have 100's which I play via the Denon and Chord. I use the Auralic Lightning DS Server software and LDS app on an iPad - get's close enough for me to Roon.
(MCRU Mains DC Blocker - no more transformer hum)
The Auralic and Chord have given me the most significant improvements over the last few years, and the SBooster LPSU gave very noticeable improvements to SQ - in spite of Rob Watts (Chord) claiming that the standard wall-wart SMPS is all that is needed.
I perceive the Neat speakers as relatively neutral and revealing - with the bass response from the downward-firing bass port giving lovely extended frequency response.
However, I perceive (real or imagined) that control of the lower frequencies could be improved. The Elex-R, whilst driving and energetic, appears to not be brilliant at giving clearly defined bass notes. It doesn't appear to be controlling the bass driver as tightly as it could.
Therefore, I will be home auditioning two alternatives next week - the Hegel H190, and the Rega Aethos. I may also try the Primare i35 analogue, and the Naim Supernait 3.
Hegel make much of the high damping factor of their amps - the H190 being right up at 4,000 - giving much improved control of particularly bass drivers. However, I have also read that too high a damping factor can result in a 'dry' or 'bland' presentation.
Of course, I would also be paying for the Hegel built-in DAC facility - but I doubt if it could better the Chord...
Anyway, as always, a home audition is essential - recognising that integration with the whole system, and the listening room, can have a significant influence.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has first-hand home experience of one or more of these amps - and your thoughts...
Thanks in advance for your help
Last edited: