Hi Guys
Initially wasn't going down to Mike's but a guy came up from Melbourne specifically to check out the WFS, PDX, Tranquility and NAKSA. So off I went taking the NAKSA and WFS - the Tranquility and WFS was already there.
First off he much preferred the Tranquility and the PDX to the WFS. He heard the issues I had been writing about with the WFS - including the sibilance but thought it was not that bad and I had probably become a bit sensitive to it. However he thought it, while detailed, was constrained and closed while the other two DAC's were open. As I had previously noted the Tranquility had a rather dry sound while the PDX was fuller and richer. He preferred the PDX and that is what he will be getting.
Oh and like everyone who has heard them was quite impressed with the ML3 speakers Mike is working on.
Ok how did the NAKSA go. Very very well thank you. We had been listening to Mikes much more expensive Macintosh's. When we put the NAKSA in, this time properly level matched, the initial reaction was - did you change the amp? Basically he said if he had left the room he could not have known the amp was changed. Well having listened to both amps a lot I could hear some differences - basically in the NAKSA's favor - it was a touch more non transistor like - a little smother and perhaps more easy listening and clearer. But when pushed hard, as you would expect with 500W of power, those Macintosh's shone - their grip was simply amazing. But keep it to sane levels and it was a very close thing with, IMHO, the slight edge going to the NAKSA for being more relaxing and easier to listen to. Now bear in mind those Macintosh's, while of course excellent amps, cost $20K. To me, unless you like to listen at frightening loud levels, its a no-brainer - get the NAKSA. That was the opinion of the Melbourne guy as well. That was the opinion of the Melbourne guy as well. Right throughout listening to the NAKSA he had a smile on his face just like Hugh (the designer of the NAKSA) mentioned of the person who listened to an amp he designed many years ago called the glass harmony. He would sit there for hours listening to it with a beatific smile on his face. In fact one of Hugh's goals was to equal; or even exceed that amp. IMHO with the NAKSA he has succeeded. Naturally he is going to get one.
But being the kind of guy I am and rather liking the idea of sharing a good thing I got Mike to ship it off to you guys in Perth who are into the Killer DAC for them to check it out on their predominately valve systems. A very interesting comparison indeed and look forward to what you find out. Mario should have it in the next few days.
Thanks
Bill
