Al "surfend" -zo heet dat nu eenmaal- over het internet, kom je soms stukjes tegen, waarvan je denkt dat ze wel de moeite waard zouden kunnen zijn voor de hifi-notes.com lezers. Daarom kwam ik op het idee om een rubriek "NETSPOREN" te maken en die te gebruiken voor stalling van die artikeltjes, nieuwtjes, testjes etc. Natuurlijk rust daar mogelijk op de een of andere manier allemaal Copyright op, maar een keertje zondigen heeft ook wel eens iets. Gaat het fout, dan gaat het fout. Dan maken we er wel net(ont)sporingen van. Overigens moet U ook de netsporen -net als alle andere recencies- met de nodige omzichtigheid beoordelen. Veelal nog minder als bij tijdschrift recensies is de persoonlijke en omringende sitiatie bekend! Een sterk punt blijft in de meeste gevallen wel, dat de schrijver het apparaat ook zelf aangeschaft heeft! De "netsporen" zijn overigens alfabetisch per merk gerangschikt en U kunt door klikken de sporen volgen. Als U wilt kunt U zelf ook een "netspoor" achterlaten
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Theta Miles: "The Miles is by far the best I've had in my system to date. Before the purchase I ran it head to head with the latest Cal Audio in a reference BAT, Dunlavy system-the Theta was much better. In my system I've also had EAD, Micromega etc. The Theta is wonderful. My personal system for reference is: Chang litespeed 6400 20AH Synergistic Research Reference A/C master Couplers Theta Miles VAC 80/80 with Genalex KT88 Gold Lions and Amperex 7316's Synergistic Research Designer's Reference interconnect 3ft. Synergistic Research Resolution Reference speaker cable 8ft. Thiel 1.5's with 2pr. of Teknasonic C10's mounted on rear of speakers. Bright Star Audio Big Foot under both components. Bright Star Audio Little Foot on top of the Miles. Target B2 2 shelf stand-sand filled."
Theta Miles: "This player is extremely worthwhile. It has excellent detail and clarity, ( very good bass detail also), and sounds best when used without a preamp. I find that onereally enjoy even poorly recorded CD,which I could notbefore..Great buy."
Theta Miles:"My search is over, at least I
think so (since you never know when the urge to upgrade something will hit). After much
deliberation and comparative reviewing, I chose the Theta Miles CD player (balanced
version) to go with my Classe CP-50, McCormack DNA 0.5 and Vandersteen 1C's and 2WQ sub."
"I like almost everything about this player. It has great sound, clean with
no grit or grain, and outstanding bottom end. There were many things I liked about the
runner-up, the Meridian 508.2, but compared to the Theta it sounded polite. It just
couldn't get down and rock the same way, and the Theta has great detail, if only a hair
less than the Meridian."
"My only minor negative is rather small display, which is very hard to read
from across the room, and the loading drawer requires the disk to be placed label down.
Both are very minor and I'm sure my adjustment to them will come quickly."
"My one suggestion to prospective buyers is to make sure you audition the
balanced version, it is much smoother and cleaner than the single ended version, and the
added cost of $500 is not a deal killer."
"It may be just short of the very upper most echelon, ML 39, Krell, Wadia,
or maybe it's closer than you realize. At this level, I believe the differences have as
much to do with synergy with your system, as anything else. So go audition it (at home,
preferably), I heartily recommend it."
Theta Pearl: "Having endured the low-fi nature and terrible support of a Micromega Drive-1the better part of 1997, I was pleased when my dealer finally agreed to take it back in exchange for the new Theta Pearl. What a difference! At first glance what you see is a sturdy and solidly built machine, over twice the weight and heft of the Micromega. The quality that is so evident on the outside is merely a suggestion of what is on the inside but, in the Pearl's case, you can judge a book by its cover. There is a logical series of buttons and controls on the fascia, and the accompanying remote (which is a little cheap by compared to the transport itself), including display dimmer and stand-by (power down) features. But it is the sound -- the sound! -- that is so satisfying. Putting on the new Ry Cooder CD (Buena Vista Social Club) and settling back, I was instantly and convincingly drawn in to every subtlety in the music -- the clear guitar, the congas, the piano and vocals -- all reproduced in a wide, three-dimensional soundstage. Moving to harder and faster rock and roll, the Pearl handled the Tool "Aenima" CD with equal aplomb, rendering its many quicksilver turns and percussive twists tightly and with similar clarity. Particularly on the angry title tune, the Pearl was like a sports car on some tight curves: Gracefully moving along at a higher-than-safe speed. The Pearl is a bargain given its many strengths. Moreover, the Theta name guarantees quality and service that make the purchase more comfortable for the buyer. As is obvious, I recommend this transport very highly. If you love music reproduced faithfully and reliably (the latter woefully inadequate in my previous Micromega transport) you should look at, and more importantly, listen to, the new Pearl. My only concern (aside from the cheesy little remote control) is that you must be sure your preamplifier is muted when you take the Pearl off its standby mode. I get an uncomfortably loud "pop!" that could damage your loudspeakers if the volume is up. Whether a fault of the transport or the preamp, I am not sure, but I have not experienced this audio firecracker with other combinations. Be aware. In conclusion, the Theta Pearl is a great little unit. I love the music it gives me."
Theta Pearl: "I used to have a Micromega Drive 2 (gave up the thing after it started skipping), and replacing it with the cheaper Pearl gave me the same level of detail, but a definitely fuller sound which made the Drive 2 sound thin in comparison. Dynamic, yet smooth without any harshness. Excellent deep, well-defined bass. Very good build, Pioneer stable-platter mechanism, display-off, heftier power supplies. At its price level, 5-stars ! "
Theta Digital DaViD: "I've had my system set up for about 6 months now with my Theta DaVid as my front end transport, and overall its performance is awesome. My system was put together as a whole, not added piece by piece, so I was able to design with efficiency as a priority. As such the David is worth its weight in gold. In the one unit, I have an EXCELLENT CD transport, DVD transport, and state-of-the-art digital jitter control. I send the pure clean digital signal through a MIT digital reference cable to my Classe SSP-50 Sound Processor with its 20 bit Burr- Brown DACs for all channels, and the audio results are astonishingly pure, detailed, and transparent. So with only these two units in my front end, I have the best of everything - CD transport, DVD player, Theta's Jitter Jail technology, first rate preamp, surround processor, and DAC's. The Classe SSP also compliments the DaVid beautifully because both units are DTS capable, and are also capable of reading and decoding either 48k or 96k recordings. Now, if all that software would only become available!! As long as I'm stressing the symbiotic nature of these two pieces, I have to say how fantastic they look together; dimensionally and stylistically the Classe SSP-50 is a beautiful match for the David. Mine are in the black finish, but the aluminum finish is gorgeous too. As far as performance, the Theta David is amazing. It clearly delivers every bit of audio and video detail. I also find myself listening to CDs and hearing things that I never noticed before, subtle nuances of sound.... its all in the details. In the video realm, the increased detail, resolution, and color saturation is noticable. I've compared the "Fifth Element" DVD with the image from the digital satellite signal, and the Theta's output is significantly more detailed and resolved. I'm powering my system with a combination of Legacy amps, using their 2 channel 250 WPC amp for my two Legacy Focus main speakers for audio, and using the Legacy 4 channel amp with 140 WPC to power my Legacy Silver Screen center channel with 280 W ( bridged ) and 140 W each to the Legacy Mist for my surrounds. The realism and detail of this system is just fantastic."
Theta Digital DaViD: "After owning a Theta Data
Basic for years I decided to buy the DaViD to keep equipment numbers down. I could've
bought the Pioneer DVD machine upon which the Theta is based but decided I would spend the
extra and get what I wanted."
"I am totally blown away by the music reproduction that the Theta puts out.
SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE DATA BASIC! There is so much more air around the soundstage than
before. I was playing a few of my favorite cd's whilst pondering where to put various
pieces of furniture we had added to the "listening room" but I had to stop and
LISTEN because I was hearing things I hadn't heard before. My system was fairly good
already (Theta Gen V, Audible Illusion Pre and Krell 300 S with Thiel 3.6's) but The DaViD
got more out of it than before."
"I cannot wait to get my TV down into the room so that I can start watching
movies.. If the music is as good as this, I have to experience the whole thing soon!!"
"It is a little pricey, but I believe it has the edge on ML's No39 player as
well as the Meridian piece (I forget the product #) and you get a DVD player thrown in....
What a bargain."
Theta Digital Data Basic II Transport: "This CD
transport sounds excellent when used together with the DS Pro Prime IIa.
I used the AES/EBU digital out/in. This combo presented me the best musical sound I ever
heard in a home audio product."
Theta Digital Data Basic / DSProPrime1a: "Having owned this
Theta duo for some 2 years now, this is more of a long-term feedback review than a
specific session."
"Before beginning to wax lyrical about these items, it might be useful to
describe the rest of the system of which they comprise the digital source."
Digital Interconnect: Cable Talk Digital 2 (1 metre RCA terminated)
DAC to Pre-amp: Cable Talk Broadcast 2 (1 metre pair, XLR terminated)
Pre-amplifier: Classe' CP-50 (with PHCP-50 phono stage in-built)
Pre to Power amp: Cable Talk Broadcast 2 (1 metre pair, XLR terminated)
Power Amplifier: Classe' CA-100
Speaker cables: Cable Talk Concert 4 (2 x 3 metre - bi-wire)
Speakers: Tannoy D700 (Walnut veneer - on spikes)
"The Classe pre/pwr combo and the Tannoy D700's synergise well - they just need a
really musical front-end... And that's exactly what the Theta Drive/Dac combo delivers -
in spades!! Music sounds like music... Be it Classical, Jazz, New Age or Rock 'n Roll...
Transients are well-handled, Low register bass is tight, fast and has tremendous
slam, Mid-range is clean, detailed but not clinical, highs are sweet and clear. Imaging
and Soundstaging are well-presented and three-dimensional while at the same time, rock
solid with no variable displacement - be it lateral, vertical or in depth of stage. Close
your eyes and an orchestra sounds like... An orchestra! Its there in the room right with
you - strings clearly positioned, brass likewise... Female vocals are particularly
well-handled: Annie Lennox' voice sends shivers up and down spine... Astrud Gilberto never
sounded more alive and present."
"Its probably dangerous to single out the source as being solely responsible for
all of this lovely music - all the bits work together so well that a degree of synergy is
achieved. Still and all, the Theta Drive and DAC have a lot to do with the end result."
"Would I change anything? Probably... I'd love to upgrade the DAC to a Theta
GenVa (or at least to a DSPro Basic IIIa) - but its not a priority - everything works so
well together I'm a wee bit hesitant to change anything... "
Transparent Reference Cables: "I purchased my Transparent
cables on the recommendation of the dealer where I bought my system. The whole system
sounded so good I didn't care which piece of it made it sound that way. I just did what he
told me to do."
"I recently bought a set of Thiel CS6 speakers and took the opportunity to update
my Reference speaker cables with the latest network design. While they were at the
factory, the dealer who sold me the Thiels loaned me another manufacturer's cables to use
until the Transparents returned. I spent an entire week every night waltzing the Thiels
around my listening room trying to fix the sound. I couldn't believe that my room was
making a pair speakers that sounded so good in the store sound so bad in my home."
"Just as I was ready to light the kindling wood around the Thiels, my Transparent
cables returned. I hooked them up not knowing how they would affect the sound because I
thought they would need time to burn in. Ten seconds after I hit the play button I had a
smile from ear to ear. Everything I enjoyed in my previous speakers was there in spades
but better...velvet vocals, tomb-like background silence, incredible detail and soundstage
depth. I had no idea these things were this good. You have to listen to the difference to
believe. I'm already saving for my upgrade to XL's. Five stars is not enough."
Transparent Reference Cables: "I have a pair
of Reference balance interconnects for linking my Rowland Coherence and 9T, and I was
looking for another pair for my DAC to Pre. So I tried another pair of Reference and a
pair of XL. WHat a difference they made. XL is twice the price but the end result is... I
bought the XL!"
"I also found the your better interconnects should be used between pre and power
amps rather than DAC and pre. You should try it."
"Transparent XL cables are so musical, sweet, details and so much air. They are
just the finest. Even new cables such as MIT 350 and The One from Taralab or NBS can't
compete."
Transparent Reference Cables: "I have been
using Transparent Super in my system for a year now. Like most of us I get the bug to try
something different from time to time. Each time I try a new set of cables either they
sound unusally bright or thin sounding, or some aspect of the cable initially sounds
exciting. But when I replace them with the Transparent Super the differences are
immediately obvious. Very natural and detailed, great soundstage, excellent bass, and the
music is not thin sounding, nor is it bloated."
"Initially I started with the Music Wave Plus, moving to Super was a big step up
in performance. Each jump up ... Ultra, Reference, ... will improve upon the weaknesses of
the lower level. In the Super series the only weakness I perceive is a very slightly
rolled off treble."
"Highly recommended if you can afford them."
Transparent Reference Cables: "I fully agreed every word what Bob Wood said after I bought this RCA Transparent Reference cables. Other than what Bob has mentioned, I just want to add that this cable brings out one thing: MUSIC :))) I am sure one will not feel regret after one purchases the Reference or the Reference XL cables. I promise."
Transparent Reference Cables: "Having owned Audioquest
cabling for over 5 years, I was forced to buy new cables when I completed my Krell system
with the purchase of a KRC-3. After having listened to my upgraded system (Krell CD
player, KRC3 and KSA 200 S) through the Audioquest I went to the dealer and swapped them
for a couple of balanced Transparent SUper interlinks. It isnīt fair to compare but the
differences were so unbelievable, so big a soundstage, so smooth and still powerfull, so
emotionally involving the music flowed, I was won over."
"I think it should be imposed as a "must buy" for every serious
audiophile, spending a lot of money on cabling is only a waste of money if you have to
spend it several times before getting to the Transparent Heaven."
Transparent Ultra Cables: "After auditioning over 10 pairs of cables from 6 different companies I decided upon a pair of music wave plus from Transparent .I heard detail never heard in my ever so slightly bright system,Soundstage was deep and wide and dynamics were so dynamic it sent chills up my spine(really)!One week later a friend brought over his Transparent Ultra and hooked them up to see if any the difference in 2 jumps up their chain of quality.We cranked up a reference cd that has a lot of chilling brass hits that used to sound screechy,Let me tell you they say cables make no difference but the weak link in my bright system is no more.The track was A Chorus Line -Hamlish/Morita(Dallas Wind Symphony)On reference recordings (rr-905cd)Try this listen to this piece at loud volume(really loud)and tell me if the brass is bearable.If not try a pair of Transparent Ultra.So the store took back the old and gleefully exchanged (plus a few bucks!!!!)with the new.System used for audition:AAlchemy transport,Lexicon preamp,Levinson 23 amp,Definative bp30 speakers."
Transparent Cables: "I started out with balanced Transparent basic interconnects a few months ago. I moved up to their Music Wave Plus, then to Super, then to Ultra in my second system which is home theatre which is all Krell. Each move was very worthwhile and noticably better. For my other system which is used for CD's I added the Transparent Balanced Reference from Krell 30i CD to Krell KRC-3 and to Krell FPB300 along with Reference speaker cables. WOW! I have not auditioned other cables other than the Audioquest I had been using but the difference is truly amazing. My girlfriend who had though I had lost my mind spending the kind of money Transparent calls for is a believer as well. One has to hear the kind of low level detail, soundstage, silent background and ability of these cables to bring one closer to the real thing in a reference system to trully appreciate what they are capable of. I was skeptical of cables for many years although I used audioquest's best but no longer. I cannot recommend any of Transparent's products enough. I would state that the real stuff starts with their Super line and then improves as one moves up. A friend whom I trust said his Balanced Super sounded as good as his single ended Reference."
Transparent Reference Cables: "What puzzles me
about the many interconnect and wire opinions expressed on, forexample,
rec.audio.high-end, is that so many people think that there's no differences among wires
while I have had various experiences which either show my fine discerning ear or my
unstable mental state. AT least I'm consistent."
"Most recently I auditoned a pair of Transparent Reference Balanced
interconnects between my Theta D/A (DS Pro Basic IIIa) and my ARC LS2B MKII preamp. When I
asked for them at the store, the salesman who logged them out (the owner of the store
asked him to do the paperwork) gave me a funny look. It was either a "you'll be
sorry" or a "you're nuts!" look. YOU can decide depending on which side of
the fence you do your listening. I said something smartass - and took 'em home. Plugged
them in, replacing TARARSC Master Gen 2 balanced cables which I thought were very special."
"My attitude was 'okay, knock me out!' But I didn't expect to be SO knocked
out so immediately - first note sounded immediately more effortless, coherent, magical:
WOW! It wasn't subtle. I read up on them afterward and don't know, frankly, if I believe
what I read. I do believe what I hear - I've had them for a few weeks and every single
time am impressed from the start of the first note. My wife, who doesn't understand my
hobby particularly, commented on how 'it sounds like the singer is in the room now' where
before all she ever said (after much prompting) was that the sound hurt her ears."
"I don't think you ought to run out and BUY them - the price is one mighty
obstacle. But you ought to hear them for yourself, in your own system. You will know
immediately and the first impression will either stun or relieve you."
"In my wire research, most folks who have heard them share one reaction:
almost a kind of warning, the word-equivalent of that salesman's look: these things spoil
you forever."
Transparent MusicLink Plus: "The Transparent
MusicLink Plus is an excellent value. I had the pleasure of borrowing a broken-in set from
a local retailer because my system sounds harsh and steely, physically uncomfortable at
mid-volume after 45 min. Problem solved. The culprit was my Monster InterLink 400 MKII's
and Monster speaker cable. The Transparents had much deeper and tighter base. My
monitor-sized speakers had much better bass with the Transparents and withOUT my
Definitive Technology sub, than with the sub and the Monster wires. Best of all, the sound
was velvetly smooth and rich while NOT sacrificing details in the music- I finally
discovered the right "shimmer" in the sound of cymbals. On a slack-key guitar CD
by Hawaiian legend Gabby Pahinui, I could "feel" the skin of his hand rub the
wood surface of his guitar as he rapped a rhythm. I played "YYZ" by Rush, and
noticed that the drum strikes had tons of "punch" and a crisper sound. Images
were finally delineated, compared to the Monster's sonic mush. Went through 6 hours of
loud volume listening without fatigue."
"I would encourage anybody auditioning cables to make sure they are
broken-in, having NO LESS than 100 hour use (more is even better). Do business with a
retailer who will give you a broken-in "loaner" set of matching cables and IC's
to test at home. Without this opportunity, you are not making an informed choice."
"5 star rating for the MusicLink Plus' performance within its price class."
Transparent MusicLink Plus Cables: "First I listened to the musiclink (basic). This interconnect sounded good in my opinion. A nice soundstage with good placement of instruments. The bass was solid, and the high frequencies smooth. No bad points at this price to my opinion.Then I listened to the musiclink plus. Whooh! This cable was sounding not just good, but exclusively good! What a difference with the musiclink! The bass had real punch. And the 3D soundstage was awesome! Again great placement, but much better then the musiclink. And lots of air between the instruments.Okay, the price is almost double that of the basic, but it's certainly worth it! I had no trouble choosing between these two cables. Go for the plus!! "
Transparent MusicLink Plus Cables: "As compared to the lowest Transparent model, The Link, this cable fills the lacking high frequency details at the slight expense of the robust midrange. Unlike comparing with other cables, the difference when listening through a headphone is quite huge. This cable is very unforgiving to recording defects and bright systems. If you have a good system, which you should if you're willing to pay that much for interconnects, give it a try. Otherwise, The Link is a much better performer in harsh systems. Then again, if you listen mostly to jazz you may prefer The Link over the Musiclink Plus on any system. Highly recommended for high end systems only."
Transparent The Wave: "Transparent works well for me. I don't notice any loss at any frequency. It is a quality piece of wire."
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