I posted a response on the Decfest thread that I felt I needed to add to without derailing that thread.  So here it is...

Like many on this forum I've been at this "journey" for a period longer than I care to state.  During the journey I've learned a lot including a lot about what it is that keeps me on the the journey.  Simply stated... music and the talented persons that can talk that language so well.  Bringing those individuals into my space using electronic components is no small challenge.  I think that I'm finally able to meet the challenge, at least for me.

My recent experience with digital front end components and the UFO25 was key to helping determine what I feel will be my end game set up,  here's what I believe will be the final steps:

Digital front end:
Lumin U2 Mini with the Muon System, Chord Hugo TT2 with the Hugo M Scaler connected with a pair of Wave Storm BNC Cables.

Preamplifier:  
To be determined.  The Hugo TT2 has a preamp stage that is supposed to be very good.  That along with the discussions regarding autoformer volume controls and my experience running a DAC directly into my UFO25 has me feeling that I need to revisit the preamp stage.  

Amplifier(s):
Very likely a pair of UFO25's.  I was considering the SARAH but I feel that I should stay with what has been my systems anchor - the UFO25.  If I recall correctly a pair of UFO25's will do more than just increase power.  as I've made changes the UFO25's transparency became so evident.  I consider the UFO25 to be very special in that regard along with its many other talents.  Not saying that the SARAH is not as transparent, I wouldn't know.  Just feel that I should stick to what to me is "old faithful".

Speakers:
The new Wathen Dipole speakers.  Love my Omega Vintage 8's.  After experiencing the difference that a pair of eight inch super fast drivers made I can't resist two 15" drivers that have been CryoToned.  Add the Wathen CryoTone AMT7 tweeter to this and I can't resist.  (By the way did I mention that I'm a CryoTone... enthusiast?  That all the tubes in my system are CryoTone?  and that I AM objective, subjectively speaking😆)

This process will begin after my sound room is completed, sometime in November and it won't be instant.  So for those who are interested... stay tuned.  

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👍

Thanks CA!

My UFO25 is one of the first 5 I think.  It has the Jupiter caps and glass resisters.  Current UFO25's have Miflex caps and the glass resistors are, I believe, no longer available.  I would want both to have the same caps and the same resistors although the caps are more of a factor going from memory.

The other considerations are that I may want no volume controls and have them configured for full differential mode operation.  Most of the pre owned UFO25's probably have volume controls.

So I may be in for the very long haul.

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Right now I have stepped attenuators in the CSP3A and standard volume controls in the UFO25.  Personally I like that set up as I find that there are not enough positions in the stepped attenuators for that last little bit of adjustment.

What I end up with will be determined by what I decide to do with the preamp stage. So stepped attenuators or standard volume controls aren't out of the question just have to go through the process.

Yes, and what a PIA!

I listened through my Beyer Dynamic T1.2 headphones to both the CSP3A and the TT2.  Keep in mind that I also have the M Scaler and the dual Wave Storm Reference BNC cables.

At first it was no contest, CSP3A all the way.  After a couple of hours things began to change.  After about four hours, man talk about a close call.  It was like two closely matched heavy weights going at it.  The worst part was that the better 3/4's preferred the CSP3A.  But then she's not privy to all my scheming (probably only fooling myself).

Moving right along... Tonally very, very, very close.  The Hugo TT2 being an all in one should not be able to do that and the CSP3A should not be able to compete from a price perspective.  But they did!

The difference was in the sound stage and perspective (my wife agreed on that).  The Hugo TT2 produced a larger sound stage even with headphones, width and depth.  Musicians were pinpointed within the soundstage in relation to each other and more space or breathing room between each other to a greater degree in a good way.  This had the tendency to put more of a spot light on the vocalists or main instruments and put others in the background.  No less detail just more prominence to some on the stage than others.  At first it made seem that there was some loss of detail in say the cymbals.  There wasn't just more distance and less prominence.  That was tough!  

My wife preferred the the CSP3A and I wanted both 🤦‍♂️.  What swung me was "THE PLAN" ... The Hugo TT2 is dual differential balanced, so that means a couple of UFO25's and possibly a ZTPRE?

Oh, yes, the d*%# thing drove the 600 ohm Beyerdynamic T1.2's with out breaking into a sweat (hate that Hugo!).

Well, if you're looking for stuff like transparency, detail and dynamics than I think you'll find going balanced all the way to the speakers a nice upgrade.