Forums - The Final Steps -?

JOMAN

Seasoned Member

Posts: 716

The Final Steps -?
09/18/23 at 01:56:02

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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CAJames

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"I've run every
red light on memory
lane."

Posts: 1206

Re: The Final Steps -?
Reply #1 - 09/18/23 at 04:23:07

Since I’ve been waiting 22 months for a pair of UFO25s I think you’ve made an excellent decision. Esp. if you go balanced from the TT2 into the ‘25s. But that raises some practical considerations. The wait is like 4 years if you want to get a new matched pair. That is a heck of a journey IMO. I guess the other option would be to find a second UFO25 on the used market and send them both to Decware to get them matched. Either way it sounds like you’ll be busy for a while.

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[FOOBAR2000 | Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia
Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Maple-tree Phono 3E
Woo WA22 -> Space-tech 300B , 2x UFO25s on order
Omega SAM , Hifiman Arya, Senn HD-650

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JOMAN Seasoned Member Posts: 716	Re: The Final Steps -? Reply #2 - 09/18/23 at 12:24:32 Quote: I guess the other option would be to find a second UFO25 on the used market and send them both to Decware to get them matched. 👍 Thanks CA!
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Tony Seasoned Member "Life without ..music is inconceivable" A.Einsteln Posts: 502	Re: The Final Steps -? Reply #3 - 09/18/23 at 16:25:29 Hi CAJames, You said above, the other option would be to find a second UFO25 on the used market and send them both to Decware to get them matched I seem to ask the basic questions, so what does that mean? What would Decware do to ensure a match? JOMAN, thanks for your post. It will be fun to see how this turns out for you. Tony
Back to top	SE84UFO25 \| CSP 2+ \| ZRock2 w 25th Ann \| ZBIT \| Cambr. CXNv2 \| Denafrips Pontus II \| Denafrips Gaia \| Media Converter \| Decware I/Cs \| Decware Pwr Cbls \| ZWIRE Speaker Cbls \| Omega SAHOM & Bass Baffle \| Sennheiser 650 \| Furman Conditioning l Room Trmt. GIK Acousti IP Logged

JOMAN

Seasoned Member

Posts: 716

Re: The Final Steps -?
Reply #4 - 09/18/23 at 18:17:03

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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CAJames

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"I've run every
red light on memory
lane."

Posts: 1206

Re: The Final Steps -?
Reply #5 - 09/18/23 at 19:00:50

Quote:

Posted by: JOMAN Posted on: Today at 10:17:03

...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.

JMO but I like stepped attenuators better than no volume control. Sonically I think they are pretty much equivalent (no volume control still needs a resistor) and gives you flexibility to find the optimal gain on your front end. I had them on my UFOs and it worked out really well and am getting them on my '25s.

As for full differential mode, that is available by default. What you'll need is a custom jumper than breaks out the XLR into 2 RCAs. Check out page 11 of the UFO25 manual for details. Both Geno and I had them made by different ebay sellers. Steve keeps threatening to sell Decware versions but I don't think that has happened yet. If you already have XLR cables you really like you might talk to him about making short adapters if/when you send the amps in.

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[FOOBAR2000 | Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia
Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Maple-tree Phono 3E
Woo WA22 -> Space-tech 300B , 2x UFO25s on order
Omega SAM , Hifiman Arya, Senn HD-650

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JOMAN

Seasoned Member

Posts: 716

Re: The Final Steps -?
Reply #6 - 09/18/23 at 20:29:14

Quote:

JMO but I like stepped attenuators better than no volume control.

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.

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