This system is quite transparent, musical, and dynamic.
It frequently approaches live music with good recordings.
For the first time, I think my system has lost the digital sound and reminds me of my better Analog systems of the past, but with more clarity and better dynamics. I have totally updated my system over the past year and a half and hope to stay where I am for awhile. All the tweeking has made a big difference toward realism. I do not think vinyl or tubes are necessary to have excellent recorded music.
System edited: The quantum Physics noise disrupter placed on CDP and AC Conditioner also under line level ac cords has increased air, high frequency extension, improved imaging and widened sound stage.
Upgrading to SuperConductor 2 from the Fx has made a significant improvement in an already excellent sounding system. Please see my review on these ICs.
Forgive my delayed response. I get busy! Please go to the deHavilland web site under Mercury 2 to click on my review and followup on the Mercury from another forum. Please see also my review in this forum. The bottom line is I am ecstatic over this preamp!
System edited: JPS Labs Kaptovator from wall outlet to Stealth and JPS Labs Aluminati from Stealth to amp. has significantly improved the resolution and musicality of my system.
I am very pleased with my GamuT D-100 Mk.3. In my system it is very dynamic with plenty of headroom. The sound is very natural, smooth and musical. It presents with a deep sound stage. There are no shortcomings for me. I had an Aleph 5 before the GamuT which was excellent, but the GamuT is definetely better. Ohers compare it with the better tube amps without their limitations. The base is tight and well defined and highs are extended but not etched or bright. The midrange is more fluid then most SS amps.
System edited: Changing from the Pass X2.5 to the deHavilland Mercury preamp has added a more fluid harmonically rich midrange and even smoother more delicate highs.
Damon, JPS Lab cables all seem to have a family resemblance. Clarity with very natural timber and very dynamic sounding best describes them. The highs are particularly sparkling, but not bright just very clear and extended. I suspect these cables would reveal deficencies elsewhere in your system. In my system the outcome is nonfatiguing listening and a sense of realism with the better recordings.
Sheffb- How would you define the sound of the JPS cableing? I use the Digital Ac on My SCD-1 and am quite pleased. Do the rest of thier cables have a simular sygnature?
