I finally got my frugal horn mk3 put together. They are not yet "finished" but they are functional. I have the Mark Audio MAOP 7 drivers in them and the detail in texture and range is phenomenal. 4" full range drivers with this kind of bass is really cool to witness.

We feel like we're finally getting all the "goodness" out of the 6v6 and LP-3 preamp. The sound is mesmerizing. So excited I've got plans to build the FHXL for a pair of Mark Audio MAOP 10's and maybe even the Woden Design Maeshowe model for the paper cone drivers that are currently homeless.

The closest thing I've heard to this sound was a pair of Audeze LCD 2 headphones on a Luxman P1u headphone amp. Everything is just there to enjoy without having to strain to hear it, and with the richest midrange I've ever heard (in my house anyway). Vocals are superb.

Worth the wait!

We have 3 of the Node 2i in our house. I have one set up to our Rogue RP-5 and Stereo 100 amp feeding Klipsche Forte III's. Another on the Dennis Had LP3a and 6v6.

My wife and I did an informal blind test between the Node 2i and an old Musical Fidelity M1 DAC with/without a Schiit Eitr used to "upgrade" the usb input as it is a first gen and very limited spec-wise. We could hardly discern a difference, and slightly preferred the Node 2i's sound to the M1 Dac signal. Granted, that is a very old DAC, (circa 2010).

I have done unscientific and purely anecdotal listening tests with the Luxman P1u and Audeze LCD 2 headphones and couldn't tell a difference between the Node 2i internal DAC and the Musical Fidelity Dac, or a Schiit Modi. YMMV.

It makes sense to use it with a DH amp and then maybe down the line you can add a Dennis Had pre-amp. This progression may get you more bang for the buck?



Disclaimer:
While I dabbled with high resolution file formats, I have settled on "redbook" quality files and most of my music library is CD quality flac files. There is an OBVIOUS increase in quality when listening to these from the NAS on the Node 2i, vs streaming (Qobuz or spotify), but all are enjoyable.

Hope this helps even though it is super late and you probably already made your decision, lol.

Cheers!

duplicate msg deleted.

Decware Zen Master Clones
 

Hello all. Newbie here just sharing a photo of my new KT88 SEP with open baffles featuring the Fii full range 15” drivers.

This is an experiment in the office system aimed at providing something close to the dearly departed Quad ESL57 sound with a lot more volume and a lot less fuss.
The speakers are only really satisfying with a sub or two, but once everything is dialed in they are quite good. The recently acquired Inspire amp drives their 100dB with ease. (As one would expect!)

https://www.audioresurgence.com/wp-c...0/sys-1500.jpg

https://www.audioresurgence.com/wp-c.../sys2-1500.jpg

**Edited with smaller photos**

Wow...those photos came out kinda big! (Note to self - get the duster out)

Has anyone here tried Zu Audio speakers with Inspire amps? I have a 300B-v and thought about Zu speakers. They have a 16 ohm impedance though. Wasn't sure if the standard 300B-v amps Dennis has recently been building the past year or so would do good with the 16 ohm speakers?

Klipsch Heresy IV. Awesome match! Probably great with any Klipsch Heritage.

Has anyone tried Tannoy DC10A speakers (or other Tannoys) with the Fire-Bottle KT88 SEP?

Dennis has had Tannoys. I don't think he has them any more....

YMMV

well I was mistaken..
 

Dennis still does has his Tannoys.

However for what it's worth, he never talks about them. :dunno: