Ooooh, I've got a Rega DAC...

Yes, I've tried some Eagles and Extreme (Wholehearted and More Than Words), and it sounds fine. But for it to be the ideal all-rounder on my set-up, the finger points squarely at the speakers.

Try listening to some Led Zepp, in particular 'Whole Lotta Love'. Superb without and with the DAC.

Then that is what you should do in order to silence that nagging "what if" voice.

IMO. The Rega is as good as it gets for the money.....other options are just different flavours of great, so it really becomes about system matching. If you had an Arcam amp and slightly warmer speakers, I would recommend the Audiolab; as it is, I think the Rega should be a good match, and the Arcam, a worthy transport.

That 'What if' voice has always be there, even back to the early 80s. Yes, you're right though.

On paper the sparkly Leema with the bright MAs should sound like marriage made in heaven for the Rega. In some ways it is... the problem, as mentioned in my conclusion, is the room size and the MAs big bass drivers. Because the Rega adds bass weight and fills out the midrange it does sound a little bloomy with certain styles of music. 

Remember the MAs were purchased when I had the 40 watt Arcam, designed to be heard at low-medium levels. With the Leema turning up, allied to improving the sources, has taken the MAs beyond a comfortable level - they're on the cusp. Tilt one way and they sound a little challenging in the treble, go the other way and the bass is compromised. The purpose of the excercise is to find that sainted middle ground.

Can't ever remember system matching being so testing during the 80s. Perhaps I've become over-fussy. 

BTW Cno, how's the back? The 3 months is almost up, isn't it?

I managed to audition a rega dac - it had an immediate effect soundwise in my system. it acted like a high frequency filter. And in doing so some of the "air" of the sound went missing and it became a bit more 2 dimensional. It was certainly extremely easier on the ear without losing any transient attack etc. Bass and mid range was richer and slightly fuller. This (i think) due to the fact that the higher frequencies were reduced on my system..

Obviously what i heard was in my system and could differ in other peoples.

I have CA840A v2 and epos es14 speakers. I do like the "airy" spacious sound from the cambridge amp

cheers tonky

Exactly the qualities I love about my kit. Very open and detailed, yet natural and packed with realism.

So how are you getting on now PP with the DAC, another day wiser?

Slow forward progression.......3 months is up on 6th Feb.

The surgeon will organize an x-ray, and sign me fit based on everything being OK. ATM, I would struggle with full 5 day weeks, but hope to get back some time in Feb.

Many thanks for asking

Cno.

Nice one.

Took it back Saturday afternoon. While there I heard a Naim Nait 5i CDP and that was a bigger lift in SQ over the Rega Dac, based on the system rigged at the dealers (Nait XS amp and B&W 805s).

are you saying the Nait 5i CDP is better in SQ over the Rega DAC played through the XS & 805s??

only interested really as Im not really utilising my Rega DAC as i just use it with my Apollo CDP - I wonder if the DAC & Apollo R sounds as good as the 5i CDP

I wanted to ask you the same for a few day... Good to know that you are getting along... 

All the best! 

Ps sorry for the off topic PP...

Yes -  No idea how the Apollo and DAC would compare with the Nait 5i, or how the 5i would stack up with your Brio-R and RS1s.

I can only comment on the set-ups heard at the dealers: The Rega DAC at home was painfully slow burning, taking a good couple of hours before hearing any audible difference over the Arcam 73 on it own steam. Pretty much the same at the dealers on Saturday: There was a lift by connecting the Rega DAC to the Arcam, but when he switched to the Nait (no Dac connected) the difference was immediate. I played 'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zepp and the intro hit me instantaneously. It had extra punch, focus and the overall bigger soundstage over the Rega/Arcam combo.

Actually, Steve, read this briefly.   http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/looking-to-change-from-rega-for-naim

No-way am I belittling the Rega's talents, just commenting on a fairly brief dem I had with an all-Naim set-up in comparison.

Mmmm I wonder if I would prefer the Naim sound! I have heard a unitilite, yes it sounded good but I preferred the Rega sound!

What region of the country do you live, Steve?

Will they let you try the naim at home ?

or have I missed that bit ?