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RE: Setting up a new 2 channel system based on available equipment

Gosh! I feel badly now about my opening statement. Making decisions that involve large investments of emotion and money without 'ears on' experience
is tough and one I wouldn't want to have to go through.
In your initial post you seemed pretty sold on the Gryphon integrated amp
and a good loudspeaker match-up from Proac. You say you love the sound of Proac loudspeakers but I ask; "in what context". When you heard them, what was driving them, how large was the room, and of major importance, what was the source and source material. The finest stereo systems in the world can sound just as crappy as the source they are reproducing. Right?
Personally, I find the Gryphon Diablo very expensive for a solid-sate integrated but as I have never spent time with it I can't comment as to it's prowess. I read the specs and it is powerful enough to give you a wide range of loudspeakers to chose from. It will surely drive any Proac model to satisfying levels. I have a whole list of floor-standers under $10,000.00 (list price) that are great performers for the money if you are interested. I did a lot of research before I bought mine. (used of course) My feeling here is buy used if possible and save money and the misery of listening to stiff cones and new electronics.(cross-overs)
In regards to a digital source: I still prefer the old school, all in one box approach of loading CDs. To that end I went with a used EMM Labs
CDSA se which IMHO outperformed all other one box player/DAC by a large margin in this price range and higher. It was simply the most musical, least digital sounding unit I have experienced. It lacks some of the bells and whistles of other high-end players but is eerily close to analog
with well produced CDs.
Long ago, when I first got into high-end audio I believed that the loudspeakers were the most important consideration. After all, they are what you listen to, or so I thought. I now believe that the source is the most critical. Without a great source to begin with you are doomed as everything along the audio chain can only amplify and present, hopefully faithfully the poor source generator and/or the poor source material.
Inevitably the adage "garbage in - garbage out' applies.

I certainly don't envy your task of shopping via catalog and opinion. Anything I can do shall be done. Just ask.

Cheers mate,
Jon



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