Received my set of Sparkos and Tesla 6CC42 (O Getter) late last night. Can't stop but to open up D2 and upgrade.
Prior to upgrade: My D2 is with GE5670 tube and OPA627 Opamp from Maverick.
My system is Marantz CD6005 source > D2 > Passive preamp > SET Tube amp > Yamaha NS-1000M.
With short over 1 hour of upgrading and listening, initial impressions are as below.
1) I bought D2 way before I bought Marantz CD6005. GE5670 + OPA627 hardly beat out (or at par at Normal out and slight advantage of Tube tone with D2 Tube Out) Marantz's HDAM output.
2) Sparkos upgrade (Normal Out) clearly wins out Marantz's HDAM. I can notice the difference on "sound body".
3) Sparkos + Tesla (Tube Out) wins out both Sparkos (Normal Out) and Marantz's HDAM output.
To how much extent that Sparkos + Tesla goes, I will have to wait and see up to weekend to check.
P/S: I have Siemens PIO MP 2.2uf cap to install too. That involves the soldering and will have to wait to weekend to do it.
Prior to upgrade: My D2 is with GE5670 tube and OPA627 Opamp from Maverick.
My system is Marantz CD6005 source > D2 > Passive preamp > SET Tube amp > Yamaha NS-1000M.
With short over 1 hour of upgrading and listening, initial impressions are as below.
1) I bought D2 way before I bought Marantz CD6005. GE5670 + OPA627 hardly beat out (or at par at Normal out and slight advantage of Tube tone with D2 Tube Out) Marantz's HDAM output.
2) Sparkos upgrade (Normal Out) clearly wins out Marantz's HDAM. I can notice the difference on "sound body".
3) Sparkos + Tesla (Tube Out) wins out both Sparkos (Normal Out) and Marantz's HDAM output.
To how much extent that Sparkos + Tesla goes, I will have to wait and see up to weekend to check.
P/S: I have Siemens PIO MP 2.2uf cap to install too. That involves the soldering and will have to wait to weekend to do it.