Just a quick, but important update on my hifi system.
After just under four years of loyal service, I replaced my Revel Performa M126be speakers with the brand new Canton Reference 9 monitor. Not an easy decision but ultimately the Cantons offer more than the Revels and so there was no turning back. Not only do they reach deeper, they also reveal more in the recording. In my room, they sound very neutral and straightforward. Completely balanced. Important for a reviewer. We will definitely measure them further but I’m convinced no crazy things will be found.
Completely unexpectedly, I have purchased a second speaker that I will use as a reference in the price range up to €1,000. The Elac Debut 3.0 6.3 completely blew me away. It arrived just when the Revels were sold and they softened the parting considerably. This Elac is a particularly fine discovery that I can blindly recommend to anyone.
From colleague Jaap I received an Isotek Evo3 Aquarius to have a look and especially to listen to what a mains filter does in my system. I am still playing around with it and don’t want to make any statements about it yet. The power grid in Flanders is also different from that in the Netherlands and my experience is that conditioners have less influence with me than with colleagues. But I am still working hard to compare every component of my sytem with and without Isotek. To be continued!
And I am happy to add that I am looking out for a new CD player or CD transport. So, you’re all informed again. Have fun listening!
Reference system January 2025
- Canton Reference 9
- Simaudio Moon 600i V2
- Sonnet Kratos
- Sonnet Morpheus
- Sonnet Hermes
- Mutec MC3
- D-Link DGS-108 (with Sbooster power supply)
- Isotek EVO3 Aquarius
- Driade Flow 405 speaker cables
- Driade Flow 808 rca cables
- Ricable Magnus digital cables and power cords
- Bassocontinuo Cymbalon 2.1
Hi Geoffrey, how are you?
What are your thoughts about using the Sbooster power supply on the D-Link DGS-108?
I find it very interesting your option here.
Thanks
Hello,
The D-Link was tested by us and scored really well. My colleagues prefer other power supplies that measure even better but for me the Sbooster works just fine. I’m really happy with the result.
Best regards
Geoff
Hi, may i ask if you have a PC/Mac (computing device) earlier in your signal path, physically connected to your switch?
I believe that can have an influence on what type of power supply the switch will benefit from since they have different noise profiles. If you already have SMPS type of noise (from a computing device), then it might make sense to use a SMPS power supply on the switch. If you don´t, then a linear might be better.
I am not saying that this is true/facts, it is just a theory that i am trying to get confirmation on. At least this was a pattern that i noticed my self after having removed any computing device from my ethernet signal path, even early in the signal path. I also don´t have a smtp at all, earlier in my signal path now.
Hello Aleksandar,
The Revel is an amazing loudspeaker. I lived with a pair for three years and loved them to bits.
But the Canton for me, driven by a top quality amplifier, go deeper and are even more detailed. After comparing them for two months I kept hearing new things through the Cantons which surprised me. But the Beryllium tweeter on the Revels is also amazing and very refined.
Imaging, tonality and soundstage are excellent on both speakers, no clear winner here i think, but the Revels are indeed the faster speaker. I’ll give you that.
I will add that it’s important that the Cantons are completely run in. My new pair are still improving and they don’t play ball with every amplifier. The Revels sounded great with just about everything but the Cantons need power and top quality to sound their best. They are more diva’s in that way-)
But the Revels are also amazing so happy listening!
Geoffrey
recently I had the opportunity to test both speakers.. without much thought I decided on revel m126be. revel is a class higher than canton.. it is the most neutral speaker I have heard, very detailed, natural, fast.. while that was not the case with Canton.. just my opinion 🙂