My Long List of Amplifiers and My Personal Review of Each!

No worries.   Anyone want to guess "when" WC will reveal this component?

Dave

Boulder 3060? 

Dave

@deludedaudiophile 

I have found many things in audio that seem unbelievable, until I actually hear it.   That only comes when one can jump from common sense/theory/speculation, etc and enter the world of true experience.  Unfortunately, I can't help there - that decision is up to you.

Dave

WC,

As requested by some folks here, they want to hear comparisons with the same songs, so you end up hearing those same songs over and over.  It becomes an analytical experience, which at times can be exciting for the improvements/differences, but in the end can produce the burn out. 

The direction you are taking - Magico over the Focal as just one example - is to have a system that is able to expose the flaws in the music that is played, as opposed to having most everything sound decent.  However, this might steer you away from anything but high quality music; hence, the same songs over and over.

WC,

Nice video - enjoy watching you and Oz discuss things.  

So, you are probably going to compare your new analog setup with the MSB digital setup - both setups have some cost to them.  What I'm wondering is - what does it take for an analog setup to sound better than your MSB digital setup.  For example, can a $5K turntable sound better than the MSB digital setup.  I know there's a lot more variables and viber6 mentioned the cartridge having a big impact on the sound.  Anyway, not sure if you are going to venture into anything like that, but it would be interesting.  I know you mentioned that you might downsize the digital side, etc.   I'm sure the first step though is to see what you think of an analog setup in your system and how it impacts you.  Fun stuff!

Dave

WC,

I remember when the entrance of the Gryphon Mephisto was a huge deal for you, so based upon your comments, the 3000 series must be truly impressive. 

"My gut tells me there is nothing above these two."

Well, there are the 3050 monos  :-)

Dave

Happy B-day WC!

Dave

@viber6 

I think WC already mentioned in a video that there is not any DAC that has better sound quality than the 3010.   Not sure though if clarity and transparency is the highest goal for WC - he would need to comment on that.  From what I gather, WC likes a combination of attributes and the 3000 series satisfies all of them in spades. 

Dave

WC,

The YT comments are interesting on the comparison videos you put out.   Some folks are having trouble deciding which one they like better.   One person says Presentation 1 sounds sweeter and the next person says Presentation 2 sounds sweeter.  Anyway, looking forward to the reveal.

Dave

@clearthink

A nice thought about high resolution audio files on Drop Box, etc.  However, I think the idea is to get folks to watch the videos on YT and to continue building the subscribers.   If WC provided these high resolution audio files, then some/many folks might skip YT altogether and only use the high resolution files.  This would somewhat defeat the purpose for the YT channel.

The only alternative I can think of is something where WC can charge monthly for the high resolution files. 

Dave

@rpeluso

Not sure I understand the response.   I do understand however that a person who puts in hours and hours week after week of putting together equipment/presentations, recordings, working out sales/purchases, consulting with folks, etc, in addition to day job, family and personal life - that person deserves the chance to make a buck for their efforts.

Dave

@carey1110 

I think in WC's video, he mentions that those watching the videos seemed to favor the presentation with the stock power cord.  I know it's a YT video, but WC confirms by mentioning that a high end PC is not necessary. 

Having said that, this seems to be an exception (the 3010).   I am guessing that just about any other pre-amp that WC has tried will benefit from an upgraded PC.

Agreed though that everyone has different tastes and listening preferences, so you will always have folks that sit on either side of this.

Dave

@maxima95 

I don't think he's trying to hock his wares in this case - just providing info for folks if they want to try a lower cost alternative to the Stromtank.  Like he mentioned, he's not making any money on it.

Dave

We know two things for sure :

1) WC has not tried/heard ricevs suggestion with inverters, so he cannot absolutely say that one is better than the other.  He can speculate.

2) ricevs has not tried/heard a stromtank, so he cannot absolutely say that one is better than the other. He can speculate, but he's indicating that he is interpolating - based upon a reviewer's comparison of a Stromtank vs. an inverter, then comparing other products to what the reviewer used that are supposed to be better products. 

The way I look at it, anything is possible, but when putting pieces together as ricevs is suggesting, synergy will come into play, and the end product might or might not be as good as he suspects. 

With that in mind - I see that ricevs mentions that he does not mind begin wrong about his speculation that this DIY setup would be better than a Stromtank.   That indicates to me that he is open minded about the comparison.   To me, this is respectful and an interesting option - it would be fun for someone to try it out.  Even better for all of us if WC tried it. 

All of this is regarding the performance side of it.  Regarding the appearance side of it, the form factor of the Stromtank wins in my book and most likely with my wife  :-)

Dave

Don't blame you WC.   I mentioned it would be fun/better if you tried it, but selfishly, only so that we can hear the comparison.   Your money spending is your decision - I definitely don't want to be guilty of telling you how to spend your money, and I'm not trying to do that.     Plus, the stromtank is a nice form factor comparatively.   Not sure how you would fit the setup that ricevs is suggesting  :-)

Dave

Yeah, I'm interested in that too.

Dave

So WC, do you prefer Tidal or Qobuz?  Or, will that be a future video :-)

Dave

WC,

You mention that the You're getting hustled video would typically have been for members-only content, but you put it on YT to show us what you can get as a member.  My only comment is that, for this particular video, why would you want this to be for members only?   This is basically a sales presentation for the Stromtank, and I would think you would want as many folks as possible to watch it - not just members?   Maybe that's why you made the exception to put it on the public YT?

By the way, it's a good sales presentation, so don't get me wrong.  If I was buying $5K or more power cords, plus a conditioner, plus a power cord for the conditioner, then I would definitely want to consider one of these.  Well done, and it makes complete sense.

Dave

WC,

You've been through a lot of power conditioners.  If someone's system is a lower priced system and/or their cabling is not high end (high priced) cabling, then a $15K-$20K stromtank might be desirable, but not in the budget.   For those folks do you have a recommendation?  I had thought you mentioned at one point that it might be best just to do without a power conditioner, since it adds a flavor.  Or, perhaps, you have some recommendations?  

Dave

Thanks WC!!

Dave

Great points you made WC!   I cling more to the subjective, when it comes to audio.   If it sounds good/better to me, then that's my preference - it's all based upon what "I" prefer.   And I can define the differences in what I hear between different products - based upon my subjective listening.  I am not as worried as to "why" it sounds better.

This is a big issue typically for the measurement and/or scientific and/or intellectual folks.  They'll tell me that there's no way it can be better, based upon measurements/science/logic, etc without even hearing it for themselves.   So, they always disagree with me.  And I disagree with them, because I'm basing it on what I hear.

There will always be that divide.  I don't mind if someone wants to base their audio adventures on measurements/science/intellect/speculation, etc - more power to them.  I don't even mind if they share their opinion.  I just think it's gone too far when they tell me I'm wrong and I have to align with their approach.

I've seen that you experience the same here - folks who tell you your wrong and you have to do it this way or that.  This is about your adventure, and you should do it your way.  I 100% respect that.

Dave

I agree with viber6 that it would have been nice to have the same music on the last two videos.  Still,  I prefer the sound on this last video over the video before it.  Can possibly make a good case for the Stromtank with factory power cords :-)

Dave

I agree that it's difficult to compare, when the songs are different on each video.  Still, I do like the sound on this video.

Dave

I suspect WC likes to listen to different music and not the same old stuff over and over again - might be a reason for different music on the videos.  Not sure what WC's expectation is though for his YT and A'gon audience for these videos with different songs??    I just take it as fun and listen to the videos, but I definitely won't be coming to any conclusions with different music on the videos.

Dave

Hey WC,

When you visit Magico and Alon, are you going to ask about one of the negatives of a Magico speaker - the expense of replacing a driver?  Or, is this just a given and the Owner needs to account for that?

Thanks,

Dave

@clearthink

I walked into the basketball gym and two guys were playing 1:1. Both are great players and many of us wondered who would win. Lots of us saw different things they were doing and it was fun to talk about it. At the end, everyone had a fun time with it.

One guy though (let’s name him Dude) pointed out that the rim might be slightly bent downward, the floor wasn’t perfectly clean, the humidity level was higher which caused the players to sweat more, and he pointed out some other problems with the 1:1 game.

Everyone then realized it was stupid of them to believe that this was all for fun, and Dude felt good that everyone went home disappointed.

:-)

Oh, sorry, actually, what happened was that everyone had a great time and didn’t really care what Dude said.

Thanks for the fun WC!

Dave

@clearthink

Nothing is ever going to be perfect or even approach perfect when doing YT comparisons of products - there are so many variables . Even hearing the same system in person in a store vs. your own home will most likely be different. Yes, WC is sharing his system as he always has, and yes, he now has some products he is a dealer for. If folks want to purchase his products based upon YT videos, well, that’s their prerogative. I’m guessing though that they will get WC’s take on the equipment comparisons - how he hears it in his room - and then go from there. If I can’t hear the equipment in my room before I purchase, then I will typically look at user reviews, as well as have a conversation with the Dealer.

I just don’t see a reason to pick on the YT videos, knowing already that they will never be perfect and never fully represent what’s actually being heard in the room. I liked viber6’s comment about the consistency of the flaws and still being able to compare YT videos. I also like Jay’s videos that typically follow - the ones that describe what he heard in the room, what he preferred, and why.

Dave

@clearthink 

You mentioned that many folks have heard distortion and reasoned that it comes from the AC power foundation.  Who, besides you, have posted about that?   Maybe one other person?

Dave

I don't believe WC mentioned anything about an arc welder.  Sounds like something someone has fabricated.  In fact, this whole A/C thing seems fabricated.  

Sorry, I'm not buying it.

Dave

@clearthink

You might have crossed out the word commercial, but your implications still remain regarding profits from these videos, as well as the implication regarding power problems.

You continue to fabricate things. Let me try one....

You (clearthink) should be proud of the money you make from other manufacturers, with each post and implication you put on this thread. What will you do with your funds?

Dave

This discussion between keithr and rbach is interesting....

 I have to agree with rbach and henry201 (and WC too, based on his comment) that keithr made it sound like Alon does not do any of the design.   I honestly don't think these folks are attacking - just questioning the statement you made.   I think keithr has now clarified it, so  that's good.

And, is it true that keithr has posts on other forums, indicating a dislike for Magico?   If true, then keithr should just own his opinion and not claim that folks are attacking.  If it's not true, then I understand the attacking comment, and I would question rbach's motives.

Dave

@carey1110 

I think you missed rbach's mention that keithr has posts on other forums, indicating a dislike for Magico - that is what led him to think that.

Dave

Agreed on the video production WC - great job!   You make it fun, because you are like a kid in a candy store, and on display is your passion and your humility - just being a real person and treating the whole thing like a privilege. 

Dave

@viber6

Not sure I understand the math that made 3 10’s equivalent to one 14.4"? I typically talk "cone area", but you mentioned air moving capacity - maybe that’s different than just cone area.

Anyway, with regards to cone area, the three 10’s have a bit more cone area than two 12’s. And, there are two speakers, so we have a total of 6 10’s - the equivalent of more than four 12’s. That total cone area will move a lot of air and give a good thump.

I agree though with what you said about the accurate midrange and HF drivers, as well as the cabinet design, as contributing factors to the excellent bass.

Dave

Agreed - stay safe WC!   One of my employees is in Palm Bay, and it's supposed to hit them at 8am EST tomorrow.

Dave

I still refer to him as WC too.   If he lets us know a preference, I will use that going forward.   If he doesn't care, then it doesn't matter.

Dave

WC,

On the website, under My Journey, I see Brands I Represent at the bottom of the page.  I was curious, so I clicked on those links to look at the manufacturer's site.  However, the IsoAcoustics link is going to the wrong place.  Just thought I would let you know.

Dave

WC,

Seems like Luxman really upped their game with this new amp.   I think this goes back to one of the negatives you had about the Pass Labs amps - that they haven't really done substantial upgrades.   I think the .8 series came out 8 years ago. 

Dave

WC,

You mentioned that the 3050's are the best amps in the U.S.  I know you have tried some D'Agostino amps - have you tried the Relentless Epic 1600 mono amps?

Dave