armstrod

Responses from armstrod

Burson OpAmps - Consensus?
I put Burson V5i in all 6 positions of my Jolida JD9 phono preamp and it was a huge improvement over stock.  
My first tube integrated: which one to get?
@diminishedchord, I bought my R8 used so the answer is neither, but I've dealt with China HiFi as I needed a replacement remote and they were very responsive, as was their US repair facility.   David  
My first tube integrated: which one to get?
1) You should definitely consider the purchase because the only way to know if tubes are for you is to try them in your system. 2) Upgraded tube-quality sound? Only your ears can tell you that. 3) A tube preamp is a great option if you're otherw... 
Advice on a tube tester
Carlsbad, tksteingraber's advice to contact Paul Hart is spot on. He recalibrated my Hickok 600 about 2 years ago and did a fantastic job and gave me great advice to boot. Even if you're going to do refurbishment and recalibration yourself, he's ... 
Simplest Linear PSU?
Not sure how much "miniaturized SMD and semiconductor nonsense" you're willing to tolerate, but I had Teradak custom build an 18V 2A LPS for my E.A.T. E-Glo Petit and it has worked flawlessly and was very affordable. Highly recommended.  
cartridge retipping
I've also used Steve Leung; he's done a cantilever + stylus on both a Denon 103 and a ZYX Airy 3S, and refurbished and rewired my Triplanar II. Great work all around, easy to deal with, and reasonable prices. Highly recommended.  
Modwright LS100 vs LTA MicroZOTL
mdrone, I own an LS100 and an LTA MZ2. The LS100 was my daily driver for years and is a great preamp, plus Dan Wright is a joy to work with. It has no obvious flaws, and does just about everything right. But in my system (Atma-Sphere M60s/Zu Dr... 
Phono Stage Amp
cinquepages, mulveling beat me to it, and blesses you with the gain calculation! I can only add a couple things. Since the SLP-05 has input level controls, where do you have them set when playing vinyl? If you haven't tried turning up the input ... 
Phono Stage Amp
cinqcepages, I own an M1ViNL and can concur that while I love it for MM cartridges, it lacks a bit of gain for low output MC cartridges. I think your experience with your CD front end proves the rest of your system is up to the task. First, if y... 
Think Its Possible To Order Tubes From the Ukraine?
I had my eye on those Audio Mirrors - you beat me to them! Actually, I already own a JAS Bravo 2.3 that uses the 6C33 as an SET and sounds great, although the build quality is less than optimal. Right now it's blowing fuses.   :-(   This guy adve... 
Coil Repair on Shure V15 III
Ask Steve Leung or Andy Kim or Peter Ledermann if it can be done. They'll know.  
Re-tipped stylus vs original manufacturer
I recently had a Zyx Airy 3SB rebuilt by Steve Leung at VAS. I paid $250 for the cart knowing it needed a rebuild, and he charged $450 and I have a cartridge that now sounds fantastic. I talked to Mehran and the Zyx factory exchange cost was $1500... 
amp for ZU Audio Druid V speakers
I own Druid Vs, and I pair them with Atma-Sphere M-60s, which I A-Bed with a Decware Torii Mk IV for over a year before the M-60s won out. I previously drove that combo with a Don Sachs DS2 and it was very good, but now I have an Atma-Sphere MP-3 ... 
Does remote control degrade the sound of tube preamps?
I own an Atma-Sphere MP-3 preamp, which I purchased used without remote. I used it for a bit with the manual stepped attenuator, but ultimately couldn't live without the convenience so I sent it back to Ralph to have the remote installed. If the s... 
Don Sachs DS2 Preamp - too good to be true?
I own the following: Modwright LS-100 Don Sachs DS-2 LTA MZ-2 Atma-Sphere MP-3 The one that’s staying is the MP-3. All of them are very good, but the MP-3 is best in my system; not surprising, since my amps are Atma-Sphere M-60s. It combines ...