avanti1960

Responses from avanti1960

Fantasy or reality? Inexpensive solid state preamps that get you 80% there?
With few exceptions you get what you pay for in reasonably priced high end audio. The caveat being if the rest of your system can take advantage of it. My most recent preamps include- 1) Vintage early 80’s Pioneer solid state. Used as a backup. ... 
KEF's meta material gimmick?
It is possible for manufactutrers to reduce distortion and breakup through the use of different cone materials.  In the case of KEF Meta they put a maze shaped pad behind the tweeter to reduce back wave reflection.  Car audio guys do the same thin... 
Speaker suggestions for MC275 Mark VI
Spendor D9.2.  Amazing.    
Spikes on tower speakers
I have spikes on my floorstanders. I pierced them through thick berber carpet and pad by rocking them in place until they made contact with the concrete floor. Next step is levelling. I suspect the OP’s issue is that the spikes are glued in and ... 
Harbeth C7ESXD tube amp recommendation
Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III.  I had the C7ES3 with the Cronus Magnum II and it was an excellent sounding match.  The Harbeth's thrived on the KT120 100 watts.    
HIFI Speaker active crossovers ...
By far the most distortion in a speaker is caused by cabinet resonance and driver breakup, not because of passive crossover components.      
KT120 replacement options in a Cronus Magnum II
do your best to find a KT120.  as long as they bias correctly you should not need to have them tested.   KT150s will not work on the CMII.   I had the CMII and tried KT88s.  It was an instant downgrade- weak and dull sound.  the KT120s are the r... 
Preamp Recommendations For the Parasound JC 5 Amp
I love tube preamps and successfully ran my JC5 with the Cary Audio SLP-05.  The SLP98 is also very nice.  Each have plenty of gain and will give you a huge sound stage that projects in all directions.  
I want more bass…
Experiment with speaker positioning.  If you you don't have much freedom to move them about relative to corners and walls (closer or farther) then you may be stuck with the bass you have. A sound level phone app and a source for playing full band... 
Best turntable under $4000
@cpdkee  a few spins of the Technics G with a kick ass cartridge and you will quickly forget how it looks because the sound quality is amazing and a perfect match to your rogue amplifier.   a few spins of the mofi fender and you will quickly for... 
Bi-Amping: How can I determine relative output?
if the a21+ is new, it will sound extremely smooth at 450 hours or so like mine did, so that could be an option.   you can set an amps gain with a test tone and measure the voltage at  the terminals without speakers attached.  the problem is that... 
Placement of subwoofers
subwoofers sound best where they sound the best, not necessarily even with your msin speaker.   the general area you have them in could bo ok but i bet they need more distance from the wall to sound smoother, typically at least 12 to 20 inches.  ... 
Help. System sounds thin and bright or harsh
in your old room was your back up against a wall and now you are sitting out in the room?   sitting up against a wall reinforces bass quite a bit.   is the new room more lively / less furnished / less treated with drapes and carpet?   also sett... 
diffuser or absorption panels, which would you choose?
I use combination panels and have great success.    
Whats the ultimate goal with your pre amp ?
My preference for a preamp is both sound and function. For the function I like / require at least 2 balanced inputs.  For sound I prefer a class A operation with 6SN7 tube complements and a tube rectifier.  I also like lots of dynamics and drive...