beyachad

Responses from beyachad

Shindo Labs Amps and Preamps
For best bang for your buck try the Leben CS600 with the O96. I had each for years, tried Shindo kit and while wonderful, for a fraction of the cost you can get a world class integrated and have lots of money left over to spend on LPs and concert ... 
Music Server format?
Storage is cheap. always rip in AIFF or WAV format. You can always compress files to FLAC or such from there. The Goodwin website gives great accurate info. http://www.goodwinshighend.com/ 
CD ripping
Absolutely, in my opinion you should re-rip your music in either .wav or .aiff formats.  The foundation of your digital library should be uncompressed, or at least flac, for the best sound quality.  Once you have them ripped to uncompressed then y... 
Upgrade my DAC or buy more weed?
Why is this an either or question? Keep smoking and get a better DAC. That has been my solution. It's easier to get in "the zone", IMO, after a glass of 15 year Aberfeldy or such and some Kush. 
Used Pre - Ayre, Pass or Para JC2?
I owned the Ayre KX-1 and KX-5 (Twenty) for a number of years. Both are terrific pre-amps however only the KX-5 does bypass and it does it very well as it adjusts the volume automatically and you can adjust the gain settings. The KX-5 also has bal... 
Ayre MX-R Twenty upgrade
I recently got my VX-5 - now VX-5 Twenty - back from Ayre and am blown away by the increased control of bass and wonderful musicality. I can't imagine purchasing another amp...until of course I pick up the MX-R Twenty!