bhoage

Responses from bhoage

Merlin Upgrade Experience
Yeah, I'm in the same boat David. I think I'm going to be driving my MX's down to Bobby's to get the full treatment in the fall, (make a nice drive of it and enjoy the fall colours). If the few little changes I mentioned above made an appreciable ... 
Want to Start vinyl
I'll be one of the lone dissenters here and say go for it. I had about 40 decent records from my few years prior to the advent of CD, (had much more than 40 but those were the only ones I'd still want to listen to). I wanted to get back into vinyl... 
What amp should be used with merlin vsm's?
I've been using the ARS Sonum Filarmonia integrated for the past year with my VSM-MX's and it's a great match and highly recommended. I just upgraded the fuses in it to the HiFiTuning silver ones and it made it even better.Highly recommended and a... 
Merlin Upgrade Experience
Great review. I too have gone for the lead free power cord for the super BAM, battery change and new jumpers.The change is not subtle, (and sometimes I think I miss more of the subtle changes). I would definitely agree with Nmanuel on the improvem... 
Merlin VSM or Revel Performa F52
Yet another vote for the Merlins. They do all the detailed audiophile stuff but their best trait in my opinion is to weave it all into a believable whole. People keep saying, the music just sounds right, real, etc... and I didn't really appreciate... 
What cartridge are you using with VPI JMW9
Did some upgrades over Christmas, (from my post above), and am now running an Ortofon Jubilee with the JMW9 Signature. Very nice and a nice improvement, (as you'd hope for the money), over my JMW9 Karat combo I was running for a couple of years. C... 
Is a Koetsu Rosewood Sig Overkill for my JMW 9Sig?
I'd say no, give it a whirl. I think the JMW9-Sig is a good arm. I went from a Dynavector Karat to an Ortofon Jubilee and found it to be a very worthwile upgrade. Would the Jubilee sound better on a Phantom? I'd sure as hell hope so for the cost d... 
Phono preamp evolution
Well, when I got back into vinyl a long 3.5 years ago ;-) I was temporarily using the phono stage from my receiver I used in the 80's, (can't remember the name), then I picked up a Dynavector P-75 about 3 years ago and a couple of months ago I swi... 
What cartridge are you using with VPI JMW9
I'm using a Dynavector Karat 17D2 MkII but require a headshell weight. Sounds very nice though. I'm upgrading to the signature arm and thinking of trying an Ortofon Jubilee next though. Cheers.Bryan 
What new amp for my Merlins
Hi Tabl10s. I wouldn't say that it's exactly bright. It's obviously a tube amp meaning that you can see some glow and it looks nice in a dark room but no, I don't find it lights up the room all that much. Don't know if that's a good thing or not f... 
What new amp for my Merlins
Hello. I have the Filarmonia on my rack, you can have a look at my system photo's and see it right there :-) It put's out heat of course but it's not an issue at all in my current config.I think the Amp sounds absolutely wonderful. Much more solid... 
Integrated for Merlin Vsm
Hi Tabl10s. The ARS is fairly new to North America I believe so it's not too surprising you haven't seen one in someones system before. Anyway, it is a very nice amp in my opinion and matches the VSM's very well. The picture of mine is a little cr... 
Integrated for Merlin Vsm
I would go with the ARS Sonum Filarmonia. Bobby sells them and they are the perfect match that he says they are. I love mine with my VSM-MX's. Cheers.Bryan 
Whats the best MC cartridge for my new VPI SCOUT?
I don't know about the best but I use a Dynavector Karat 17D2 MkII, (could they come up with a longer name?), with excellent results on my Scoutmaster, (used it on my Scout before I upgraded). It's fast, tonally neutral and very quiet. I use it wi... 
Jadis Orchestra Ref + Pre-Amp?
Hi Bezimienny. While I haven't tried the JOR I have an integrated with a passive pre section and I have tried exactly what you mention above. Open the volume control full, connect a pre in into whatever input of your choice on the integrated, (obv...