bigkidz

Responses from bigkidz

B&K Sonata M200 vs Aragon paladiums - whats better
Yes you are in the price range of a used Pass Labs X-250. Most importantly is what speakers you are using. The synergy between the speakers and amps is critcal to what amp is better. You could have the best amps in the world but if they don't work... 
Krell sacd+Chord Dac64 Help please
The DAC 64 has a 4 second delay, not sure about the popping sound though.Happy Listening. 
Plinius, SimAudio or Levinson $3kused?
I had the opposite experience, I felt the Levinson 334 power amp on Verity Audio $17K speakers was better than the Sim AUdio W-5. I also own the Pass X-250 and I thnk that it also out performs the Sim.The most improtant issue is how will the amps ... 
Musical A3.2 pre&amp or A308 integrated?
Bring a few intergrated amps home and see what you like. THen you can be sure you have heard differenct amps and make your own decision. 
Next Biggest Improvement after Speakers ?
All good answers, the room is very important and can be 50% of the sound or more sometimes. The Speaker and amp marriage is critical. I recently upgraded to different speakers and when I got them home, they sounded like crap, not musical at all. I... 
Won't preamps become obsolete?
Lots of good responses BUT it all depends on the matching of the CDP preamp and input on the amp. It also depends on the quality of the volume control in the CDP. The Shanling mentioned above had a poor volume control even in my highly modded one.... 
Run direct from ML 390s CD player without preamp?
Also, you would need a pretty good preamp not to reduce the sonics of the ML CDP, which has a pretty good volume control in it stock. You would need to audition a few preamps to see if they better the sonics versus going direct. I am about to audi... 
McCormack or Quicksilver for Vandersteen 2ci?
Prefer luscious mids.Didn't you answer your own question? No SS amp that I have heard (at least in the price range of $10K or less) does what a tube amp can do in the mids.Happy Listening. 
Help I have not bought equipment since mid 80's
Lots of good advice here but here is where to start. Bring along your favorite music (a variety to listen to) and pick out a pair of speakers that you like first. Once you hear the pair you like then you can find out from other Agon members with t... 
any drummers in the house
There are many internet sites and video tapes to get yuo started. I agree with finding a good instructor also, but only if you are going to stcik with it.Beat those skins man! 
Point-to-Point wiring vs. PC Board . . .
It also depends on the model of the Marshall amp. There are a few models that have the Marshall sound that everyone knows and other models are more afordable.Happy Jammin' 
Audio Aero Prima Dac
Geeaudio_eekThe benchmark DAC was highly modded ($2K) to get it to beat the Goldmun, by Refelction Audio so you were not hearing a stock unit.Happy Listening. 
Anybody knowledgeable re reconing drivers
Second Miller Sound they redid the foams on my speakers for $35 and they looked brand spankin' new. Highly recommended and he has extensive knowledge of all the different speaker models. 
Digital Front End: Critical Listening
I know what you guys are saying is true but recently wehn I tried a few different preamps in my system one really changed my system significantly versus the others having mreo of this or more of that. Also when I had my ystem build around the B&am... 
Pass Aleph 1.2 monos- do they have any 'soul'?
Sutts if you are lookig for a tube sound by a tube amp not SS. With the Coincident speakers especially.Happy Listening.