brf

Responses from brf

Oracle Premiere - what's the difference
I am going by memory as I owned a Premier Mk2 back in 1987. The Premier offered a higher level of fit and finish. The biggest difference was the sub chassis which had greater mass with a larger footprint for stability. The arm board is also larger... 
McIntosh MC-1.2KW vs PASS XA-160.5 amps ??
Which pre do you use? 
sophia 845 markIII and cary 211M AE
I find Sophia's statement confusing. Their website claims the Sophia Electric™ 845 MK3 Carbon Plate Tube is a RCA 845 direct replacement but it will not operate in an amp spec'd for 1000v on the plate, which is normal for an RCA 845. 
sophia 845 markIII and cary 211M AE
The Sophia Electric 845 MK3 Vacuum Tube specification that you posted indicate that they take a maximum plate voltage of 1250V, which is normal for an 845 tube. Is Sophia claiming that the MK3 tubes cannot take that amount of plate voltage? Did th... 
Good tube preamp for McCormack DNA 500???
What is your sonic objective? More warth, detail, dynamics?The Sonic Frontiers Line 3 will work with the McCormack but will sound completely different than a tubed CJ, VAC or the Joule. 
Dunlavy SC-IV bass problem
Are both speaker in proper phase? 
Best surprisingly good value component
Logitech Squeezebox hands down. 
Review: Wilson Audio Grand Slamm Speaker
Enjoyable read. I love happy endings :-) 
travelling speakers
What about headphones? 
Cary cad 211m
Although the rated power of the AE (70w) is lower than the 211M v2 at 80w, the AE can play louder as the AE circuit is 70w in Class A and 110w in Class A-2, therefore, giving you a touch more headroom and dynamics. I prefer the 211AE over the 211M... 
Vibration control devices for EMM CDSA.
Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) Damping Plates work well with parasitic vibration control. 
Cary cad 211m
There is hardly a difference between the 80w 211M version 2 and the 70w 211AE from a power perspective. If you want a lot more power, look for a 211M version 1 which is 250w, but not nearly as refined as either the 211M v2 or the 211AE. 
I am at the end of my rope, please help
I agree with Marakanetz, check the cartridge leads are correctly connected to the tonearm. My cartridge leads were once wired incorrectly and it presented the same symptoms as you described. 
Proper use volume control?
I use it to adjust the gain. It's that simple for me. 
Good Clamp for VPI HW-19?
How about the VPI clamp designed for the HW19?