bthartman
Responses from bthartman
| AMP or Preamp Thought I'd share my experience, as I upgraded a few months ago from Wilson Sabrina to a used pair of Sasha 2. I've been driving them with an ARC Ref Phono 2SE, ARC Ref6 preamp and a D'Agostino Classic Stereo. Truly fantastic combination, and th... | |
| SET amplifier recommendation I'll add my two cents here, as I had the B&W 805 speakers (D2, not the current D3) a few years ago, and while I no longer have them I'm considering going to SET with my current speakers. I moved from B&W to Wilson speakers - first the Sab... | |
| Under $3K streaming dac suggestions, Roon Ready? There's a listing right now for a Cary DMS-600 for just over your budget, but you could offer a bit lower. The -600 is the top in Cary's lineup. There's a review of the DMS-500 from a while ago:https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/cary-audio-... | |
| Under $3K streaming dac suggestions, Roon Ready? I'd suggest you look at a used Cary DMS-500. Cary has replaced this in their lineup with the -550 and -600, but it's still a very capable dac/streamer that matches all your criteria. It's Roon ready, full MQA decoding, natively supports Spotify, t... | |
| DAC OR NO DAC??? Considering the amp and speakers you've got, if digital music from Tidal is an important part of your serious listening, I'd urge you to wait and get something more upstream. Are you paying for hi-rez Tidal?If you really want to stay at $500 or l... | |
| Non-audiophile needs help with older system. Just took a look online at the manual for the LS16. It has multiple outputs, both RCA and balanced. You mentioned that you're using balanced cables from the LS16 to your amp, so if you decide to get a subwoofer connect it with RCA cables from th... | |
| Looking to purchase a new Reciever and I need some help! Another option is to find a good 2 channel integrated amp within your budget that has HT Bypass. Generally speaking, at that price point you'll get much better music reproduction with a 2 channel amp than with a HT receiver. Connect your AVR's p... | |
| McIntosh Guy Going Tubes? (Maybe?) @kalali - Actually, it was very surprising. My room is fairly large (14' by 20' in the immediate area, and open to about 40' in the off axis in an open floor plan. Listening position is about 12 feet from the speakers. The room is fairly lively... | |
| McIntosh Guy Going Tubes? (Maybe?) I've never had McIntosh gear, but I also have the Wilson Sabrinas and thought I'd put in my experience.Currently, I'm driving them with an ARC Ref6 preamp and D'Agostino Master Classic stereo amp. This combination sounds fantastic and very musica... | |
| Vandersteen Quatro CT or Wilson Sabrina As a Sabrina owner, I'll put in my 2 cents that this is a wonderful speaker. But as others have said, only you can decide which is right for you.What I will strongly urge, though, is that you arrange an in-home demo of either or both speakers. I... | |
| ARC Ref 5se VS ARC Ref 6 When I got my Ref6, I compared it to the new Foundation LS28, as my shop didn't have a Ref5SE on hand. I was actually intending to get the LS28 or find a used Ref5SE, but my dealer, who I've worked with quite a bit, had a Ref6 that a good custome... | |
| Considering switching from Audio Research to PrimaLuna, troube with VS115 amp I've had the PrimaLuna Dialog Premium HP Integrated for an in home demo. I agree with the others that, for the price, it's a wonderful integrated and provides the benefit of tube rolling as well as trying not just different tube manufacturers but... | |
| Need Suggestions for speakers up to $15K new/used While I think you should consider the Wilson Audio Sabrina, there are a LOT of excellent speakers at this price. The point is that everyone's ears and tastes are different, and you have to find what you like and what works in your environment. I... | |
| Need Suggestions for speakers up to $15K new/used As someone that seriously got in to audio 3 1/2 years ago, I'd like to offer a perspective that I've found invaluable. I made quite a few mistakes in my early purchases, especially in speakers, and I have to strongly urge that you either seek out... | |
| Visit to Magnolia Proves Interesting Magnolia was a local, small chain here in the Seattle area until they were bought our by Best Buy a few years ago. Did you go to a Magnolia Design Center? There are a few in the Best Buy stores in the Seattle area, and they're set up more like a... |