cundare2

Responses from cundare2

ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
classicalreflections:  So you're saying that the biasing procedure is much simpler on the VSi  than on the i/50?  You don't have to open up the chassis, clamp probes onto a resistor, etc.?  
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
arafiq: I’ve spoken to others who found the 25wpc Pass gear more than adequate for mid-sized Harbeths, but again, the devil is in the details. Can you give us an idea of the size of your room, listening levels, etc. when you found the INT-25 to be... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
erik: My understanding (and anyone with more currrent knowledge, please correct me) is that MF came up with a new variation on the old RCA nuvistors.  Supposedly, it discontinued the Nu-Vista 600 & 800 because of parts-availability issues -- b... 
Benchmark or McIntosh....
SEVEN 21-inch subs? OK, here’s my tenuously related old-audiophile anecdote. When I was a kid in the early 70s, some friends dragged me to an attic bedroom in an old hippie house to smoke weed with two older Haitian guys that I didn’t know. The r... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
arafoq: The H590 is definitely on my short list, but some of the comments here suggest that even the entry-level ARC I/50 -- as well as MF’s limited-edition Nu-Vista products -- are in a whole different class. Again, w/o the ability to actually de... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
Key typo in my last message: That list of "constraints" are NOT dealbreakers.  They're nice-to-haves, significant, but I'd work around them if I had to.  
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
The advice I've gotten here is, as usual, excellent.  But TBH, I really am losing my mind.  “Overthinking”?  Well, yeah, maybe. Priority #1 is giving my Harbeths whatever they need to shine, spending up to $10-12,000.  There are constraints, but ... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
I contacted ARC directly and, as usual, it shot back an immediate response: The company does not recommend users biasing their own tubes but does so for general safety reasons.  The rep emailed me a 16-page illustration of the procedure.   It look... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
ghdprentice, I have a related question.   I see that the recent Stereophile review of the entry-level I/50 integrated notes that "When power tubes or the tube set are replaced, the I/50 must be biased by a trained technician to ensure proper ope... 
any current integrated amps in market have great dacs?
Anybody have the chance to compare McIntosh’s DAC1 to its DAC2? The MA-5300 integrated ships only with the earlier model & requires a $1000 dealer-only upgrade to replace it with the DAC2. That’s frustrating. I see no reason why this upgrade ... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
Wow, I didn’t expect that. Here’s why: Without the ability to audition, my expectations were based on: comments from knowledgeable people like you; trusted reviews; manufacturer reputations; and pricing. One key element was Fremer’s Nu-Vista revi... 
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
THe operant word re: HT was "double duty". My legacy components, those I use for "serious" 2-channel listening, will be routed directly to the new integrated, bypassing all HT electronics & cables. Context: The home theater uses relatively in... 
Nu-Vista 800 v. 600
jjss49: Great information. FWIW, I was a tube-rolling hobbyis for years, building a system based on meticulously restored ESL-57s and 1950s-vintage Quad 2 monoblocks.  I was pretty happy with that sound (after adding a sub) for 20+ years. Today, I... 
ARC amp differences.
I was just reading a comment that Alan Shaw (Harbeth) recommends that his speakers be used with SS ampllification. Interesting, if true.  
ARC amp differences.
Well, thanks for the clarification -- that does make a difference.   From what I've heard, the VSi75 is significantly more "ARC" than the "entry level"  I/50.  So again, your first-hand experience and educated comments are very helpful.  What mode...