curriemt11

Responses from curriemt11

Ayre C-5xe Break In Period?
Thanks for the replies. Looks as though I'll need to play it nonstop for a week or so.Mcrheist - will be using Acoustic Zen balanced ICs and either TG Audio or Empirical Audio power cords. Next time you're in the Houston area and if you would like... 
Mcintosh C-2200 or Aesthetix Calypso?
Baffled,You will not regret the Calypso purchase. Jim White and his auditioning/critique crew, in my opinion, tread the finest of lines between traditional tube and solid state virtues. I've owned a lot of preamps over the years (disclosure - neve... 
Aesthetix Calypso, Tuberolling questions?
I recently decided to buy a set of Platinum grade GT GT12AX7M from Upscale for the phono stage of my Janus. I've tried quite a number of NOS 12AX7s here, including Bugle Boys, Teles, Mullards, Mazdas and Ediswans. I can tell you without a shadow o... 
Aesthetix Calypso -vs- Ayre K-1Xe preamps?
Perfectionist,I understand that they have been tweaked a little in regards to internal wiring and in replacement of the IEC. They sound great.Mike 
Aesthetix Calypso -vs- Ayre K-1Xe preamps?
Audio Girl,I cannot comment on a comparison between the two preamps, as I have never heard the Ayre. I can, however, tell you that the Aesthetix Janus/JC-1 combination is really quite extraordinary - at least in my system. The synergy between the ... 
Maple platforms
Moving from an MDF-based rack to the Mapleshade Samson 2 made a HUGE improvement in the overall system sound - and most especially with the Aries. This was money exceedingly well spent.Slightly off topic - I am presently having a pair of custom am... 
amp and pre for Soundlab M-1's
711smilin,WTF??? Brian has been around here long enough for everyone to know that he's a dealer, and which gear he sells. And who in their right mind would question either a Blowtorch or the Atmas as serious contenders? If there's something person... 
amp and pre for Soundlab M-1's
Keep the JC-1s and acquire an Aesthetix preamp (mine happens to be a Janus, but a Callisto would do in a pinch :) ). This, in my opinion, is sonic nirvana. Yo John, why didn't you tell him to run, not walk, to scour the streets for a CAT??? After ... 
Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years
Paul,I really think that your concern about heat generated by the JC-1s is a little overblown. I had them running hard for 4 hours last weekend, and at the end of it all, they were a little more than warm. This, by the way, was with the rear switc... 
Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years
I'm going to toss yet another vote in for the JC-1s. I acquired a pair on Saturday - actually Bob Crump's (one of the designers of the amp) personal pair. I am driving Sound Lab A-1s with them. In over 30 years of putting together audio systems, I... 
Class D Amp For 'Stats?
Thanks to all of you who responded to my questions. The problem has been resolved - at least for now. This morning, I arranged to purchase Bob Crump's personal pair of JC-1s from his estate. For those of you who don't know, Bob lived in Houston, a... 
Class D Amp For 'Stats?
Jafox,Now that's what I needed - a directly applicable opinion. I wonder if the H2O M250 Signatures would be better? These are actually my top contenders at the moment. The CATs are great amps, but they have the same downside as any other tube amp... 
Class D Amp For 'Stats?
Warnerwh,I have also owned the Innersound ESL (driving the Eros, as a matter of fact). I think it's a very good amp, and - especially used - a fantastic value. What I never got from the ESL was the harmonic richness of tubes, something I value hig... 
Class D Amp For 'Stats?
Nealhood,I fully understand your comments on the Atmas. I have owned both the S-30 and the M-60s in the past (not for the SoundLabs, obviously). However, the biggest single push towards the possibility of the Class D amps is the ability to leave t... 
Class D Amp For 'Stats?
Dlstephenson,Can you tell me what amps you have heard? What you seem to be describing is quite different to my own experiences. thanks.