dawgfish

Responses from dawgfish

JVC XRCDs -- your experience?
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. And, Milpai, thanks for the explanation -- I knew I was getting sloppy in my terminology by referring to XRCD as a different format. 
Phono stage ideas
Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful input. When it comes time, I'll try to listen to all the suggested units.Happy Listening! 
How can anyone afford this ?
I remember reading in an audio catalog some 35 years ago this phrase: "Remember, the VW Rabbit is cousin to the Porsche 911 and it's still fun to drive."My advice, which is probably worth every penny you are paying for it, is to establish a budget... 
Best Audio Store Name?
Always thought EAROTICA would be a great name for a audio store 
Suggest new bands to listen to
The Head and the Heart 
Revel Salon vs Vandersteen 5A
Piling on: I bought the 5A's (powered by Ayre) less than a year ago and haven't looked back. As stated above, the ability to tailor bass response to your room and the powered subs letting your amp focus on mid- and high-frequency response are majo... 
Best $3,000 speaker/amp combo?
At the risk of effectively saying, "you should buy what I have," I will say that my office system, though in a slightly smaller room, makes really nice music. Naim NAIT 5i with Totem Model 1 signatures. Your budget is sufficient to replicate this ... 
Best Towers Under $1500 for beginner system
From my admittedly cursory review of others' recommendations, I'm pretty surprised that no one has suggested Vandersteen. You could get 2ce signatures -- one of the most successful speaker designs of all time -- used in your price range, and they ... 
What speaker for being close to rear wall?
At a local (Seattle) dealership, I heard a very nice demonstration of the Wilson Duettes in a close-to-the-wall configuration and I thought they sounded very nice. 
Battle of affordable pre-amps: Rotel vs Parasound
I think you might find some system synergy with the Rotel since you already have a Rotel power amp. 
Are audiophile speakers turn on for single women?
At the risk of being too serious in responding to a light-hearted question, I'll say this. I didn't select my speakers to turn on women, but to enjoy music. And I am looking for a woman who enjoys music, not responding to my equipment rack. (Ha ha... 
Vandersteen Model 7 in large room with power music
I have the 5A's and am in serious lust with the 7's. If my finances allowed the step up to the 7's, I surely would have taken it rather than opting for the 5A's, which are still awfully nice. But the earlier posters are right: the 7's are in a who... 
Getting back into Hi-Fi need new int-amp
For about a grand used you can lay your hands on a Naim Nait 5i. It will treat your ears right.Full disclosure: I have one, so you might discount this input as "buy what I have," but I view it as the voice of happy experience. 
Seasoned ears only
I think the experience you report is fairly typical and fairly understandable, when you think about it. The first time a speaker blows us away (for whatever reason), it's probably a quantum leap over the dreck we were used to listening to. Then, a... 
What`s your fave Audiophile Chill Out recording?
Keith Jarrett, "The Melody, At Night, With You"