dbphd

Responses from dbphd

Someone please talk me out of this
Room is 14 X 19, I’ll be 85 in April, already have some IRAs, a PhD with a 2 year post doc, and retired as director of a research center. Don’t claim to be dumb or stupid, but I do tend to make impetuous purchases, and have about $30K (Blue Book v... 
Roon ready streamer and DAC convo
The Ayre QX-5 digital hub has s/diff, optical, and Ethernet inputs.  It's a Roon endpoint with superb DAC.  I use its Ethernet input and balanced analog output.  
Which is better - Hi end CD transport or Music server into DAC?
My digital stereo sources are Blue-ray, SACD, and CD using an Ayre Dx-5 DSD or Roon via Ethernet using an Ayre QX-5 Twenty.  Both deliver balanced analog to an Ayre KX-5 Twenty, and both sound superb.  But somehow the discs seem just a bit more in... 
What makes speaker's sound big?
I had the same experience as OP's with my KEF Reference 1s, they sounded great for jazz and baroque, but less satisfying for large orchestrations than the KEF Reference 107/2s they replaced.  So I carefully went through the setup of the Velodyne S... 
KEF LS50 Meta and 40-ish WPC Tube Amps
I had been using a Parasound A21 with LS50s in a moderate size room. Cary CAD 572 SE 20-watt monoblocks that were loaned to me generated a soundstage with surprisingly greater depth and detail. I was hooked on that sound, I’m currently using an Ay... 
Asking price for KEF Reference 204/2C?
I had logged off before it occurred to me to google the speaker, where I discovered that prices seem to run around $2K, all listings having been sold.  When I logged back in and tried to delete the post I couldn't. 
Role of sub woofers?
Thanks, mijostyn & m-db, for the enlightening posts. Last night I played several Blu-rays, with balanced analog from the Ayre DX-5 DSD to the KX-5 Twenty preamp. I thought the sound quality superb, so I’m unlikely to mess with the setup in the... 
Role of sub woofers?
I have both SMS-1 manuals, several sweep tone CDs, calibrated microphone with stand, and a monitor for displaying the various videos generated by the SMS-1.  I prefer the Outlaw manual.  I actually have three SMS-1s, but use only one.  An Ayre KX-... 
Inexpensive all in one options
What about the new KEF LS50 Wireless IIs for $2.5K? Just need Ethernet to enjoy Roon, but has input for disc player and output for subs should you want to extend. Or for an additional $10K the Dutch & Dutch 8C might be attractive, and no need ... 
Speakers for Ayre AX-7e
I'm very pleased with the pairing of my A7e and LS50s. 
New DAC, Ayre QX-5 vs Moon 680D, suggestions?
One of my setups uses QX-5 as the Roon endpoint with balanced analog to a KX-5 preamp, the other uses ultraRendu and QB-9 DSD DAC with balanced analog to an Ayre A7e integrated. Of course, the QX-5 is the neater setup. I use both Qobuz and Tidal. ... 
New DAC, Ayre QX-5 vs Moon 680D, suggestions?
Haven't listened to both, but do have the Ayre X5/20. V5/20, and Q5/20, a perfectly matched trio, all balanced connections of course, with AyreLink turning all on with the click of a mouse.  Roon in via Ethernet, beautiful music out via balanced a... 
LS50 and Classical
Count me among them. 
LS50 and Classical
turnbown, I noticed a distinct increase in sound stage when I raised the crossover of the pair of Velodyne HGS-15s that supplement KEF Reference 1s from 40 to 80 Hz.  I was surprised.  
Have you heard these 3, Kef Reference 1, Kanta 2 and Sopra 1s.
I have two setups, one uses KEF Reference 1s with Ayre 5 series separates, the other LS50s with Ayre A7e integrated. I listen mostly to jazz, baroque, and classical via Roon. The detail and imaging is superb with both setups. The Reference 1s seem...