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dr-john

Responses from dr-john

KT88 tube amp
A lint short in the Psvane KT88 - version 2 - took down my beloved and very heavy VAC Phi 300.  After its return from Sarasota, I retubed it with Sophia Electric blue bottles and haven't looked back.   
Sophia Electric Blue glass
I was blown away by the 2 quads of blue glass KT-88's that I installed in my VAC Phi 300 that I wanted the full complement.  Galen Carol audio's website gathers first-hand experiences of the 6SN7's, and the qualities described there are what I'm h... 
Cartridge rookie here looking for experience
after years of test driving, I settled on the Snakewood Madake into Miyajima's own external SUT.  Don't know how it could be bettered.   
If you still spin CD's their is a reference level Transport for reasonable money
Sim Moon Neo 260-D transport with a 10-year warranty and never look back.  
When it sounds like a tube amp needs rejuvenating,
thanks - yeah, I've noticed a lack of air  and space around individual instruments - in other words, the 'magic' I love about my system.  
When it sounds like a tube amp needs rejuvenating,
oh also - when a tube can no longer hold bias, it's time to replace it., right ?  -john  
When it sounds like a tube amp needs rejuvenating,
thank you - to the point - I appreciate your experience. - john 
Removing spikes... Now my speakers sing
Stillpoint 5's under my Wilson Sophia 3's couple the speakers to the wooden floor, making the whole listening space resonate.  
Audiophile LP's
For me, quality of musical performance trumps audiophile sound.  When I'm listening to an audiophile lp, I often focus on the qualities of my system rather than just disappearing into the music itself. 
I hate biasing!
The bane of my life, bar none, is biasing my beloved VAC Phi 300. I have to lower my arthritic bones onto the floor, stomach down,  to adjust the 8 tiny indented screws with the flat blade on a wooden stick. Oh yes, don't forget wearing a headlamp... 
A lot of hype about PS Audio, deservedly so ?
have you ever used the Wadia DAC in combo with the PS transport ?  
Shuguang Treasure tubes....
I will never ever tube my VAC Phi 300 with any Psvane product again.  After months of assurances from Rachel in Grant Fidelity importers that their new 'higher plate voltage tubes' would work fine for me, they blew up my amp from a lint short. ... 
Shuguang Black Treasure CV181-Z
I will never ever tube my VAC Phi 300 with any Psvane product again.   After months of assurances from Rachel in Grant Fidelity importers that their new 'higher plate voltage tubes' would work fine for me, they blew up my amp from a lint short.  A... 
Looking for the best moving coil cart that is around $5K used
Hey Handyman - if you like the Dynavector 'house sound', I am about to list for sale my  DRT XV-1t with outboard TRON step-up transformer in the price range you're mentioning.  Message me for further info.  Thanks. 
Still looking for speakers in the 10-20,000 range
Magico, to my ears, is designed for little old ladies.