dr_joe
Responses from dr_joe
| Accustic Arts Tube DAC II Mk 2 and Tube DAC II Mk 3 Yes, the Tube DAC II Mk3 has a preamp section and volume control that can be in or out of the circuit. For me, the Mk2 was unacceptable because the AES digital input is limited to 48 kHz sampling rates, and AES is my principal digital format. Be... | |
| Has anyone had experience with Tannoy Arden? All Tannoy Dual Concentrics have a 90 x 90 degree circular dispersion pattern. I have many Tannoys, but one of them uses the HPD-385A driver used in the first iteration of the Arden and another uses the 3828 driver used in the second iteration of ... | |
| Benchmark Preamps and Amp - For real? Following up on my previous post, I've now compared the Benchmark LA4 to the Boulder 1012. Nothing systematic, or scientific, I just listen to the system with one preamp for several days, then switch to the other for several days, then switch back... | |
| Which DAC: Benchmark, Mytek, Audio Mirror, Holo Audio, Mojo Audio? For me, the Crane Song Solaris combines the best of ultra-transparent pro DACs like Benchmark and Mytek with (for want of a better term) the "richer" sound of many audiophile DACs. With the possible exception of the Benchmark LA4, I haven't yet fo... | |
| Bryston ST vs NRB low end!? To me, Bryston amps have what I call "recessed" bass. But I've not auditioned or owned any models earlier than the ST series.Sounds to me that Bryston implemented some technical change between the NRB series and the later models lines that produce... | |
| Benchmark LA4 Preamp? Have to say the ML 326S looks interesting. However, I could never use it, as my DACs all output much higher voltages than the 326S can handle unless I were to use the 0 dB gain setting. To me, at least, that seems a serious design flaw.Currently w... | |
| Benchmark ABH2 compared to Merrill Element Series and other ultra high end amps I haven't made the comparison, but I'll soon be comparing the Benchmark LA4 preamplifier with the Boulder 1012... | |
| Preamps with Dual XLR Outputs My Esoteric C-03x had two pairs of balanced analogue outputs and two pairs of RCA outputs. I assume most Esoteric preamps of the past decade would also. The C-03x also lets the user turn off either the RCA outputs or the XLR outputs. Another optio... | |
| What is the best 5k-plus Preamp with balanced outs and Phono stage? I was going to suggest the Boulder 1010 or 1012 (adds a four-input DAC), but user "edgewear" beat me to it. | |
| Benchmark Preamps and Amp - For real? After having read several reviews (Stereophile, SoundStage, etc.) as well as several online discussions (such as this one), I've taken a chance and ordered an LA4 (don't use headphones). It will be driving a dbx DriveRack 4820 which in turn powers... | |
| Who is using their DAC as a preamp? I've tried using the following volume-controlled DACs as a preamp: MyTek Brooklyn (with Mojo Audio power supply), MyTek Manhattan II, Berkeley Alpha DAC v1 and v2, Antelope Audio Pure 2, Crane Song Solaris, and a few others whose names escape me a... | |
| Any comments on AES/EBU XLR digital cable VS. BNC Cable For my Berkeley Alpha DAC, which I mostly use direct-to-amp, the manufacturer recommends AES on XLR over S/PDIF on BNC. For Berkeley Audio Designs, the crucial difference seems to be the fact that the voltage output of the AES standard (5 Vrms) is... | |
| sand versus shot in speaker stands Manufacturers have long supplied tin-coated lead shot to eliminate even the possibility of lead dust and associated hazards. Once mixed with sand (recommended) and sealed inside the post of a speaker stand, no more dangerous than sand alone. | |
| Coherent Speakers from Canada A long-time Tannoy dual concentric enthusiast, I recently auditioned, at Coherent Audio, a pair of the Model 15s (non-beryllium version). Suffice to say, I put down a deposit and expect to take delivery in the next week or so. Unlike many of you p... | |
| What are the smallest speakers that are clean and flat down to 20hz? The smallest speaker of which I have personal experience that goes down to 20 Hz would be the Hart Audio Phoenix. It’s spec’d by the manufacturer (David Hart) as –3 dB @ 16.33 Hz. Dimensions are: 36" H x 16" W x 20" D. But each cabinet weighs 94 k... |