drbond

Responses from drbond

Why spend more than $25 per piece of equipment on vibration reduction?
@jerryg123  Yes, real hockey pucks are under most components, all of which sit on a concrete foundation (as those on suspended floors may find more suspension/spring elements work better than they did for me).  Lighter components (turntable, phon... 
Why spend more than $25 per piece of equipment on vibration reduction?
In my very limited experience, I found that hockey pucks, sometimes stacked on sponge pucks, have offered satisfactory isolation of a component.  However, it would certainly depend on your environment:  my components are on a concrete slab, not a ... 
Record clamp
While I haven't (and probably won't) try millercarbon's recommendation of the Origin Live One Gravity record weight, I have tried two tweaks on my Rega P8, which I plan on upgrading soon:   Firstly, the P8 without any weight or clamp did have qui... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
@sokogear What particular specifications in the phono stage do I look at to match with the pre-amplifier and the cartridge? (I learned the hard way (from @dover pointing out to me in another thread) that one very important specification to be m... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
@tms0425  Thanks for sharing.  My plan is to first upgrade my phono stage from the Manley Steelhead to something else.  I expect a more detailed phono stage will allow me to better distinguish the differences between various TT.  With the clamp a... 
Another turntable
Sounds like you're looking at about the same options as I was.  Here's an extensive thread that outlines some options: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/turntable-upgrade-recommendations-sme-vs-amg-vs-technics-vs-other Audiogon Discuss... 
Tube rolling ARC amps & Steelhead
@astolfor  Well, the output buffer tube selection is quite readily evident:   Philips 5687 JAN gives a brighter slightly more detailed presentation, which is also more grainy (not smooth) Tung Sol NOS 5687 gives a smoother presentation, which s... 
Tube rolling ARC amps & Steelhead
@astolfor  I always like to compare the sonic differences of small tweaks, and switching out the tubes in my Steelhead as a phono stage should be a fun activity over the next month or two. . . I'll do some tube rolling, and get back to you in thi... 
Tube rolling ARC amps & Steelhead
@astolfor  The Manley Steelhead is an excellent component, as I've had it in my system for 10+ years; however, as a buffer stage, I think it's best suited for a mid-priced audiophile system.  As a phono stage, I currently think it sounds very goo... 
Tube rolling ARC amps & Steelhead
@astolfor After upgrading my speakers, I just didn’t like the sound of the Steelhead as a pre-amplifier/buffer. I ended up buying an Ypsilon PST-100 Mk2, and I liked that so much that I upgraded to the SE version. However, I am still using the M... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
Thanks for everyone's input.  It sounds like SME is a leading candidate, and I may consider an extra Kuzma tonearm sometime in the future after that just for comparison.   In the meantime, I've been playing around with tweaks for the Rega P8:  whi... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
@rsf507 ​​@dhcod  The Kuzma Stabi R with Kuzma 4POINT9 or other Kuzma 4POINT tonearm is a possibility.  I suppose the Stabi M and the Stabi XL would be more equal competitors for the SME 20/3 with the Series V tonearm, given the price categories.... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
@lewm Yes, there is always some "cost conscious snobbery of high-endism", but I find that there is also a performance difference with the coat as well. I have a 35 year old Krell KSA-100, which would only cost $1500 today, and it sounds really g... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
@lewm Yes, it should be common knowledge among Ypsilon VPS-100 (phono stage) purchasers that an SUT goes between your turntable and the phono stage. Ypsilon has three or four various SUT for sale/use, depending on the output of the cartridge in ... 
16 bit vs 24 bit vs 35 bit vs 36 bit vs 64 bit DAC sampling
An audiophile friend gave me a book for Christmas, written by Robert Harley, "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio".  The quote below, which explains what I hear quite adeptly, is from that book, pg 231, from the section titled, :"16 Bits, 20Bits,...