ejr1953

Responses from ejr1953

Preamp for McIntosh MC-602
I have enjoyed a McIntosh C50/MC452 for nearly a year now, just had a friend over who said "love that McIntosh tube sound".  These are a smooth sounding combination. 
Your single favorite component
My PS Audio DirectStream DAC. 
ASSEMBLED IN CHINA
Even companies like B&W build most of their products in China.If you watch "Shark Tank" (Friday evenings on ABC), the entrepreneurs often brow beat the people approaching them to invest for building products in the U.S., often saying that they... 
What's going on with the audio market?
I've always scratched my head when I read that the advertisers target the younger crowd.  I'm 62 years old and have a LOT more discretionary income than about 99% of those "gen whatevertheyarecallednowers".Back in the late 70's/early 80's I worked... 
Is it in my head only?
My current setup with Tidal is a Windows 10 laptop, "hard wire" connected with an ethernet cable instead of using the wireless network for streaming, as my Comcast router is as far away from the audio system as it could be, and on another floor of... 
Audio Forums, On-line Store Fronts, and the Art-of-Deception
Back in 1979 I was a commissioned salesman at a high-end audio shop in DC, and behind the counter we had a small plaque with "There are Lots of Liars in this Business" on it.  True then, and true now, but now with the internet as our vehicle for k... 
What are the best subwoofers to use with Magnepan 20.1s?
I have had Velodyne in the past JL Audio now, both are excellent, especially if you get the models that have built in EQ (with external microphone). 
Defining nominal impedance
I have a pair of speakers that are listed as 8 ohm "nominal impedance", which might be the impedance at 1000hz, but show a "minimum impedance" of 3.1 ohms, so I contacted the manufacturer for my amp, who recommended I use the 4 ohm tap, not the 8 ... 
What's going on with the audio market?
My local dealer is in the process of expanding from two "brick and mortar" stores, to three.Having said that, over the years they have de-emphasized music audio systems, increasing their emphasis in theater systems.High-end audio systems is such a... 
If a gear is dirt cheap, do you think it is no good?
Years ago we were looking for a freezer and one of my friend's coworker found her husband was fooling around with another woman, so he threw him out and started the process of divorcing him.  He said to sell his stuff and send him a check...hence ... 
Focal Utopia Maestro upgrade
About eight months ago I took delivery of a pair of Focal Sopra No2's, like the Utopia series, with Focal's beryllium tweeters.I did a lot of comparing of amplifiers and bought a McIntosh MC452, sounded "smooth" like the tube amps I auditioned, bu... 
Focal Sopra 2 Vs Wilson Sophia 3
When I was searching for new speakers, eventually bought the Focal Sopra No2's, listened to the Wilson's and the Magico's.  The Magico dealer asked me if I preferred "analytic" or "musical" sounding speakers, he characterized the Magico's and Wils... 
Who has tried "TIDAL" vs other streaming applications?
The more I think about the "business case" Tidal must have evaluated to decide to stream MQA in the (near) future, the more I suspect that they will do the MQA conversion in their app, maybe give you the option to stream MQA "natively", but to hav... 
Who has tried "TIDAL" vs other streaming applications?
I have a Spotify account for my wife (iPad) and a Tidal account for me and my audio system (Windows 10, USB connection to the DAC).For my Tidal listening, I prefer to download and install their app, instead of using the browser version, one less s... 
Tidal equivalent for Classical?
I have a subscription to: http://www.classicsonlinehd.com and enjoy many of their new albums each week.  They apparently have some relationship to Naxos, generally don't have many of the "big name" conductors or performers, but the selection and...