freediver

Responses from freediver

Good Stereo Speakers for outside use during BBQs, evening pot luck dinners etc
There are weather resistant speakers available from several vendors including some that look like ROCKS,google should help you find them.. 
A Few Thoughts on The Wonderful Quad VA-One
UPDATE UPDATE:It was a saddd day when I had to sell my VA-One.The power tubes were worn out & I discovered it was a dangerous & nerve wracking procedure to bias new tubes so it was sold off..Since then I have been looking for an amp to rep... 
Apartment Dweller's Paradise - The Ideal 2 ch. system?
OH HAPPY DAYS,the ULTIMATE Apartment dwellers amp/dac is back!!! The wonderful,amazing Quad VA-One+ is now shipping.Updated DAC board to the latest SABRE DAC chip & an new AUTOMATIC BIASING circuit now make this the end game apartment/bedroom ... 
???Anyone Here UpGrade From Yaqin/Cayin/etc... To Another Tube Amp Considered Hi End???
twoleftears"Sounds like the moment is ripe for some serious tube-rolling." Haha,the KT88’s are about toast with near 3000 hours,one went from serviceable to almost 0 bias voltage over the weekend & the small signal are stock chinese SOOO just ... 
???Anyone Here UpGrade From Yaqin/Cayin/etc... To Another Tube Amp Considered Hi End???
Well folks I have spent pretty much every waking hour since Friday afternoon sole searching & critically listening to my system.Experimenting with switching from KT88(EH) to El34(Svetlana Wing C reissue)as well as extensive use of the Triode/U... 
Looking for closed back headphone advice
stringreen:Total PUFFERY! Case in point,have had the Creek Evolution 50a integrated amplifier in house recently & the headphone stage rivals ANY dedicated headphone amp I've demo'd or owned(owned Woo Audio,highly modded APPJ Audio & Cavall... 
???What Are Your Favorite Small Signal Tubes(ReIssues)???
I prefer Mullard NOS but I didn’t ask about NOS... & yes I searched but only dusty threads exist so wanted an update.. 
???Compromise???
Front End:Amp/PreAmp or Integrated amp..SOURCE:DAC/CD Player/Multi Disc player,DAP,Turntable etc...Speakers:self explanatory... 
Looking for closed back headphone advice
I dug around & find absolutely NO mention of headphone specs on your amp.I suggest before you spend $ you find out exactly what the Output Impedance of the headphone circuit is..Without that information ANY suggestions on what will sound good ... 
???Anyone Here UpGrade From Yaqin/Cayin/etc... To Another Tube Amp Considered Hi End???
devilboy:just yesterday I spent 2 hours between a pair of Harbeth M40.2 speakers driven by a Hegel H590 & cabled up with several thousand $ of Cardas cables,talk about overhyped,You can keep your hegel,I would rather have my Cayin any day! 
???Anyone Here UpGrade From Yaqin/Cayin/etc... To Another Tube Amp Considered Hi End???
^^^ I looked at Raven but everything is sold out,then I came across the Mastersound "Box" at a STEAL of a price & wonder if the investment will bear fruit over the Cayin...Were talking all hand made in Italy,in house transformers,Pure Class A,... 
Looking for closed back headphone advice
Ok before you choose cans what are you driving them with?If you don't have a good front end your wasting $...If you have a decent front end look at the Planar Magnetic headphones from Audeze,HiFiMan or Mr.Speakers...If you don't have a good amp lo... 
Good Entry-Level DAC
Black Ice Audio(Jolida)DSD,Tube DAC....Underwood Wally a dealer here on Audiogon has them on sale right now for like $600.00 or $700.00...They say it competes with multi thousand $ dacs... 
Personal amp evolution
Going back to 1972,I was 12,worked my ass of all summer & got:Radio Shack receiver.Harman Kardon receiver.Sherwood Newcastle receiver..Yamaha receiver.Marantz surround receiver.Bigger Marantz,latest surround receiver..HUGE Integra 7.1 surround... 
Impressions: $1k-$2k integrated amps
helomech:Ohhh I would have to disagree.There is a dealer on that free site selling the 52 lb.,hand built in Italy including IN HOUSE built transformers,EL34(x 6 tubes) Parallel Single Ended,auto biasing "Box" for a cool $2000.00($3500.00 rtl)..Pro...