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fsonicsmith

Responses from fsonicsmith

Garrard 301 restore
These tables do have a touch of rumble, but, they are lively and fun to hear.   Thanks! Yes, but a good idler like the legendary 301 has a sense of drive and liveliness that few if any belt drive tt's can provide. My 301 has no audible rumble t... 
Garrard 301 restore
The unit is super clean but clearly needs work that I would prefer to leave to the pros. Please see my profile and system for confirmation that I have experience with restoration of the 301. My recommendation is to send the 301 to Greg Metz of ... 
Is it me or new audio gear is too perfect and give ear fatigue?
This has been alluded to above but I will be more overt about it-you have a Japanese amp from 1988 (MX1000). While there are always exceptions that means a laid back sound character. The fact that your electronics tamed the leans-towards-bright B&... 
Isn't it really about quality of recording?
@rumi,  This is exactly why I draw a line regarding how much I'm willing to spend on my system.  I think it is worth purchasing equipment that is one or two levels higher than the typical studio.  No use forking out $50,000 for speakers to reprod... 
Isn't it really about quality of recording?
As a Genesis fan I really like the Trespass LP but the recording quality is terrible. Another terrible recording is David Bowie’s Heroes LP. This can’t be blamed solely on the quality of recording equipment of the era either. Many of the Doors re... 
Isn't it really about quality of recording?
There’s a lot of truth to the OP’s post. As my system got better I began to hear wider variations among recordings. This is true both with digital and vinyl. With vinyl the variation is greater. Too much vinyl gets issued in crappy shape whether i... 
Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?
To reiterate my luxury watch analogy; 1) Parts    5-15% 2) Assembly 10% 3) R&D          10% 4) Marketing 10% 5) Profit margin for manufacturer 5-10% 6) Distribution and margin for retailer 45-60%  
Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?
I was just in Vienna and bought a Carl Bucherer Scubatec Patravi.  Carl Bucherer Scubatec With discount and a tax refund (Austria policy for foreigners buying goods) I paid about $4500 on a watch that lists for $5,200 before taxes. Did I get a d... 
Basic switch....should I upgrade?
FWIW, I switched (pun) from a cheap D-Link to this and am very happy with the results. https://englishelectric.uk/8-switch/ There are too many variables to possibly account for with streaming audio. Again, my humble op. The streamer, the DAC, the... 
Bought an Audio Research Amp
I don't mean to do anything to dispel your enthusiasm but your solid state ARC brings up an interesting aspect of vintage amps. ARC can not and will not service the vast majority of their solid state amps due to parts availability and the circuit ... 
DAC Shootout Starts This Weekend
Currently 8 DAC models on offer and another in the pipeline. https://sw1xad.co.uk/products/?prod_cat=digital-to-analogue-converters-dacs There are a number of enthusiastic owners over on AudioCircle. Yes, but to the best of my knowledge the D... 
Audio Research I/50
I will admit that if it were me buying an i/50 I would prefer easier bias. But as a tube amp owner for over 20 years (all ARC other than an Ampsandsound Nautilus), bias does not normally drift very. much in a stock set of tubes. Everything changes... 
New Magnaplanar 1.7 delaminating and buzzing.
Audeze. Pronounced like "odyssey", hence the name. How can you own them and not know how to spell the brand name?  
Dynaudio - Made in China vs Denmark
@tablejockey  You are right. I sincerely apologize.  @m-db  I once had a Parlee on order, back in my racing days. I canceled the order when I found out I was getting a Bianchi XL for free from a sponsor. As you likely know Parlee and Calfee hav... 
Dynaudio - Made in China vs Denmark
fsonicsmith- that's a little late regarding how bike manufacturing works. It has been in play since the early 90's on a large scale. I worked for a Taiwanese OEM frame manufacturer that made frames for all the recognized names-Bianchi included. ...