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gammajo

Responses from gammajo

Turntable got absolutely crushed by CD
Answering your initial question. I am very happy with my Ayon CD35 CD player which has a tubed power supply and and tubed PreAmp. This got me close enough to vinyl on the things that vinyl does well, particularly emotional engagement, and a musica... 
Von Schweikert VR 55 Active versus Wilson Audio Alexia's/Sasha's?? Which upgrade??
Definitely go with the VSA VR55 Aktives! I have had mine since April 2015 and could not be happier with the build, parts quality, sound, and service. I have contrasted VSA with Wilson several times in the past and VSA always sounded more beautiful... 
What should I hear as my amp breaks in?
I find most good equipment seems to get a bit more open and relaxed after a weeks play or so, but the amps essential qualities are apparent immediately out of box 
Best Songs To Sing In The Car To Embarrass Your Kids
Clickity Clack by Dickety Do and the Donts 
Captain Crunch decoder ring for findind audiophile quality CD recordings
Get some CDs from Reference Recordings and also look for HDCD 
SACD
I have an expensive player that does both SACD and Red Book CD well, but while some SACD are good, very little of my music that I like the best is on SACD, so I use the SACD part very seldom. Hope this helps. 
Mono Blocks on a Budget, is it possible?
Getting two Nuprime STA 9's for 649 new each might fit the bill and they have audition period. I have Nuforce/Nuprime Ref 20 and had the Ref 9V3se mention in previous post, both are terrific, as well as Bob Smith's mods 
Testing 6H30 tubes
Thanks BarrySandy, will track down these leads 
Testing 6H30 tubes
Thanks for your input. My understanding is that I could hurt the tubes by using the wrong tester settings, so will look for someone with a 6H30 tester 
Good Used Speakers ($8K-10K) For A Little Listening Room
Pick up a pair of Von Schweikert VR4 JR s used. I have heard them sound terrific in a room your size 
My exp. with Focal Sopra No.2 , Harbeth 40.2, Passlabs XA30.5 and Hypex NC400
Look up tuning dots at Marigo Audio - developed by physicist turn window vibration into heat - they will truly tame your windows. Acceptable visually compared to acoustic panels etc.  
Best redbook-only CD Player under $10k - Bryston BCD3, Resolution Audio Cantata 3.0, ....
Ayon CD5s used or new Ayon CD35se. Robust tubed power supply and output stage, class A preamp with analogue volume control included. Best I have heard and I have heard many. 
Aftermarket Fuses
I would put Audio Horizons at top of my list in terms of improving sound. Seemed to get rid another layer of imperceptible noise (until that noise is gone) so cleaner and more natural. 
Best used or new DAC under $3500
The Ayon CD5s uses NOS Burr-Brown - nice chip 
Best used or new DAC under $3500
Mikhaelkuz, Thank you. Yes a very good sound especially with NOS Russian Reflector tubes for the 6H30's. It seems to have more life, natural liquidity, dynamics and microdetail, while being just as transparent  and quiet as the upper end solid sta...