gareents

Responses from gareents

Seeking speakers under $3K for 10x12 ft room and driven by 20wpc tube amp
I am surprised nobody has recommended a single driver speaker for your small space and low power amplification. High sensitivity is a perfect match with smaller space and low power. Some great choices such as: Charney Audio (using Voxativ drivers... 
300B Tube Amps with 15/16 Watts Per Channel?
Absolutely one of the best is Aric Audio. Aric makes a 300b parallel SET amp, the Super 300b PSET.  
300B SET Amp driving Wilson Sabrinas
@atmasphere - actually I did measure the dBA with a sound level app. The measurements between the two amps were essentially equal at the same volume setting. However, I also understand what you are saying because the SET amp "sounds" louder at the... 
Aurender Music Server and CD Transport comparison
@blakcloud , I do not understand why you (or anyone for that matter) would use a CD transport when you can rip all of your CDs to a hard disk. The hard disk would connect to your Aurender. Will then have the all of the digital information without... 
Maximum Upgrade Potential
I believe that improvements over the last 20+ years, and still ongoing today, differ depending on the type of amplifier. Solid state has changed significantly, as pointed out by @ghdprentice using Pass as an example. However, changes in SET amplif... 
Pass Labs XP32 or XP22?
I also use an ARC preamp (REF 3) with Pass amp (XA30.8). Tried others but this is best combination.    
What speakers work with low wattage class A amps
Spatial Audio. Open baffle, 90+ dB sensitivity. I drive Spatial X5's with a Pass XA30.8 very easily.  
Considering moving to separates with a tube preamp-appreciate recommendations
I would second going to an ARC preamp. I replaced a BHK, and a CJ ET5SE, with a REF3. ARC is superior by far!     -G  
New take on CD vs Vinyl vs CD
I think your results are due in a large part to the level of equipment being used. No offense, but the CDR and CD players being used are not particularly high end. You did not even mention what turntable was used, but an Ortofon Blue is definitely... 
Two powered subs with bookshelf speakers or two floor-standing speakers?
I had a number of very good bookshelf speakers (B&W 805D, Harbeth 30.2) and subwoofers (REL, SVS) in different rooms. Sound was very good but not even close to floor standers I now use (Wilson, Spatial Audio). As others stated above, integrati... 
Early Impressions of Lab12 Integre4
No surprise that you preferred Lab12 to PrimaLuna. I did a direct in-home comparison of five different integrated amps, of which PrimaLuna was one. PrimaLuna was least capable, dark mushy sound with poor dynamics. In spite of what uncle Kevin keep... 
What Gear Has Disappointed You?
Rogue Pharaoh integrated amp - bright and thin Harbeth 30.2 speakers - so very average    
ARC REF 3 vs Modwright 36.5 DM
Thanks, I greatly appreciate all of the thoughtful responses. BTW, yes I am using both balanced and single ended connections. I would agree that SE connections are a little warmer, but also lose detail. Thanks for the Backert Labs and Herron rec... 
Luxman Knockoffs or Counterfeits?
I have purchased audio equipment (SME tonearm, turntable parts) from Japan via Ebay. No problem and great result. I always look at the Ebay ratings of the supplier and find this to be a very good indicator in terms of the number of raters and the ... 
Transients hurting my ears on hifi solid state amps
I had a Rogue Sphinx and completely agree it was one of the brightest amps I have ever heard. Sold it off after a few months. As others have mentioned, moving to a good SS class A amp was the solution that worked for me. I now have both a Pass 30...