ghdprentice
Responses from ghdprentice
| What to listen for? @tcotruvo I would Rebecca Pidgeon’s recording of Spanish Harlem. I have listened to this cut on a dozen high end systems… in some, her voice makes it sound like she is naked… it sounds like she is thin and almost 2 dimensional… in great syste... | |
| Question about Active Bi-amping OP, New speakers are a great idea for the next upgrade. Speakers really impact the sound of your system, so are worth really investigating. You should audition them. You want speakers that really connect with you. I would recommend listening to: ... | |
| What is the best Turntable/arm & Phono preamp matches for Benz Ebony H cartridge??? Not sure I can recommend a TT / arm. But I would look at used Audio Research preamps at the top of your budget. If you can get an Audio Research PH8 or higher, it will bring out the best of your TT / cartridge. I have owned Audio Research phon... | |
| What's A Good Upgrade From A Manley Steelhead? @drbond Good point. This is particularly important at lower levels of investment… my rule is double the cost or it is likely a sideways step. So, we agree. However, at this level, one must assume a more discerning pallet and a flavor chang... | |
| Tube or solid state @charles1dad …”People simply like what they like.” Very good point. Folks attracted to high end audio do not share a common end point. Some, simply want their system to sound better to them… which, who knows what that means… recreating a colle... | |
| transport/dac vs integrated player Given where we are in the evolution of digital playback you definitely want to stay with separates. CD playing is rapidly being replaced with streaming.. many companies have discontinued manufacturing them. Streaming is rapidly replacing CD transp... | |
| Are Cardas Parsec cables Overkill for Zen Stream? Probably would not help the sound quality. But, you can try. I would recommend Cardas if you try any. They have different tonal balance depending on the level you purchase. So, purchasing a inexpensive Cardas are going to be designed for your comp... | |
| Never heard an amp do this before, ideas? OP, This is not a “tube” problem. Not sure what it is… but this is never problem with high end audio equipment. So, either it is a PrimaLuna problem or a location problem. I would not abstract this to tubes or good quality components. | |
| Macintosch 8950 or parasound a21 MACs are shy in the high frequency / detail, so in this application would be a much better match. They are not neutral but bass / midrange heavy. A good match for the OP. | |
| What's A Good Upgrade From A Manley Steelhead? You have a great turntable and cartridge. You ask a great question. The phono stage has a huge impact on the sound you get from the turntable / cartridge. I would recommend an Audio Research PH-8 or higher…there is a PH-9, Also a level up I have ... | |
| Educate me about DSD I joined in to learn a bit more about DSD. Somewhere along the way I tried some… DSD files, they sounded fine (on a previous system). I fiddled with buying downloads… of different resolution, my ripped CDs,… all my vinyl… etc. since buying downloa... | |
| How much does a DAC do the more expensive it is? @charles1dad …”I would also prefer the natural sound presentation over the hyper detailed type of presentation.” +1 I completely agree. First that there are a lot of components with different ultimate sound goals… and consequently sound very dif... | |
| Fantasy or reality? Inexpensive solid state preamps that get you 80% there? I owned an Audio Research SP-5 in 1980 for nearly ten years. For its time it sounded very good… it was the most expensive preamp I could afford (used). Great solid construction. A bit lean on the midrange and bass. The way I look at it, there ... | |
| Speaker placement. @newbee +1 | |
| Speakers for a unique small room @co93 +1 on Sonus Faber as well. My last thre sets of speakers have Been Sonus Faber. |