ghdprentice

Responses from ghdprentice

Aurender N20
I would say, regardless of the output used the N20 will best the N200. They actually  listen to their products before putting them on the market. You can be sure if you move up the product lines they sound better… and not by a small margin.  
Upgrading from Primaluna
@j-wall   Thanks for the additional info. Photos would help also. From what you say of your room… even more the reason to work on room treatments, definitely. You want dampening behind you speakers… dampening along the side wall at reflection po... 
“House” Character of Popular $20-$30k Speakers
@mournbladeiv   Thank you.   Btw, my audio guy brought over one of his employees to listen to my system. He turned it up louder that I ever would even consider or thought it could go… no clipping, just perfect musical reproduction at really hi... 
Headphones Newbie; Senheisser HD 800s or Focal MG Clear
OP, Yes Focal Clear would be an excellent choice. Easy to drive.  
Upgrading from Primaluna
I have to agree with @russ69. I would work with what you have until it is optimized. Judging by only one photo. The speakers look too close together, the system should be moved from between the speakers. The front wall needs dampening. You might h... 
“House” Character of Popular $20-$30k Speakers
@mournbladeiv    I have all Audio Research gear, see my ID to see it. My ARC Reference 160s is running in triode mode so it is at half power… about 70 watts per channel. The triod mode has a very small edge in being a touch warmer… other than th... 
Headphones Newbie; Senheisser HD 800s or Focal MG Clear
OP,   Sorry to hear about the accident. Hope you were not injured. I have had many headphone amps, streamers and DACs… many highly regarded. The headphones performance typically very different depending on the electronic / headphone. I found th... 
“House” Character of Popular $20-$30k Speakers
@mournbladeiv   I own a pair of Sonus Faber Amati Traditional and have auditioned Magico many times. To me, it is a question of do you want to reproduce music or a science experiment. If I was listening to details of crickets mating for my mast... 
Headphones Newbie; Senheisser HD 800s or Focal MG Clear
Headphones are very sensitive to the quality of the input. Less than great electronics and great headphones and you are going to hear it.   I now have about $15K of incredibly naturally sounding electronics behind my headphones… they all sound f... 
Inexpensive Good Vintage Turntables?
I would look for a Linn LP12. All parts are available (better than original) and you can update it all the way to a contemporary Linn Klimax.   
Streaming network issues - need a geek
The nighthawk is a dual band router. I would get a wall wart wifi extender and plug it in next to the audio system and connect your audio ethernet cable to it. Then run your iPad on which ever band does not take away from your system. Also, bett... 
Analogue pre amp recommendation
I would always go for a tubed preamp. After fifty years at this… we’ll executed tube preamps will always be more musical than solid state designs. Rouge is the best choice in my opinion.  
Power cable upgrade or sideways move?
Over the last year I upgraded all my cables, interconnects, and power cords (see my system under ID). I have contemporary (Gen 6? 5?) Transparent Ultra. On power cords, I compared WireWorld, Cardas (several levels), DH Labs, JPS, and Transparent. ... 
Aurender N20
My experience is with the N100, N10, and W20SE. Each increment is absolutely worth it, assuming you have appropriate ancillary equipment. My W20SE streamer is the most expensive piece of equipment in my signal path (~ the same as my turntable) and... 
Thoughts on My Dedicated Listening Room
I am fortunate enough to have an outstanding audio space. It was acquired quite by accident. The best my dealer/friend has heard in thirty years of installing high end systems, many are $200K+ systems built for the purpose. Unfortunately, it is th...