ghdprentice

Responses from ghdprentice

Help with Cartridge choice
OP. You are likely in for a real treat. I remember moving from budget stuff to a quality analog rig. It was truly jaw dropping… all the surface noice disappeared… it just wasn’t diminished… completely gone. The bass when up to slap me in my face… ... 
Why Are People So Concerned About How Others Spend Their Money?
I suspect ego is the dominant driver. Most folks think they have the only correct take on reality and since they decided this is right for them it has to be right for everyone else… and as I have said before, anyone earning more money than them, o... 
A $349 record brush
But wait,  need Ginsu knives, then I am in.   
Streaming
Just out of interest, Qobuz is generally the choice of audiophiles because of it’s quality and high resolution library. My audio dealer bugged me for a year (I was using Tidal, the 2nd favorite), when I finally tried it, I instantly switched. No o... 
Integrated vs. Separates on a Budget
I have run speakers that most would be considered to be outclassed by my electronics for a couple of decades. Your interest in an integrated is appropriate and will get the most out of your speakers. Should you ever decide to upgrade, then you kno... 
New turntable
I agree, VPI 21. Owned an Aries for 20 years. This should give you just enough for a good cartridge. I really can’t say too much good about them. If I had more space for a second turntable I would have one. For a cartridge I would research the VPI... 
Help with Cartridge choice
If I understand you correctly you are planning on upgrading the cartridge first, then the turntable. I would reverse that. Turntable first.   I have been lucky with cartridges after my first budget ones. But it has required an enormous amount of... 
More expensive = better?
Schiit Gungnir and Yggdrasil are outstanding values for the money. I own the first as an experiment to help a friend, who purchased a Yggdrasil. Both very good sounding.  
DAC Upgrade
I have a Gungnir multibit which was a experiment for a friend who we decided on a Yggdrasil. I think it depends on your long termed intent. If it is to build a much better system over time then I would wait until you can afford to buy a Yggdrasil.... 
More expensive = better?
It seems to be common for people to feel that if you cannot afford something then it cannot be worth the price and anyone that has enough money to afford it is a fool or not very smart. Which of course is not true. While you can add nearly unlimit... 
How much gear do you own?
I have always been laser focused on achieving the best sound possible and therefore all funds focused on only one of each component. What I did end up collecting was mostly interconnects, cords that got evaluated while getting to the best match.  
Apple tv with Apple music hi res streaming issues?
I guess I am going to look at this differently. I have a rig worth something like $150K… and typically the mastering techniques determine whether a recording sounds better versus whether it is red book CD or higher resolution. If you are sending t... 
Integrated vs. Separates on a Budget
Given the budget amount, the best sound is likely integrated. Then If you want to improve to the next level of sound quality you can add a individual component… like first preamp, the m amp, then streamer.. or something like that.., if you want to... 
New streamer or dac?
Nice system, seems well chosen and synergistic. Given your system, an Aurrender A100 I would think appropriate. I am not familiar with what Aurender DACs sound like… my exposure is entirely to just streamers. I would recommend finding a place you ... 
speaker choice for new 20x30 audio room
Congratulations! You are clearly on the path to a great audio system. Speakers are really important… they must speak to you…they must evoke an emotional reaction. Given your room… you definitely need to push the upper end of your budget… like used...