ghdprentice

Responses from ghdprentice

Heavy speakers: How to be able to reposition?
Or just get furniture sliders from Amazon and use them until you have them correctly positioned, then take them out. A set made for both hard floor and carpet are alway good to have around the house to move other stuff. Mine have a fulcrum to slip... 
How Is This Possible? Must be Counterfeits
@marcfrenette   I have worked in mainland China and across the globe for decades in the manufacturing supply chains. China is full of great people, hundreds that I have known. The vast majority are great people with similar hopes and dreams… wi... 
15k for streamer and dac....how much on each?
Definitely an approximate 50 - 50 split. Both are critical. That gets you in the big league with the DAC.   If it were me I would get a used Audio Research DAC9 (there are lots of other great DACs, but the 9 is really natural musical and detailed... 
Streamer only
I am using the Aurrender W20SE ($22K) streamer through the Audio Research Reference CD9SE as DAC and it sounds as good as my very good vinyl leg. Each step from a Mac book, to inexpensive streamer, to a $3K $5K, $10K, $13K, to my W20SE provided a ... 
Do I need a phono preamp?
Phono stages are as important as the turntable / cartridge. Over a period of ten years with a VPI Aries / Van den Hull Frog and originally a A rated (Stereophile) $200 Phonostage (which sounded simply terrible), then the 1980s Audio Research PH2, ... 
Seek advice on forums but always listen to your own ears!
Yes. But you can often evaluate the posters experience and values through their post(s) / virtual systems. People trying to be helpful will usually provide enough context for you to understand where they are coming from and their experience… and t... 
Going Tubing
Typically most folks tiptoe in by getting a tubed preamp first. They are very low maintenance and will refine the sound. Then later once they are comfortable with tubes jump into tubed power amps. They will produce a bigger change, but typically a... 
A GOOD dry record cleaning device
I have tried many brushes. I even have one of the ridiculously priced German ones… ~$500 (all the rage a couple years ago). None have worked for me. They mostly push around the dust. I use Last general cleaner (2 -3 drops) on the last “brush” (the... 
Atma-Sphere Class D… Amazing
Cool. Or, even better +200 hours.  
Are You A Disciplined Audiophile?
I consider myself a disciplined audiophile as well. I refrain wasting money on expensive tp, caviar, cars, ostentatious homes so I can make a greater investment in audio. I read multiple publications, listen to lots of live acoustic music and ins... 
Speakers replace or improve?
I would say you can invest in either the integrated amp or speakers and get a very big improvement.   I think you will likely get the biggest boost by upgrading the integrated amp. Reach as high as you can… maybe a used NAD or Rotel integrated am... 
Looking for... Integrated tube amp with phono
OP, You are correct. The Rogue is not in the same league as VAC and Conrad Johnson.   
Should Amps be plugged into a power conditioner?
Definitely directly into the wall… and preferably into a dedicated direct line. Perhaps some very unusual  amp / terrible power situation it would be better… but I have not experienced it or heard of it.    My dealer recently brought over a condi... 
Streamer only
@jcder Yes, you / he can do it for a very low sound quality solution. Given his equipment, definitely not a recommended solution.  
PS Audio NuWave DAC
@soix    +1