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gliderguider

Responses from gliderguider

Reference DACS: An overall perspective
Sorry, I was just being flippant with the "short shrift" comment.I had an interesting experience a few weeks ago that illustrates just how much of a part our mental wiring plays in setting our preferences for "Type I" or "Type II" sound. I had the... 
Reference DACS: An overall perspective
I think Audio Note has gotten short shrift in this thread, so I thought I'd report that the combination of their new CDT Three transport, the 4.1x Balanced Signature DAC I mentioned earlier, plus a Stealth Varidig Sextet recently purchased from Ex... 
Is There any Truly "High End" Integrated Amp?
I think my Audion Silver Night MkII PX25 counts as "truly high end". However, amps with that basic accolade can differ all over the map in capability, and all require sympathetic systems to bring out their star qualities. The Audion's 6 watts migh... 
The most emotional amp out there?
I'm coming late to this thread, but as the owner of a Linear A (and the writer of one of the more ecstatic reviews of it) I thought I'd chime in.I think Boy_lah hit the nail on the head. The Linear A emphatically does not sound like a traditional ... 
Your favorite J.S. Bach
Another vote for Nathan Milstein's sonatas and partitas.I'm also partial to the cello suites, but I prefer Starker's readings on Mercury. 
Line Filter Question
If an Isoclean falls within your budget, I'd recomend one wholeheratedly. I'm using a 60A3 in my system, and even in a single family dwelling with a dedicated line for the rig it helps. It feeds my Tom Evans or Audion amp, the TEAD Vibe preamp, an... 
Guitar player? , What model do you own or play?
Lowden F32CHad a Martin D35 years ago that I remember very fondly. 
Best 3 options for SET amps
I've tried the Abby with my Audion PX-25, a pair of Wavelength Triton 300Bs, and a Nelson Pass Aleph J. The Achilles heel of the speaker is driver and cabinet resonances, and they come through with all the amps. The peakiness of the driver makes f... 
Best 3 options for SET amps
My short list would include:- Fab Audio Model 1 or Stonehenge. I have the Model 1 and think they are extremely hard to beat.- 3A De Capo i. In the smallish room of a friend they are total magic with a KR18 SET integrated.- Coincident Victory. I ha... 
Transformer based passives vs passive stepladder
I do believe mine has the Mk II trannies. I think whether there are problems or not is heavily system dependent, but I get the impression that synergy problems are more widespread than gets reported. In my local high-end ecosystem everyone who has... 
Transformer based passives vs passive stepladder
Based on my experience I'm inclined to believe Atmasphere regarding the role interconnects play in a passive configuration, as well as the inevitable artifacts generated by most active line stages. I have a Bent Noh with S&B TX-102 trannies, a... 
To Plug Power Amps Direct in to Wall or Not ??
It's perfectly safe to plug the amps straight into the wall, especially on non-shared circuits. I prefer that approach to most "power conditioners" that tend to screw up the detail or the dynamics or both. However...I have discovered that an IsoCl... 
Which components knocked you out on first listen?
The Tom Evans Linear A amplifier. Ten minutes after I powered it on I knew it eclipsed any other amp I'd heard. It's hard to convey in words what a transformative audio experience this amplifier has been for me. It's bewilderingly good. 
Equipment that has made you 'stop' looking?
Well, I was wrong about the Audion PX-25 above. Maybe the Tom Evans Linear A that replaced it will be the magic charm... 
Ottawa, Ontario
Yes, it was a lovely afternoon, with some music I'd never heard before, some tasty new components and good whisky to meld it all together. By the way Matthew, the CBC program I meant to slag off was Freestyle, not Fresh Air - though Fresh Air does...