gtortorella
Responses from gtortorella
| best "bookshelf" speakers for nearfield listening I recommend saving some money and hassle by purchasing a set of audioengine passives, the P4. For $325 shipped, they offer a beautiful solid bamboo cabinet, quality drivers (no bright-sounding metal dome), superb assembly quality, and a quality se... | |
| The Emperor DAC has no Clothes I, too, thank you for your post. I have yet to accept the DAC route. In my view, why have redundant components? Why have a DAC stage sitting idle in one's player? A transport/DAC setup would seem to make sense. However, a properly designed player-... | |
| Toroidal vs. Non-toroidal Transformers Indeed, Ayre gear would seem to be of the highest caliber. Charles Hansen despises op-amps. | |
| Toroidal vs. Non-toroidal Transformers Regarding the G08.2, this is an interesting comment. Even the G06.2, at $3,500 MSRP, would be out of my reach.With regard to the sound of my SA-15S2 (and its effects), I think I have determined the nature of the problem. My ears seemed somewhat "p... | |
| Toroidal vs. Non-toroidal Transformers I forgot to add that I am hesitant about adding yet another component to the signal chain, i.e. a DAC. While if I spend a bunch of money, I may get one with a discrete output stage, I may then perhaps introduce other issues or problems. At minimum... | |
| Toroidal vs. Non-toroidal Transformers I am well aware of the ill effects of op-amp output stages. The problem is that so many players--even multi-thousand dollar units--have op-amp output stages or op-amps elsewhere in the design. Indeed, a discrete output stage will always sound bett... | |
| Toroidal vs. Non-toroidal Transformers These responses are very informative. I, too, think exactly that: Denon players are a tad "screechy" in the highs. This term, "screechy," is an excellent way to describe it.I have very sensitive ears, and I have posed this question because I alrea... | |
| Warm Rich Lush Speakers...Recommendations? I could not recommend my Cambridge Audio S30 more. I encourage you to try them. They have simply blown me away. I know that Cambridge is not currently known for their loudspeakers, but if you like a natural, warm, engaging sound, I highly recommen... | |
| solid state vs tubes I find the post regarding the "Carver Challenge" interesting. I became a more serious audiophile in 1990, and so I do not recall this event. I have often thought of buying a 1980s vintage Carver amp. The "big kid" on my block always talked about B... | |
| suggestions for preamp/amp combos I agree that with your budget, you do not have to buy used. I am currently in the process of obtaining and evaluating a new pre/power combo, and so I will have to get back to you. | |
| B&K-ish suggestions for main system? I recently bought a current B&K power amp, the Reference 200.2. I liked how it sounded in the store, but I will not be able to listen to it in my home system until Wednesday. I have not heard that there is something "lesser" about newer B&... | |
| How Much Preamp Gain is Too Much? Thanks, Herman...Indeed, I wanted reassurance from other audiophiles. I cannot fathom why there are so many active preamps out there--and so few choices for a passive unit. The logic has been "staring me in the face" for a while, but I guess it to... | |
| How Important is Dynamic Headroom? I am also considering trying tubes in front of the B&K. The preamp I have picked out for this purpose is the Quicksilver Line Stage (non-remote version). My only concern is the issue of having too much gain. In fact, I will post another thread... | |
| How Important is Dynamic Headroom? I thank all for the responses. My preamp is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. I cannot listen to the big B&K until the preamp is delivered (I have no other preamp). I put quite a bit of thought into the changes I have made in my system, and I ... | |
| How Important is Dynamic Headroom? Interesting...I have been an audiophile for a long time, and so I understand your analogies. The amp has four of the biggest capacitors I have ever seen ("beer can" types or perhaps a tad larger). Anyway, I cannot fathom this being the type of amp... |