helomech

Responses from helomech

8 Reasons why you should buy an $50,000 DAC
Does Audio Note make a $50K DAC?  That must be a rhetorical question. 😂    
Just got a pair of Apple AirPod Pro 2’s for my birthday
if you want a well rounded pair that holds charge, is easy to operate, has excellent music and calls sound, and then also does ANC well.. then you're looking elsewhere.    And where is that? Examples?     
Just got a pair of Apple AirPod Pro 2’s for my birthday
I have the Pro 2s and they are my “end game” as far as bluetooth earbuds are concerned. Like you stated, they are not “spectacular,” but the sound quality is more than respectable. Combined with the perfect iPhone integration/connection, battery l... 
You are there vs. They are there
The two dumbest phrases in audiophile lingo. Meaningless.   
Single driver full range speakers
Why don't they offer more single driver speakers? Because most of them don’t sound very good once the listener gets past the honeymoon phase. That and most of them are severely limited in dynamic range.  They tend to be one-trick ponies: very ... 
SS amp or receiver that sounds like Tube Amp
The MOSFET-based Yamaha integrateds (A-S1200, 2200 etc) go a long way in emulating tube amp sound. More so than any other integrateds I have encountered, including hybrids using tubes on the input stage.  Though listeners I trust assure me that t... 
Amplifier recommendations for 86 dB Sensitivity Speakers
Having owned the Cayin A88T, the close cousin to your A100T, I can tell you the amp will drive them fine at moderate levels. However, dynamic peaks will become a bit flat sounding above 80dB average (measured at your listening position). It won’t ... 
Denafrips offer to replace my faulty Pontus 15th, for a replacement fee?
If they confirmed the 3 year warranty, it is indeed a poor offer. The replacement should be free. You should only need to pay return shipping for the faulty unit. Yikes.    Some of the cheap Toppings sound better than Denafrips anyway. Good ridda... 
Do you recall "instant improvement" from your first stand-alone DAC ?
I'm trying to go into this without expectations and will be sure to take notes on familiar songs before and after. The fact you started a thread here is proof that you are going into this venture with expectations. Unfortunately, expectation b... 
ordering from China.....which Chinese Tube Integrated at 3k?
Potentially spend a bit more and get a Cayin. They are the best built among the Chinese amps.   
Reasonably-Priced Linear Power Supply for WIMM Pro Plus Streamer
Won’t improve anything.   
Worthy upgrade?
I learned the hard way that amp and speaker synergy is pretty much everything. Sources are much easier really. Yup, amp, speakers and the room are 90% of a system’s sound quality. That and how the speakers are placed in the room.          
Worthy upgrade?
I agree your speakers are deserving of better amplification. A Gryphon Diablo 300 will give you comparable dynamics without the detail-obscuring overt warmth.   
Thoughts on DAC option
Even if the DAC was your culprit (which I highly doubt), a Chord would be a poor choice of replacement. They are not remotely smooth or analog sounding IME.  I wonder what the output impedance is of your hybrid amp. If it is relatively high like ... 
Walk-in soundstage
Are you sure?  Let me ask you or ask yourself, if your DAC gives you wall of sound like many entry level or mid-tier DACs do, how are you going to achieve that? 100% positive. Yes, a walk-in soundstage is indeed >/= 90% room and speakers. T...