helomech

Responses from helomech

Preamp Options under $3500
@t_ramey  I have had the Benchmark LA4, Bel Canto Pre5, Bel Canto PRe1 with Ace Tomato upgrades, the Coda Continuum CP, Mac C49, Schiit Freya (passive mode), Questyle CMA 12, Quad Artera, Topping Pre90 and Topping A90 Discrete. Also various line ... 
Boulder 866—Why Did You Sell?
Thanks for the replies guys.  I’m pretty content with my Axxess integrated at the moment, but it’s like @mrdecibel said, it’s a “disease.”   
Preamp Options under $3500
I’ve owned quite a few preamps in this price range, and believe it or not, my favorite among them all is the Topping A70Pro. It’s actually a headphone amp but also functions as a very good preamp. It doesn’t have a phono section but its width is o... 
Gain level on a REL sub
Please go to their site (REL).   Unfortunately their connection recommendations do not work for any and every amplifier. Sometimes the ground need be floated/disconnected. That’s just the facts.   
Gain level on a REL sub
what exactly do you mean by it us the wiring? Are you referring to the quality kf the cable or how it is wired. I have followed the recommendations that REL suggested.   How it’s wired. Try disconnecting the black ground cable from your amp.   
Why Does Expensive Gear Seems To Sound Better?
IME, it’s only speakers and phono cartridges that have a mostly consistent price/performance correlation. Even with those there are caveats, such as aftermarket styli or DIY speaker kits.  These days, with the availability of high performance cla... 
Initial Impressions Shure V15xMR w Jico SAS Stylus
The Jico SAS styli take many hours to break-in, closer to 100. Properly aligned and broke-in, the V15 with an SAS approaches the maximum capability of a MM cartridge. Really need to step up to >$1000 MCs to get appreciably better performance.  ... 
Bryston or Yamaha?
The preamp section of even a decent integrated amp is usually the weak link due to parts quality, component space and heat issues. To many unknow variables to verify your claims.   Yeah that is true of a typical integrated amps but not the uppe... 
Gain level on a REL sub
Another thing, you want that high-level cable cut as short as possible once you finalize your sub placement. It makes a difference.   
Gain level on a REL sub
I had this same issue with my Carbon Special. I could not get the high level connection working with the Ayre amplifier I was using. It turned out the problem was that I had the ground cable connected to one of the Ayre’s chassis screws (the foolp... 
Bad idea?
In 99.9% of systems, the person would be better off by saving that money toward a speaker upgrade.    Otherwise, just get a couple 4’ lengths of the 12-gauge Duelund cable from Parts Connexion. It’s all anyone needs.   
Bryston or Yamaha?
Yamaha has known how to make ultra-quiet and refined electronics for many decades now. Some will argue that their older stuff is even better than current flagships, so I wouldn’t presume the newer Bryston is superior. I’ve pitted the preamp sectio... 
Looking for a more solid-feeling turntable (and maybe a new preamp)
Palmer and SME  
Re; Dynamics, Class D vs tubes…
Usually its the other way ’round. What tends to cause tube amps to seem to have more power than solid state amps of the same rating is the way they make distortion, particularly, as you alluded, near clipping.   My experience is otherwise. Mayb... 
Technics 1200G vs VPI Forever Model One
I went Technics (with the lesser 1210GR) and never looked back. It’s nice to finally have a turntable that can manage sustained notes without audible flutter. Can’t say that for any belt-drive I owned.    If measured performance is important to y...