hilde45

Responses from hilde45

Budget Tube Preamp ($2000)
@jjss49 Jeebus, is this good advice.I bought a solid state amp to supplement my tube amp -- just to have for fun and kicks, and the occasional quick listen (in case the tubes don't have time to warm up) -- and I now use it a lot! Just goes to show... 
Budget Tube Preamp ($2000)
Just to add to @mesch suggestions, people have really had good experiences with this smaller maker, too: http://www.erhard-audio.com/ 
Analogue only preamp ideas? - no need for internal DAC!
@emergingsoul -- agree. I think it offers some information but it's not a textbook entry on the subject. I think you're right to see that there's a fair amount of "Paul personality" mixed in with information. I learned some from these, too: https:... 
Budget Tube Preamp ($2000)
OP, my research on preamps lead me to Quicksilver Line Stage, non-remote, version; two tubes, simply and well built, point to point wired, very good customer service, and a very good reputation with customers. Made in California. $1500 new, easy t... 
Analogue only preamp ideas? - no need for internal DAC!
Possibly of interest, Emergingsoul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dAY7Bc--Ys 
Tube matching question
Your aesthetic preferences are your own business, but what I would say is that if you get 1 or 2 and they're technically measuring in line with what you have, it's not a bad idea to have a spare to rotate in in case one gives out. 
High end stereo preamps? Worth it?
I have limited owning experience but did a lot of research on preamps. The Quicksilver Line Stage, non-remote, version, is very simple, point to point wired, very good customer service, and has a very good reputation with customers. The company do... 
Considering a Raven Audio Blackhawk Integrated for Tannoy Sterlings
@ozzy62 My bad! 
$7000 preamp vs $700 receiver - Is the difference THAT significant?
I'd approach the question this way:Why not something in between? If you're curious about the increase of quality from $700 to $7000, you'd probably be well served by wondering about the increase of quality from $4000 to $7000.I think I get that yo... 
SQ! - avr vs high end stereo preamp, who wins SQ challenge? And why
I have a buddy with a $2k Yamaha AVR and modest Paradigm bookshelves.We hooked up those bookshelves to my $170 Audioengine D1 DAC and my old, mid-fi Adcom GTP-400 and 535L and they were like wholly other speakers.My friend realizes that he tried t... 
Considering a Raven Audio Blackhawk Integrated for Tannoy Sterlings
@ozzy62 Mesch said he called Raven. Isn't that a response to MC's post? What is not clear is why those qualities are particular to the hardware of Raven rather than the tubes involved. As I pointed out, there may be other reasons Raven is a good c... 
Considering a Raven Audio Blackhawk Integrated for Tannoy Sterlings
@mesch Ah, right -- the integrated vs. separates is the issue which is addressed by Raven but not by Aric. Missed that. Oops!As you might have seen from my other posts, I got an integrated, used, to supplement my tube setup -- but it's an all soli... 
Considering a Raven Audio Blackhawk Integrated for Tannoy Sterlings
Yes @mesch , why not an Aric amp,too? 
SQ! - avr vs high end stereo preamp, who wins SQ challenge? And why
The short answer to your question is a question: what is the money spent on in the box you buy? The more it’s spread out, the less quality in the component parts. Then, there are the priorities of the maker to consider -- who is our market? What a... 
Considering a Raven Audio Blackhawk Integrated for Tannoy Sterlings
@mesch I don’t believe ’bloom’, ’air’, ’warmth’ or any other sound characteristic descriptor is endemic to any amplifier. That’s what I’ve gathered, too, but I’m a newbie. If those are *not* endemic, then the question becomes "What matters most?" ...