hk_fan

Responses from hk_fan

High End Amp Price Collapse musings
"Some of you miss the point. The point is simple. As Class D advances it will eat into the high end class A market. We have seen this already happening to a small degree. Some people on this thread indicate they already switched.Once Class D is c... 
Best value in pre-owned preamps right now?
Ayre K1XE has always intrigued me.SLP-05 is a fantastic buy.  I've owned one and it was one of the best I've ever heard but couldn't handle the lack of remote control options. 
High End Amp Price Collapse musings
With all these great new solid state amplifiers, those old crusty tube amps should be going for a dime a dozen any day now.... 
Pre-amp upgrade time?
Here's another quote from an interview with Mr. Pass regarding active vs passive preamps:AR: What's your position on passive versus active preamps?NP: You'd think that a minimalist switch and variable resistor in a box would be as good or better t... 
Pre-amp upgrade time?
That's a nice quote considering how Nelson makes a nearly $20k active preamp (really - I'm being serious here!)!  ;-) 
Pre-amp upgrade time?
I think the SLP-03 was one of Cary's weaker offerings.  The SLP-05 is lightyears better.  I'd put it toe to toe with the ARC REF preamps. 
Warm Sounding Preamp Suggestions
Cary SLP-98 
To monoblock or not to monoblock McIntosh MC275's
The answer you don't want to hear is... there's only one way to find out!I like mono-blocks and since you obviously like one MC275 I suspect you want another.  Am I right? :-)I think it boils down to whether or not you really want mono's.  There w... 
Best way to Crossover JL Audio F110 into system
Are you unhappy with letting the SF's roll off naturally and just using the crossover that is in the F110?If you are looking for a cheaper option than the JL crossover, look for a used Velodyne SMS-1.  They are discontinued but even new they were ... 
What's with BAT?
I'm a big fan of the 6SN7, especially in the Cary SLP-05 preamp, as well as the 12AU7 in the VTL 7.5III which in my opinion occupies rarified air in the tube preamp world.I've heard a few BAT's but never was really that impressed.  Different strok... 
What's with BAT?
My experience is similar to rlb61.  The 6H30 implementation that I've heard/owned in various preamps much too close to a transistor in terms of sound to justify the downsides of tube ownership, at least for me.I got tired of worrying about putting... 
Budget Audiophile Looking For Amplifier Suggestions
Proceed HPA's are a huge bang for the buck. 
To Pre or not to Pre? Here is my take
"What does this tell me?That absolutely the ls preamp is adding its own sonic signature to the mix, in theory that equates to probably a more "dirty" sound but to me this was the sound I preferred."I disagree.  What it tells you is that the volume... 
Recs for solid state integrated, $2-3,000 range
Micromega IA-400 or AS-400 are also great options. Get the AS-400 if you want to stream to it via AirPlay. I saw some on here marked down to $1500 or so which is a screaming deal as I think they were around $4k originally.I spent a lot of time wit... 
Any thoughts on passive v. active speakers?
I've owned both active (linn) and passive systems and found that passive better suits my personality - in that it allows me to mix and match, buy and sell equipment.A good active system does many things well, and probably the best option for someo...