iopscrl
Responses from iopscrl
| Buying used: how old is too old? There is a reason why vintage JBL, Altec, Klipsch, AR, QUAD, ls3/5a and other speakers still enjoy robust demand (and prices !) today: They sound GREAT and in some ways are better than what is available today. The above mentioned brands enjoy e... | |
| First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k) New: Audible Illusions M3B. Best value for the money and meets your budget.Used: Upper end CJ or Audio Research Ref Series, or SP-10II / SP-11Vintage: Mac or MarantzBenefit to used or vintage is the ability to resell for your cost (or maybe... | |
| New Hobby Ultrasonic Record Cleaning I am using the same tank, but with a Vinyl Spinner attachment for rotation. I use "Ruston's" formula, which is a combo of tergiclean hepastat IS alchohol and distilled water.I use a spin clean as a pre cleaning step to remove loose surface debris... | |
| Sumiko / Jelco Tonearm Repair or Restoration Mr. Corn / Maze Audio sent one reply to my initial inquiry, then nothing. No response or reply to several followup messages. | |
| Best bang for buck integrated amp for $500 Musical Fidelity a3.2 Integrated Amplifier. 120wpc, built like a tank. Excellent phono stage, transparent and clean sounding overall. $500 is the sweet spot in price for this model. I have used one in my computer system for a long time. It i... | |
| Sumiko / Jelco Tonearm Repair or Restoration Brit Audio replied that they/he do not work on this arm. | |
| Tubes for Magnepan’s. Investigate a rebuilt Harman Kardon Citation II. I know of many people who used this amp to drive Maggies (and other current absorbing speakers) and were happy with the combination. This amp sounds better than a Mac 275 or Marantz 9.A rebuilt I... | |
| Why don't more recordings have soundstage outside of speakers Actually, many recordings can image outside of speaker boundaries. IMHO listening equipment is just as important as recording quality. My audiophile evolution has in part been driven by a desire for better sound staging and realism. I am now at... | |
| MSRP, diferentiation and the illusion of value Another factor to consider is how the component makes the buyer feel. There are several examples of buyers choosing to pay higher prices, or believing that a higher price implies better quality, because paying the price gratifies the buyer's ego.... | |
| MSRP, diferentiation and the illusion of value I generally purchase used equipment. The secondary market allows most components to settle around their intrinsic value. A Dynaco ST-70 will never sell for the price of a McIntosh MC225, regardless of what a seller may think. Conditions are ... | |
| Stereophile's 2021 products of the year I consider SP and HFNRR to be about the best of the lot. I used to think that HiFi+ was just as good...until they sold to TAS. HiFi+ retains a higher standard than their overlord but one can see some negative impact. HiFi World is interesting, a... | |
| If your were to assemble a vintage system ? Maggie MMG....plenty of used pairs around after the introduction of the .7 and LRS. Musical Fidelity A3.2 Integrated amp. 110wpc of high current, but smooth power, and an excellent phono stage.AR-ES1 TT with an Ortofon or AT cartridge.Used cables. | |
| Who else is using old cables/interconnects, and is happy? Just about everyone makes fun of expensive cables. And yes cable prices can be ridiculous ! Cables and HT equipment are known for having the steepest depreciation curves in the audio sector. Last year's $2k HT receiver is this year's $500 brick... | |
| Single driver speakers. Are they worth considering ? Unless your budget is infinite, there will be compromises. So the question becomes, what are you willing to give up ?A single driver can deliver deep bass, lifelike midrange, extended treble, but not at the same time. It is physically impossibl... | |
| “Marks on the underside” Buyer's wife saw the cost on a CC statement.....Buyer was a reseller/flipper who realized he could not flip for a profit...Buyer wanted to play for a few days and then return....Reason really does not matter. Ebay allows returns for ANY REASON ST... |