jallan

Responses from jallan

Are your record surfaces as silent as CDs?
+1 jasonbourne71. The Shibata and other line contact types ride deeper in the record grooves and are thus typically quieter than elliptical and especially conical types that ride higher in the groove. With a VPI record cleaner and my setup (Benz A... 
DAC suggestions for a reasonably modest system
Schiit Yggdrasil Gs2 at $1699. Smokes anything near it IMHO.  
Cary Audio SLP-5 Preamp Tube Replacement.
I run Raytheon VT231’s in the gain stages and CBS Hytron 5692 in the buffers fo my SLP05, and they sound glorious. Tubes of this quality are still available from Brent Jessee and others.  
How does bi-wiring work?
I’ve used doubled up Audioquest Type 8, and then Audioquest Gibraltar where there is “optimization” for high and low frequencies.    Many people I know who understand far more than I do about electronics and noise (including a physicist who was P... 
How does bi-wiring work?
Biwiring makes a noticeable difference in my three sets of ATC speakers. I have done the experiment numerous times. I also found that I preferred the sound with the stamped stock jumpers rather than expensive jumpers that I have tried. Go figure! ... 
Cable Break In for the Naysayers
+1 for Bigtwin re red wine especially. Bottle shock, then meandering evolvement of the palate, aroma, and body. Very real!   same thing with cables. My most sensitive instruments- my ears- tell me so.      
Anthony (Tony) Cordesman has passed away
This was a person I had hoped to meet but never did.   
Class D, "Control (Variable Gain)," Amplifier versus Class A/B Separates?
I have bought 6 items from Schiit and never had an issue with any of the products. They were very responsive when I needed advice once. Recommend them highly. Just felt I had to add something here.  
Cary vs Raven
Cary provided great service on an issue with my SLP05 that I had bought used. No complaints from me about their service.   
Recommendations on integrated amps
I’d get a Schiit stack, best deal for the price.   
New streamer
I’ve seen Aurender N100H’s used for $1100 at prominent dealers over the past few months.  
Good Speakers for Rock and Roll Under 15K
Powered ATC SCM40’s. In your price range.   
Your greatest high end audio purchase!!!
No question for me- Schiit Yggdrasil GS DAC. Revolutionized my view of streaming audio and I have never looked back. Second after that was building my GAS Ampzilla- knocked the living crap out of my Sansui 2000x amplifier section. First taste of t... 
Good measuring DACs vs.
Measurements are grossly inadequate as they can only approximate dynamic conditions. Most commercial Dacs measure well, but they sound grossly different.   
DAC upgrade
The Schiit Ygdrassil has a GS2 version for $1699 that should fit your need. The Modi Multibit is remarkably good for the price; the more expensive Schiit shares the same dynamic drive with markedly better resolution. I have the original GS version...