jfuquay

Responses from jfuquay

I'm curious. What is your "normal" listening volume?
85 db usually for active listening. It’s enough to achieve a full soundstage and I admit my Magnepan .7s aren’t at their best at low volumes.  
Unipivot tone arms
Another Schiit Sol owner here, The first time you send that tone arm flying with the slightest touch is pretty scary. I mean, it is totally unconstrained! You read the manufacturer’s info to see if that’s supposed to happen. But like anything else... 
Are EL34 based amps more musical than KT series based ? Or it's purely a matter of design?
interesting thread. I recently completed an Elekit 8200R, which comes with 6L6GC output tubes but can run with EL34, KT66 and 88. It’s a sweet sound with my 95db speakers. So of course I’m wondering what other tubes sound like. But I need to switc... 
Integrated amp with preamp tubes
I really like my Rogue Sphinx, because I really really like my Magnepans. You get the picture: speakers first. But I also think you’re seeing more of this combo of a tube input stage and ss output for power. The Rogue Pharaoh is the next level up ... 
Got Innuous, now a DAC
I have the same Innuos Zen Mk3, also from The Music Room, and run it through a PS Audio Directstream DAC. I use USB that first goes through a Matrix Audio x-SPDIF2 that has an IIS output the DAC can use. You can probably get the Directstream Mk1 f... 
Adding a tube amp is a good idea?
@corelli The amp is an Elekit 8200R from Tube Depot. It’s supposed to arrive today. It comes with JJ 6L6GC power tubes and the usual 12AU7 inputs. A guy in our local audio club built Elekit’s 300B kit - went all in with the WE tubes and other upg... 
Adding a tube amp is a good idea?
I certainly hope so because I’m about to build a little 6L6 tube amp for my 95db speakers. I’ve driven them with small Pass DIY Class A SS amps. They have such a sweet sound, but now I want to hear what tubes do. I’m told 6L6 tubes are particularl... 
As good or better than Magnepan 3.7i
I’m also a Maggie guy. As I’ve listened to speakers at dealers and at gatherings of my local audio club, I have to say I find most cone speakers don’t push my buttons. I did, however, just hear the PS Audio Aspen 5, which has a ribbon tweeter. The... 
BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS
One of Devore’s Orangutan series might fit the bill. I sat down to listen to I think the O93 version at my local audio store and was impressed. Very lively and a nice overall sound.   
??? What Is The MOST Expensive System You Ever Heard ??? What Was Your Opinion ???
I’ve heard some great systems at my local audiophiles club — I suppose the most expensive was likely a member’s setup featuring a full stack of CH Precision amplification, but hey, I don’t ask  — the most memorable experience came at a local deale... 
Any audiophile use computer (MacBook) as your audio streaming source?
I use Audirvāna to play files up to 256 DSD on a recent model Mac Mini with SSD drive and 8 GB memory, stripped down just for music. It feeds a PS Audio Directstream DAC via usb thru an I2S unit. I have tried the Pro-Ject Stream Box, which gets ra... 
dac recommendations for turntable listener?
Ha!, I was going to suggest the Directstream MK1 closeout sale, and then I see you didn’t like it, and then I see the change with a different room and setup. Truly, this is a subjective experience and synergy matters. Everything’s connected.  
How cheap can you go and still be happy with the sound?
I really like my living room setup, intended for casual but satisfying listening that has minimal visual/esthetic impact. It uses a Teac A-H01 class D integrated amp, Magnepan MMGW speakers, Martin Logan 300 sub and — wait for it — Apple AirPort E... 
For the love of...kits?
The kits from diyAudio are excellent. Step by step illustrated instructions for many amps and preamps. Most are Pass/First Watt designs generously shared with the diy community. And if you have the online forums if you run into trouble. I did my f... 
How important is the efficiency of a speaker to you?
I think a very reasonable argument can be made for low-power amps, along the lines of “the less you mess with the signal, the better.” So assuming you select a well-designed amp, you simply find a speaker that pairs well with it. I have a couple o...