jhills

Responses from jhills

Phono Stage - The great analog tragedy
I don't dispute that there were some very good MC cartridges back in the 70s and 80s I had a medium output MC Audio Quest cartridge in1983 that cost nearly $1,300. It worked just fine through the phono stage on my Audible Illusions pre. The few Au... 
Phono Stage - The great analog tragedy
@dover  Not sure where you're going with your comment, buddy. Never got anything audio or audio info from Sears or Wall Green. Keep your assumptions to yourself hotdog.   
Phono Stage - The great analog tragedy
I'm a little confused. Back in the early 60s, 70s and up to the mid 80s, the primary source of music was Phono or Cassette tape, except for the relatively few who had R2R. Most Pre-amps of good quality, did a good job with MM and high output MC ca... 
«40% Of Audiophiles Are Dying And No One Is Doing Anything About It!»
Time, technology and trend has undoubtedly played it's part, but to a large extent, we audiophiles and the outrageously expensive audiophile market place has played a big part in the demise of audiophilia,  I have an adult son and grandson and a ... 
Adding a tube amp is a good idea?
Something else I might mention - even though the volume knob did not have to be cranked much (less than a quarter) to get plenty of volume for moderate listening, the demand was still there, taking its tole on the tubes. Jim  
Adding a tube amp is a good idea?
I concur with goose and some others, that driving low impedance, power demanding speakers with a tub power amp, no mater how good they may sound,  can be a never ending and expensive battle of replacing blown tubes, fuses and resistors. For a cou... 
BEST SPEAKER THAT COMES TO LIFE AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS
+1 grossman616 I have the Maggie 1.7s, now driving with the very flexible and adjustable Anthem STR. After getting everything dialed in and integrating a pair of subs, listening at low volumes, I couldn't be happier.       
Help me find my ideal Stereo Integrated Amp
+1 for Anthem STR. It has all that you mentioned except HDMI inputs. I was looking for about the same as you, something that could cover about everything, without breaking the bank and taking up space for four racks of equipment. Since the purpo... 
Reliability - what’s your experience been?
My experience over the last 40+ years along my audio journey: Sony CD/DVD players - not so good. Nearly every player (5) failed after very little use. Bryston, 3B - I bought used; it had a switch go bad 10 years n on it's 20 year warranty, I sen... 
Toe in is crucial
I've heard people state that, with electrostatics and planers, you need to sit, head fixed in a vice, to maintain a balanced image and stage. I've found, with both my Quad ESL 63s and my Magnepans, that, with a great deal of attention to placement... 
Would you move to a bigger house if you could just to have a better listening room ?
@inna If living in the mountains of MT, in the winter time, yes to the Jokla parka (sometimes -40F) and a reliable 4X4 truck and a good set of tire chains. Even though MT is getting ever more crowded, still is a beautiful state, summer and winter,... 
Would you move to a bigger house if you could just to have a better listening room ?
@inna And that’s just New England, imagine Montana or Wyoming. Born, raised and lived most of my life in Western Montana. I built a nice home on 24 acres of timbered mountain side, backed by thousands of acres of National Forest Land. Nearest nei... 
I'm going to buy my first tube amp. I need honest blunt opinions
I'm in agreement with soix, atmosphere and others. With the Monitor Gold 300s, for sure, it wouldn't be good to match with a SET amp or even a low to mid powered ultra-linear tube amp If looking for the romance, and warmth of tubes (as nice of a ... 
How serious are you?
Serious? Well I guess on your list of similar meanings, mine would be meaningful, and on a scale of 1-10, would probably be about 5. Centered mostly along the lines of enjoying a large variety of music and having a dedicated area of the house set ... 
Building a 100 album vinyl collection 3 must have albums are?
Everything by Pink Floyd Everything by Van Morrison Everything by Mark Knopfler/Dire Straights   Oh, have to mention - Everything of what little there was by Amy Winehouse and Eva Cassidy (gone way too young) So many more, I wasn't sure where ...