jwillox

Responses from jwillox

What is a "reference" system?
It all depends I what you are “referring to”.  so you live high-volume outdoor venues, intimate jazz clubs, large auditoriums.  can your system reproduce this in your living/music room?   if so, then you can say, “I have a reference system”. 😉  
SACD Player/Transport Choices
PS Audio fits  call them and ask for a person well- versed on the topic.   
Looking for a more solid-feeling turntable (and maybe a new preamp)
Don’t let the “heavier is better” marketing get you.   the turntable is a great table.  Take a look/eval at the Audio Technica ART-20 - $3k or so its the follow-up based in the ART9xi with an iron core.  beautiful presentation with plenty bottom ... 
Turntable to Phono to Pre connections
My Phono Pre has both outputs, usable concurrently. I use the XLR to my Preamp, and the RCA feeds a headphone amp. This allows be to listen while the preamp is in use by other sources, or in bypass mode for TV and streaming video.  
High Performance Moving Iron Cartridge Candidates?
Taken a look at Audio Technica ART9xi - not much iron to move, but a massive magnet structure, and SLC stylus profile. Simply wonderful sounding, and very high output: Apparently replaced by the ART20: https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartr... 
Help me build up a jazz album collection. Can you suggest a must have album?
Many greats mentioned thus far! I would add the Jazz Crusaders, with later name of The Crusaders. Their evolution has quite an arc of styles, and I highly recommend any album in this mix. Bob James has quite a body of work and is a major collabo... 
The best opening act you've ever seen & heard?
Bonnie Raitt with Keb’ Mo’ What a great concert here in Seattle, at the Paramont. when I was way younger… Iron Butterfly opened by Guess Who.  
Subs?
fastfreight +1 I have a nice 10” Rel (T/9i that works so well, I’ve not needed to shop further.  when integrated properly they pressurize the room without making their presence known, by directionality nor boominess.     
Downsizing from tower to bookshelf
Take a listen to PS Audio FR5 listen in your room and be ready to hear what you ask for.   
Discerning a difference between streamers is difficult...only me or common for all?
I took a less financially “lossy” route.  I found a used Lumin D2, and have been quite happy since.   
any ideas?
Power supply caps have degraded, or transformer dying.   
MC cartridge for Clearaudio Concept 1600$
In that price class, we often skip over Audio Technica. the ART9 is great. I have the xi version. there is a great FAQ on the 2 models there. And you can ask them which works the best with your arm.  
Bluesound mode not really cutting it
In that price range you could get a Lumin D2 used or even the Newer D3.  excellent product, balanced performance and good connectivity.     
Need to purchase a separate ground cable - from my TT to my Phono Preamp
My TT has no separate ground wire and it is dead silent.  even with a MC cart.   
Humour
Nobody here should quit their day jobs 😎