jwong1

Responses from jwong1

Best Musical Home Theater Speaker
Sometimes life is filled with too many "could haves" and "should ofs". I could have built a GREAT two channel system and then built the home theater around it. But, I was once like you new to this blood sport and uninformed. So I got great home th... 
Sony 9000es vs. NS999ES
I echo juaudio and encourage you to read the Absolute Sound from one or two back issues ago because the review of the NS999ES was pretty much an endorsement of the S9000ES. The latter is an outstanding SACD (stereo only) and, surprisingly, a pheno... 
Quality Preamp's with HT-Pass Thru capability?
Audio Research LS 16 tube preamp-has built in pass through. Newest edition is Mark II. I got mine (Original edition) used and am very pleased with it. Reviews can be found at www.ecoustics.com and audioreview.com.Good luck. 
Listening practices
After collecting music for over 30 years, I find myself centered around 30 discs I play on a regular basis out of 600 plus CD collection. My favorites include the Allman Brothers' Live at the Fillmore East, Chicago VII, Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tr... 
Should I take out my AR-16 tube pre amp from HT?
Blame it on synergy or file under "Go figger" Dept.I took the LS 16 out of my set up and my soundstage went flat. My sound lost all it's "fullness" - no body in the mid ranges and under. Needless to say, I quickly restored the equipment arrangemen... 
Should I take out my AR-16 tube pre amp from HT?
My preamp is the Audio Research LS 16 and my CD player is the Sony S9000es. When I played the two together it gave me a "leaner" sound. However, I preferred the "warmer" and all around sound when the CD player was hooked to the Sunfire and the LS ... 
Miles Davis Kind of Blue...any options on cd?
The cheapest way is to buy the Remastered Columbia/Legacy Edition available at any major CD selling store. It retails for $11.99 but you can often find it discounted for less than $10. Used CD stores should have it even cheaper. You want the 1997 ... 
DVD Audio Connections
To play DVD Audio, you must use the DVD Audio Player's 5.1 audio outputs. Your 7.l equipped Marantz receiver should easily accommodate the 5.1 worth of outputs. All you have to do is make sure you connect them correctly. (E.G., Center output to ce... 
Best Clapton and Davis CD?
I second the vote for Clapton's Layla and Other Love songs but recommend The Layla Sessions: 20th Aniversary Editon Box Set (Sept 1990). It's the remastered original disc by the original producer Tom Dowd, along with two more discs of studio jams,... 
Used Pre-amp with HT pass-thru
I second Comsmic void's suggestion about a tube preamp. I have a the Audio Research LS 16 as part of my HT set up and love what it does for my stereo music listening. A used LS 16 is in the $1,500-range but I'm sure other Audiogon'ers can recommen... 
Extended Warrenty???
Normally no but for big ticket priced tv's yes.My story. I bought the top of the line Sony XBR 53" five years ago and got a discount on the extended warranty. (Negotiate the price down for the max number of years is my policy.) I paid the three ye... 
If You Could Only Keep 3-CD's LP's , Which Ones?
The Allman Brothers Band - The Fillmore Concerts; Miles Davis - Someday My Prince Will Come; and, Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks. 
Advise on VHS/VCR to purchase New or Used??
You can buy a new S-Video JVC 3800 for under 150! I got two for $138/each three months ago off the net. (Search on Mysimon.com shopping engine for current best price.) Even at $150 it's a great buy. It records in "ET" mode which is S-VHS quality o... 
Classe' amps
Welcome to the CAP 151 club. I have an early "black" face version and love the full rich sound it produces. While shopping I was surprised to hear a distinct difference between the equivalent Classe separates verses the integrated amp. The set up ... 
good jazz piano
All the aforementioned are wonderful jazz giants each and everyone. Here's two more great jazz pianists on exceptionally well recorded releases. Ahmad Jamal's "I Remember Duke, Hoagy, and Strayhorn" Telarc (1994) is filled with very lively keyboar...