kennyc

Responses from kennyc

What's your dream speaker?
@twoleftears I'd like to audition top-of-the-line Alysvox and Kharma speakers.You're jumping ahead a bit.  After this thread runs for awhile I plan to start a new post on which speakers you'd love to "demo" (I've got a long list including monster ... 
Analog Upgrade - Where to start?
@chilli42 thanks for your system info.  Just wanted to make sure your system was transparent enough to hear changes/upgrade to your analog front end which it apparently is.  However, I’m not familiar with Silent Source interconnects so not sure if... 
Analog Upgrade - Where to start?
+1 @mikelavigneit’s hard to specifically recommend a phono pre without knowing the rest of your system and musical tastes. without knowing the rest of the system one cannot judge if it’s at the same level as your front end to avoid sonic bottlenec... 
Speaker Cables? why all the hype for expensive speaker wire?
@mikelavignei have my most expensive cables for my phono cables and phono preamp; that is where i find the best ROI and the biggest Thanks for the tip Mike.  I had my speaker cables sorted out, mostly determined my interconnects and Ethernet cable... 
Free in-home testing?
Also judging sound at shows is for the most part futile.I somewhat disagree.  It’s true that it’s a hit and miss because of the room modes and possibly sub-par setups, but if you hear a sound you like seems the speaker should at least perform simi... 
Free in-home testing?
@mlenowWould love to attend a show if something is coming up in the Philly area or nearbyhttps://www.capitalaudiofest.comA $ saving strategy is to buy used then resell if don’t like.  Which reminds me, got to sign up for AXPONA. 
New speakers dilemma for vinyls... Heeelp! :)))
@bdp24 - Vinyls? Um, they’re called LP’s. Or records. ANYTHING but vinyls, for gawd’s sake.@ozzy62 - Please don’t call records “vinyls”I disagree. “Vinyl” (singular) is the common term referring to vinyl LPs. Google “online record store” and you’l... 
New speakers dilemma for vinyls... Heeelp! :)))
Stereophile test of amplifier power output higher than specs:“…the amplifier exceeded its specified power output at the clipping point, which we define as when the THD+noise equals 1%. At that THD+N percentage the XA25 delivered 80Wpc into 8 ohms ... 
I’m also worried about how much of the harmonics in the music is LOST by the amp?
+1 atmasphereAmplifier design guru Nelson Pass tinkers with harmonics sometimes adding more to his amp designs to get a pleasing sound. Numbers only get you so far - it’s the sound that sells. High end audio design is both science and art. 
I’m also worried about how much of the harmonics in the music is LOST by the amp?
@redwood-audioI’m also “worried” about how much of the harmonics in the music is LOST…seems like you were concerned with harmonics in your audio chain VSwouldn’t it be great to see The hypothetical “Wouldn’t it be nice if….”The later is a rabbit h... 
I’m also worried about how much of the harmonics in the music is LOST by the amp?
+1 mostly everyone- the entire audio chain matters@redwoodaudioIf you’re after better sound, chasing harmonic numbers will not tell you if a component sounds good in your audio chain. Also, what sounds good is subjective- some folks like the warmt... 
New edition of Harley's guide on the way
+1 @ghdprenticeFantastic book. Nothing like it. Invaluable audio reference and tips from an established audio writer. Coming from zero high-end audio knowledge I read this 5th edition book end to end - it gave me a solid foundation in understandin... 
Clean AC power
@vgizziGenerally speaking, everyone’s electrical situation is unique, components differ in their resistance to electrical noise, audio systems differ in their transparencies/resolutions/noise floors, and people have different hearing preferences a... 
OK - Now What…?
+1 @chorusUptone Audio Ether Regen $640.Should be an obvious uptick in sonic performance.  YMMV. 
OK - Now What…?
@jomonhifiI agree that relative to to your Integrated amp and speakers, your DAC and cables are the weak link in your audio chain. Digital audio and especially DACs are sonically progressing very rapidly. Triode Wire Labs cables have great price/p...