laps

Responses from laps

REF5SE tubes
Having used both Tube Depot and The Tube Store in the past, I would highly recommend Brent Jessee at audiotubes.com.   He is well respected and can give you his personal recommendations.   
XLR cables for a reasonable price?
Benchmark   
Tube Rollers! Which has more impact to your sound- Rectifier or Power (and why)?
Having just changed out the line stage tubes on my McIntosh C2200, I would strongly recommend that you contact Brent Jessee (audiotubes.com) for his expertise and suggestions based on your needs.   I wish I had contacted him years ago as the diff... 
Tube rolling on MacIntosh C2300
I am an original owner of the C2200, which is similar to the C2300, and I have used various tubes over the years.  The C2200 uses four 12AX7 and four 12AT7 tubes.  I don't use the phono stage. I just recently contacted Brent Jessee (who is well r... 
Not sure for power conditioner my amp or not.
I posed this same question directly to Shunyata, as I have a Hydra 6, and the response from the factory was as follows: "What you've heard about amplifier performance into and out of power distributors (ours included) is accurate. We will most al... 
Why do I need a switch?
@8th-note  Very well stated.  
Streaming Services
Qobuz.  
diffuser or absorption panels, which would you choose?
As already suggested, watch the YT videos mentioned. I used a combination of absorption and diffusion, alternating panels, and keeping 1-2 feet between them. I went with only absorption panels on the front wall and diffusion/absorption on the bac... 
Subwoofer boom is too much for me...
@kota1  +1  
Rounded back enclosure gives clearer sound - B&W 805
Dali Euphonia's also.  
Why are so many people spending so much money to build “perfect” streaming system?
The simplest and least expensive streaming setup I can think of is using a WiiM mini streamer (about $70-$80) and connect to your DAC (which you probably already have).   Use the WiiM app for exploring streaming such as Amazon Music.   
Soundstage drastically worsened when I replaced a solid state AV amp with tubes.
Beyond all the recommendations already made, you might just consider that the switch from solid state to tubes is the reason you are experiencing the changes you noticed.  I have a McIntosh MC7300 (solid state), and two preamps, the C2200 (tube) a... 
To couple, or not to couple, that is the question
@johnread57 +2.  Very informative vid.   
Dropouts when steaming with WiFi connection (Amazon Music).
+2 @jbs. I have been streaming Amazon music without any issues for a couple of years now.   I can stream via computer, DAP, iPhone, iPad, and Cambridge Audio CXN.  I have a TP-LINK Deco mesh network and it works flawlessly.  
Streaming
@ham_firl    Excellent advice and most practical also.