larryi

Responses from larryi

Microscope for stylus inspection
I've looked at styli with special stereoscopes designed for the task. With my untrained eye, I could not really see wear that my ears clearly said was there. The dealer with the scope also pronounced healthy cartridges that I thought were clearly ... 
What is the best 2A3 SET Amplifier?
I like my parallel SET 2a3 monoblocs (Audionote uk Kagekis). They probably have more than enough power for the AG unos. There are plenty of other amps that would work well with the AGs. I've heard Duos with a variety of amps and they did not seem ... 
Naim amps??
It's pretty hard to even guess whether a particular amp will be liked or disliked by anyone in a particular system.I know someone with two systems, one in a small room and a larger system in a theater room. When the small system was run with all N... 
Insanely Expensive....and Worth Every Penny
9rw,Sorry, but I think you need to work harder on your impersonation; I sort of understood what you wrote. 
2a3 Tube Question
I have, and occasionally use, dual plate RCA and Cunninghams. They are, in my application, and for my taste, better than the Sovtek, but not quite as good as the EML meshplates -- good top end extension but a touch dry and analytical and lean in t... 
Insanely Expensive....and Worth Every Penny
My amps, Audionote Kagekis, are quite "insanely expensive," but I have not heard anything like them, except for some even more insanely priced amps. If considered on a price per watt basis they are truly insanely priced, as I think the amps put ou... 
Best CD player money can buy ? MBL, Nagra, Naim?
I've heard a number of very good players, though not in side-by-side comparisons. I know it is not a one-box player, but the Audionote (uk) DAC-5 Signature combined with a good transport is a definite contender --beautifully musical, relaxed and n... 
Wilson Alexandria X2s in small room
I have not heard the X-2s, so I cannot specifically comment on them. But, as a general observation, one cannot determine if a speaker will work in a particular room just based on the size of the speaker. I've heard lots of big speakers work well i... 
Is vinyl still a "perfect" source?
Vinyl and CD share have a lot in common. Both are media which became popular with the public because of the convenience and lower cost (cheap to manufacture) than available alternatives. The lp was a cheap and convenient alternative to reel-to-ree... 
What is the best DAC ever made?
The one I really like is the Audionote DAC-5 signature. It sounds extremely smooth and relaxed, but not sluggish and dead. The way it handles woodwinds and string instruments, in particular, is thrilling. I've heard it coupled to both Audionote tr... 
Good CD Player for Mark Levinson amp + preamp
It certainly does make sense to at least consider ML's player. The company has probably voiced the various components together. It is often difficult to predict how components will interact, so I cannot say what will work well with your combinatio... 
2a3 Tube Question
Have you checked with Cary? I don't know why any particular 2a3 would not work in their amp. Monoplate RCAs, Cunninghams, etc. are fantastic tubes, but, these days they are quite pricey. If you have some monoplates, you could try them in the amp w... 
Dynavector XV1s loading & phono
Linnmaster,With the test records I have, my cartridge, a Lyra Titan, cannot track the highest levels of modulation without some distortion. The channel that distorts first, is the one that is getting shortchanged on lateral force. With this method... 
Dynavector XV1s loading & phono
Doug Deacon has provided excellent advice on setting antiskating. If the advice still seems a bit daunting because of the subjective aspect of determining the result of changes, I have a bit more "objective" way of setting antiskating.If you can f... 
No Pain No Gain?
I don't know how EMMlabs implements its high/low gain option. I would guess that they too are using an attenuator. The issue would come down to which attenuator to utilize. I know that ML uses a series of discrete resistors for its attenuator of v...