loomisjohnson

Responses from loomisjohnson

Quality cd player with a headphone input
sounds like what you really want is a cdp with a variable out (volume control) so as to obviate the need for an amp. here's a thread that lists many:http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1127503682 
Now and then inexpensive and outstanding bargains.
speakers: rega rs, canton gle, psb image, triangle titus, monitor audio rs subs: hsupower amps: emotivapassive preamps by luminous audiomusical fidelity v-dac 
Need to replace Denon 2900
i've had the same problem with denon lasers--owned a series of 2800 and 2910s which sounded great but eventually petered out. frankly, if you're committed to denon, you have to view 'em as disposable appliances; you can buy the 2800/2910 very chea... 
Need more volume, cheap. Any advice?
you definitely need an external amp--with all channels driven your denon ain't putting out anywhere close to its rated power. i saw some b&k, emotiva and adcom 5ch amps listed on these pages within your price target--any of these will suit you... 
Sleeper JBL models....80s-90s
hls 610 (original srp around $300)--greatest cheap speaker in the world 
Integrated amp with digital to analog converter?
outlaw r 150 receiver--nice piece for 600 or so 
Van L Speakerworks Quartet
i've idled away several afternoons at his shop and have always been impressed with the quartet; i still own and use a smaller van l monitor from the mid 90s. i haven't heard a simultaneous a/b of the quartets with others, but i've heard enough of ... 
Alon Speakers
the alon ivs are great--huge soundstage, very musical. they don't seem terribly fussy about electronics--a good friend of mine runs his with a marantz avr and they sound fine--i'd try 'em out with some m0re modest gear before you pop for a vtl. 
Any integrated amps with dac and 2 spkr outputs?
for your criteria, i might look at a very high end avr like an arcam avr300/350 or b&k 307/507, each of which have excellent 2ch performance, lots of power and all the features you need; very inexpensive used. 
New speakers needed on a budget
for your stated needs, in addition to the totem and psb recs i'd look at monitor audio rs6, rega r5 o rs5 or my personal faves, the focal cobalt series, all of which can be found used within your budget. you might also look at accessories4less for... 
small speakers
i'll take the contrarian view and suggest you replace the eras with a more efficient, better-sounding speaker--von schweikert vr1, psb imagine, proac, focal, rega r1 or rs1, etc.--all of which can be found in the $500-1k range. 
Arcam AVR 600 Is it that good?
conceptually, there's no reason that a well-designed avr won't sound as good as seperates utilizing substantially the same components, and a high end avr like the arcam should outperform more modest separates. to me, tho, it makes little sense to ... 
HDMI cable made a difference in picture quality??
i'm with macdad, almarg et.al.--i can't see a whit of difference between the generic hdmi cables eforcity sells for 22 cents on amazon and the megabuck super-duper, 48 carat gold, handmade by aryan-demigods cables peddled which retailers peddle so... 
DAC benefit compared to denon3930
given the inherent subjectivity of "sound quality", it's virtually impossible to tell if you're rig will sound better with a separate dac--you have to audition and decide. both your denon and your helios have high quality dacs;i haven't heard the ... 
Speakers you regret selling
von schweikert vr-1s, which i impulsively sold to a wanna-be audiophile acquaintance. great rock and roll monitor--has the slam of a floorstander; beautifully finished and fantastic value at its $500-600 used price. i also sold sold my dunlavy sc1...