madisonears
Responses from madisonears
| Review: Threshold 400a Amplifier The 400A was certainly a groundbreaking product for its time, and one of the better SS amps available. I ran one for nearly 20 years with only a few predictable repairs required while logging A LOT of playing hours at decent, sometimes indecent, p... | |
| Personal amp evolution My evolution began in 1969 with a GE portable record player, the headshell of which was frequently weighted with a penny to prevent skipping. Next came my initial foray into components: an EICO integrated (can't possibly remember model number--thi... | |
| Dedicated power lines-getting started I just installed a dedicated line, and it made a HUGE difference in sound of $20K system. Really smoothed out highs and added dynamic range. Used 12ga TX cable and highest grade ($6 each) 20 amp outlets available from Home Depot, run to a 20 amp b... | |
| Want to get excited about SACD again?? I already am very excited about SACD, which becomes more economically viable and esthetically satisfying with every new release of software, in single, stereo hybrid, multi-channel single, whatever format, and every new piece of hardware, no matte... | |
| Jethro Tull recent Remasters vs Mobile Fidelity? The jt remastered Benefit sounds great, but they screwed-up the song sequence, and I can't say I prefer the new version. Sonics are much improved, with vastly more presence to vocals and guitar, and the piano emerges from the muddy depths of the o... | |
| Jethro Tull recent Remasters vs Mobile Fidelity? The JT remastered Stand Up is very nice. They did everything good to it and nothing bad. The highs are smoother yet more open. The bass is better defined but not bloated. The mids are vastly improved, with lots more definition of instruments and s... | |
| sacd vs xrcd This is a comparison of two different recordings in two different media of the same piece of music. I just finished listening to XRCD and SACD versions of Dvorak's New World: Reiner/Chicago and Szell/Cleveland. Both recordings are 50's vintage, bu... | |
| I just installed NOS tubes? I just put NOS 7308's in my VK-30 about two months ago. It took a week for them to really smooth out and open up. Bass also recovered somewhat, but it's still not as tight as with stock Sovtek's. The highs and mids, however, are really glorious--s... | |
| Best HDCD Jazz CDs Cyrus Chestnut on Atlantic is one of the best jazz CD's I own, and it's HDCD! Great music, superb recording. | |
| Balanced Audio VK-200.... The VK-200 is a great amp, with open, extended, smooth highs, very sweet mids, and solid bass control with plenty of power. Great tonality, truthful to all instruments. Absolutely dead quiet, with no annoying transformer hum. I've owned mine for a... | |
| New Stones DSD disc's...Anybody heard em' yet? I bought 5 of the remasters. So far, LIB has provided the most exciting music in SACD format. I have about 40 or so SACD's that I listen to on my $20k two channel system. I have heard LIB probably a thousand times in every format. My experience la... | |
| Pass x250 and BAT vk 40 There is a 12v triggered outlet available from Niles. I have one if you want to buy it. I used it with my Bryston BP-25 preamp, which had a 12v output, and my BAT VK-200 amp, which sucks A LOT of current at turn on and while running. Never had any... | |
| Sony DVP 9000 Hate to rain on everyone's parade, but the 9000, ES or not, is strictly an average CD player. There are many better sounding CD players, at this price, below, and above it. As a transport fed to a good DAC, it is superb. A mod, of which many are a... | |
| Keep my XA7ES, or get a DVP-S9000ES for CD play? Buy the 9000ES and GET INTO SACD. You will not regret it for an instant. I have almost $20K in a two channel system, and SACD is fantastic. I believe you will never achieve equivalent performance from redbook CD, no matter the quality of your digi... | |
| What after the old CD player? CDP, SACD or DVD-a? Do you want to hear something closer to music than what your current digital source provides you? Then spend the money to get it. There is no clear argument for not seeking better source material other than "save your money." The object of our hob... |