madisonears

Responses from madisonears

Why Is Krell Not Considered Hifi?
You have it all wrong--Krell sounds very hi-fi, as opposed to musical, and that's exactly the problem. It sounds surgical, precise, analytical, call it what you will, but it does not sound musical. You can mask its annoying high frequency shrillne... 
What is your reference?
Did not describe my own system in original post, so here it is: CAL Icon MkII Power Boss HDCD, Van den Hul The Second, Bryston BP-25 pre, AQ Opal balanced, BAT VK-200 power, VdH silver for highs and AQ for bass, B&W 802's with North Creek Musi... 
Mapleshade Recordings..GREAT or what?
One of the WORST CD's I have ever heard is that Doug McCleod (spelling?) blues CD, Come To Find. Forgive me if I don't have all the details correct, because the sound was so awful that I listened to only one song and then had to turn it off. I oft... 
Interconnects be as neutral as possible?
Whatever brand you decide to try, do not buy new if you can find some used here or elsewhere. The retail price of most cables is a stunning rip-off, one which many otherwise sage audiophiles have been a victim of. Everyone has their favorite, beca... 
The best and worst Audiogon poster's
I prefer to read or participate in any thread which is not degraded with infantile trading of insults and groundless claims of superiority. I believe that anyone who cannot be civil with anyone else who holds an opinion different from theirs about... 
Integrated Amps vs. Separates.
Krell is the king of hype and little else. Look at the number of them for sale here and everywhere else. Once people actually listen to them for a few months, they realize how bad they sound. 
Balanced Preamp Recommendations?
It would be your loss to not audition the Bryston BP25. The sound is smooth, open, detailed, with deep and solid bass, realistic soundstage and clear imaging. Some cool features for a minimalist design, plus a 20 year warranty. Don't bother with t... 
XLRs vs RCAs
The only real advantage you gain is a reduction of noise when using long interconnects. There is no significant sonic improvement. The post above is not really correct, in that you can use balanced cable with XLR's at any point in your system wher... 
Hum and Buzz on XLR Interconnect
Why in the world would you install a balanced cable if it only causes hum? The only reason to use a balanced cable with XLR's is to eliminate noise. If it makes more noise, why not just use the single-ended? Why attempt exotic, expensive and poten... 
Amp for B&W 802N ?
I can only assume that the same compromises which were made in the Matrix Xovers have been carried over to the N series. I do not have proof, but I'm sure the North Creek people can enlighten you regarding the very real physical limitations impose... 
Amp for B&W 802N ?
Just in case you missed my response (I know some of you must have): Listen up, B&W 801 and 802 owners! What amp you use is of little consequence compared to what crossover you use! What B&W puts in its speakers is a dreadful compromise of ... 
Speakers: all-time worst
One more Bose story: in the early 70's, I purchased one of the first pairs of B&W DM6's to be imported into the US. With a Luxman integrated amp and a decent moving coil cartridge or my big reel-to-reel, they sounded better than any of the doz... 
Biggest Sonic Improvement
LISTEN UP, B&W OWNERS: you bought some really nice 801's or 802's, and you love the way they sound. Now, if you want to hear how good they can really sound, go to the web site of North Creek Music and buy their replacement crossovers. You don'... 
Best blues guitarist, Clapton or Green
I've seen Hendrix, Page (four times), Clapton (three times, including his show at Alpine Valley, which was SRV's final performance, when those two and Buddy Guy and Robert Cray jammed a couple tunes at the end!), and lots of other blues bands famo... 
Ayre V-3 vs BAT VK-200 vs Classe' CA-200
Bought a used BAT VK-200 a month ago, and it makes the sweetest sound I've ever heard from my Bryston BP-25/B&W 802's. Very warm, yet incredible, tuneful midrange detail. Not the final word in high end brightness, but it sure sounds like music...