mapman

Responses from mapman

MBL omnidirectional speakers. How do they sound ?
inna,not sure I'd generalize to that extent.There are smaller models that might work well in smaller rooms but distance to walls is probably almost always desirable.I'm sure there there are much less expensive amps up to the task of driving them w... 
MBL omnidirectional speakers. How do they sound ?
Well they definitely do not sound like most speakers, that much is for sure.Teh best mbl demo I have heard (at dealer, set up almost nearfield with large space both behind me and the speakers) perhaps sounded the most like real music to me of any,... 
Please help ...integrated amp under $1200
Bel Canto C5i can be had for that used. I own one and can’t recommend it highly enough. It has everything in a small efficient package and sound quality along with overall implementation is most neutral and  top notch overall, espeically for the c... 
MBL omnidirectional speakers. How do they sound ?
jon,No have never owned mbl but heard in demos on various occasions at dealers and shows.I have owned OHM Walsh speakers for many years and these are still my go to speakers. They are radial designs that have a lot in common with mbl in regards to... 
MBL omnidirectional speakers. How do they sound ?
Dragon its true you can walk around the room while listening and things will continue to sound good just from a different perspective with radial speakers like mbl but more importantly you are not limited to a single sweet spot and can listen from... 
MBL omnidirectional speakers. How do they sound ?
Like nothing else when set up really well. 
How far would you drive to audition a component?
To the gates of hell and back if I had the time but unfortunately I don't so 60 miles or so is usually my limit. 
What do audiophiles want from a cable?
Its a tweak to help fine tune  the sound when needed once all the common bigger issues are addressed.   
Must speakers have certain volume to sound convincing ?
All else held constant, in order to be able to produce flat response down to lower frequencies, you need larger drivers in larger rooms. In the case of "box" speakers you also need larger boxes ie more internal volume. I think its that simple. 
Must speakers have certain volume to sound convincing ?
I’m assuming by volume you mean volume of dynamic peaks.Bottom line is some live music is loud and clear so for me speakers should be able to do the same. Otherwise I would feel I was missing an important aspect of being able to enjoy music fully.... 
If I'm looking for "Tube Sound", why would I put a Tube Pre in front of a SS amp?
Atmasphere my ARC is SP16,  not latest but newer.    It has its own flavor of sound like any piece does.    Dry is not an adjective that comes to mind with it.   The sound is hard to distinguish as "tube" based I would say, which I like.   I do no... 
Music Server
larryi,If you have a computer to install it on, you could have Plex up and running in an hour for free.   Why not try it first?   Especially since the differences you have heard to date are small and there is no clear reason why any custom device ... 
If I'm looking for "Tube Sound", why would I put a Tube Pre in front of a SS amp?
Atmasphere I have ARC tube pre-amp and Bel Canto ref1000m amps in my main system and newer BelCanto c5i digital Class D integrated amp in my second. They each sound quite different. The c5i in particular is smooth as silk with no edge or irritatio... 
Music Server
If you have a suitable computer already, you can download Plex and run it for free. If you like it you can continue to run for free or buy a subscription to create premium libraries which sound the same but provide supplemental automated tagging c... 
If I'm looking for "Tube Sound", why would I put a Tube Pre in front of a SS amp?
Atmasphere I cannot explain why but I have also found good modern Class D amplifiers to not be "irritating" as well as some of the others you identify. I’ve owned and heard some other SS amps as well that qualify.Maybe the non irritating amp club ...