markmendenhall

Responses from markmendenhall

Benz Micro Wood SL - Repair or Replacement?
after 10 very satisfying years with the Benz high output H2 wood body MC cartridge, I decided to buy the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze - just time for something different and an opportunity to use the MC setting on my Cary PH-302 phono pre; after a coupl... 
PMC vs. Salk Sound Speakers. Which is better?
as pointed out above, and a point with which I agree, the 'pudding' in speaker design and manufacturing lies in the crossover - any decent cabinet maker can copy a speaker enclosure design and produce a nice looking cabinet, line it with damping m... 
Amp is plugged to the wall, why use a conditioner?
KnghifiGlad to hear you've solved both the current and noise issues. I must consider myself lucky, for whatever reason I don't have noise issues plugging the amps directly into the wall outlet. Everything else runs through the Shunyata conditioner... 
Amp is plugged to the wall, why use a conditioner?
here is my recent experience, fwiw: originally I plugged both my mono Jungson JA-50 80 watt class A amps into my Shunyata Hydra, along with just about everything else. In my wall I have two sets of outlets, both high end receptacles, one running o... 
Can anyone identify the little black speakers ...
I own the Aurum Cantus Leisure 2SE's and these look different. For one thing, the cabinets of my speakers taper on each side from a wider base to a narrower top. These look fairly rectangular. The tweeter looks different to me as well. 
Cary Audio Electronics Constellation
I'm interested as well. I now own a First Sound pre-amp, but my reference for 10 years was the Cary SLP-98P which served me well. For a second system, I'm considering the new AE pre. A quick inquiry to Katie Wright of Cary Audio resulted in a repl... 
Mixed Results from My Hifi
a dab of cool whip on the tonearm shell head tends to take the edge off and add sweetness to an otherwise dry recording; listening drunk softens brittle or bright recordings, I find a good single malt scotch minimum 12 years old is best; on dull r... 
Nottingham TT - external power supply?
Have had the Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm for about 10 years or so, with the Benz H2 high output moving coil cartridge. Only have about 400 or so hours on the rig, but was considering a lower output cartridge which would allow me to use the MC se... 
Jungson JA-100 Standard vs Luxury version
I went from the JA-100 standard edition to the JA-50 luxury edition monos. While having sacrificed a little bit of power, (the JA-50's actually produce 80 watts class A), the improvement in sound quality was evident. Aside from looking 10 times ni... 
First Sound Presence Deluxe mk III upgrade?
Having just purchased a FS Presence Deluxe III, I must say it is the single most impressive piece of gear I have owned. I replaced the fine Doge 8 pre-amp and noticed an immediate improvement in every area of sound reproduction. Of course the FS c... 
How is it ? that a tuner smokes the table ???
I own two 1970's vintage Luxman tuners: the T-530 and its European counterpart, the T-02 and they have become my preferred source components. Outstanding musicality and sound reproduction, unbeaten convenience and a tremendous variety of musical g... 
Your First System
1973 - catalog ordered from some place in San Luis Obispo, CA - Dual 1218 tt, Pickering cartridge, Harman Kardon (530 ?)receiver, Infinity 1001 two way loudspeakers. First set of separates which replaced a Sony bookshelf system into which I insert... 
Maggie versus Magico
In the monitor range, try to listen to a pair of Aurum Cantus Leisure 2SE Signatures. For a fraction of the price of any Magico speaker, you get the ribbon tweeter, great imaging, excellent bass response, and an extremely smooth delivery of the mi... 
Doge 8 or YS A2 or Jungson J2?
For what it is worth, my Doge 8 is beginning to really break in, thought I'd post a couple observations in case anyone is interested. First of all, I have to be honest and say that the NOS tubes recommended and sold to me by Pacific Valve didn't b... 
Aurum Cantus Leisure 2 vs Quad 12L
Robr45 - I guess I need to buy a different set of speakers for each type of music I intend to play? I never did understand the point of view in which someone buys a set of speakers for the type of music they prefer. I believe speakers are either w...