markmendenhall
Responses from markmendenhall
| Preamp with two volume controls? +1 for First Sound tube preamps with dual mono loudness controls and dual external power supplies a bit ‘old school’ if you will ( no remote, RCA only ) but as far as SQ is concerned, tough to beat | |
| My first tube integrated: which one to get? @lradder Cary products are made in America. I’ve owned several Cary Audio products since the company’s inception and they make their products in North Carolina. Given their product line has expanded significantly over the years, I can’t defini... | |
| High Current Integrated Options for Manger Speakers As a Manger P1 owner I can offer some experience that may help. I use a Pass X250.8 stereo amplifier fronted by a First Sound PS III pre amp with dual external power supplies. The Mangers love the Pass. If I had to start over I’d buy the Pass 2... | |
| hearing loss and amp choices Go to a great, not good, but great audiologist, get a hearing test, and buy the top of the line Phonax hearing aid for the impaired ear. They come with 3 band tone and volume controls plus options I’ve not even tried. Huge difference. It’s not ... | |
| Your thoughts on my quest for new speakers too bad the Manger speakers are so difficult to audition in the US superb sonic performance, perfect size and weight to manage and situate truly a different technology that checks all the boxes | |
| Has Nordost forgotton who pays the bills? I’ve exchanged personal emails, (and in Mr. Had’s case a phone conversation) with Emmanuel Go of First Sound, Dennis Had of Cary Audio, Mike Farnsworth of Talon Audio (several phone cons with Mike, great guy, better designer and problem solver), a... | |
| My kiseki Blackheart nightmare. “Bad batch of Purplehearts”. Don’t you mean bad batch of Blackhearts? Either way, I’ve read about quality control issues re: Kiseki and sympathize with buyers who’ve experienced defective cartridges. I’ve had mine for 5 years or so and have ha... | |
| Best skiinny floorstanders The Manger P1’s are excellent. | |
| If you had access to a time machine, what concerts would you go back to see? Allman Bros with DuaneBob MarleyLittle Feat with Lowell Dead with Jerry anywhere, anytimeRoy Buchanan at the Livestock show | |
| Which speakers did you find bright, fatiguing or just disappointing in some way? The original Talons failed to impress but eventually Mike got it right and the latest versions are excellent. Gave a pair of Fritz monitors away after a month of suffering a bright upper end and total non-linearity. (Owner was reluctant to take ... | |
| Audio Lessons Learned - post your best advice for the newer members! there’s a difference between what’s ‘better’ vs. what’s ‘different’and a difference between what’s ‘better’ vs. what you prefer | |
| Audio Lessons Learned - post your best advice for the newer members! Know that the most important component of any system is your ears - take care of them now. When they begin to go you can't get them back, at least not fully; hearing aids can help, but they are certainly no substitute for the real thing. Practice ... | |
| Help! Spakers damaged during shipping?Paid insurance (with proof)being told not Insured? FOB means freight on board which means wherever the FOB point is, any freight beyond that is paid by the recipient. Some shippers prepay freight which means the FOB point is the ultimate material destination. Some shippers ship only FOB plant (f... | |
| Warm romantic & detailed your preference perfectly describes the Sonus Faber Olympica lll’s added benefits: gorgeous cabinetry, huge sound stage, detailed and resolving yet relaxed and sweet sonic signature; listening for hours even at high volumes - not a problem | |
| Pass Labs x250.8 vs tube amps As an X250.8 owner with a First Sound tube pre amp I find that an hour or so is all that’s needed to achieve 100% optimum playback sound quality. If the system improves after 6 hours I’m unable to hear a difference. |