markmendenhall

Responses from markmendenhall

Many seem to be talking about their last system .
Lots of reasons we older philes are departing the trainAfter 40-50 years of trading, buying, selling, hoping, reaching, praying, searching - it gets a little tiresome, and the ‘grail’ has either been found or we’ve come to the realization that it’... 
WHAT HAPPENED TO SONUS FABER?
something I think we may forget or ignore is how dependent a quality listening experience is based on the medium and recording itself during the same listening session I can go from awe to indifference to surprised to amazed to disappointed and th... 
WHAT HAPPENED TO SONUS FABER?
I know I’m getting sucked in by a guy who writes like a 7 year old.  For that reason alone I’m a fool.  There comes a time though when nonsense requires confrontation.  As a SF Olympica iii owner, I know first hand just how monumentally off base c... 
Harbeth 40.1 vs Sonus Faber Olympia III
Again: why?   Details please!  
Harbeth 40.1 vs Sonus Faber Olympia III
“much better” and “no contest” descriptors are frankly just not helpfulyour preferences are just that, preferences, nothing more describing what you hear, explaining sonic differences, clarifying and comparing can help others understand and maybe ... 
Not enough power what does it sound like?
Excellent analysis above; I have painful, expensive, agonizing experience over-driving amps that resulted in damaged tweeter voice coilsthough my system doesn’t sound ‘loud’, I know it is as soon as I try to engage in normal conversation; it’s cle... 
Looking for straight talk on Focal Sopra No 2 speakers
FWIW, listened to a pair of Sopra 2’s at a local dealership yesterday; my impressions vs my Olympica 3’s Initial impressions:  stunning bass, doubt a sub would ever be required by most people, tight fast deep authoritative powerfulSoundstage - imp... 
best sub to match SF olympica 3
I use the JL Audio E-110 supporting my Oly 3's, using the high pass feature with excellent results.  I could add a second sub, but don't feel it's necessary.  The 'leap of faith' required to insert a $1500 sub between $20k worth of amplification a... 
Phono Preamp Recommendations
Interesting the Cary PH-302 MK Il phono pre doesn’t get more love in these threads. Four 6SL7 vacuum tubes, plus vacuum tube rectification, mm and variable impedance mc settings, US made, dead quiet, very musical unit.  External power supply avail... 
Good carts with SME V
Snacky - as a fellow Kiseki owner, I had the same issue with warped records.  I solved it by purchasing a couple of Vinyl Flat record flatteners.  An hour in the sun at 80 degrees F. and warped records come out pool table flat.  Great product, as ... 
What's happened to the used high end market recently?? Sales are tough....:0(
Many interesting postsrandom thoughts.....its expensiveits viewed as ‘old technology’, we grew up with it, the youngsters are not growing up with itat some point a system finally provides what we seek, so why keep spending big dollars?its often a ... 
Huey Lewis diagnosed with Meniere's disease
One of more the interesting treatments I received was an injection of steroids directly into my inner ear through the eardrum.  Needle was human hair thin, about 4” long.  Doc said, ‘don’t move!’  No problem doc!  
Huey Lewis diagnosed with Meniere's disease
I’ve suffered with Menieres for over 15 years.  It is not genetic. It’s caused by a malfunction of the body’s immmunodeficiency system that attacks the inner ear.  Symptoms include tinnitus, vertigo, nausea, loss of hearing, and can eventually res... 
Wow moments while listening to vinyl records
I have many of the albums mentioned here and agree, if original, well cared for, and clean, they can sound very good, even exceptional.  That said, if you want to take it up a notch, for pure ‘are you kidding me?’ listening pleasure, nothing I’ve ... 
New Speakers ... Can't Stop "Listening"
Aolmrd: Olybro - just a bug in your ear, if you are feeling in a larger room that your 3’s are a little light in the bass, I added a JL Audio e110 sub to supplement the very bottom end.  Call it cheating if you like, and I’ve always eschewed the u...