mazian

Responses from mazian

Revel Salon2s: Seeking Advice
If you find the Focals a bit too bright a tube pre should take the edge off them. I have not heard the Revels but I went for the very musical Sonus Faber speakers but if you are a fan of earth moving bass the SFs would not be for you. As has been ... 
Obvious Epiphany
I've found that the right side bias is often the recording itself and not a hearing imbalance. Many times when playing a new recording I've leapt from my chair and grabbed the Stereophile test CD thinking I have a problem with my left side speaker... 
Why do I prefer R2R over Chip based DAC's?
The Orchid looks to be a good option.  
Good Speakers for Rock and Roll Under 15K
Definitely SS power amp of any type + horns or Tekton  
DAC upgrade
I wouldn't swap my Pure Audio Lotus DAC 5 for any of the suggested DACs, most of which I have tried.  
Speaker and amp advice needed
@rick_n +1, especially re the Focal speakers. If you love the Sonus Faber sound be prepared to hate the Focals.  
Aurender or Lumin streamer only?
If you stream mainly classical music forget the Aurender app as it doesn't know what a composer is.  
Best Options For A Tubed Preamp - $2500 Or Less, Preferably Used To Maximize Value
I recently discovered an icon Audio LA4 Mk 111 which I bought used for just over $1000. I swapped out the EH tubes with Shuguang Black Treasures and the sound was amazing. I am now using it to replace a very well reviewed pre which cost 6X as much... 
"The Mystery Of Sound Is Mysticism"
mahgister must really enjoy typing!  
Tube preamp with Adcom amp
I have just bought a 1 year old UK designed icon Audio LA4 Mk 111 pre for just over US$1000, mainly out of curiosity given AbSounds very positive review. I changed the EH 6SN7 tubes with Shuguang Black Treasures and am amazed at the performance. I... 
Denon 3910 vs Maranz ud 7007 as players of SACD discs
I have a Denon 3910 modified by John Tucker as an Exemplar. It is quite ancient now and I have replaced the laser and the tubes but it still holds its own against any universal player I have heard but I have not compared it to the Marantz.  
Streamer question
Getting a streamer with a decent app is difficult. After going through 4 streamers without getting anywhere near what I wanted from an app I had to bite the bullet and sign up to Roon. While it can be complicated finding your way around what Roon ... 
What to expect if I import an amp and preamp from a Japan seller via US eBay
A quality step down transformer will make no audible difference to the sound. But as someone mentioned if the amps are Accuphase it is not difficult to convert to US voltage.  It's the same with some other non US manufacturers.  
DAC as pre amp
@soix  My DAC has at least twice the signal boost of the preamp and I have tried using the DAC to biamp directly to the speakers with acceptable results. However like others I find using a preamp gives a richer sound but there is not a lot in it a... 
What percentage of digital vs. analog?
I'm amazed that vinyl addicts seem oblivious to the clicks and pops that are inherent in vinyl records. IMHO clicks and pops are not an integral part of music and any medium that eliminates them is to be applauded.