mdconnelly

Responses from mdconnelly

Mac Mini or MacBook to Tact to MF X-DACv3
Dougcobb, I'm just now getting into this as well and I have to ask .... why avoid lossless? While I agree hard drives are cheap, I'm not sure why a lossless format such as FLAC would degrade sound quality. Using a "wired" network (e.g. NAS server)... 
Hall of Fame: BIGGEST BADDEST Monster Amps
I'm lovin' my McCormack DNA-500. Tons of power when called for, lightning fast without being edgy, but can be incredibly delicate and detailed when the music calls for it. 
Musical Fidelity A5 CD-Player Powercord proposal
I've had great success with a VH Audio Flavor 4 on my Wadia 830. Another cable I'm really impressed with is the Black Sand Silver Reference (check Black Sand auctions here on Audiogon). Both Black Sand and VH Audio have evaluation periods -- defin... 
Amp for Nautilus 801
I recently replaced a Levinson 331 with a McCormack DNA-500 driving my Aerial 10Ts. The DNA-500 produced an exceptional improvement in dynamics, slam and transient response. Very musical! 
BlackSand PC question
The Silver Reference is built using a "12 AWG 3 Silver/Copper blended conductor twisted pair internal wire" (taken from their web site see www.blacksandcable.com) I did try one of the lower end DCCA cords back in February but found it not an ideal... 
Power Cords on a $1000 budget what would you do?
I am a big fan of VH Audio... The AirSine is awesome if you can afford it, but the Flavor 4 is also an excellent PC and works extremely well on digital gear (at least for me ;-)I've also recently purchased two Black Sand Silver Reference power cor... 
Power Cables
I posted on your other thread about my success with both the VH Audio Flavor 4 and Black Sand Silver Reference on my Wadia but failed to mention that both of these are offered with an extended evaluation period which is a great way to check things... 
Power Cable for Wadia 302 cd
I've got a Wadia 830 with ref mods from Great Northern Sound. I think Steve @ GNS likes the Virtual Dynamics PCs which have a great reputation but are a bit pricey. I have been using a VH Audio Flavor 4 with Furutech connectors on my 830 with exce... 
BlackSand PC question
I recently purchased two of the Black Sand Silver Reference PCs -- one for my McCormack DNA-500 and the other for my ARC SP9 preamp. I have to say that these are quite amazing power cords! There's an interesting thread out on AudioCircle...http://... 
Levinson 336 vs McCormack 500 vs Bryston 14bsst
I recently purchased a McCormack DNA-500 to replace a Levinson 331 to drive my Aerial 10Ts. The improvements wrought were substantial. I had the Levinson for quite a few years and really liked it a lot, but always felt that the 10Ts could benefit ... 
Cartridge advice needed, dynavector 20xh now what?
One more vote for ZYX and Mehran... I recently replaced a Benz M2 cartridge with a ZYX Fugi. A huge step up and I haven't stopped spinning vinyl since. Incredibly neutral, detailed, balanced top to bottom with a wonderfully 3D soundstage.And as th... 
What is under your TT, cheap islolation?
My turntable is on a built-in shelf that is OK but footfalls could be heard. Short of tying the kids up in the attic whenever I wanted to listen to music, I went to a local shop that installs granite kitchen countertops. After wading through their... 
which amp to upgrade my Levinson 383/39/WattPuppy6
I recently replaced my Levinson 331 with a McCormack DNA-500 to drive my Aerial 10Ts. The improvements wrought are substantial. You can finds many, many positive posts about the McCormack here, AudioCircle and AA.I had the Levinson for quite a few... 
Preamp impedance mismatch with McCormack DNA2
I had similar concerns when I first started looking at the McCormack amps. I've got an ARC SP9 preamp (tube hybrid) with GNSC ref mods that has a recommended load of 60k ohms, but it's output impedance is only 250 ohms. I was operating on the mist... 
DCCA PC stiffness?
I had not tried the earlier stiff DCCA PCs, but have tried the new 2006 REF1. Yes, it is stiff but no more so than many other high-end PCs I've tried. I needed a PC that could bend in a 4" clearance behind the amp and it worked just fine with the ...