melvinjames

Responses from melvinjames

Low volume listening dynamics
I went down this path a couple of years ago and now use a 2 wpc SET amp to drive my speakers (94.5 dB). Low level listening is wonderful. Happy as a clam at high tide. 
Sound, neutrality and the pursuit of everything
I'm after the most transparency I can have in an apartment.It has to sound good at moderate listening levels and be so clear and lack distortion that I feel like you do when you are at the top of a mountain range, like you can see for miles, only ... 
Anyone else impressed with modern Marantz integrated?
Last year I purchased a Marantz HD-AMP1 for use in the warmer months when I don't want to run tubes. I think it's a terrific sounding little class d integrated and exactly what I was hoping for to be honest. 
The Mhdt lab Balanced Pagoda DAC
@teajay  .. keep up the good work! Seems there are plenty of us who enjoy your reviews and subsequent posts here. Personally, I'm happy to see MHDT Lab receiving more well-deserved attention lately. FWIW I purchased their single-ended Pagoda 2 yea... 
Whats playing on your system today?
Tina Brooks "True Blue" 
Low-sensitivity speakers — What's special about them?
@hilde45 .. I should have been more specific. I have a pair of Mark & Daniel Ruby speakers which the manufacturer specs at 82.5 - rather inefficient. The Rubys are a small monitor (2-way design with an AMT tweeter) which puts out a tremendous ... 
Low-sensitivity speakers — What's special about them?
For the past couple of years I’ve been happy running a SET/high-efficiency system but previous systems were all of the higher-power/low-efficiency type. Obviously, there are compelling reasons for setting up a system either way. One thing about th... 
Streamers and bit rot.
For small manufacturers I think Sonore is doing a great job so far. Their Sonic Orbiter OS is Linux-based and in constant development. They release minor updates online and major updates with the purchase of a new microSD card which sells for unde... 
Why No Love For Peachtree Audio?
Class D is polarizing to say the least and is likely the reason behind the lack of interest (or disdain?) here. 
Truly High Efficiency, High Quality, Nearfield Usable, Affordable Speakers, Do They Exist?
The Omega/Decware pairing is well known on Audio Circle where Omega has a presence:https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=31 I use Omega’s Super 3i Monitors with a Decware SE84UFO (2 wpc) in a 13’ x 18’ room. There’s more than enough volume f... 
So I'm up and running with my streamer but....
@labguy .. wasn’t this your goal in purchasing the Node 2i?Well at least I’m not alone, but I really had hopes of cleaning up my system, and not having to use 2 damn dacs. I have terabytes of Flac files and rare live concerts on external hard driv... 
Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.
Yes those are more accessible Coltrane albums as is even Giant Steps and Blue Train but these alone are limited as a tool to "get" John Coltrane.Limited yes, but his more accessible albums are a good starting point simply because you begin to unde... 
Help me understand John Coltrane .... seriously.
"Ballads" is about as accessible as he gets and it's a beautiful album .. nice place to start. His album with Johnny Hartman is another. 
What have you found to be a good classic Jazz online station?
TheJazzGroove and Jazz24 are my 2 favorites. I subscribe/support TheJazzGroove which gives access to their CD-quality flac stream and, as @tuberist already mentioned, sounds wonderful. 
Budget Audiophile system under 2k
The PS Audio Sprout100 ELAC System looks like a nice starter system (includes speaker cables). Add a source and a subwoofer to complete the picture. https://www.psaudio.com/products/sprout100-elac-system/#tab-features