mglik

Responses from mglik

High end stereo preamps? Worth it?
I used passive preamps for many years. Then one day I decided to check out an active. I decided on an Audible Illusions. I was stunned and amazed! The music had structure and substance I never heard.I now have upgraded to an Atma-Sphere MP-3. Pric... 
Have speakers really improved within the last 20 years??
Measurements are relatively meaningless compared to the sound.IME, there are only a handful of speakers that sound “real”.I believe the biggest factor is the matching of drivers and crossovers. The designer’s knowledge of what music sounds like is... 
Are there any tube amps that don't give off any---
+1 LTA Berning designed OTL.I have the MicroZOTL headphone amp.SS detail with tube musicality and not hot. 
Advice on CD transport
HiI feel the best built and best sounding under $1000 transport is the Theta Compli. Built like a battleship and super solid. You might be able to find one for around $500. Think the original price was over $2K. In 1990s dollars. Any used Oppo is ... 
Most desirable vacuum tubes for SET amps
Many swear by NOS 300B Western Electrics. But they have become rare and upwards of $5000+ a pair. My favorite are 45s in general the lower the power the more magic. But at 1 1/2 watts you need super sensitive speakers. 
Question/Advice About Isolation Feet for Speakers
Stillpoints Ultra Minis. I put them under my speakers and the appeared to double the value and impact. They are $750 for 6.they use ceramic bearings instead of rubber in the Gaias. I believe speakers need solid connections to the floor.You may be ... 
Whats on your turntable tonight?
Always looking for great pressings. Just got 5 45rpm, Half Speed Mastered, Quality Pressings LPs from the Reference Recordings catalog. Wow, 5 several double albums, for $140 better than $199 for 1 Better Records White Hot Stamper! 
Downside to "revealing" system?
Hi I have the same exact problem.I have been pulling out even some of my favorite albums. Harsh in the upper frequencies especially when louder. Ralph at Atma-Sphere has been advising me and I now have and love his M-60 amps and MP-3 preamp with p... 
Best "Bang for the Buck" you have owned?
In a way, this is a difficult question since, after 50 years of upgrades, I am, thankfully, very satisfied with my system.However, it is an easy choice... Quad 57s!I joyfully lived with them for 10 years and miss them to this day.True, they are fr... 
Help with TT ideas for my first TT
+1 for MoFi and Rega Planer 3I have owned a Planer 3 and was stunned with how much better it was over digital. And the MoFi has been very well received. They pulled out all the stops, considering price point, to create a modestly priced TT. I woul... 
IMHO (and friend's) opinion of acrylic platter
After trying a Puresound Tenuto gunmetal mat and a Ringmat, I have found the best available mat-an acrylic mat by Oracle. It is unlike other acrylic mats being high mass and other factors. The vital importance of a good mat was stressed by Ralph K... 
How do you know when an LP is a first or early pressing?
It was actually Ralph who turned me on to these issues. He told me that he regularly uses a “pink label” ELO first pressing at shows.He also told me to pay attention to the codes stamped into the run out groves. That they list the early or first p... 
What is the best way to clean records?
HI Charles,The RCM vacuums off solutions with a nozzle at the end of its arm that is suspended slightly off the record bu a thread in between that is automatically replaced. And the vacuum pump is a large and powerful medical grade one. If the noz... 
Tubed Preamp recommendations?
+1 for Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL if you buy new. I use mine as a headphone amp. It is excellent. And if you buy used +1 Audible Illusions L3A.I use my AI in my main system and TAS for years refers to it as “best at any price!”. 
For anyone who moved from tubes to solid state — a question
I learned a lot from my thread, “Is there a SS amp that can satisfy a SET guy?”. The basic answer is no. Tubes and SS are a different paradigm. They approach producing music from different perspectives. My understanding is that tubes are a more vi...