mike4597

Responses from mike4597

Recommendation for tube preamp
Rogue Audio RP-1 is well within your price limit and an excellent product.  Not balanced, but a very good preamp made here in the USA.  I had one until I upgraded to the RP-7 by Rogue Audio.  
Looking for a new Subwoofer
For Soix, I checked the Paradigm website, and it states that it is a sealed sub.  However, many thanks for the link, and they look pretty good, so I will have to check them out as they are made here in the USA and are very reasonably priced.  Now,... 
Primare/ Vincent Adio /NAD /Rogue/ AVA /Hegel...- need a simple and reliable integrated
I cannot speak about the Rogue Sphinx specifically, but I have owned two Rogue Audio preamps, the RP-1 and the RP-7 is my current preamp.  The quality is first-rate, the performance is excellent—I am very pleased with the RP-7, and the company is ... 
Need Opinions for Different Cable Manufacturers/Cable Designs
After exchanging several emails with Silversmith founder/President Jeffrey Smith, I ordered a 4 ft pair of Fidelium speaker cables to replace my Performance Audio cables using Mogami W3104 cable, which I considered to be quite good. Jeffrey took t... 
Speakers that disappear
Long ago, I had a pair of diminutive ADS bookshelf speakers that “disappeared” and presented a wonderful soundstage.  I do not remember the model number but they were wonderful … except for lacking substantial base   Fast forward to the present, a... 
Adding tube sound to my SS system
I was running a Rogue RP-7 tube preamp into a highly-regarded Rogue tube power amp, the power amp replacing a SS amp driving my Fyne Audio F-702 speakers that were made in Scotland.  I felt it resulted in degraded tonal qualities of instruments, r... 
Power Amplifier - Maximum Resolution & Detail!
Probably down the scale from your consideration, but I had the same experience with my equipment.  Using a Rogue Audio RP-7  preamplifier (tubes) with a highly-regarded tube power amplifier that replaced a Benchmark AHB2 driving my Fyne Sudio F-70... 
Start with Upgrade to DAC?
WOW.  Did I set off a storm! I appreciate all the advice guys (and gals if any are involved).  Being quite pleased with the Schiit Bifrost 2/64, I queried Schiit as to whether I would be able to detect a significant difference between the Bifrost... 
Start with Upgrade to DAC?
Thanks to all for the advice.  I think will sign up for one of the streaming services, whichever is easiest to use, and then look at DACs.  I guess I am talking mid-fi here, because about $1500 for a streamer with an LPS and $2500 for the DAC will... 
Start with Upgrade to DAC?
Viridian, Thorens TD126 MKII.  
Start with Upgrade to DAC?
Viridian, Oops, left that out.  My TT is a Thorens TD 126 MK—I am the original owner and recently had it refurbed—with an Audio-Technical VM540ML cartridge.  Frankly, I think the output from my LPs, especially the 1980s Sheffield discs and some 45... 
AI-Written Stereophile Articles
I attended a University of California campus (UC Davis, formerly the University Farm) in the 1960s.  All incoming freshmen had to take a Subject A English exam; if you failed the exam, you had to take a 3-hour one-semester course in remedial Engli... 
AI-Written Stereophile Articles
The decline in writing skills is a multi-decade phenomenon.  I was on the staff of an Army school in the 1980s; our students were mostly Army officers with advanced degrees from civilian colleges and universities.  I saw the same problem a few yea... 
Parks Budgie vs Lounge MKIII phono preamps
I have the Lounge Gold phono preamp, but I do not have experience with both.  I I can say that, to me, the Lounge Gold is simply astounding.  I am using it with my Thorens TD 126 MkII TT (I am the original owner and recently had it refurbed) and a... 
Upgrading to a stand alone DAC
I will add to the Schiit Bifrost 2 recommendation.  I have the same NAD CD player as you and was simply stunned at the improvement made by switching to the Bifrost 2, which I later upgraded to the 2/64.  Better tonal quality of the instruments, be...