mike4597

Responses from mike4597

Will a high quality preamp really make a difference in sound?? Also speaker cable
I went from a Rogue Audio RP-1 to an RP-7–almost triple the price, and it made a marked improvement.  As for speaker cables, I was a bit of a skeptic, figuring that “decent” cables in the $100 to $300 range should be enough.  However, I purchased ... 
If Bi-Wiring is an option, should I choose Bi-wiring over single banana with free jumpers
+1 on the Silversmith Fidelium speaker cables and jumpers.  I was a bit of a skeptic on the impact of speaker cables, but I had invested in pairs of AQ Rocket 88s and Mogamis—used separately not together.  The switch to the Fideliums was a marked ... 
I am sad
Mward:  teamwork!  
Talk me out of buying Monoblocks and into a stereo amp instead
Can’t do, for I switched from a well-respected tube amplifier (Rogue Stereo 100 “Dark”) to two Odyssey Kismet mono locks and it vastly improved the sound, although I suspect part of it was increasing power by a factor of two and switching to solid... 
Got Innuous, now a DAC
I recently upgraded my DAC to a Schiit Audio Gungnir 2, and I am very pleased with the sound quality.  Streaming Tidal through my iPad Pro, it is very good, and I know when I replace the iPad with a dedicated streamer—I am considering the Innuous ... 
Do you listen to your music with your eyes open or closed or a combination of both?
+1 on immathewj's response about lights off, eyes closed, although I take off my glasses only sometimes.  When I cannot see the physical objects in the room, it tricks my combined senses into "seeing" a wider and deeper soundstage, as I am dependi... 
Any piece of equipment you currently dream of ?
Actually, occasionally I find myself wishing I still had my old Infinity RS-iibs that were severely water damaged during an Army move within what was then West Germany.  Oh, I am sure that my Fyne Audio F-702 speakers outshine them, but I wonder i... 
R2R next? Don't like ESS
Another +1 for the Schiit Bifrost 2/64.  I originally purchased the Bifrost 2 before the /64 upgrade, but I did upgrade mine when it came out; I was quite pleased with the product.  Recently, however, I purchased the Gungnir 2, well under $2K, for... 
Balanced vs RCA preamps
Rogue Audio has tube preamps with both RCA and XLR outputs.  I have the RP-7 that has two sets of each, and I believe the RP-9 has the same.  I am quite pleased with sound quality achieved with my RP-7 and my Odyssey monobloc solid state amplifiers.  
Dumb question......why do you need a preamp?
+1 for the comment by Soix on the tube preamp plus solid state power amp; when I switched from all solid state, then to all tube, and then to tube preamp with solid state monobloc power amps, I achieved a significantly higher level of sound qualit... 
Best Used Tube Based Preamp $2k Or Under?
The Rogue Audio RP-1 sells for less than that new.  The RP-5 probably would be in that range used.  I went from the quite good RP-1 to the RP-7, with which I am very pleased.  
SPEAKERS THAT SOUND ALIVE & DYNAMIC AT LOW LISTENING LEVELS
I have a pair of Fyne Audio F-702 floorstanding speakers, augmented by a pair of Rythmik 12” subwoofers, that sound excellent a low volume levels, although I am not sure of the exact volume levels I play them at.  I am driving them with a tube pre... 
Subwoofer with XLR I/O
Rhythmic has subs that fit in your price range.  I was able to add two 12” subs for about $2500.  New.  I am very pleased with them.  
Vacuum Tube Preamp for Solid State Power Amp Pairing
Rogue Audio makers excellent tube preamps.  I am running their RP-7 preamp into solid state Odyssey monobloc power amplifiers to drive my Fyne Audio F-702.  Electronics made here in the USA but speakers made there in the UK (Scotland).  The result... 
YOUR AUDIOPHILE JOURNEY WHEN DID IT START AND HOW DID YOU GET TO YOUR DREAM SYSTEM?
For myself: Beethoven’s Pastorale is his 6th Symphony, not the 7th.  That’s what comes from late night— or early morning—writing when you are tired but cannot get back to sleep.     to continue, I am in the final stages of building my dream syste...