oneinthepipe

Responses from oneinthepipe

Wanted Preamp
The Eastern Electric Avant pre-amp, particularly with an NOS rectifier tube and discreet op amps is a excellent and low-cost preamp. Not the best that I have heard, but you didn't list a price range. If price is no object, ask Frank Van Alstine to... 
DAC or no DAC? If yes, which one?
I suggest an Eastern Electric DAC, a HiFace USB adapter with a BNC connector, and Pure Music. 
Monitors for $1500-$2000 with NAD320BEE Integrated
Ellis 1801 from Salk Sound. 
best monitor speaker under $2000
Ellis 1801Salk HT-1 
connectng CD player directly to amp, good or bad?
My preamp is the heart of my system. An active preamp has a tremendous effect on the sound, IME. Proponents of passive preamps would obviously disagree. In your situation, you could use a direct connection and then, if you can borrow an active pre... 
Best speaker for vocals
Salk Sound. Every speaker is built for the best possible mid-range. The HT3 has an F3 of 29hz. 
matching speaker to room size?
A transmission line speaker, for a full range speaker, will likely perform better in a small room than a ported design. Take a look at Salk Sound's SongTower. 
Just Starting..Budgeting up to 1K for next upgrade
Maybe consider some used separates to get you to the next level. There was a Dyna PAT4 that sold last week for 95.00, and there is a Hafler amp for sale for 250.00. Then, save a little more and get a decent preamp, then later, get a decent DAC, an... 
how big a speaker can you put in an 11 x 11 room?
The problem in a small room is low frequency response. A small sealed monitor will work because there won't be a lot of bass. Otherwise, a full-range transmission line speaker will work. You will have bass, although you should have bass traps in a... 
Front wall treatment
For absorption, OC 703 panels behind and between speakers. I've purchased from acoustimac.com with excellent results. Sal's prices are very good and shipping is inexpensive. 
Shelby Lynne Live
I saw her last month in Fall River, MA at Narrows Center for the Performing Arts, a 280 seat theatre. She performed on a stage that was elevated about 18 inches, and we sat at a table about 12 feet from the stage and about 15 feet from Ms. Lynne. ... 
Best bookshelf monitor under $1000 new or used.
When you say bookshelf speakers, are you merely referring to the size, because placement is very important? I have a pair of Spendor S3/5 that are very nice, but they wouldn't sound as good in a bookshelf. The Spendors play well about four feet aw... 
Small room, "budget priced" speaker advice, please
Used Spendor S3/5 or S3/5se would be within or below your price range. They are leagues ahead of the Paradigm, IMO. The S3/5 has an excellent midrange and a large soundstage.In excellent condition, a pair of used S3/5 should sell for about 600.00. 
Skylan speakers stands-how much sand?
That did the trick!I placed Herbie's small Fat Dots under the speakers (Spendor S3/5), Herbie's self-adhesive grungebusters on the Skylan speaker stands' .5" flat metal feet, and Herbie's self-adhesive grungebuster Extra-Thick Minidots under the a... 
Skylan speakers stands-how much sand?
Sherod:Thank you very much. Those threads are very helpful. The stands came with flat metal feet, about .5 inch in diameter. I think that I will get the Isonode footers and the big dots.Thank you, everyone.