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patrickdowns

Responses from patrickdowns

Who else has a Modwright KWH 225i ?
This has been on my shortlist of integrated amps. The others are: 1) Aesthetic Mimas, and 2) Ayre AX-5/Twenty.   Do you love your Modwright? Did you consider other integrateds, and if yes how did you choose it?   Thx  
What was the last CD you bought (Name, and year issued)?
CONGA BLUE by Pancho Sanchez. Excellent Latin jazz! Conga Blue  
All in 5-6k for setup in living room...with bad acoustics
Here’s the solution: LARSEN (6 or 8) Can be placed against wall, very forgiving of placement, and create a "wall of sound." Huge sweet spot, can move around the room and still get good live performance sound. Larsen 6 review Larsen website (mod... 
Any update on Mark Levinson 5000 reliability?
i don’t think you can measure performance by the pound. Both the Benchmark AHB2 amp (13 lbs) and the Van Alstine monoblocks (17 lb each) get excellent reviews and their gear is noted as very reliable. FWIW. Benchmark AVA monoblock review  
Widow needs help: Sennheiser HD650 headphones
Those are excellent affordable reference headphones (I have a pair!). Do you listen to music? Would you consider keeping them?  
DAC suggestions
Linear Tube Audio is an MHDT dealer, if you want to deal with good folks in USA LTA - DACs  
DAC suggestions
Steven Stone really likes this new Topping, for a "reference" budget DAC. Bargain. Topping D90SE https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/topping-d90se-digital-to-analog-converter/ I am considering the Denafrips Pontus II (laddered resistor/R2... 
Recommendations for HiFi Listening Room
Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro CT with built-in subwoofers and tunable bass response review Quatro CT or Larsen Model 9 (wall of sound) Larsen 9 review Ayre AX-5/Twenty Integrated -- great match with Vandersteen (you can get it configured so tha... 
Recommendations for the best headphones with equalization after severe acoustic injury
classicalpiano I am very sorry to read about your accident. For an audiophile (and one with such an excellent system as yours), that is a nightmare. I hope that you can find a solution so that you can enjoy listening to music in a way that mitiga... 
Best Dedicated Streamer
I agree with fastfreight Roon or not? I LOVE Roon and can’t imagine not using it. If I wanted a streamer that wasn’t Roon-capable, I would get an Aurender. Their Conductor app is the best one I have seen that isn’t Roon. FWIW, Robert Harley has u... 
Audio people you've had contact with that proved to be good people.
bdp24 +1 on Randy (Randall) Cooley @ Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica CA. Great and cool guy.   Steve McCormick of SMc Audio (formerly McCormick Audio) and his major domo Patrick are wonderful. Richard Vandersteen has always been a sport...... 
Recommendations please!
I’ve never owned AVA gear, but it is well-reviewed and shows up on a lot of best lists. Van Alstine tube preamp Audio by Van Alstine Transcendence 10 RB ($999 USD) PTA reviews: Preamps Audio by Van Alstine FET Valve CFR preamplifier. $2099  
What is the best Headphone rid upgrade
I'm confused. The Hugo TT is supposed to have an excellent headphone stage. Why aren't you using that or the Manley?  
Recommendation for Headphones under $250
Sennheiser 580 via MassDrop (they’re identical to Senheiser branded models). Drop has great deals on Senns. The 580 is very good (I’ve owned a pair for 20 years, and now own the 600 and 650 too). Sennheiser 580   https://drop.com/buy/massdrop... 
Speaker Placement and Toe-In
I wish I was inclined to fiddle and tweak my placement to the Nth degree. If I have an expert guiding me I might. I had my Vandersteens pointed straight ahead for a long time (on the long wall, about 18" out from the front wall and 30" from side w...