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patrickdowns

Responses from patrickdowns

Vandersteen 1C to 3A Signature
I've heard good things about the Ohm. In that form factor, the speaker I would audition if I wanted something other than the Vandersteens (front firing), would be the Larsens. Larsen 6 or 8. I say that only because of intriguing reviews and word o... 
Sad News-- Nancy Griffith Has Passed
I'm sad. I can't even guess how many times I have played "Other Voices, Other Rooms" ... probably a thousand. I listen to it at least once a week. Her voice was magical, and she was a wonderful songwriter too. 68 is so young, and since I am about ... 
Vandersteen 1C to 3A Signature
I auditioned the Treo CT and the newest 2CE Signature III against each other for a long time, and chose the new 2CE to replace a 20 year old pair. At the time I was considering a like-new pair of Treo CTs (1 year old, $6000), and I still second-gu... 
Have you heard darTZeel Amplifiers
Mike Lavingne's system is amazing, as is his room. I've read the PF piece he wrote about building the room. This must be a million dollar room and system, I'd bet. https://positive-feedback.com/Issue16/lavigneroom.htm  
Integrated Amps - another thread...
I’ve been considering an integrated too, and recently auditioned the Simaudio 600-V2 which was lovely ($9k, cough). I shortlisted several others including the Pass Labs Int-60, one of the Esoterics, and the Aesthetix Mimas (tube preamp stage, take... 
Integrated Amps - another thread...
Whatever you do for an integrated amp, you're going to get better Roon playback using a proper music server rather than the MacBook, imo. Examples: Roon Nucleus+, Small Green Computer Sonictransporter, or one of the many Roon-ready streamers by ot... 
Who is ditching their shiny disc spinners?
I have ripped my >600 CDs to my music server (Small Green Computer), and my Rega Apollo II CD player sits idle most of the time. It's a great player for the money, and will remain in the rack as a backup in case the server goes down, and to pla... 
Any idea which headphones I’d like?
@toddcowlesIf I wanted a headphone-only system, this Linear Tube Audio MZ3 might be my choice (I think I want to use it as a preamp too). I know the Violectric is a fine one. The Pass Labs headphone amp is said to be superb too. “I can say wit... 
Roon vs Audirvāna or other
I LOVE (repeat, love, love, love) ROON. And repeat. Until you've used it it's hard to explain. The Tidal app is fine (and so is Amazon Music) but Roon takes it to a new level. Imagine Tidal mated with Wikipedia, where artists/albums etc are hyperl... 
What DAC upgrade made you say “DAMN, that sounds SO MUCH better than my last DAC”?
Review of the Burl B2 Bomber: https://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/79/b2-bomber-adc-dac/I confess that this seems really geared to mastering/recording engineers, and I have little idea what they are talking about on a technical level. Seems good though! 
Speaker Cables? why all the hype for expensive speaker wire?
Speaker Cables? why all the hype for expensive speaker wire?If you like listening to lamp cord, no problem. Listen to lamp cord. Make sure to disconnect the lamp first though. 
LTA micro zotl preamp
Hi gaal -I am considering the MZ3 as a preamp and headphone amp. I am all digital, and only need one input for the DAC. Which DAC are you using, may I ask? A single-ended DAC?The main reason to get the full LTA preamp instead, with balanced XLR in... 
Speakers as the principle component/other components are servants
" I am grateful to have some part of this inherited genius. Very grateful. Yet only recognized lately by me..."That's a heavy cross you bear. LOL 
Does adding a steamer to a Roon Nucleus / server improve audio output
I have a Small Green Computer SonicTransporter, which is essentially a Nucleus. I use it with a Sonore Microrendu streamer/endpoint going into my DAC, and it's fed by the SGC. It’s an improvement. You could step up to the UltraRendu or Optical mod... 
BEWARE OF FRAUD with this member
This sucks! I hope you get it rectified.