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pdreher

Responses from pdreher

750$ Intel NUC vs $6000 Aurender N200: I don't hear the difference
@ricco275 I wouldn't.  I remember reading a John Atkinson review of an upper tier Innuos server, in which he stated that the Innous sounded excellent, but not considerably better than a far less costly Roon Nucleus + server he had reviews previous... 
Best Vintage Speakers for Classical & Jazz music
I love my Altec 19's with Jazz... not so much with classical.  
Best Vintage Speakers for Classical & Jazz music
@jasonbourne71 which Altec's do you own?  
Eliminated my preamp with amazing results
@mitch2 I did not have the DeHavilland preamp when I owned the Music Reference amp, but did use the Music Reference RM9 MK2 both with and without a preamp and never felt like I was missing anything when the Weiss volume control was used sans preamp.  
Eliminated my preamp with amazing results
As others have mentioned, my experience validates that not one size fits all, and results are system dependent and subject to user preference.  I previously used the volume control of my Weiss 202 DAC direct to a Music Reference RM9 MK2 amp with e... 
Please compare the Weiss DAC202 with modern DACs
I'm interested in this as well.  I have a 202 and am happy with the sound quality.  
KT88'S for Rogue Cronus Dark
In my experience, Gold Lion KT88's are hard to beat and hold up well.  Parts Connexion carries them.  
Best Options For A Tubed Preamp - $2500 Or Less, Preferably Used To Maximize Value
Ditto @hilde45   deHavilland Ultraverve III is the best preamp I have owned by a large margin, bettering previous preamps from CJ, Aesthetix and BAT.  It responds wonderfully to tube rolling the 6SN7 tube (or 6F8G with an adaptor).   
Harbeth M40.1 vs. M40.2 vs. M40.2 Anniversary Edition vs. M40.3XD
@audio_bidder Congrats on your purchase.  If I had to do it all over again, I would have kept my 40.1's and passed on the 40.2 Anni's, as the two are very similar and I think I found the 40.1's more enjoyable than the 40.2 Anni's,   
Duelund speaker cable
I have two of their power cords on my Quicksilver KT monoblocks, custom ordered from Parts Connexion.  I'm a fan... low cost, high value.  
Duelund speaker cable
You can order them as bare wire or custom order with connectors from PartsConnexion very inexpensively.   Bare wire connection is the best way to go if your speakers and amp(s) accept bare wire.   
Horns with good timbre and tonality?
Ditto Volti and Classic Audio recommendations.... Tannoy and vintage Altec's and JBL's as well. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649998757-volti-vittora/ https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb6667-classic-audio-loudspeakers-t3-4-full-field-co... 
Speaker Cable Recommendation
Parts Connexion will make you a custom pair of Duelund's for less than $400.   I recommend 12 gauge, sans connectors (bare wire).  I've been using Duelund in both of my systems for probably 5 years, having replaced and outperformed considerably mo... 
Help and opinions needed on pre-amp situation
In my experience, there is no definitive answer, as I've had some amps that work as well or better using my the volume control from my Weiss DAC vs. using a preamp.  That was the case when I had a Music Reference RM9 MK2 amp.... but when I changed... 
One key to building great systems over time.
While I agree that your approach makes sense for those willing to spend considerable sums for higher end gear, I've taken the approach of reducing my spend, while increasing my satisfaction by buying older or more utilitarian gear, having  been di...