phd

Responses from phd

Ugliest Component of the Year 2024!
If the component looks like it fell out of an ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down, then you know you got ugly! On the other hand, a thing of beauty is a joy forever. The look of a component has a big influence (psychological) as to what... 
???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???
Here is one you should highly consider, the new "Unico Primo" made in Italy, has one tube with a Mosfet output stage and is being raved about. Retails for around $1,500.00.  
???What's The LEAST Expensive "End Game"Amplifier You've Ever Heard???
I'm sure there are some good integrateds out there and they can be space-savers but your options will be limited unless it has preamp outputs and power amp ins.  
Would like to try a tube preamp after years of solid state and hybrid
Correction above, make sure the pre has enough gain to drive your power amp.  
Would like to try a tube preamp after years of solid state and hybrid
Whatever preamp you settle on, make sure the preamp has enough gain to drive your preamp.  
Would like to try a tube preamp after years of solid state and hybrid
The tube conrad Johnson preamps are very good but if you can find a VTL 2.5 tube preamp it will deliver the goods and it won't break the bank. Very big soundstage, very dynamic, and very transparent.   
Magico speakers too clinical and fatiguing?
Definitely don't want to put big speakers in a small room.  Erik_squires just touched on an important point with the use of tubes preamps will make a positive improvement for these particular speakers Further I don't think there is another compon... 
Magico speakers too clinical and fatiguing?
Potentially, anything labeled accurate is not musical. What good is accuracy if there is no musical enjoyment in the listing room. Then you have to throw thousands more dollars to fix the problem. My test for musicality is if I find myself toe-tap... 
Interconnect Break In?
I don't know, but my power cords had to break-in to sound smoother, why not   interconnects. Logically the gear has to be on for any break-in to occur. You know, the electrons have to find their shortest signal path and components have to settle i... 
When I listen to my system.......
mrdecibal are you related to mrtennis? What was the question again? My attention span is not what it used to be to digest such a lengthy post..  
Is Recording quality the real culprit?
If everything else is OK, the weakest link is the quality of the recording, compounded by the fact that our hearing declines with age You're not going to win folks. But I'll be damned if I am going to have a steady diet of only the very best recor... 
Can you think of a reason not to?
Just one other thing. My home theater is made up of 4 small white speakers and a subwoofer and is completely independent of the two channel gear, they share nothing. Two channel is two large speakers, preamp and power amp. Although there is a jus... 
Speakers or Turntable upgrade
Definitely opt for a new pair of speakers that are highly rated and are very efficient.   
Can you think of a reason not to?
I never scaled down to nothing. I have my two channel for serious listening and my muti-channel for movies, all incorporated in the same room. However, the room is very large. And no it doesn't look cluttered.  
JD Souther has passed away
Very sad indeed. He will be sorely missed.