phd

Responses from phd

Ruining music with a cheap sub
I don't think a cheap sub can ruin a good system as long as it is left off, maybe OK for movies. For music you will need to look for a sub that is both tight & tuneful maybe like Velodyne or Polk Audio which are not extremely expensive.You are... 
preamp tube hiss from my SF Line 1
Snipes, I did get an estimate from SF but that was last year & can't remember the exact dollar figure but it wasn't alot. In my case as well, sometimes the hiss was not there when it was initially turned on but became evident as the unit was l... 
preamp tube hiss from my SF Line 1
Snipes, I have owned a Sonic Frontiers preamp before with the same problem but my hiss was in the left channel. Called SF and they told me that the Mosfet transistor that followed the tube had become noisy & if I could tolerate the hiss it was... 
What should be the terms between buyer and seller
Tell him the only way you will make the purchase if he sends them to you COD Cash on delivery). FedEx or UPS will do CODs for an extra $6.00. 
What is the lifespan of a good SS Amp
Their going to outlive us unless they operate in pure class A. 
Speakers to mate with McIntosh gear
CanucksO, I'm not really offended, I just opted for a temporary loss of sanity, to each his own, were good to go! 
Speakers to mate with McIntosh gear
CanuksO, I do feel offended. Your crying that your speakers don't sound good with all music and I offered you a viable alternative. Paul Klipsch himself uses the CF4s, check Audiogon to see how often these speakers are offered for sale & how f... 
Speakers to mate with McIntosh gear
I have been using Klipsch CF4 for years. Large floorstanding speakers with a sensitivity of 102 db, they sound very good with all types of music & have had Mcintosh gear on them with excellent results. They will also provide a very detailed ex... 
Does having an object inbetween the speakers bad?
Taboooe, your shortlist is excellent. I especially like the Bat. I understand this amp is a zero negative feedback design and has only two gain stages (a very good thing!). Build quality is about the best I've seen & should provide the sound y... 
Does having an object inbetween the speakers bad?
Tboooe, from my experience trying different interconnects will greatly enhance a good system, increasing transparency etc but will not transform an inferior one. I try to select gear that is known to offer a large three dimensional soundstage. Unf... 
ground loop HUM please help
The best formula for avoiding ground loop hum is to only ground one component, for example maybe the preamp. Use cheater plugs on the rest of the components, they are still grounded via the interconnects because they are connected to the preamp th... 
Tube Amp Around $1000
Ditto on Aball's post. I too own a CJ MV-55 and it is one gem of an amp! Although lately I have been using the HCA-2 which I like better than many solid state amps, I will eventually feel the need to reinsert the MV-55 for a different prospective ... 
To Plug Power Amps Direct in to Wall or Not ??
I have noticed a very slight reduction in dynamics using a power conditioner (could be psychological) but sound quality in itself was noticebly better & smoother. I don't think that power conditioning and a surge protector can be equated. Surg... 
Anyone Compared Odyssey/PS Audio amps?
Further time spent with the PS audio HCA-2 has confirmed my belief that the HCA-2 is the superior amp over the Stratos, can't speak for the Stratos mono blocks, never owned them. Both the Stratos & HCA-2 are equally as transparent but that is ... 
Clever Little Clock - high-end audio insanity?
Tbg, well thats a relief, but it is obviously not working.