ptrck887

Responses from ptrck887

Tube Integrated Under 1,500
+1 on the Willsenton R8.  I too wanted to experiment with an all tube integrated and after a thorough search of reviews, forums and comparative findings, chose the R8.  The build quality is absolutely top notch, which is unanimously pointed out in... 
Looking for warm tube preamp (should pair well with Pass power amp), budget $6000
Surprised nobody has suggested the Modwright LS100.  I have owned and run McIntosh C2300, C500T and the Aesthetix Calypso Sig and I prefer the LS100.  I run NOS Melz 1578(6SN7) tubes and NOS Mullard GZ37 Fat Bottle and the sound is magical.  Curre... 
Simplifying my main rig and looking for cable suggestions
I have built a second system that I seem to be spending more time with.  Much simpler and cost effective, but in a much larger room that presents everything in better scale.  My McIntosh rig is in a highly treated but very small (15'6" x 10' 6") r... 
First tube preamp recommendations (under $5k)
+1 Modwright LS100.  You can pick up one with optional tube phono stage for 1/2 your budget.  I run a McIntosh C500T in my main rig and I am shocked at how well the Modwright 100 performs in my second rig. 
New Bluesound Node – First Impressions
Yikes!  By the time you spend the money on a decent DAC and decent power cable, you could purchase a Lumin and get an audiophile grade streamer and be done with it!   
Tube vendors.
I've dealt with Brett Jesse, Kevin Deal, Andy and Viva tubes on multiple occasions and have had great success.  I have also purchased 30 or 40 tubes from a local dealer in PHX that has been very good.  Dave at Arizona tube supply.  Very good.  I w... 
Class D for a Tube Lover
Class D has improved dramatically.  Check out "D Sonics".  Great reviews online.  On a whim I purchased their top monoblocks 3Ma-1500.  Less than $3K new.  On my Sonus Faber Guarneri's they held their own vs my McIntosh MC601's at 1/5 of the cost,... 
Need preamp suggestion
I have tried many of the pre's listed above, as well as Aesthetics Calypso.  I settled on a used Modwright LS100 tube pre.  Two 6SN7's and tube rectifed as well.  Way under the radar and a top performer.  Blew away most everything else.  Under $2K... 
Perfect Pop Songs
Check out Chlara ,"You really shouldn't have".  Definitely Pop, well recorded.  Stays on my playlist. 
Class D
I have run D-Sonics Class D M3a-1500M monoblocks with Maggie 3.7i's for about a year now.  They are very good.  I have tried McIntosh, Bryston and these are far better.  Way better than I would expect for under $3000. monoblocks.  I even ran them ... 
Whats your favourite track to play to the non hi-fi visitor?
I like to play something I know they've most likely heard 1000 times but never on a great system.  One of my favs is Chris Issac, "Wicked Games"from the Heart Shaped World" CD.  A fine system unpacks this song and it is amazing.  Never fails to am... 
Tubed Preamp recommendations?
+ 1 for Modwright LS-100.  Great 6SN7 based preamp.   
Magnepan dealers
I purchased my 3.7i's less than a year ago from Natural Sound in the Boston area.   They were great to deal with. 
The Best Isolation/ Vibration Footers per component - what's your experience?
I've experimented with several...Symposium Roller Block Jr, Rollerblock 2 +, Ingress Engineering (Canada), Voo Doo Iso Blocks, Still Points and Synergistic Research MIG's.  All components on 2" or 3" solid maple racks or stands, all with Symposium... 
Newb Tube question
I am about your age and a relatively recent tube-a-holic!  I think I love them because some are older than I or at least the correct generation.  I found the following write up / review to be very helpful although I do not agree in any way with hi...