reynolds853

Responses from reynolds853

Ayon Spirit-1 small tube circuit topology question
I got it figured out I think! 
ARC VSi60 vs Ayon Spirit II/III
I agree with Pehare and would go with an amp offering triode operation. Also, I prefer to be able to manually bias my tubes. The Spirit III has added auto-bias, so for me, I would go with the Spirit II unless there were some other compelling reaso... 
Avalon Acoustics vs Wilson Audio
Kazman,Something you might consider would be not to push for too much of a price break on the speakers, but rather push for a high level of service from your dealer. I would ask to hear them in my home with my system. If needed, offer to pay for h... 
Supratek or Rogue?
I'd want to hear the Supratek/M180 paired together before purchasing to make sure they sound good together. The 99/M180 pairing works fine for me, but I dialed-in the sound with a little tube rolling. 
Spectral preamps
I'll expand my comments a bit having read the previous posts. Back in the '90s I used to visit George Merrill's Undergraound Sound store in Memphis. I was in graduate school at a nearby university and although I didn't have the funds to make any s... 
Spectral preamps
I've heard a Spectral preamp used with a Marantz tube amp. Sounded good. 
Downsizing from Ayre MX-R monoblocks
Oh, we also auditioned Cardas Cross speaker wire. But the Audio Magic was the ticket! 
Downsizing from Ayre MX-R monoblocks
For the money, in my opinion nothing beats a Denon PMA 2000 Mark IV. Used, I think $600-700 is a good price, although they may be going for less. They were around around $1100 before being pulled from the market. Denon has introduced an anniversar... 
Downsizing from Ayre MX-R monoblocks
Tbooe,I agree with Auxetophone, more information would be very helpful. What speakers do you plan to use? There is a used Ayre stereo amp in the shop here and we listened to it some with several tube preamps and one solid state. My recollection wa... 
Rogue Audio - Cronus vs Tempest II
This will be somewhat of a rambling note:I've listened to them both and recommend the Tempest-II over the Cronus.The Cronus is from Rogue's more entry level, budget line. I think they call it the Atlas line, or something like that. Please don't qu... 
Denon PMA 2000 IVR vs. Arcam AVR 280
I am very familiar with the PMA and it is a fantastic amp. Denon recently introduced an anniversary amp, I forget the model number, but it sure looks like a VERY slightly modified (cosmetically) PMA, and the specs are identical. The only thing I c... 
Duelund Capacitors??
For what it's worth, I replaced the Mundorf silver/gold/oil (s/g/o) capacitors in my speakers (Silverline SR17.5) with Duelund VSF copper (I had replaced the stock caps with the s/g/o).Some brief notes:- The slight upward tilt of the s/g/o that To... 
Rogue Audio 99 or CJ Classic Preamp?
Actusreus,You are quite welcome.I did the crossover myself. If you are reasonably handy with a hot glue gun and a soldering iron, it's not difficult. In order to fit the larger capacitors on the board I made a little bridge. Please send me an emai... 
Rogue M150 vs. Conrad Johnson Premier 140
I've heard the M-150's (in our local shop) and the M-180's (I own a pair) and can confidently recommend the upgrade. 
Rogue Audio 99 or CJ Classic Preamp?
Regarding the Silverline SR-17.5 speakers, I have a pair in my listening room and have listened to them on both Tempest-II and M-180 systems. To me they sound better on the 8 ohm taps.This is an aside, but I upgraded the capacitor in the crossover...