rmdmoore

Responses from rmdmoore

Is simpler better?
For me, a preamplifier is vital. Not only does it serve as my "switch" for different sources (analog vs. digital sources) but it provides a small amount of gain and, aside from the speakers, does the most to define the sound of the system. The wro... 
Thoughts About Turntable Upgrades
What I'd say is that if you have a truly great sounding digital front end, that it will be expensive to get your analog side sounding as good. The other side of that though is that if you take the time and make the investment your analog front end... 
Tube Preamp, uses 6sn7/6sl7. With or Without Phono; With or Without Remote Volume,
I have the above mentioned ls100 from ModWright and can say it's a fantastic preamp. I had a don Sachs and prefer this.   
High end speakers at low volume
I think one of the biggest limiting factors for you is how close the speakers have to be to the wall, 25cm is not far. Most speakers. Need a meter or so to breathe properly and make good bass. I see the Vandersteen treo is on your list. I'd recomm... 
Probably a dumb question
https://kahlaudio.com/ This guy sells an assortment of used gear. He sometimes gets super high end stuff but you gotta keep your eye out.   
Moving on a sailboat - bookshelf speakers?
+1 bkeske The Vandersteen VLR woods/CT. Designed for exactly that purpose. The 60 hi current watts made by the amp you mentioned should be enough to drive them. I have the older version of this speaker at my mountain house and am driving them wit... 
Integrated suggestions
I really feel like ModWright is often overlooked. Their current model pre is out of your price range, even used, but there's one of their older for sale on the other site. I've been. Extremely happy with my LS100 preamp from them. Truly boutique p... 
How does one pick in this situation?
Take a trip to a place that has the speakers you want to listen to. Yes, it will cost some money that you'd prefer to put towards the speakers but it's worth it in the end if you end up with the right speakers after only one try.   
Can you give me your speaker suggestions?
Speakers will by far be the defining sound of your system. Sure, upstream electronics will make a difference and they need to match well, but by and large, speakers are what make a system sound the way it does. It sounds to me you like the idea of... 
Passion, or ..... Precision?
I agree that much old rock, particularly hard rock/metal isn't recorded well and often sounds thin and compressed. The way you have your gear set upight be making it worse though. Even though you're running all very high end stuff, running your DA... 
Considering moving to separates with a tube preamp-appreciate recommendations
I had a Rogue RP-7 and in my system , while the soundstage was quite wide, I didn't get a lot of depth. I've had 2 other preamps in my system since then and I think both best it in terms of depth of soundstage and overall tone. The first thing I t... 
going from tube preamp to solid state
I admittedly did t read all the comments but if you're looking for soundstage, a lot of that will come from speaker placement in your room. For instance, if you have an amazing center image but not a lot of soundstage width or depth I'm gonna gues... 
Full range speakers, 40"-44" max height
+1 @gdnrbob  I have Vandersteen Quatro woods and at 43 inches with room tunable powered  subs, I've not heard anything better. You can find a used pair for 6-8kish. I think audio connection in Verona NJ has a used pair. If you dont want the power... 
Do I buy an upscale TT?
I have found tables to make an enormous difference in sound. Obviously not just the table though, it's the whole rig from the table to the arm to the cartridge as well as the phono stage. Like any other component tho, different units will have dif... 
Another anti vibration solution -Primacoustics
Another option to solve this type of problem is solid granite. I have Vandersteen Quatros which have a built in powered sub that's tunable to the room. I also have my system in a room built in 1895. The floor was basically acting like a giant refl...