salectric

Responses from salectric

Choosing between Reissue and Original pressings
I listen mostly to jazz from the 1950's and 60's, and original pressings usually sound much better than reissues including the latest reissues by Classic and other labels. Yes, it can be difficult to locate original pressings in good condition. Fo... 
Audio Research VSi60 integrated reliability?
I have used tube amps since 1974---that's 38 years---and I have never experienced the type of reliability problems that are routinely reported with ARC amps. My amps have ranged from old vintage units to modern designs, mostly push-pull but some s... 
Graham Phantom or Morch DP6 ?
Pani,I understand about the 2K budget, and of course that doesn't allow the DP-8 as an option. Within your budget, I would choose the DP-6 preferably with 12" wand. Although I've never used a Graham in my system, there are three reasons I never ga... 
Conrad Johnson Premier 17Ls preamp shuts off
I don't know anything about the circuitry in the 17LS but I assume it's a tube design. It may be the preamp has a leaky output coupling capacitor which is letting some DC leak through to the output, and it may also be that the preamp has a muting ... 
Graham Phantom or Morch DP6 ?
I owned a DP-6 with 12" arm for several years and liked it very much. I eventually replaced it with a Triplanar VII.2 which I also like very much. If I were in the market now, I would try to get the DP-8. By each account I've seen, it sounds even ... 
Isolation Platform from Timber Nation
Their wood platforms are fine for what they are, but don't call them "isolation platforms" because they aren't. A wood platform is basically a tuning device that affects the sound of whatever is on it, for better or worse. I used my 3" maple platf... 
Help-Bent Benz cantilever need advice
I would recommend Soundsmith as well. Peter recently retipped my Benz LP and I am very pleased with the results. 
Ebay LP Purchases
My Ebay LP buying experience has been very positive. My interest is in jazz from mostly the 50s through 70s. I could wait my entire life and never see an obscure album that I want in a used LP store, but I can go on Ebay and often find it right aw... 
Miyabi 47 cartridge: How many hours does it last ?
I would expect a cartridge with 1000 hours will soon need retipping. I don't have any experience with Miyabi, but I have had 3 Benz cartridges that each showed signs of distress at the 900 to 1000 mark. Most recently, my Benz LP was having trouble... 
Capacitor log Mundorf Silver in Oil
Charles1dad,What value CAST caps did you order? Were you able to use the values that PCX has on sale? I haven't placed my order yet, but plan to do so soon. 
Devore Nines and Daedalus Athena comparison?
I agree with Bob (Rsimms) that the Athena sounded very nice in the First Sound room at last year's RMAF. Clean, detailed and musically interesting. At the time, I thought the system sounded a tad lean but I didn't know whether that could have been... 
What are OA2 tubes and why are there more gear
Contrary to reported above, different samples of gas regulator tubes do sound different, so it makes sense to try a variety. Fortunately, you can buy these off the internet at quite low prices since there is relatively low demand. In my experience... 
Tonearm selection is not easy
For a modern cartridge like the Dynavector, I would put a Moerch 12" arm on the list. I used a DP-6 with 12" Red wand on my Galibier for a number of years and lked it very much. I suspect the new DP-8 would be really nice as well. 
Where did you go after Harbeth?
Hornsystem, I live in Md and would be interested in hearing your setup. What you described is somewhat similar to my speakers which use a Jensen 15" crossed over at 1200Hz to an Altec/Western Electric horn with Altec 802-8G driver. More details on... 
Devore Nines and Daedalus Athena comparison?
Oldcarb63,Don't judge the Athena by what you heard at last month's Capital Audiofest. The Athena can definitely sound better than it did in that particular room with that setup. I heard the Athena in at least 3 maybe 4 rooms at the 2011 RMAF, and ...