sandthemall

Responses from sandthemall

Does a turntable make a DRAMATIC difference?
I have a decent digital side. My turntable more than edges out my digital but not always.  Oddly some recordings sound nearly identical. Rare is it when the digital album beats the analog one. But I have to agree with set up being key. My analog... 
First record cleaner
I use a an entry level VPI... honestly, I think it's all anyone really needs. I considered ultrasonic cleaners but the VPI works so well. I've cleaned some really grimey records with it. I use different formulas for different types of cleaning.   
Looking for Speaker Recommendations
Salk would have something for that size room. I sold my old Songtowers to someone who had B&Ws. He asked if I had the subwoofers on. There were no subs in the room. I knew I had them sold at that point.   
Direct Drive
Yes, the Ortofon red is quite good as a first cartridge. I tried it and was pleasantly surprised. I’ve since moved on to MC carts and am loving the detail they provide. Hard to go wrong with DD turntables. I had a Technics SL1200mk2 for 20 troubl... 
Busted! Reviewer copies manufacturers sales page in review?
I find most reviews overly warm and thick...and fairly lush...with a hint of velvet and, oh, wait....ah yes, a note of burberry. And with a risk of sounding busy, maybe a preponderance of bass, perhaps?  
Phono Preamplifier Redux .. Damn This is Getting Expensive
Agree that the 1200G or the Hana is not the issue. I have a stock 1200G with the humble AT33PTGII and it edges out my digital: Audiolab 8200CD with dual differential 24 bit DAC.  I have a Hagerman Trumpet MC and I like it a lot. I would say that... 
What the ship just happened?
@fuzztone  I bought new. A new Don Sach Kootenay. it arrived damaged. Combination of bad packing and mishandling. looking at the box, the only damage was the speaker terminals coming through the outer box. So the moronic packing was the cause. ... 
Indentical measurments = Identical performance?
Measurements = schmeasurements. Look at digital recordings with a S/N ratio in the 90s. Compare it to LP S/N ratio which are in the 70s. Based on those measurements, why would anyone even think about buying records? Because a relatively quiet r... 
Recommendation on speakers for listening to live music
Generally bigger speakers Generally more efficient speakers Generally horn loaded speakers                  
For those of you who had spent over hundred thousand dollars for your sound system.
Just realized this was about $100k plus systems and not $5k plus systems...I gotta wear glasses...lol  
For those of you who had spent over hundred thousand dollars for your sound system.
Regrets? Yes, and no: Yes:I do regret spending what I spent. My system sounds slightly less good than it did in my old house. For those of you who don’t quite understand how profoundly a room contributes to the quality of sound...I don’t blame yo... 
What Is Most Important?
The room. By a mile. Not even close.  Other things can affect the sound but you can actually see them working. You can turn a dial, move a speaker or change a cable But you can't see a room working. So it is often held in less regard.  My NAD p... 
Analog vs. digital
My preamp has the ability to run both a standard rectifier and full wave rectifier. I tried the standard one first then tried the full wave. I initially preferred the standard rectifier. It sounded more detailed/etched...cleaner? Actually sounded ... 
low bass response
I was able to rumble loose objects on bookshelves with my old Salk Songtowers with their 5" woofers. When I sold them, the new owner (during the audition) asked where my subwoofers were. I don’t own subs. It’s the room. I’m sure you like the way ... 
hearing loss and amp choices
Only you can decide how much to spend with your hearing loss. I have had slight upper frequency hearing loss in my left ear since I was 25. I didn't effect my ability to perceive a solid image when listening. At 53, I lost about 75% from the left...