skull

Responses from skull

Best Pre-Amp with Phono Stage
If you can find a used CAT Ultimate, I think you'll fall in love. It's bigger and beefier sounding than the mk3. Haven't heard the Atmasphere, but feel you have to go to the ARC REF combo or Jadis jp-80 to match (not beat) its virtues. 
cartridge for well tempered classic
Apparently the better grados are a great match. 
Any experience with LAMM?
The system you heard them in must have other problems, the Lamm gear is among the very best available, and quite neutral. The Lamm ML2 is the best amp available at any price. 
Best system for opera lover at $30,000
Garfish, Sorry to use this as a forum on S'pile, but I will anyway! If you don't think their advice is self-serving, then why are two Mark Levinson amplifiers, the 33h and the regular 333 series both class A? If they are both "the best money can b... 
Best system for opera lover at $30,000
In general, I feel your suggestions are better suited to a hifi lover than a music lover. I doubt whether she would be able to enjoy this system long term, as it would be lean and cold. Instead, a pair of Vandersteens, Magnepans 3.6s, Shun Mook Be... 
Power amp for Sonus Faber Extrema?
You want big tubes-Tube Research, VTL, Jadis 500s, etc. Solid state will sound too dry.