soix

Responses from soix

Best room treatment
I highly recommend reading “Premium Home Theater” by Earl Geddes that I believe is now only available through download.  By far the most approachable and helpful thing I’ve read on creating a good-sounding room.  I’d go so far as to say delay maki... 
Beyond Boutique Speakers
I don't think they qualify due to the sheer number of EU reviews plus an established EU dealer network.The criteria is if they’ve had a full review in Stereophile, which Boenicke has not.  That they may be well known in the EU is irrelevant to thi... 
Beyond Boutique Speakers
Boenicke.  
Used speaker for 5K
There’s a nice pair of Usher Dancer CP-8571 (with diamond tweeter) on eBay for $5580 that would excel in all the areas you’re looking for.  Best of luck.  
Versatile, non-fatiguing speakers for a small room under $1500 used or new: advice needed!
Agree with recommendations for ProAc, Harbeth, and Wharfedale given sound you’re looking for. If you can find them, I’d add used Nola Boxers that should be within your budget. That said, in your situation I’d go with some monitors and a small sub.... 
Empty canvas: recommendations on blending audio and moving watching
Agree with both you guys, but in the instance where amp tubes are expensive to replace (not uncommon), do you really feel good about burning them and shortening their life for a movie?  That’d bug the crap outta me.  Horses for courses.  
Empty canvas: recommendations on blending audio and moving watching
The toughest part is trying to incorporate a tube amp into this setup.  Messing with splitters, A/B switchers, etc. is not optimal as they can compromise critical 2-channel performance.  And using a tube amp for TV watching isn’t a great situation... 
Newbie to digital streaming looking for advice on next steps
If you enjoy linking up various digital pieces and making them work, more power to you.  Personally, I’d rather chew on tinfoil.  Another tact would be to save a little more and buy something like a used Innuos Zen Mklll for about $2400 that, like... 
A long harsh digital trip - final meter?
Don’t kid yourself.  In this stupid hobby, absolutely everything matters at least to some degree.  
Upgrade preamp?
the goal would be increased clarity/resolution and sound stage. There are a couple Bryston BP26es for sale on eBay for around $3k that will give you these characteristics in spades.  Truly like “straight wire with gain” type sound.  Best way of lu... 
Floorstander reco given a few criteria...
Underwood HiFi is running a good sale on its LSA speakers here.  They don’t have their LSA-20 Signatures listed, but if they’re on sale too I’d guess they’re somewhere around $2500/pr (that may also include free speaker cables).  Certainly doesn’t... 
Thoughts on my speaker selection?
+1 Ascend, and I’d spring for the Horizon Center, which is critically important and probably the best center of all your options.  Best of luck.  
Looking for a sub $2K integrated to pair with the Focal Aria 936 or 906.
There’s a Unison Unico Due on US Audio Mart for $1599 that would provide the qualities you’re looking for and would likely sound fantastic with the Arias.  That’s what I’d get.  Best of luck.  
Looking for a desktop power amp
The Optoma NuForce STA-120 may fit the bill.  The Topping MX3 is tiny and might be enough.  Incidentally, there’s a used pair of Silverline Minuet speakers available on US Audio Mart that should sell for around $400 CAD that would be worth looking... 
Poor Fritz
I’ve never heard any of his speakers,however, this is one brand I would feel comfortable purchasing on the blind.+1 @rocray BTW, after foolishly participating in the first thread I saw from kenjit a long while back, I have since just smiled as I b...