soix

Responses from soix

Focal Electra 1008 be 2 and Marten Duke 2 monitors
FYI, there's a very positive review of the Duke 2s on Positive Feedback that may give you some insights into their sound. Since you mentioned "refined" I'd also throw in the Joseph Audio Pulsars in as something worth a listen. Best of luck. 
Do expensive cables/wires REALLY make a difference
Short answer, yes. Even inexpensive cables/interconnects can make a big difference. It's good to read stuff, but with cables, etc. it's best to identify what aspects of sound are important to you and what you'd like to improve in your system and u... 
best DAC' choice between $1K-$2K?
For a DAC I'd seriously consider buying used. If you can stretch your budget just a bit you can start looking at units like the Berkeley Audio DAC2 and Bel Canto DAC 3.5VB mentioned above (given your stated tastes and the fact you want to run dire... 
Tubes or Solid State for Joseph Audio speakers
Seems like JA has been using the Bel Canto REF500Ms at several shows and getting rave reviews as usual, so it would seem they would be worth a listen and might be within your budget used. I think I read they're using the 500Ms to drive the new Pea... 
Thinking of moving from AVR to pre/pro and amp
I'd also be concerned about the 100Hz setting on the sub (I think your B&Ws effectively go lower than that no?), and I agree playing with that and speaker/sub placement could help quite a bit. That alone could bring significant improvements if... 
Are there really any high end pre/processors at a
There are very few decent SSPs out there, and even of those chances that one works optimally for your tastes/system are slim at best. Sounds like you should do what Fplanner did and integrate a decent SSP into your analog system so that it control... 
Speaker cables for Joseph Audio Rm25xl
Joseph Audio speakers are some of the best in the business at the depth and holography thing in my experience. First thing to address is your distance to the back wall. Pull speakers out at least three feet from the rear of the speakers to the bac... 
Speaker cables for Joseph Audio Rm25xl
Would help to know what aspects of sound are important to you and what you'd like to improve upon. Without knowing any of that, there's a pair of Acoustic Zen Hologram IIs (6ft, if that works for you) currently available in single or biwire at a l... 
Thoughts on replacing an ageing pair of B&W N804s
Man, that really sucks. You have my deepest sympathy. Maybe it's stuff like this that's responsible for the Japanese stock market going absolutely nowhere over the past 28 years. I'd move. Again, best of luck. You'll apparently need it. 
Thoughts on replacing an ageing pair of B&W N804s
I think you need to look harder to find other brands or expand your search area a bit. I simply can't believe the only place in the Tokyo area you can hear a pair of Dynaudio speakers is in a department store, or that you can't seek out others wit... 
Thoughts on replacing an ageing pair of B&W N804s
I've heard your 804s at length and agree with your assessment. The 805Di may be better, but in that price range you should take the time to look around at more brands. I'd think in Tokyo you'd have lots of choices, and since trial periods aren't p... 
Starting design from scratch - room design
I bought a bunch of books on the topic, and by far the most helpful was Premium Home Theater by Earl Geddes (principles apply to stereo too). He goes through theory and construction techniques to address everything from low bass to high frequencie... 
Recommendations for Amp/speaker combo for $10,000
You would do us (and yourself) a huge favor if you indicated what aspects of sound reproduction are most important to you along with what specifically you are looking to improve upon. It would also help to know what equipment you're currently usin... 
Joseph Audio Pulsar set up recommendations?
Call Joseph Audio and give them your room dimensions. I'm pretty sure they'll give you as good or better tips/advice than anyone here. They've obviously got experience setting them up in all sorts of rooms (a lot of them horrible). And, oh yes, th... 
Bryston BP-6 vs EE minimax pre ?
Haven't heard the EE, but I own the BP6. From what I've read of the EE this looks like an apples-to-oranges comparison. Do you want absolute solid-state transparency or some tonal enhancement and tube magic? Never the twain shall meet. Best of luck.