soix
Responses from soix
| Which processor/preamp.... Just curious why the active speakers? I'd think you'd have more options and probably save some $$$ by getting a decent $400 HT receiver from Pioneer, Denon, Onkyo, etc. and passive speakers -- no? And at that price level I doubt the receiver will ... | |
| Excellent IC's yet a little mellow up top? Acoustic Zen Matrix Reference I, the original version, has those characteristics and should come in way under his budget. Don't go for Matrix Ref II, not the same animal. | |
| Bel Canto DAC 3.5VB MKII vs. Berkeley Alpha DAC 2? Seattlehifi - can you go into more detail as to the differences you heard between the two DACs? Where was the Berkely superior and/or the BC inferior, and did the BC have the VBS power supply? Also, are you a dealer or do you have any affiliation ... | |
| Totem speakers and others that I should consider? At that price point the Joseph Audio Pulsars might also be worth a listen. Should image very well -- I haven't heard the Pulsar but their lower models are very good in this regard -- and sounds like they may be a little easier to drive and and pre... | |
| Programmable remotes FWIW, two friends of mine had Logitech remotes and they both failed within a year. I've been using a Universal Home Theater Master remote for 15 years with no problems. Probably not as slick as the Logitechs, but certainly not hard to program and ... | |
| Mini Monitors under $500 used For detail and soundstaging I think the Silverline Minuets would be a can't miss deal. I heard them at an audio show in NYC and they were really incredible in both those departments with mediocre upstream equipment. Best of luck. | |
| McCormack REV B upgrades. Better than a new amp? You should consider contacting Steve McCormack. I've found him to be most helpful, and I'm sure he or Chris would be upfront with you on the differences you can expect between the Rev. B and Rev. A, etc. When I spoke to Steve a looooong time ago h... | |
| Help with plasma TV choice Very happy with my Panny 50" plasma. Four years of very heavy use and never a problem and picture still looks fantastic. Never go by how a TV looks in a store -- they're never optimally calibrated so it's always an apples to oranges comparison. On... | |
| McCormack REV B upgrades. Better than a new amp? Oh, forgot to answer your question about reliability. I'm the third owner of my 0.5 Rev. A and have had it for 14 years with fairly heavy use. The only thing I've had to do is replace a fuse, and as far as I can tell the amp sounds the same as it ... | |
| McCormack REV B upgrades. Better than a new amp? I think in the used market you're better off waiting for a Rev A unit or better. Given the cost of these units on the used market vs. buying one (new or used) and upgrading it makes buying an already upgraded amp a great bargain. I'd skip Rev B an... | |
| Need Suggestions For Raising Speaker Height You could try using hockey pucks at least initally to see if raising the height is actually better (I've used them under one of my floorstanders due to an unlevel floor and haven't heard any detrimental effects). If it turns out you don't need/wan... | |
| Need advice on how to sound insulate my room Adding drywall and green glue (or liquid nails) may help with some of the problem, but the deeper bass will probably continue passing through the walls and travelling to the upstairs via studs, etc. You just can't practically add enough mass to at... | |
| Need advice on how to sound insulate my room I'd recommend the book Premium Home Theater by Earl Geddes, and the concepts apply to stereo as well. I bought several books on the topic but found this one to be the most useful and an easier read. His approach addresses bass without dampening ou... | |
| Digital coaxial audio cable suggestions. I've happily been using an Apogee Wyde Eye S/PDIF for years and most times prefer it to my Stereovox XV2 -- it's a little less crisp and more natural sounding. You can get a 0.5m cable from Musician's Friend for $50 with free shipping. Best of luck. | |
| Earbuds? NuForce 'phones should give you lots of clarity without overly bloomy warmth if that's what you're looking for. Got a pair (the gold ones that work with an iphone -- forget the model) for a friend of mine and he loves'em, and I think they offer mo... |