soix

Responses from soix

5.1 small speaker recommendations
So how do you like them? What sizes did you get and how does the center speaker do especially with things like deep male voices? I've been considering these too but concerned the center channel won't have enough, well, balls. Thanks for any thoughts. 
Good speakers under 10K.
I'd second the Vandy recommendation and off the top of my head add Rockport, Nola, DeVore, and Joseph Audio as some other brands worth exploring. Best of luck. 
McCormack DNA 0.5 vs. Parasound HCA 2003
Steve brought up a good point. Also, anyone know if the Totem Tabu's are a harder or easier load than the Vandys? If they're comparable that would also seem to call into question that this could be a power issue. 
In-celing and in-wall speaker choice
Haven't heard them, but looks like Paradigm also offers a good selection of inwalls with some cheaper options than PSB, etc. Might be worth a look since I'd guess they're in a similar performance range. Someone told me there were some deals on Rev... 
McCormack DNA 0.5 vs. Parasound HCA 2003
This sounds very strange to me, especially since in my experience the 3A Sigs are not bright sounding speakers at all. What are you using for a front end and cables/interconnects? I'm almost wondering if there's something wrong with one of the com... 
Primare Pre-30, Bryston Bp-25, Plinius CD LAD
I've got a Bryston BP-6 (probably sounds more alike than different to the BP-25) and love it for its neutrality and crystal clear view of the soundstage. I'm guessing it will sound very different from your tube pre, so maybe something a little mor... 
Choices, turntable purchase choices?
I haven't heard it, but the Well Tempered Simplex sure looks interesting. I think The Audio Beat did a review of it not too long ago. Best of luck. 
need 2 channel amp
A used McCormack DNA 0.5 with Steve's A revisions should be in that price range. Lots of detail and transparency with good musicality relative to other solid state amps. Best of luck. 
Top big-name monitors current versions .
Given what you're describing the first thing that came to mind was ATC. Extremely clear, detailed, and powerful midrange, and I think their monitors are sealed-box designs so bass should be nice and tight as well although probably not the last wor... 
Top big-name monitors current versions .
Given what you're describing the first thing that came to mind was ATC. Extremely clear, detailed, and powerful midrange, and I think their monitors are sealed-box designs so bass should be nice and tight as well although probably not the last wor... 
Need help on an all rounder speaker under $5000
A couple brands that come to mind that might help avoid highlighting the grain/etch/thinness of poorer recordings while also doing justice to good recordings are Vandersteen and Nola. I'd think Harbeth would very well be worth a listen as well. Be... 
NORDOST HEIMDALL VS A ZEN SILVER MK II
You might also consider trying another AZ Silver Ref. in place of the Matrix Ref. you have now. Matrix is a nice, full-sounding interconnect, but it can't match the Silver Ref. in terms of detail, air, soundstaging, etc. If those are improvements ... 
DAC 3-4k range
A great thing about the used equipment market is it can allow you to try lots of things in your own system, and if it doesn't work out you can turn around and sell it for little or maybe even no loss (assuming you don't overpay for the unit initia... 
Recommend a Tube Pre & SS Amp Combo
I like Lloyd's recommendation for a Class A SS amp in your situation, which I may also do some day with a tube pre. Since you're also using this for HT I'd look for an amp with a low bias switch that would allow it to run more in class A/B when us... 
DAC 3-4k range
Due respect, but it's very easy to like what you have right now. Before dropping a lot more cash on an upgrade into the same line (which may very well turn out to be the right path) it would be a great opportunity to hear what else is out there. E...