sokogear

Responses from sokogear

Best Integrated that you've heard under $5k
Plinius - used if you can find one - saw mine (older model 8200Mk II) for <$2K - US distribution has suffered in recent years. New lists for $8000 - 200 W/C, saw a new one on eBay for $6500. I you just want to get an amp and forget about it, th... 
Interesting experience with two very different speaker designs
I had a pair of Alons (partial OB?) with the tweeter and midrange on top of the cabinet that held the woofer in the box and I really liked their openness and non-directionality as I normally sit off to the side and in other seats in an open area t... 
The Most Cost Effective Tweak
+1 @mahgister 
The Most Cost Effective Tweak
Not  to start a whole big tubes vs. solid state discussion @millercarbon , but you can make generalizations about tubes sounding better, but some specific models of SS sound better than some specific models of tube gear. 
The Most Cost Effective Tweak
Hey @millercarbon - that's part of the reason I like SS - always on. My phono stage has no on off switch and my amp now comes with the on/off switch in the back so you just leave it on.I'll often just play one record or even one side, so having it... 
The Most Cost Effective Tweak
Hey @millercarbon - I am shocked you don't keep your phono stage and all amps on at all times. What are your reasons? 
How much does power amplifier really matter comparing to other hi-fi components?
Source is most important. The sound can only degrade from there as you go through the signal chain. So turntable (arm/cartridge/phono stage/table), integrated amp (keep as many interconnects out of the chain as possible), speakers. Of course you w... 
HiFi vs MidFi
I think of mid fi as more mass produced - assembly line ish and hifi as typically sold through audio (primarily) dealers produced in lower quantities.That's not to say it is impossible to get hifi (high quality) in mass produced (or more highly pr... 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
@mhwilliford - My vote is for 1A. Much of the cost goes into the look/meters IMHO. In terms of 2A, nobody looks to buy stereo equipment as a positive investment. If you are already thinking of getting rid of it when you buy it, something is wrong. 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
@jerryrocks- Mendoza line is used as a reference to a cut off point. Mario Mendoza hit about .200 which got referenced as a minimum average for a major league hitter. I use it as a minimum quality of the looks of a piece of equipment. If it passes... 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
@fenmoore12 - logic dictates that in circumstances where a piece of equipment sounds better than another but less money was spent on improving the looks (or adding unnecessary, sound degrading meters) and the cost is lower than an inferior soundin... 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
femoore12 - by logic that means you would rather have inferior SQ to a better looking component for the same money. Remember, nothing is ever exactly equal when comparing the SQ of two products.Are you an interior decorator or something?Best sound... 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
@jb1 - I guess 99.9% of audiophiles have Frankenstein systems. Very few manufacturers offer all components (maybe Rega and Linn?) and even they may not have all the components of a CD system.I do like turntables sold with arms from the same manufa... 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
@audioquest4life - sorry to hear about your back surgery. Like I said, that’s why I said the 911 would be my car so long as I can get in and out of it. They guy who traded in my GTS was waiting for the next gen GT3 after they had to replace all th... 
Why the hate for mcintosh amps?
@audioquest4life I don’t have any other room where I could possibly expect the stereo to sound as good, and if I did, I am sure I would not be able to listen to it as much as I do now.I am curious as to why you don’t list a Porsche. I had an aweso...