sstark

Responses from sstark

Dynavector 10x4 or Ortofon X5-MC?
I love the 10X4 with the P3. I originally installed a 2mm spacer for VTA. I used an old Shure test record and it surprised me when it tracked the whole record with no problems at all. I now use it most often with no felt mat on bare glass and neve... 
Anything that is like Norah Jones?
Re" Eva Cassidy: "Songbird" is a compilation CD. Start there and if you like it buy them all. She died and there are a only a few CD's released, last one in August was "Imagine". 
Anything that is like Norah Jones?
Eva Cassidy Again. 
Maggies New or Older Models???
I've been listening in a small room to SMGa's for years now. They are so musical, they are astonishing. Don't expect booming bass but for vocals and violins they're are excellent. It's like Senn 600's six feet away from my ears. You can pick them ... 
Is it worth upgrading DVD to progressive scan?
Depends on the quality of the doubler in your HDTV. Test your TV with a progressive scan DVD player, borrow one, and A/B through the component TV inputs to 480P input and your regular non-progressive component inputs. With my Sony the progressive ... 
What is the best "Carmina Burana" CD you've heard?
Try to audition on LP and compare to CD. Best CD recording quality not performance I've heard is Telarc-no question. On LP recording and performance that beats CD is DG Jochum. My TT is Planar 3 with Dynavector cartridge and CD player is Tjoeb 400... 
B&K ST2140 or Odyssey Stratos 150?
Consider buying used B&K amps, especially mono blocks. For example M200 Sonatas. They have a warm tuble like sound, can drive anything, very high current 150 amp peak and are very inexpensive. I've seen them sold for as little as $550. IMHO yo... 
Preamp-phonostage selection for analog lover
Yes. It is true. However you can try a variety of tubes and the sound will be significantly better or worse? The experimentation is fascinating. I've tried 6H23, PCC88, Tungsrams 6922, 7308, E288cc etc. Some tubes are quite expensive others are no... 
B&K vs. Aragon
I can describe well the B&K amp and preamp. I've used a number of B&K amps and I love their warm tube like sound. I'm currently using a B&K Sonata 200, enormous power and headroom, and also a 202+ amps and I like them both. The B&K... 
Audible Illusions M3 vs M3A -- Worth the extra ?
I've used an M3 for over a year now, with phono cartridge Dyna 10X4 HO MC, and it is very impressive. It easily can handle the lower ouptput of this cartridge. Bought the AI M3 used for a bargain price. It is very impressive but for the used price... 
Am I the only one who thinks B&W is mid-fi?
I agree. IMHO B&W sound is not very special at all and overpriced. Note I listen almost exclusively to classical music supposedly the domain of the of B&W. 
MC cartridge that best mates with RB300 arm....
The 10X4 Dynavector is spectacular. Don't forget a 2mm spacer to adjust the VTA with a Planar 3. I've tested it with a Cardas and an old Shure 117 test record. It sounds great, skates perfectly and tracks almost as well as an old V15Shure cartridg... 
A general mix/match SS/Tube question.
Try an AI Mod3 with 6H23EB tubes or Tungsram. 
Re-tube time for a BAT VK30. Advice please
I've used the Upscale 6H23's and they do sound very nice. Surprisingly very nice. Per $ they can not be beat. If you open up your wallet a bit, I would suggest Mullard, Tungsram or Valvo for a reasonable economical upgrade. 
Best tubes to use in M3A? Help
I don't think it will ever be truly silent-no noise at all. That's just the nature of tubes. Rather judge it on how it plays the sounds not the silence. I have used many different tubes in AI - it does eat them- and none were absolutely quiet incl...