stereo5

Responses from stereo5

B&W.....Focal.....or Focal
a 3 1/2 hour drive to a high end store is nothing.  I drove 8 hours one way to listen to a tube preamp which I ended up buying.  It was a fun day and my wife got to eat 3 meals out in  a restaurant. Win, win all around. 
Speaker Suggestions for 300b SET Amp
I would look into Audio Note speakers. 
My review of the Dared MC-7P Preamp with a computer input bought late 2017 on Ebay..
Nice review,  but I would never be comfortable with a unit that had all those problems. 
Picking a Tube integrated amp
I would pick the Prima Luna HP Integrated.   The sound is breathtaking.   
Who makes budget speaker cables which are truly “good” or “exceptional” in quality?
Audio Art makes great speaker cables.  You order it direct and can specify different connectors.  Here is a tip, the least expensive connectors sound just as good and keep the price down.    I use them in an all McIntosh system and are very happy.... 
Conrad Johnson MF2550, What To Expect?
Not very crazy about the sound.  Trying a McIntosh amp and McIntosh tube preamp. 
Elekit TU-8600 or ANK Kit 1?
I would go with the Audio Note, synergy is everything.  
Parasound jc2 bp or tube preamp ?
I would bet the Prima Luna would be the warmest and richest, the Parasound is nowhere near rich and never heard the Schiit.  
Help with an open circuit Quintet Black
Needle Clinic in Bellvue, Washington.  I week turn around time and very reasonable prices.  Andy is one of audios good guys. 
Hum!!
@noromance I think you mean cold solder joint. 
Needle Clinic
I went with the standard cantilever and stylus (aluminum and conical).  I did that because the cartridge worked so well with my Rock collection that I didn't want to change the tonal character. 
What's on your audio wish list for 2018?
a new (or new to me) McIntosh solid state amp around 200-250wpc to match my McIntosh MC2500 preamp. 
Speaker distance
geoffkait.....................................Sandy Gross from Golden Ear says the further apart the Triton series of speakers, the better.  He recommended 11 feet apart to me.  As it isn't practical in my room, 8 feet apart was the best I could a... 
Amp recommendation
I would go with the highest power integrated you can find for 1500.  I see a few used Hegels here which may be just the ticket. 
Musician vs. audiophile
I wouldn't blow money on cables right now, they will make subtle differences but nothing life changing.