tomaswv

Responses from tomaswv

Looking at sub $200 power cables.
I found a big improvement over stock cables with the Nordost Shiva cables, which you can find used for less than$200.  More improvement with my CD player and preamp than my amp.  Have since upgraded to Nordost Vishnu, whimproved even more. Power c... 
Any comments on DAC going direct to power amplifier or to pre-ampliifer?
I have have a buddy who has a system similar to mine. We put a preamp in his system and wow, more natural, musical, fuller sound.  Put it in my system, no discernible difference.  His: Cambridge magic streamer into a Nuforce mcp 18a analog pre to ... 
The best speaker you ever heard?
Dali Epicon 6 driven by Simaudio and Nordost Cables. I was dumbfounded. Absolutely Holographic.  
Which Floor standing speakers with the NAD C356 Int. Amplifier
In a similar setting (nad352, 15inches from wall) I got great sound and massive bass from definitive technology bipolar towers--I used 8080ST, but the smaller 8060st might work better in a smaller room. 
Absolute Sound - do we really need another review like this?
It does amaze me that, in a hobby like this with so many obsessives and sticklers for details upon details, publications like Stereophile and TAS continue to exist.  It's not like there is a continuous wave of new people coming in to the hobby tha... 
interconnects vs speaker cables vs power cords - which make the biggest difference?
It makes no sense to me, but power cables have made the most difference in my system. Easily.  Inner connects next, then speaker cables. This is the exact opposite of what I would expect, but there you are. And, power cables made much more differe... 
I am in the market for a $ 5-6 k monoblock amplif
I absolutely love my Bel Canto ref 500Ms. I have had them for four years or so, having graduated from powerful older solid state amps (b&k and adcom) .  I've always been happier with more, rather than less power.  Anyway, the class d bel canto... 
What's in your CDP tonight? the minority report
Chico Hamilton Quintet: A Different Kind of Journey.  Love Gabor Szabo's guitar. Before that it was King Crimson: In the Court of the Crimson King.  What a contrast! 
Tune of the Day
Thomasz Stanko Quintet "So Nice" from Dark Eyes. 2009 ECM. This is like a theme from a movie that captures your life. You can’t quite recall the film (because it doesn’t exist) but the feeling comes over you that this is it. This captures it all. ... 
Recently re-discovered or newly discovered music in your current "heavy rotation"
Rashaan Roland Kirk-Prepare Thyself to Deal with a MiracleGabor Szabo-Jazz RagaRobbie Robertson-self titledSequentia-Vox Iberica I: Donnersohne (Sons of Thunder) 
Upgrading power cord.. proven upgrade? or crap?
like many who have responded, i didn't use to believe, now i do, but don't know how a power cord could possibly make a difference. But it does, more than speaker cables or interconnects. In my system, my CD player (Marantz SA8005) and my then prea... 
Whats playing on your system today?
Rashaan Roland Kirk: Prepare Thyself To Deal With A Miracle.way ahead of its time, great soundstaging too.  
Any thoughts on the Bel Canto M 300 amps? Red Dragon M1000 MK II ?
Tons of power, never in doubt. The Bel Cantos replaced a B&K amp that was 200 or 220 wpc, and the BCs seemed more in control and just as powerful. I had graduated from an 80 wpc NAD, which was also good, but you get addicted to big power. I ha... 
Any thoughts on the Bel Canto M 300 amps? Red Dragon M1000 MK II ?
I can endorse the Bel Cantos, but I have no experience with Red Dragons.  I have the Bel Canto Ref 500 M and also bought the 300 Ms for a buddy of mine.  We listened and compared both amps, and heard essentially no difference.  I know the Ref 500 ... 
You can only take 5 albums to a deserted Island...
Barry Wordsworth and the New Queen's Hall Orchestra: Ralph Vaughan Williams,   Orchestral WorksMark Knopfler: Sailing to PhiladelphiaCharles Mingus: Three or Four Shades of BlueMarcin Wasilewski Trio with Joakim Milder: Spark of LifeMary Chapin Ca...