westcoastaudiophile

Responses from westcoastaudiophile

Recommendations for a stereo power amp with a XLR/RCA input switch around $2k
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649612852-class-a-solid-state-amplifier-a-70/ 
How many people here generally buy used?
depends on new vs used price, and also I consider condition of used.  
Why do you think Bi-Wiring improves the sound ?
mahgister wrote: "In my experience bi-wiring never improves the sound”more details needed to understand findings: 1) speaker: impedance/ 2Way or 3Way / speakers internal x-over design 2) length/resistance/inductance of cable 3) amplifier usedbi-wi... 
Why do you think Bi-Wiring improves the sound ?
Simple answer on question on if bi-wiring improves or not sound is - yes, it will improve sound.The longer cable is, the better improvement will be. Alternative to bi-wiring solution to improve sound could be mono-blocks closer to speakers, and sh... 
best budget amp/preamp for B&W 805 D3s
For quality sound, B&Ws need to be driven by very low output impedance (aka high damping factor), and high max output current amplifier (> 50A), which rarely can be found in integrates ($$). Less costly option could be an appropriate Power ... 
Advice on amplifier and B&W speaker pairing
Audio Research Reference 150SE will be a bit “underdamping” solution, which will not give you the best of bass/lows tones out of BWs. You may look into decent output current amps, like PASS/Accus/etc. BWs in many occasions are “amp” limited beast.  
Voltage conversion of Accuphase A-48
correct observation imhififan, Accus have different wiring colors, despite generic schematic is the same. not sure about resistance, using power VARIAC transformer starting with 0V AC and measuring major operational voltages (for example large cap... 
Decent preamp
XLR is balanced (differential) signal path connection, and therefore immune to many kinds of EM noise. Used high end reliable preamp for 40% of new price is good deal, it can run almost forever. New ML preamp cost five times more, with comparable ... 
Decent preamp
Mark Levinson 326s preamp is worth to look at. Phono option boards is still obtainable.  
Voltage conversion of Accuphase A-48
to verify correct voltage can measure voltage on large capacitor terminals, which should be in a range 50V to 55V 
Advice on amplifier and B&W speaker pairing
two accuphase a-250 mono-blocks 
Final Retirement Amplifier-Class A-Upcoming Gryphon Essence Stereo vs Accuphase A75
For moderate sound levels you may also consider Accuphase newer amplifiers A-48 (Class-A) or P-4500 (Class-AB). These are using the same input amplifier stage as expensive A-75, and therefore have excellent noise and speed characteristics. In inte... 
Accuphase C2420 + A47
I have paired Accuphase P-4500 with C-2420, and found sound is absolutely warm, air-trasparent, and basses dense. I am using Accus to drive custom 3-way 8Ohm speakers, 30..25000 Hz, 89dB/m, and less than 1% distortion. New P-4500 design seems is v... 
Voltage conversion of Accuphase A-48
All Accuphase amplifiers and preamplifiers I’ve seen use the same transformer type for US/EU/Japan markets, and therefore it is relatively easy to switch them to desired voltage.