wlutke

Responses from wlutke

Greatest debut album
Here's a list of my "smoke 'em if you got 'em" albums to add to your collection.  Debut, maybe not.  http://www.vpiforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8981 
VPI Aries 3 - Funk Firm 3mm Acromat
FunkFirm makes the 3mm mat for tables without adjustable VTA and it sounds great on my Rega.  I suspect that is a compromise and the 5mm mat may be superior.   
recommendation for speaker wire to soften the highs if possible
gunmetalzin,I had the early nineties Monster "Powerline 2" speaker cable for some time.  If that's what you have it's Nasty Stuff.  I suggest the Acoustic Zen Satori I use (of course).  It can be easily found used at your price point.  It clears o... 
Cartridge alignment tool
audiosens,If you go with the Mint be SURE to measure your pivot to spindle distance accurately.  In my experience if it's off by even 1 mm of the factory spec, the Mint arc will be off and it will be impossible to align both null points simultaneo... 
How good is your hearing ? And how do you know ?
"So why buy good stuff ?" It’s all better through a cleaner window. I don’t need perfect vision to appreciate the majesty of a sunset nor perfect hearing to feel the message in music. I don’t laugh at anyone for not getting this.  
Line Magnetic 518ia - How Much Heat Does It Produce?
Unless the thermostat is in the 10 x 10 room, ac vs. 400 W space heater is a no-go.  Been there, done that. 
Line Magnetic 518ia - How Much Heat Does It Produce?
I had an ARC D115 MKII that idled at 400 W, same as the 518ia. The 10 x 13 room was uncomfortable within an hour (door closed). I had to sell it.  
Amp upgrade from Ayre V-5xe
Many good comments already. I’ll add that last year I replaced the well regarded V-5xe with a Pass XA-25. The comparison showed that the V-5xe is decent with the right speaker but not great. IMO moving up the line is a worthy consideration. 
How tight do you tighten a record clamp
On my VPI I tighten the clamp until the platter turns and then hit the start button.  It works. 
Pass Labs XA 25 Cables
I used Nordost Frey 2 to phono, Frey 2 to line, with Tyr 2 from line to amp.  The highs were detailed but not sweet.  I then tried Acoustic Zen Absolute copper from pre to amp instead of the Tyr 2 and, although there was an improvement in listenab... 
New Look for Audiogon hard to work with
The first Bandwidth (Boost) charge.  1/10 of 1 cent per view of your own paid-for ad.  Isn't that what the listing fee is supposed to cover - viewing (not obscuring) of your ad?   We pay sales commission (percentage-of-sale) for a CLASSIFIED AD.  ... 
Hidden Treasure
World Party, Private Revolution. 
New Look for Audiogon hard to work with
As a seller you can buy a listing boost to remove the keyhole. They’ve created a problem you can solve only by sending them cash. Greed, greed, greed. I’m surprised there’s no option for the shopper to pay those keyholes away. I’ve bought and sold... 
I am TORN between Tube power amp and SS power amp.
I spent my teens with my brothers L100's and later with a set of my own.  They were party monsters with 100 wpc solid state Pioneer amps.  Great speakers for that but no need for tubes IMO because finesse and detail isn't in their vocabulary anywa... 
What Matters and What is Nonsense
When you get down to it, you get all you NEED from a boom box and a six pack of beer.  This whole hobby is an obsession.  The responders pointing fingers at the more obsessed and gnashing teeth in anticipation of a blood bath when they show to def...