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wspohn

Responses from wspohn

Emotiva
I own an ERC-3 and it is a solidly built unit with at least decent sound. Most of my digital listening is done via ripped music on my network drive, but I like having the CD player to audition new material 
Re-tubing a McIntosh power amp
I played about with this a bit on my CJ Premier 11a.  Found the GL KT88s to be by far the best.  Don't know whether or not your amp allows individual tube biasing but if it does, it sure saves on not having to but matched tubes. 
Is there a high quality transport that doubles as a Blue Ray player?
The Emotiva seem to be pretty solid. 
Used Martin Logans
I have never been all that happy with the integration of the conventional bass driver with the electrostatic panels. There may well be a model out there that does it better than the ones I have listened to. (I own original CLS, all electrostat) 
Analog Upgrade - Where to start?
Your system is at a high level now - to try and extract even more - you are venturing into the trailing end of the graph and trying things that don't work any better - to your ear - would be quite expensive.Do what I did - put in money to acquire ... 
Buying used vs new?
Haven't bought anything significant new for decades. You can buy used (carefully) and save a huge amount of money - at least half.Ask yourself - do you want to own a system with a total new cost of $100K some day?  Would you rather have it today f... 
A full range speaker?
I have systems that are 3 dB down at 45 Hz, 24 Hz and 20 Hz, the latter augmented by a pair of powered subs that are 3 dB down at 16 Hz, which is well below what is audible (although it can certainly be felt).  The latter are used only for video, ... 
Adding Home Theater To 2 Channel System
I have done this quite successfully.  I'm not saying this is the only way, it is just the way I accomplished it.First, I agree with the statement that a centre speaker can mess things up. I tested a decent one (Vandersteen) and it added absolutely... 
Car Audio and the High End
It seems to me that the disconnect between auto and home hobbyist is often fundamental.  The car guys seem to want volume and thump and the home adio guys want a realistic listening experience.  Car guys think home guys are wimps and home guys thi... 
Car Audio and the High End
The whines of the different gears. The clatter of the valves. The rise and fall of the exhaust note. The sound of the wind in my ears. The roar, clop-clop and squeal of the tires. Dogs barking. Birds cheeping. Children screaming, women faintin... 
Car Audio and the High End
As I am a sports car guy, the small spacial volume available is a real challenge. Much easier to get decent sound in an SUV.Oddly, some of the luxury cars with sufficient internal space have very poor sound and some have quite decent sound.Best I'... 
Do I NEVER shut it off…?
No need to leave amps on all the time, just turn them on for awhile before you are going to listen so they can warm up. How long that is you'll have to find out or take the advice of other owners.I  have a pair of Class A amps that use up 300 W ea... 
Class A amplifiers
A well built Class A amp might need servicing every 30 years or so...but so will all the non Class A amps - they need the electrolytic capacitors renewed. 
Single vs. Dual Subs
I ran a single powered sub (15" driver) for awhile in my main listening room and then added a second.  The second made a considerable difference to the sound. 
Old Amps that can still Kick Butt
I like Class A amps despite the heat they put out.  Have several Classe DR3 VHC, and a Belles A - not many made of any of those but still excellent sounding assuming they are in good shape (which usually means some capacitor replacement at this ag...