yyzsantabarbara

Responses from yyzsantabarbara

Move from Parasound A23 to A21/A21+ or Something Else?
I owned the A23 for a long time (used with KEF LS50’s) and it did the job, but I was not crazy about the sound. I recently bought a mint used A21+ and was happy with the results. I preferred the A21+ over the A23 by a huge amount. I used the A21+... 
Amplifier for desktop near field system
The Harbeth would sound great with a Benchmark AHB2. The warmth of the Harbeth would match nicely with the pure neutral sound of the AHB2. I used the AHB2 once with KEL LS50's on a desktop setup. Speakers were too big, but I had no choice back the... 
KEF Blade or Blade 2
These guys will find a dealer with a pair for you to hear. Send them an email. Home Audio | KEF USA I was speaking with a Audiogon user recently who planned to go listen to the Blade at a BestBuy (Magnolia). I like the TAD’s too, but they are n... 
Burning in question
I used the following $500 item to burn in my gear recently. I took speaker wire to connect the amp to the device. The device is used for headphones. My CODA #8 amp has power meters. I was able to see the meters move even without headphones connect... 
Optical vs Ultra Rendu.
It’s funny that people are worried about sq when they use usb to their dac. If you want to increase sq, stop using usb. Definitely not a universal statement, such as the Musetec 005 DAC. ************************************************* Here ... 
Magico A1 vs KEF Reference 1 (META) vs KEF LS50 + KEF KC62
The KEF LS50 and KC62 are a real good pairing. I was going to upgrade to the REF 1 but decided against it after the LS50 and KC62 pairing. It is Blades or bust now.  
KEF Blade 2
@chungjh Is the Blade you are going to demo the META original? I plan on buying the META Blade without hearing it.   
shiit Freya+ muffles the base? Recommendation for preamp please
I compared my Freya+ with my CODA 07x and Benchmark LA4. I liked all 3 but loved the 07x and LA4 and sold the Freya+. The LA4 and 07x are vastly different sonically. For the B&W speakers I would use the warmer CODA 07x.  
VM-1a: New RAAL SR1a Headphone amp
@willywonka When I spoke with Danny at his office he told me he went through a lot of tube combo's and the tubes he was selling the VM-1a with were the best for his ears. Now I have no clue about tubes and I was conflicted about waiting on buying ... 
VM-1a: New RAAL SR1a Headphone amp
@willywonka I could not take one home since each one in stock was already sold out. Though Danny does realize that if he did left me take one home to demo I would buy it. He wrapped me up into the RAAL ecosystem by letting me demo the SR1a for mon... 
Best upgrade: amp or pre-amp?
If the Focal has Beryllium drivers, then to my ears, the KRELL K-300i integrated will be an upgrade. The K-300i is a single box with optional internal DAC and ROON READY. This unit is a killer piece. I sold my recently only because I bought the KR... 
Speaker positioning: why do audiophiles neglect this so much?
I have a small crappy room (12x11x9) with some relatively big speakers. The room is treated, and the sound is about 80% of what I could get in a better room. I will take it because it sounds good enough to make me enjoy music. If you have a perfec... 
Buying used vs new speakers from a technology perspective
Someone looking to buy the new KEF Reference META or Blade META is asking themselves the OP's question.  
Musetec (LKS) MH-DA005 DAC
A few posts ago I was saying that the DPLL settings were sounding a little different to me, specifically 01 and 07 (a previous poster liked 07). I was getting a bit of fatigue with 07 on my headphones. However, today this is not the case. No fatig... 
Schiit Freya + Class A in Stereophile
@pdreher The Topping pre90 ($600) worked with 2 amps I tried it with, the Benchmark AHB2 and Parasound A21+. Both of them have gain adjustments. I tried 5 other amps with the pre90 and the volume was too hot on all of them. When the pre90 works it...