yyzsantabarbara

Responses from yyzsantabarbara

Headphone Amp for Focal Utopias?
I went to Amazon and read the reviews on the Focal Utopia and spoke to someone who has Focals. I will likely get the Meze Empyrean. 
If I just use a DAC, do I need a Pre-amp?
I am buying a DAC with a volume control in July, the AudioByte Vox setup. One of the pieces in that 3 unit stack is not yet available. After many years of using a DAC direct and also with a BAT VK-42SE preamp. I found the addition of the preamp be... 
Headphone Amp for Focal Utopias?
Just bought a new Benchmark HPA4 preamp + headphone amp today. I am considering getting a used Focal Utopia to use with the HPA4. I don't want to explain why I am asking the following question. Can Focal headphone owners here chime in about the re... 
Headphone Amp for Focal Utopias?
I am thinking of getting a preamp with a good headphone amp even though I do not have any headphones yet. I am thinking of getting headphones to listen late at night when the kid is sleeping.Does anyone have any feedback on the synergy between the... 
Vivid Audio alternatives
@kenjit If sound quality is not infinitely more important than looks you are not an audiophile. Thank you. I resemble that remark.@gabbabe The Yamaha NS5000 does not sound like a Vivid, but I think is just as good. Do some research on it or PM m... 
Vivid Audio alternatives
KEF Reference line. KEF Blades if you have the space to the outside of the speakers.  I had the Kiya 45 in mind for my space but thought the KEF Reference line was close to it for lower cost.Vivid is coming out with new new monitor speaker that ma... 
Persona 3fs - Need advice for 2.1 or 3.1 system in bedroom
The following review maybe of interest to you. Especially someone who like to play it loud. https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/digital-reviews/spdif-dac-reviews/anthem-str-preamplifier-and-power-amplifier/  
Persona 3fs - Need advice for 2.1 or 3.1 system in bedroom
I have demoed the 3F and 5F and loved them both. I decided to get something else but the Persona was one of my favorites. A 9H maybe in the future for another room. I demoed the 3F with a Class D NAD and the 5F Class AB SimAudio 860A. The SimAudio... 
Rega, Totem, or KEF bookshelf speakers?
I would just buy the KEF LS50 Wireless. A lot for sale used and discounts by KEF for new items. I use the KEF LS50 passive in a 12x11x9 room and the room needed to be treated with acoustic panels, but once that was done the KEF LS50 passive sounde... 
Auralic Vega G1 vs Hegel H390 internal DAC ? Anyone?
There is some good DAC info on the Hegel 590 in the review posted below. It is supposed to have a similar sounding DAC as the 390. Maybe worth your while to read.https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1220-hegel-music-systems-h... 
Yamaha NS 5000
During a pandemic you should take all allergic reactions seriously. 
Yamaha NS 5000
This an audio site and not a finance site so my last comment on money is that volatility in the stock market is not necessary a bad thing. You can make money with stock prices going up and down. That $5K investment started about 5 or 6 years ago s... 
Yamaha NS 5000
I am with you on the buy something. Actually I was going to buy the NS5000 at the public NS5000 event at the local dealer. I wanted to hear it in the bigger demo room just in case. Well this thing called Covaid-19 hit and the event got cancelled. ... 
Music Server vs PC confused
My answer is no. I have been saying NO to this so much that people must think I am a Sonore xxxRendu fan-boy (a Ethernet-2-USB converter or digital converter). They do work, even with a cheapo, busy, noisy computer in any room of your home, as lon... 
Luxman CL-1000 Line/Phono Preamplifier
There is a review posted on Stereophile today. Though I could not get through reading it. I seem to get bored reading these things now.