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almarg

Responses from almarg

power line conditioners...
Well put questions. My intuition as an EE is that the improvements you noted revolve around the fact that you are using a very early preamp and amp (even if they have been modified/upgraded). I suspect your findings would be different with newer e... 
High speed Internet connection question
Yes, a good wired cable or "wired" fiberoptic line is by far the best available high speed internet service. The only downside may be price. Wireless service uses the cellphone networks, and is vastly slower, and is likely to be even more expensiv... 
Shielded vs Unshielded Stranded vs Solid Core PC's
From a technical standpoint, it stands to reason that it would depend primarily on the design of the particular piece of equipment the cord is supplying power to (its sensitivity to electro-magnetic and radio frequency interference on its ac input... 
What might cause LOUD hum in a Conrad Johnson pv6
Assuming you mean the hum is coming through the speakers, rather than directly from inside the preamp, and that you've somehow determined that the power amp is not responsible, I'd guess a filament-to-cathode short in a tube. Another possibility, ... 
Radio station from a Grado Statement Cartridge
Re shielding "closing in the sound," I think it's pretty well recognized that very low level background hiss can contribute to a subjective perception of air and ambiance. Good shielding could conceivably reduce hiss that would otherwise be induce... 
Radio station from a Grado Statement Cartridge
I believe that oxidized or dirty contacts can cause that, particularly as here where low level signals are involved that are subsequently subject to high gain. The poor contact results in diode rectification effects, which demodulate the radio sig... 
Do I need a power cable - if so what brand?
Good! But in your most recent assessment of the power conditioner, did you compare the sound with everything connected through the conditioner to the sound with nothing connected through the conditioner? If not, and you had some things connected t... 
Older Classe pieces really holding their prices...
Early tube gear by Marantz, McIntosh, Brook, Radio Engineering Labs, etc. have appreciated greatly, not just due to inflation but due to the fact that they are historically important classics and collectibles, as well as being impressive performer... 
Do I need a power cable - if so what brand?
Dave -- Thanks for your response and your suggestion. I'll try to do that, perhaps in a couple of months because right now my pre-amp, amp, and phono cartridge are all in the process of changing, and obviously I want to become thoroughly familiar ... 
Do I need a power cable - if so what brand?
Dave (Dlcockrum) -- Let me answer your well phrased thoughts about my not validating my opinion via experimentation by drawing an analogy to the businesses you have successfully managed. You were no doubt required to frequently and almost continua... 
Do I need a power cable - if so what brand?
I can readily envision that in many homes dedicated lines for the stereo system may be helpful, notwithstanding my comments about power cords not making a difference. For instance, if other devices such as heaters or refrigerators are pulling larg... 
Tube Amp Recommendation for a solid state guy
Correction to my previous post: The VTA-160 uses four EL34's per side (eight total), not eight per side. Also, I should have entered the Pacific Valve link as follows:http://www.pacificvalve.us/Preamps.html 
Tube Amp Recommendation for a solid state guy
You may want to take a look at the Chinese preamps offered by Pacific Valve & Electric: http://www.pacificvalve.us/Preamps.html. I have no experience with any of them, but I recently purchased a Chinese-made power amp from a dealer on eBay for... 
Do I need a power cable - if so what brand?
While I believe that those who may have contrary opinions are sincere, and many among them are astute judges of sound quality, for whatever reason I believe that opinions that power cords can make a significant difference in sound quality are utte... 
Grado woodie with SOTA/Origin Live?
I don't know about the Nova, but I recently installed a high output Reference Sonata in a 1980's SOTA Sapphire. There is a very slight hum when the cartridge is above the rotating platter. It disappears when the cartridge is not directly above the...