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boomzilla

Responses from boomzilla

My personal review and experience with Arcam AVR 550 with Dirac Live
I also own an AVR550 & wrote a review posted at the Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity website.  At the time I wrote the review, the implementation of the Dirac Live correction had but a minimal effect on the sound.  But recent rearra... 
Crown XLS 2500 - the best amp value per dollar?
Want better sound from Crown's XLS series amps?  Pair them with an airy-sounding tube preamp (CJ ET3). 
Oppo for HT & stereo without a processor?
Issue resolved - I've gotten a CJ ET-3 preamp (has HT bypass) to handle stereo duty.  Now I'll be able to turn the Oppo outputs to 100% & attenuate in the CJ. 
Receiver for Klipschorn Home Theater
Get the lowest-powered (cheapest) AVR you can find.  It'll sound better than the higher powered ones.  No kidding.  The more output devices the amp has, the harder it is to make them sing together.  If you get something <50 wpc (or preferably &... 
Harman kardon HK 990 v MF A3.2, Yam A-S 1000 or seperates
Honestly, at your price point, I'd think that an integrated would definitely be the best value for the money.  I've also (recently) heard Harmon Kardon (AVR-146) and reviewed (two) Yamaha receivers.http://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/receiver-proce... 
Oppo for HT & stereo without a processor?
The Oppo's outputs do best @ 100% output.  So I need a preamp (preferably, with HT bypass, but can work around if not).  Other than Audio Research, Conrad Johnson, & McIntosh, who else has good tube preamps AND enough stability to be sure they... 
Yet another hum question (yes, I know - and I DID search the forums first)
There was no hum before the Yaqin arrived.  I'm relatively sure that it's the culprit.  There's not much directly in the signal path - Ethernet via DNLA to the Oppo - Oppo to the Yaqin - Yaqin to the power amp. 
Yet another hum question (yes, I know - and I DID search the forums first)
SUCCESS - Cut off the grounding plug for the Yaqin and now the whole system's quieter than a bought-off witness!:D 
Yet another hum question (yes, I know - and I DID search the forums first)
Very good advice, @newbee  - My gut feeling is that the chassis ground from the Yaqin is the source.  When that is unplugged (despite all the interconnects being hooked up), there's no hum.  Therefore, my next move will be to use the cheater cable... 
Yet another hum question (yes, I know - and I DID search the forums first)
Hi @kenny928  - No, my speakers aren't shielded, but they aren't close to the TV either & I've never had the hum problem before.Hi @mofimadness  - It's certainly possible - I'll look & see - thanks for the link! 
Oppo for HT & stereo without a processor?
Well, I tried it last night for the first time, and I didn't think that it sounded quite right either.  The Yaqin tube buffer might have done better but for its hum.  I may have to start lopping off grounding plugs to achieve a "star ground" for t... 
Great multichannel amps do not cut it in stereo
Yes and no.  I've owned a "dedicated stereo system" in many guises - stereo receivers, integrated amps, separates, and mono blocks.  The keys to evaluating a multi-channel amplifier vs. a dedicated stereo one are multitude.If you have a auditorium...