c123666

Responses from c123666

CD Player volume control
Adding to the last poster on the topic of volume controls; unless the CD player has a very high quality analogue stepped antenuator you are better off with direct out to an amp with a passive linestage, or external preamp, with quality stepped ant... 
Audionote Conquerer Tube monoblocks 18w
Parallel SET amps lose much of the magic of a single tube SET.I'd suggest a quality push/pull interstage coupled 300b or higher powered SET with a 211 or 572-3 tube. The 211 can provide up to 30 watts from one tube in class A2 mode; it operates in... 
Help: Cartridge identification with a gold “M”
Madrigal Carnegie cartridge made by Benz; wonderful cartridge 
Which Tube Preamp under $10K?
For true high end performance I would suggest that any McIntosh preamp would require extensive modifications. Bypassing the center speaker circuit, all filters, the tone controls, pure silver wire in the signal path, capacitors, and so on will res... 
Preamp DAC option.
CTL 2.5 is an excellent value and a good performer for a tubed preamp at under 1000 used. The much more expensive 5.5, a true dual monaural which uses relays (as oppposed to mechanical switching) for switching is a clearly better preamp but usuall... 
Parasound HCA-1000a vs Adcom GFA-545 vs Mccormack
Parasound better than the Adcom; good, tight bass, good sound for a mid fi SS amp. Excellent used values. No exp with McC. 
Performance loss in used amplifiers?
One more thing to look for: get a closeup picture of the PCB. Look closely for any sign that the unit has been modified (tampered with, upgraded). You can usually see crummy soldering; if you can't at least the job was done neatly. Always ask the ... 
A little help please.
gallo reference models; the reference 3 is the current model. It has a wrap around design tweeter that, I think, covers 330 degrees. Damn good speaker according to a friend that bought a pair about a year back; he loves them. 
Performance loss in used amplifiers?
If it has any electrolytic capacitors and the unit is ten years or older it would be useful to have a tech check it out as this is a very expensive piece to service if it breaks. Same thing for tube preamps/amps, too.The switches may get dirty ove... 
Best DAC under $2K
A brand new Audio Note DAC 1x Signature Mk II is 1995; non signature model is 1495I have the siggie with a pair of siemens ecc803s tubes; sounds greatcal audio alpha at 450 to 550 is also a great DAC with rca, toslink, and xlr digital inputs...use... 
Need MC Step-Up Transformer advice?
vintage fidelity research transformers are very good; had one and sold it....mistake...thought I would not require one again after I acquired a Modulus 3A with the gold/low output phono board. The modulus is gone due to its inability to accomodate... 
Used pre amp advice
If you buy an older tube amp I strongly urge you to have it inspected by a qualified technician as part of the deal. Many of these older units have capacitors, and tubes often, that require replacement. It can be disastrous to use one with such ca... 
Used pre amp advice
used threshold 
How do I easily add surround to my 2 channel setup
The method I propose assume you have a quality stereo preamp you wish to have remain in service for stereo listening. If a receiver with a high quality preamp section, in analogue mode (NO digital conversion for analogue sources!), is available th... 
dolby digital to pcm stereo to coaxial dig outpu
there is no menu selection for pcm output and downconversion as with my direct tv receiver....most dvd players have such a feature and I've already set my dvd player for that mode...motorola says enjoy the dolby digital....in other words, SOL