izz0

Responses from izz0

ARC Ref3 or McIntosh C2300/2500
Ref3 with out doubt. I just moved my Ayre KX5 on and kept the ref3 over it. The KX5 is a fantastic pre , its just the Ref 3 is a little better. 
Personal amp evolution
NAD 302Redgum RG5500MF A308CRCymer Audio 6550Ayre VX5Ayre MX-R 
where best to spend $2-3000 upgrade dollars in my system
My money would be on room treatments, easy. 1-2k of very wise investment. 
Best analytical loudspeakers for strings (midrange)?
PMC MB2;s will deliver what you seek and compete head to head with ATC in the mastering arena. 
ARC REF 3 vs ML 326s
The ref 3 is a very very good pre-amp, up their with the best designs of all time IMHO. Not sure on how the ML will stack up against it as I have not heard one. I do listen to a ref 3 regularly as I have one in long term rotation against an Ayre K... 
Ayre MX-R upgrade costs?
Tahnks guys, I got quoted 15k which seemed a bit steep but I guess it is what it is 
Audio GD NFB2
the nfb2 is a very good dac for the money and coupled with a squeezebox anc connected by coax/spdif, its a very good combo indeed.thats how i run mine and i am very happy with it. 
Any good quality DAC in $300-400 price range?
AudioGD is definitely worth a look as well in that range, i have an nfb2 and nfn3 so know kingwa's work well enough to recommend it.good luck , hope this helps :) 
PMC FB1i's
i am using kimber bifocal xl's with my gb1i's with good results, worth a listen at the very least.