jakegt3

Responses from jakegt3

Sopra N°2
If you are considering the Sopra No. 2, you should really check out the Sopra No. 3 if it's still within your budget constraints.  I auditioned both the "2" and the "3" and ended up buying the "3".  Everything the Sopra No. 2 does well, the Sopra ... 
Focal Sopra 2 Vs Wilson Sophia 3
I auditioned the Sopra 3 vs. the Wilson Sabrina at the local dealer and it wasn’t even close. The Sopra 3’s were far superior. In fact I would rate the Sopra 2’s above the Sabrina.I know the Sabrina’s have received a lot of favorable reviews, but ... 
Focal Sopra 2 Vs Wilson Sophia 3
I have auditioned both the Focal Sopra No. 2 and No. 3 at a dealer.  The "3" is definitely superior to the "2".  IMHO it's not even close. 
Focal Sopra 2 vs Sopra 3?
I auditioned both speakers at a dealer.  Both were very good, but the Sopra No. 3 was clearly superior.  Everything the No. 2 did well, the No. 3 did better.  The No. 3's had better resolution, better dynamics, better transparency, and created a l... 
Audio Research Reference 150 and Sonus Faber Cremona
I'm powering my Cremona M's with a Reference 150.  I'm also using the Reference 5SE and Reference CD9 player/DAC.  It's fantastic.  The strong points are 3-dimesional soundstaging, phenomenal low level resolution, pinpoint imaging, very smooth but... 
Audio Research CD6
Bruce - You might want to check out the forums at http://www.audioaficionado.org/manufacturers-forums/ if you have not already done that. There is an active ARC forum there with lots of ARC owners. 
Revel F208s vs Cremona M vs B&W 803/804 D
I have the Cremona M's. They are revealing enough that you can easily hear the differences between different amps, preamps, etc. However, at the same time, they don't turn equipment or recording shortcomings into "in your face" kinds of difference... 
ARC Ref CD-8 compared to CD-6 and/or Ref CD-9
Bruce,I understand how you might consider the CD7 "a touch dark; almost thick". To my ears the CD7 has a strong midrange presence that makes instruments sound more full-bodied. I actually like it a lot on classical music. Other players give a thin... 
Help me find WARM speakers a la Sonus Faber
The Aerial Acoustics 7T is definitely not what I would call a warm sounding speaker, but to each his own. 
ARC Ref CD-8 compared to CD-6 and/or Ref CD-9
Bifwynne - I'm just curious in what ways you found the CD8 superior to the CD7. I currently own the CD7 and have debated whether to upgrade to a CD8 (used one, of course). I have not been able to audition a CD8 but I see them for sale at prices th... 
Help me find WARM speakers a la Sonus Faber
I have the Cremona M's and would also recommend them if you can buy them used. Their physical footprint is similar to the Olympica III and asking prices are typically $6k-$6.5k. The Cremona M's are said to be more neutral and a bit less lush and w... 
Passive Preamp Recommendations?
Atmasphere has it right. You have to be very careful about the impedances you are working with (interconnects, amplifier) or you can actually make things worse with a passive "preamp". I once had a preamp that had both active and passive modes, an... 
'Holographic Sound Stage?'
Holographic imaging is impressive when you hear it, but over the years I've come to appreciate that live music doesn't sound like that. I listen mostly to classical and have been to a number of concerts at Boston Symphony Hall. From roughly the mi... 
What is behind a "warm" or "vinyl"sound?
"This is true for the vast majority of digital equipment, but not all. With very low jitter and noise, it can sound smooth and silky, just like analog."Can you recommend a stand-alone CD player with these capabilities? I have over 1000 CD's in my ... 
What is behind a "warm" or "vinyl"sound?
This is an interesting question and I don't think there is a simple answer to it because nobody really knows how and why the ear hears what it does in reproduced music. I agree that, in general, vinyl and tubes do have a "warmer" sound compared to...