moofoo

Responses from moofoo

Phono stage
+3 on the Manley Chinook. It is paired with a Soundsmith MIMC Star and ironically just yesterday I was listening and thinking how real cymbals sounded! 
I learned the hard way
I own a Sound-Smith Zephyr MIMC Star cartridge and the maker/manual recommends lowering the stylus 2/3 times into a flat piece of Blue Tack, before/after each record is played. Seems to work very well. 
Pick A Tube Phono Preamp, but not just any Tube Phono Preamp
+ on the Manley Chinook, have used it with a Soundsmith Zephyr and a Soundsmith MIMC Star to great effect. Super adjustable, tube roll if needed, super quiet, built like a tank and an informative, educational owners manual. Sounds great and u can ... 
Picking a Tube integrated amp
I have owned 2 Primaluna integrated amps - the Prologue 2, then moved up to the Dialogue 2 - liked then both then moved to separates, the Dialogue Premium power amp (not hp) and Prologue Premium preamp. Right now I am running Spendor SP2/3s and lo... 
good integrated amps that don't include a phono section or a DAC
Primaluna. Classic versions, Prologue, Dialogue, roll tubes to fine tune sound. Plus  tubes sound great with digital (and of course any other sources). New or used. Simplicity, what is needed - nothing more.  
Carvin Audio, RIP. A little late.
Many years ago I had a solid state guitar amp. I ordered online the Carvin vintage 16 with el84 tubes. It was my first tube “anything”. It sounded so sweet, nuanced and smooth at loud volume in 5 watts (i think!) triode mode. This is what got me i... 
power conditioner
I have a Running Springs Haley and it made a huge difference. 6 outlets and amp, preamp, everything plugged in. I upgraded the power cord that came with it. 
Just retired and want to get back to vinyl listening
Please make sure u budget for a good record cleaning machine. A must for "getting into vinyl". 
Is the upgrade from Scout 1.1 to the Prime worth it?
I have a Scout 1.1 and had the original Soundsmith Zephyr on it for about 3 years. Sounded great and tracked well. Then I upgraded my phono pre to a Chinook with NOS tubes, and got the Soundsmith MIMC Star cart and it was a big improvement. Rest o... 
R.I.P Glen Campbell
Check out the interview with Alice Cooper on Glenn on Youtube. They and their families were very close and although different musically, they had lots in common - addiction, sobriety, golf, faith, both survivors in the music industry, and just gre... 
Your choice - TT, Arm, Stage, Cartridge - $5000 budget
P.S. agree with earlier post about younger guys getting great vinyl collections from us older guys one day. Trying to get my CDs and vinyl into Discogs now. What a project! 
Your choice - TT, Arm, Stage, Cartridge - $5000 budget
I have collected vinyl for 47 years, lots of it used, and VPI unipivot arm is the way to go. Amazing how it tracks any slightly warped lp. A record cleaning machine is a must in your future budget.  Current setup is Scout 1.1 (though I would love ... 
Amps from the 1980's -- What gear holds up sonically? Reliably?
The first version of the Acurus DIA-100. I bought it along with the Acurus CD player (also the original version) right after they were available. I paired them with a pair of Snell E-IIIs and it was my first decent stereo system. I still have the ... 
Small room electrostat/ planar speaker?
I too have a Primaluna amp (Dialogue Premium) and have Martin Logan Electromotion ESLs, no subwoofer, and like the sound. I also have Spendor S2/3s that I use often and they are fast, neutral but detailed, closed box, and sound great. My room is n... 
What Will Happen to Your Music Collection and Equipment When You.......
Great replies all! Thank you so much!