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mtdining

Responses from mtdining

Not Enjoying My Turntable
Before giving up on vinyl, I would try an RPM 1 set up by someone with experience (which does mean a local dealer - I've seen the results of shipping turntables). Quantization noise does not exist with live music. I experience an ease with analog ... 
Want to get into Analog
You will get far better results with a Debut Carbon Esprit, for $600, than with any vintage turntable in you range. 
One Amp To ‘Rule’ Them All....
Keith Johnson's Anniversary Amp was the best I've ever heard. I think the unmatched speed - rise times measured in nano seconds and settling times in microseconds, makes property set up Spectral amp without peer. I've heard them trounce more expen... 
A New? Way to Buy Loudspeakers??
Quite absurd! Apart from the obvious shortcomings of the DACs involved, any headphones would tend to ameliorate the complete lack of cohesion of speakers that mix ribbons and cones, and tend to blur the lack of frequency extension and muddy bass o... 
A little Patience sometimes pays off! (Kef LS50 content)
It surprises me that people don't understand that there is a reason why every other manufacturer uses a separate woofer and tweeter. The tweeter is mounted on the woofer, which changes position with signal. There is really no way an LS 50 can soun... 
Amp - preamp or integrated
I don't believe separates are competitive sonically at the price level you suggest. I'd rather listen to a Luxman 5550AX II than any system with a preamp selling for less than $3k. I'd rather have an Ayre EX-8 than any separates available for $8k.... 
Why do I need Roon?
I looked for a long time for a useable way to access the digital portion of my music library. Before Roon, the nicest software I found was the Aurender, which required a sizable investment in hardware. I really did not want to commit to a closed s... 
My Long List of Amplifiers and My Personal Review of Each!
None of the best amps I’ve heard are on this list - Spectral DMA 500s, Nagra HD amps, Ayre MXRs. Why? Because you want a “deal”. 
Are Pass Labs amps probably the best ever you can buy ?
I like Nelson Pass. His stuff is good. Are and Spectral stuff is better. If you are going to spend in that range. You owe it to yourself to listen first. 
Considering purchasing different speakers
I had the opportunity recently to listen to a system where Joseph audio speakers are the weakest part. They sounded very nice in a system with DCS Network Bridge and Berkeley Reference DAC at the front end. If you insist on used speakers, the Jose... 
Efficient 2 way bookshelf/monitors under 2k
Paradigm Prestige 15B! Frequency response if flat 57-20000Hz within 2 db and 90 db sensitivity. Dynamic and coherent. 
Curious what people think is the best "value" high end speaker (~5K to 15K)
Paradigm Persona 3Fs! $10k beryllium Tweeters and Midrange give resolution unavailable in other speakers with the same neutral balance and coherent tonality top to bottom. The high end of your range is close enough to the Wilson Audio Sabrina's th... 
Dac Technology Mature?
Listen to a DCS Rossini and tell me DAC technology is not much better than 5 years ago. 
"Bookshelf" speakers designed to be placed near the wall behind them?
Youowe it to yourself to at least listen to the newest Wilson’s (the Tune Tots) - they are stunning!!! Anything else would be a very distant second. Yes, they are above your target, but worth every penny. I am amazed how much can be had with obses... 
Full-sounding SS amps (besides Pass)
Ayre, Nagra