socrates

Responses from socrates

Biamping help needed
I've never heard a briged amp under ~$5K sound good, they have all sounded awful really, to be honest. It's a problem with phase I'm told technically, but your ears should be able to tell what sounds better. If your speakers aren't that power hung... 
Quietest amplifier you have ever owned.
Anything newer from Musical Fidelity with chokes, simply amazing blackness. 
Vandersteen 2c vs Mirage M1
Mirage makes some good speakers, never heard the M1's but the new top of the line stuff sounded great at the pricepoints. Vandy's are quite nice to but an aquired taste. I would demo any speaker before buying, it is too expensive of a purchase and... 
should I upgrade my amp
The Musical fidelity amp is killer for the used price. If you like the 545 sound you'll love the MF amp and preamp. I agree that the preamp is as important as the amp, when funding allows I would upgrade both to MF gear. If you don't need the extr... 
HELP: I need a solid state amp with a tube sound
The Musical Fidelity "A" series does have a nice midrange warmth to it and is very smooth, but I wouldn't ever confuse it for a tube amp, it does many things much better then tube amps typically do. The new SS MF gear is startling in its quietness... 
odyssey amp's how do they compare to others
I am a very happy owner of the Stratos, I have found the positive reviews scattered throughout the web not to lie, not in the least. A question, though, if I may? With all the internet craze over the Odyssey amps over the past few years, I am amaz... 
BV Audio The perfect match for the Odyssey Stratos
Thanks for the review. I also have mated a few passive and tube preamps with the Stratos and the overall sound NEVER compared to what good SS active preamps offered with this amp, not even close, the difference was always quite huge, even startlin... 
Does anyone know where to get a high quality DB25
MSB makes one, a DB25 to 6 RCAs. Check their website (http://www.msbtech.com/) bottom of the page, it is "only" $100. 
Speaker Wire Help
With that price range and setup I highly suggest DH Labs T-14 speaker wire, which can be had single run for about $75, biwire or shotgun about twice that. I GREATLY preferred the DH Labls cables over the Analysis Plus Oval 12's and various AudioQu... 
"Can't buy Virgos" So what isclose for $1200used?
Can't go wrong with Vandersteen 2Csigs or Von Schweikerts used in that range. 
Musical Fidelity A3 24 Dac, any thoughts? Reviews?
Thanks so much for the comments. I have tried a few of the new MF "A Series" products and absolutely loved some of them, but wasn't thrilled with others. Suppose I'll just have to try the A3 24 for myself, fortunatley the MF gear is very easy to r... 
Why is Double Blind Testing Controversial?
All this talk of DBT, could anyone provide a link to any such reputable, controlled testing done in audio, including the statistical manipulations used to obtain the conclusions, so we at least know what we are arguing here? Anyone care to philoso... 
Sonic Differences Between 2-Way and 3-Way Speakers
I've gotta disagree with you, brucegel, a speaker not capable of getting down to at least the 30hz region always souds hollow, empty and lifeless to me. It is that visceral bass that makes for much of the emotional connection to the music, the qua... 
Digital Optical Cables - how important is brand?
Lkdog, I think your money would be much better spent on upgrading electronics, specifically getting that bright and brittle Parasound HCA1000 out of the loop. Replacing it with even the HCA1500 parasound amp will make a world of difference, as wou... 
Single wiring bi-wireable speakers
I highly suggest popping off the binding post plate and rewiring the posts such that all speaker wires are attached to one set of binding posts, thus eliminating any need for gold plated scrap metal or overpriced and sound degrading jumpers. I ran...