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bgross

Responses from bgross

Best Covers
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club covering The Call's, "Let The Day Begin"... doing your own dad's tune is always cool. Annie Lennox covering Neil Young's, "Don't Let it Bring You Down", from American Beauty Humble Pie covering Ray Charles', "I Don't ... 
What qualities stand out in really good solid state preamps?
Have used several SS preamps from Krell, Spectral, Mac, Musical Fidelity & vintage Tandberg. I can emphatically say I personally prefer a tube preamp/tube amp setup to compliment my spakers and the rest of my kit however, I recently got to try... 
Newer Blues Artists or Recordings
@rick_n - Blackberry Smoke & Gov't Mule are really more southern rock but do the blues/rock thing as well as anyone. Have seen BS 3x at House of Blues in Boston - great shows. Try out JJ Grey & MoFro too for some FL swampy blues/rock. I'm ... 
Help me find a pre-amp
I mean how is the Aesthetix, Calypso not in your sights? They're still a few bucks under $5K new aren't they? I have a Calypso Signature you & might find pre-owned for $5K-ish. Should definately be on your list - up your tube game with some gr... 
Favorite Obscure Rock Song
How obscure are we getting... some of these are obscure for a reason, lol. Free, "Mr Big" off Fire & Water The Modern Lovers, "Pablo Picasso" off The Modern Lovers Blue Mountain, "Let's Ride" off Dog Days Grant Lee Buffalo, "Mockingbirds" ... 
Thinking of upgrading speakers from ProAc 3.8 I have enjoyed in my system for 23 years.
-1 on Sonus Faber, company has the worst customer service imaginable and their distributor here in the US is worse... will never get my $ again. Having said that I'm using Audio Note, AN-e these days. May not be as sexy (subjective) but they are s... 
Tune of the Day
Fink, "Perfect Darkness" off Wheels Turn Beneath My Feet. Super slinky jam... entire album is killer  
Tidal FLAC vs. Qobuz
Guys will spend $50K+ on their rigs and then can’t see paying $300 a year fo have BOTH Qobuz & Tidal - it’s crazy. I switch between both services depending on what I want to listen to - seems simple, yes?    
Your Not-So-Obvious Best Fidelity LPs
+1 Curtis Mayfield Live - love it. John Hyatt, Crossing Muddy Waters is a good one and I like David Bowie, Hunky Dory too  
Need a big favor picking a preamp
There's a Nagra PL-L on the other site for $6K. Its a piece I'd LOVE to someday own. Was an $11K linestage in 2010. Goals,...  
Best Amplifier for LS3/5a
I used a Tandberg 3012A integrated with a 15ohm set of Chartwells - it was fabulous.  
Best Options For A Tubed Preamp - $2500 Or Less, Preferably Used To Maximize Value
+1 for the Audible Illusions, Modulus 3A. I see a couple over on the "other site" for $2K +/- a few bucks. Buy from a reputable dealer. GL  
DAC RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE
I really like the Synthesis, Roma 69 & Line Magnetic tube DACs. I use an older LM 502ca and rolled in some high-end 12au7s & rectifier tubes - its ridiculously great and better sounding than anything I’ve experienced for upwards of $5-$6K.... 
Tube preamp match with Solid Stare amp
Aesthetix Calypso would be my suggestion. I've used mine with Chord, Ayer & Plinius amps with much success. No phono but, find a good preowned one, plug in your choice of phono pres and stay under the $6K cap. Just my opinion... 
Recommendation Tube Integrated
Octave Audio, V40 SE - upgrade the tubes w/HQ NOS 12ax7 & 6922 and pick your poison for KT88, KT90 or 6550. Amazing integrated and can sneak it all in with tube upgrade for about $6K. Toss in a Black Box offboard power supply for another $1500...