ghdprentice

Responses from ghdprentice

Magico speakers too clinical and fatiguing?
My experiences with Magico have been very similar. Their accuracy continually highlight the shortcomings in the input components. With Luxman and other solid state equipment I have wanted to run out of the room. But it was simply clearly reproduci... 
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Turntable working on and off
Or Linn or VPI.  
Preamp upgrade
I experimented with a number of preamps over the last fifty years and have kept coming back to Audio Research. While there was a bit of variation with the introduction of the ARC Ref 1 & 2 preamp. Once that was ironed out, in general the sound... 
Music server recommendations needed.
I ripped all my CDs ten to fifteen years ago. Lots of work and I haven’t listened to one of them in several years. In my system and in those assembled at many different levels of investment streaming from Qobuz (or Tidal) is indistinguishable from... 
Help needed with new integrated amp.
@audioman58  +1… while I would have expressed differently I agree with the observation.  
Looking for a warm sounding amp or integrated with a torodial transformer
I am not a Rogue fan. I had a very bad experience with the company early on which still jades my opinion of them. And their sound is… well not as refined as some of their high end cometitors… but, I don’t listen to it much so… I shy away from comm... 
I would appreciate your advice on rectifier tubes
I have and really like Sophia they have the sound you are looking for but Takasuki are probably the best, more detailed and rich warm…I have Takasuki 300Bs and they are spectacular… I have not heard the 274B… but I am sure they would be superb.  
Whats on your turntable tonight?
Dust.   I think about playing an album all the time, then just find it on my streamer. But about once a month I do.   
Spatial Audio Raven Preamp
Thanks for your comments Richard. It is likely you will still experience improvement in sound quality over time. From past experience the time to stabilize is different… between components… up to 1,000 hours.   
Pass Labs XA30.5 Fuse Issue/Question
@noromance  Good thought about the short on one side of the speaker cables or another. If not, sounds like time to ship to Pass.  
Phono cartridge noises
The ARC acrylic top does show off the innards, however it replaced the steel to plate because it had a sonic benefit.  
CD Player: Vintage or modern ones?
Transports and DACs have improved a lot over the last couple decades. So, newer much better. But the technology has also advanced. Streaming will offer the same sound quality (carefully chosen, compatible like everything else in high end audio), b... 
Pre Amp suggestions for Sonus Faber Olympica III w/ x250.8
I owned Olympics 3 with an Audio Research Reference 5SE preamp and Pass x350 for many years. Great combination. I know you don’t want to hear this. Although it was pretty much knocked down a notch when I traded the Pass for an Audio Research 160s.... 
Any audiophile use computer (MacBook) as your audio streaming source?
I used a MacBook years ago. It isn’t even close in sound quality as a dedicated streamer. I had run on battery, shut down all apps… etc. no where near a good streamer. I recommend Aurrender. I have owned and auditioned in my system a number of dif... 
new member, some questions, need help please
I helped assemble a system for a friend. They include a set of used Puppies 8, I believe. They sound fantastic coupled with. New ARC preamp and amp. The woofers have just been re-taped. A great combination. You get the natural warm sound of the AR...