jrw1971

Responses from jrw1971

Reliability of Dan D'Agostino equipment
No issues with my D'Ag gear, or prior versions.  But agree with the car analogy; Ferraris and Astons still need attention, things can happen (I've had very infrequent issues with some other pricey audio stuff and I don't automatically disown the m... 
This place is getting sloooooooweeeerrr......
I’m with the OP.  Slooooowwww.  My Mac is new.  My broadband is strong.  Everything else works great.  A-gon’s site has been a nightmare.  I stopped checking in as often as I’d like.    
Best qobuz records to compare dac upgrades
Blake Mills “Heigh Ho” album.  Unbelievably well-recorded, mastered, etc.  and the bass is a great test for lots of things.    
Dead Box set of Lyceum 1972 3 shows vinyl just released
Just got mine.  Sonics are killer, actually.  I mean, it's not a Chesky recording, but it sounds immediate, natural, no BS EQ that I can hear, tight and textured bass, JG vocals come out of the mix nicely, ... I'm pleasantly surprised.  Clean, but... 
Do you trust your system?
@dain — I love the question you pose.  Here we are, collectively, trying to build/refine/tweak a system that sounds the way we want it to sound.  And the only way to asses your status and progress is by playing recordings.  And those recordings al... 
$100K system build - % breakdown of spend
I assume OP is using MSRP / new prices.  Which is fair.  But I would certainly consider used options for some of the gear.  In any event, I’ve been through a few system builds for two different rooms, and I have thoughts on his suggested speaker a... 
Audio Research Refernce 75se
I own that amp.  Agree with others; there shouldn’t be a buzz/hum.  I’ve had issues with other ARC amps, and it was miserable.  (Brand new 160S that had to get a new PCB after a few months, which took several months).  FWIW, I also ran it with Tre... 
What is the best speaker cable for Wilson Sabrina X?
When I bought my Sabrinas (non-X), I grabbed a pair of Nordost Red Dawns because I needed spades for those speakers.  I was moving into a league (ARC+Wilson) that was arrogant enough to insist on spades.  And those speakers sounded glorious when f... 
More expensive = better?
I’d humbly propose widening the lens.  Assuming legit manufacturers, etc, a $150,000 preamp+amp(s) combo will always sound better than a $5000 integrated.  It just will, even to the most jaded among us.  Sure sure, you could have your quips, but i... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
No glitches to the air system for me.  Smooth, quiet, idiot-proof.  I see some reference to price in some comments, but your OP suggests you are looking at some pretty expensive options, and the Air Force V is something like $22k, then you have th... 
Turntable upgrade recommendations: SME vs AMG vs Technics vs other
To each his own, YMMV, etc etc.  But if you’re asking for ideas:  strongly recommend looking at the TechDAS Air Force 5.  With a Graham Phantom tonearm.  And a very good tonearm cable.     When you get that Yip phono — and you should — you’ll nee... 
Is advice from a constant upgrader to be avoided
If I wanted restaurant recommendations, I'd want to hear from folks who dine out a lot.  Sure, some are flippers or their unrelenting gear changes are driven by some sort of audio ADD (obviously shorthand and not intended as a comment on genuine d... 
Keeping Audiophilia And The Love Of Music Alive & Well!
This is off-topic, with apologies.  Miller's lava lamp has reminded me of a recurring, non-serious thought: Do you think you could determine what kind of sound a person might like based on other preferences?  Like, if you enjoy a red lava lamp, yo... 
Can the need for novelty and change be mitigated by rotation?
OP -- love this thread.  I hear you, big time.  I think rotating cartridges is one way to do it; I have a lot of fun with that.  I do believe there is such a thing as "better," I believe in some degree of objectivity, and I totally reject the noti... 
My battle with sibilance.
Here’s the the thing about sibilance: it’s human.  It’s a natural sound of the human voice for certain words.  You can’t even say “sibilance” without a bit of sibilance.  In the very old days they were trying to design mics that WOULD pick up voca...