phd

Responses from phd

When someone tells you it's a $40,000 amp, does it sound better?
I would think it depends on a designer's ability to resource and buy parts for less to build an amp at a reasonable price. For example some well established companies like Audio Research and Conrad Johnson buy parts in bulk and pass on the savings... 
Bragging rights.....
Mapman,  I'm sorry but once you become an audiophile you can't be demoted to audio enthusiast, it's not possible here on Agon. Although nothing wrong with simplifying your system.  
What are/were the best sounding cheap components you have ever had?
I don't like the word inexpensive either, I prefer inferior. Purchased a Marantz 2235B receiver with Apollo speakers at Dow Sound in California 1970s. My friend purchased a Marantz 2275b and he thought my receiver sounded better even though it wa... 
How good does my system have to be to realize an improvement with cables?
Spend whatever you want on cables but they are system dependent. For laughs I put a pair of ten thousand dollar interconnects between an old receiver and CD player (used them also because they were handy) and the results were better than I anticip... 
Parasound HCA-1000A Modifications
A older thread yes but these older parasound amps are special and I'm certain with mods there even better. I also have the HCA-1000a and a HCA-800 that I upgraded my self with all new Nichicon caps. Wasn't expensive at all and made an Audible impr... 
Class D Amplification Announcement
Of course it has arrived and not a minute too soon. If this is not announced they won't be able to sell any new boxes. They're going to have to start sending out to some interested parties a test amp so that they can be sampled and thus the good w... 
Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?
tomrk, I love it when you or anyone, for that matter talk about the 1960s through the 1980s. Don't forget about the early 1990s when some audio gear improved quite a bit like amplifiers. Good deal!  
Turn down the Volume!
Great sounding low listening levels are desirable if you want to call your system high-end. I'm going to get pissed if I have to play loud levels just to enjoy my music although some music begs to be played louder. Basically it should do both very... 
Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?
Unlike Gold, expensive audio gear is not a sound investment because when its driven off the showroom floor, it loses considerable value. However you will never really own it if you don't pay the price. What happened to the term "Diminishing Return... 
Ridiculous sale
Profits are good for business but when the market is manipulated for the purpose of gauging people is another matter. Unfortunately the oil industry does this all the time. By decreasing supply, demand will increase thus driving up costs to the co... 
Disappointing short life of NOS preamp tube
I have an amp that is a hybrid, It uses both sides of one small signal tube a 6DJ8 on the input (no need to match tubes) and the output uses power transistors. A ridiculously good sound. In this scenario the tube will and does last a very long tim... 
everything sounded great until the upgrade
Very simple, stick to what works. If possible go back to the original amp. The new amp purchase is a mistake. You will be throwing good money after bad replacing everything else including speakers to match the new amp purchase. Why can't you sell ... 
Audiophiles on Audiogon.
In my last post I was being pretentious,not necessarily agreeing with the op but trying to show that audiophiles need to get a sense of humor. Its known fact that most audiophiles are good people only a small segment can ruin it for others. So jus... 
Audiophiles on Audiogon.
Yea take that! you audiofools, I dare you to respond without criticism.  
Caveat Emptor
The customer in most cases are always right and Apos Audio you should feel ashamed of yourselves. Word spreads quiickly and if you want to remain in business I suggest you give your customers the benefit of the doubt and keep them happy!