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rar1

Responses from rar1

How do you know when tubes in the phono section of the integrated amp go bad..
Hi - Those would be 12AX7 tubes.  At the worst, treat it like any other input tube which would be at least 5000 hours.   No expert here. Rich   
The best opening act you've ever seen & heard?
@sdberman - Saw Jeffrey Gaines at the Bottom Line In NYC almost 30 years ago.  By himself.  Mic unit strapped to his back.  Awesome doesn't go far enough. Richard Thompson opening for Crowded House at the Beacon in 1991.  Front row seats.  Ex wif... 
Head shell AR XA
Maybe this link will be of use ...    https://www.patsaudioparts.com/single-post/2017/09/28/ar-xa-headshell-plus-at95e-cartridge#:~:text=The%20Audio%20Technica%20AT%2DVM95E,perfect%20size%20and%20fit   Rich   
Rogue Sphinx....good match with Merlin TSM?
I should add I have used the Rogue with 2 sets of speakers … the Golden Ear BRX and the Zu Audio Omen Monitors. Both sets of speakers, price wise, almost equal to the amps. In both set-ups, the quality of the recording trumped all. Neither amp wa... 
Rogue Sphinx....good match with Merlin TSM?
Hi - I have the Version II of the Billie amp. Would never go $3K for the amp, so version III is a non-starter. As for the Denon, the one that caught my eye was the PMA - 1700 NE. Quite frankly, I have been a bit frustrated with the hybrid amps a... 
Rogue Sphinx....good match with Merlin TSM?
Interesting.  I went from the Rogue Sphinx to the Heaven 11 Billie. I liked the Rogue Sphinx sound wise quite a lot, but I found that the amp could be noisy regardless of input used.  Its built in phono was especially noisy, lots of hum. I like ... 
Zu Audio Union 6 Supreme
I have both the Dirty Weekender Floorstanders and the Omen Monitors.  Overall, both sets were a lot more pleasing to listen to after some break-in, thinking 50 hours max, it's been a while.   How do you have them placed?  Cables connected correct... 
Studio Electric m4
I agree with your thinking of trying something else.  I had 3 different Omega models in use at different times over a 20 year period and it was the CAMs that I was the least satisfied with.  Good with acoustic music, but just meh to these ears wit... 
Billie MK3 Pre order and Price!!
Hi - I purchased the Heaven 11 Bille MK II amp just about 2 years ago.  I paid roughly $1600 USD new.  It is used in a second system with Golden Ear BRX speakers, PS Audio SACD transport and GainCell DAC, and a Technics 1500 turntable.  The Billi... 
'Y' Cable/Connector
You are fine.  Started using Y connectors fifty years ago to connect my SONY hand held mono cassette recorder to my SONY stereo.  They were called patch cords back then.  Enjoy your system.  Rich   
Replace tubes yearly?
@n80 - Hi.  I wasn't smugly lecturing anyone.  I remembered Paul's comments differently than the way you originally presented them.  I provided links to 2 of his videos for people to judge for themselves.    Some of the comments made were taking... 
Replace tubes yearly?
For background purposes, more on why Paul feels the way he does about tube replacement.  He covers it quite well.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPCPJ4tMr28   Rich   
Replace tubes yearly?
@invalid - Hi.  I am not looking to be argumentative on a topic that I am not all that interested in, as I turn all hifi equipment off regardless.  All I did was refer back to the video that the OP mentioned, as I had watched the video and rememb... 
Replace tubes yearly?
Some folks rush to opine, some rush to smear, some rush to offer conspiracy theories, but no one rushes to go back to what Paul actually said.  I had watched the YouTube video before reading this post and what the OP reported is not quite what Pau... 
Repair shop in New York
My dad fixed TVs and stereos for a living, so I know how difficult it is to get a good technician to fix equipment. Years back, I had two Marantz receivers (2216B and 2240) repaired by the Soundsmith in Peekskill.   Excellent work, but costly. I...