thriftyaudio

Responses from thriftyaudio

Benchmark LA4 vs Linear Audio Tube microZOTL Preamplifier (Level 2)
@bluethinker ​​@sls883 The three tube types are "stock tubes" plus Free Premium Tube Upgrade: Receive a FREE Gold Lion + Ray Reserve 6SN7 tube upgrade with your MicroZOTL Preamplifier purchase as part of the 2024 holiday deals.  
Benchmark LA4 vs Linear Audio Tube microZOTL Preamplifier (Level 2)
@yyzsantabarbara I was hoping you would contribute.  We seem to have similar tastes in audio.  I am hesitant to try a different DAC since I just purchased the Bricasti M1S2 a few months ago.  I compared it directly to a Chord Dave with M Scaler an... 
Discerning a difference between streamers is difficult...only me or common for all?
I have been on the streamer/DAC roller coaster for the past year.+  From Cambridge, to Bluesound, to Eversolo, to Schiit, to PS Audio.  I ended up with Innuos Pulse fed by the Innuos Phoenix USB with Cardas Clear cable and a Bricasti M1S2 DAC.  Ea... 
Upgrade Nakamichi PA 7All power amp with mono blocks
@yyzsantabarbara The M700 did a great job of separating the channels.  Very good stage left to right.  The Tyr improved the stage L-R slightly and also had a boost in the high bass (over 80 hz).  I felt the Tyr didn't quite handle the treble as we... 
Upgrade Nakamichi PA 7All power amp with mono blocks
@yyzsantabarbara thanks for asking. The Benchmark LA4 worked out great. The PS Audio M700 mono amps not so much. The Acoustat 1+1 speakers get down to 0.5 Ohm at high frequency. The M700s had a screeching sound at 85db and above indicating a hard ... 
New Eversolo DMP-A10
I swore off Eversolo products after my A6 would not recognize my high end Samsung SSD card.  Their customer service actually wanted me to send them the SSD  card so they could test it in China.  I did not.  The app was a bit buggy too, but better ... 
An audio component you just can't let go
Still have my 3D Acoustic Satellites from 1979.  They are the front L/R in my theatre system with 5 B&W (center, back, and surround) and a Vandersteen 2W sub.  Rebuilt them once and they are great for this system. Also, my Acoustat 1+1 monoli... 
DAC options to consider for Innuos streamer
I have an Innuos Pulse with the Innuos Phoenix USB (together they are similar to the Pulsar) going into a PS Audio DirectStream Mk 1.  I have enjoyed the combination, but realized there was more to pull out of my system.  Yesterday I ordered a Bri... 
Solo streamer
The N200 was on my short list.  Ended up with the Innuos Pulse due to the preferred user app.  I purchased used for $2500 and added the Innuos Phoenix USB for $2000 which essentially upgrade my DAC (PS Audio Direct Stream mk 1) and and the Streame... 
Magnepan 3.7i amp pairing
@jazz99 I have a bit of a different solution for you.  I have an old pair of Acoustat 1+1 that had real problems with modern class D, and variations of it, due to the low 0.5 Ohm dip in the upper treble.  Even though I could not hear where the iss... 
Eversolo or Aurender: Options and Opinions
I would suggest the DMP-A6 (not the A6 ME, nor the A8) as a server.  Used should be fine.  All three are essentially the same server, although the A8 does have an upgraded power supply, but I doubt most of us could pick out the better one in an A/... 
Coda #8, Pass XA25, or Schiit Tyr to replace PS Audio M700
@pryso I agree with you regarding my hearing (old) and amount of music over 17000Hz.  The data shows a draw of 0.5 Ohm dip at 17000Hz for my speakers and two different amps have had issues when the playback included sections above 17000 Hz.  The M... 
Coda #8, Pass XA25, or Schiit Tyr to replace PS Audio M700
Wow, am I amazed at what a difference the Pass Labs XA-25 makes compared to the Schiit Tyr, PS Audio M700, and others.  The soundstage is more of a wrap around rather than left to right or top to bottom.  The featured instruments (or voices) are d... 
Coda #8, Pass XA25, or Schiit Tyr to replace PS Audio M700
Received the XA25 this afternoon and connected it right away.  It is a used unit and I am the second owner.  OMG, so far this is amazing.  The bass control is so far beyond anything I have ever experienced with the Luxman 1040, NAD 7600, PS Audio ... 
Coda #8, Pass XA25, or Schiit Tyr to replace PS Audio M700
@sid-hoff-frenchman I think the fuse was due to the 0.5 Ohm issue at 17000 Hz playing at over 80db measured from three meters away.  The Schiit AI said the Tyr were not at match and the Aegir2 or Vidar could be better matches.  Without a response ...