wolf_garcia

Responses from wolf_garcia

At the top of the line is it really all that different?
I own a few items with unimpeachable sonic credibility. An original version Schiit Freya who's slightly more recent version got a Class A rating in Stereophile and costs about a grand (NOS GE tubes are my favorites in that thing). I bought it beca... 
Pass INT-25, split decision and maybe option?
For less than the cost of the 25 integrated just add a Schiit Freya + to the XA-25...you'll get more of everything (inputs, outputs, tubes, no tubes, etc.). I use an original Freya with mine (XA-25) and the resulting sound is killer. Gain a-plenty.  
Woodstock 1969, or 1967?
The "youth explosion" was already happening well before Monterey which most people experienced when the movie came out a year later. The Band were so strong in all the important areas and had played so many places as The Hawks that their live chop... 
My Analog Journey - Opinions Sought
I listen to streaming, CDs (got a new CD transport in the last year or so), and vinyl, and all of the formats, utilizing my well sorted system, sound astonishingly good. They don't compete with each other and seem to get along. I have lots of grea... 
How many subs?
My main speakers take a nose dive at around 58hz as designed (test CD used to verify this, Heresy III with titanium mid and tweets, better sounding than IVs with poly mid and no horn throat...I tried 'em, IIIs sounded much better). I have 2 older ... 
Is it the gear or the ears?
I don't like being told how to feel about what I like to do. I can change part of my rig  without giving a damn what anybody else thinks...That said, I don't buy gear for any reason other than to listen to music on it, and I utilize a personal est... 
Stereo Times 2024 MOST WANTED COMPONENTS List
Note that "most" 'gon members don't care one wit about silly, overpriced tweeks, and it's funny to me that when somebody notes the unclothed emperor in the room they're condemned as luddites or a negative Nancy. Balderdash! You wanna collect $5,00... 
If you HAD to purchase a used (over 4 years old) DAC, what would it be?
The Schiit Bifrost 2/64 might not be old enough for your needs (!) but even bought new costs far less than a lot of stuff recommended here, and is  great DAC crammed with useful features that is "future proof" as it's easily upgraded. Its propriet... 
Your journey with lower-watt tube amps -- Can a kit be good enough?
I'm currently using Gold Lion KT66s, a NOS Amperex 6SN7GTB (looks like a re-branded GE), and a "Tubestore Preferred Series" 274B rectifier. Note I have a drawer full of tubes including more GLs (88s, 77s, 90s, 120s, etc.) and other stuff. The 66s ... 
The Real Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse!!
I was around when the Beatles happened, and remember being stunned when a new album arrived...especially the Rubber Soul/Revolver era. I recall well how utterly lame any other "pop" band was at that time, except for soul music and a few exceptions... 
Your journey with lower-watt tube amps -- Can a kit be good enough?
I use a 2016 Dennis Had Firebottle HO (high output, whatever THAT means...max 15 watts pc or something? Likely less with some tubes but, meh...) that sounds astonishingly good with my 99db horns (mid horn damped titanium mid and tweeter drivers He... 
ACTUAL MUSICAL SOUND VS. MEASUREMENTS
Sometimes I like to sit in my comfy listening chair and enjoy some measurements...there's no sound of course, but knowing those measurements are there just makes me want to jump up and dance my ass off.  
Nearfield Low-Level Listening : New Speakers or EQ? Thoughts?
I think you should have waited for your Loki Max before posting this. I've used a couple of Lokis for years (early adopter...now one is in my stereo video system and another is part of my main rig's Vali 3 headphone stack) and bought a Loki Max la... 
Would I be wasting my money to get a turntable?
A cool turntable, even if you don't use it, will impress others and make you seem more interesting than you actually are.  
Why do I have to prove I am a human, every time I refresh a page on this site ?
A lot of this stuff seems a little unfair to non humans. Does everybody have to be human? No they don't, but they still have this uphill battle against the so-called humans who think they're so superior. I'm fed up with the whole thing.