Audiogon Discussion of High end audio


Arbuckle's Responses	Posts
Nuforce I just picked up a pair of these.......totally awesome. Far better than my Oddysey monoblocs........they crush them in terms of transparency, detail, imaging etc	218
Not Another NuForce thread...... I am not sure what people are hearing, but I have A/Bed the Nuforce stuff to the Pass Labs stuff and there really is no comparison. The Nuforce stuff is just digital sounding to . . .	188
PC-Audio vs. High-end CD Player-GAME OVER Hi there, can you clarify some things as I am confused about your post. 1) What is a Crimson? 2) Am I reading this right to say you compared an Ipod into a Wavelenght DAC vs. . . .	128
the best CD player between 6'000 - 10'000 $ ? esoteric xo3se	107
Okay......best single box reference CD player Esoteric X01	102
Frustrated with the sound of my system I used to have th ekimber 4tc/8tc biwire. When I switched to something newer the music played and the space opened up. I thought they were good cables but only realized how poor . . .	85
Speakers you regret selling Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rods II	72
Would you pay to audition speakers Give me a break....this is absolutely absurd to think the dealer is there to be used given what has happened in high end audio in the past 10 years.......most people on this site . . .	72
Esoteric P5/D5 Opinions please Does anyone know if you can have TWO digital sources hooked up to the D5? I am thinking of this unit as well and looking to have my PC run into the DAC in combination with the P5. . .	69
What is under $5k speaker with best bass slam? you may seriously want to consider Proac Studio 140	58
dcs puccini, chord red ref, meitner cdsa or nagra I am not sure about this new Playback Designs player. Seems as if one review (which may or may not be planted) is sturring the pot. What I do know is that it could easily be the . . .	57
Krell Service I just sent a cd player in for service. They have had it for almost two weeks, given that was over New Year's, but their latest response is it will be another 2-3 weeks to get a . . .	56
coincident speakers do you have troubadors I know nothing of either guilty parties on this thread, but it seems as if someone (Trelja) has an axe to grind and wants to grind it with everyone watching	56
I just don't get PC Audio Hi S7Horton Thank you for partaking in my post. I totally agree about the portability factor. I guess I was thinking more along the lines of just sitting in my living room type . . .	44
audiophile music servers the latest products, info I still don't get computer audio for the audiophile. The only true benefit is that you don't have to get your butt off the couch to change songs. People are talking about dumping. . .	42
Luxman M-600A Audioblazer is clearly a benefactor of this website to buy his equipment used or deep discounted. Reality is dealers have been crushed by this website. Now that is great for . . .	38
Cambridge 840C, YES it is as good as the reviews Audio Aero Capitole MKii se, Raysonic CD128 and CD168, Marantz SA14 TRL, RA Opus 21, RA CD55, Esound, Fully modded Music Hall, Denon 2930, multiple transports and DACs from . . .	35
Upgrade bug has hit, interested in Pass Labs Amps I totally disagree about speakers first. Amps can completely change the sound, for example. I was considering changing out my speakers as I was constantly hunting for more and . . .	32
BEHOLD - digital gear from Germany Hey B-job, why are you trying to stir up interest for this product? Are you a dealer	31
Which sub $2k CD player would you recommend? Thanks...I don't want to get a modded player, just looking for something stock but very good. How about the Meridien players? I noticed some G06 and G07s out there	27
How to convert FLAC to WAV ? I spent a month ripping to all formats, FLAC, WAV, AIFF. I found absolutely zero difference between the above. i went with FLAC since it was smaller and held tags, there was no . . .	26
How do I spend $5000? A CD player or DAC for my De I find it ridiculous the whole idea about spending $3500 for a media server. I have never had a computer last for more than 5 years. If you are dumping this amount of money into . . .	24
Spendor S9e or ProAc Response D28 I A/Bed these two speakers and thought the Proac's were smoother and more engaging. Both were fantastic speakers and it came down to preference, but the Proac's in my mind were . . .	22
Pass X-250.5 or McIntosh MC402? I have heard both and find the Mac stuff sounds veiled and flat in comparison to Pass. Just my two cents	22
Efficient speaker, big bad tight bass? Thanks Undertow! The smaller Palladiums (model 37) are $8k retail and I would consider stretching to get to $5-6k, so that is why I was thinking the Palladiums. Thank you for . . .	20
Shootout: AMR CD-77 vs. AR CD7 vs. Wadia 581se I was excited to read your comments until I realized that you compared three enticing cd players on two totally and polarizing systems..... I guess it is hard for me to make any . . .	20
Krell SACD, DVD Standard, Showcase, KAV 280CD I actually disagree with the above. I thought the 280cd was incredible....it has the famous BB 1704 DACs which many agree are the best DACs ever made. I loved the 280cd when I . . .	19
Krell / Mcintosh / Pass For Dynaudios I really like both Pass and Krell. I agree that Krell stuff is much better than people bang on. I have never been impressed with McIntosh and actually cannot believe people . . .	19
Is the RAM Modified Esound E5 the REAL THING? I am guessing this player is not. There is nothing people can say	19
Coincident Super Eclipse or Devore Nines? Hi, yes it has the extreme wiring. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy them very much just wondering if the DEvores would be different? Also, have not tried tube amp yet. Thanks	16
PC Audio Choice: Mac+USB, Transporter, or Squeezbx Mtking, Was the DAC in the Wadia 581ise as good as the transporter? Was it better? Would you be able to elaborate on the differences? I am contemplating the 581 as a solution . . .	16
looking for new speakers $2 to $3K I second the Proac Studio 140s, they have incredible imaging, detail and transparency of the best monitors with real world bass down to 25hz	16
I have $2000 to spend on speakers. Proac Studio 140s	14
MHZS 66F vs 88F CD players I think you can find some pictures of the "custom" DAC used in these machines....it turns out to be a $1 cheapo BB unit that they cover up with a fancy little cover..... . .	14
Esoteric Players: No Digital Input. WTF? Great question, one that gets me all the time. I have an X03SE and it totally rocks, but I am annoyed that there is no dig input. I would even consider a moderate upgrade to have. . .	14
Opinions: ML 390S, Esoteric D70, Opus21, Capitole? I owned the Opus and the Capitole. I thought the Capitole had suspect build quality for its price and thought the soundstage was congested in comparison to the Opus. Yeah the . . .	13
C.d player with built in Pre amps i.e Wadia you will have a hard time equaling the Pass X01 preamp from just a cd player itself. It will be close and may be better in many regards, but in terms of dynamics and control the . . .	13
Opus 21 vs Esoteric X-3se I have had both. Opus is not quite as detailed, not nearly as dynamic in either base or mod form. GNSC Opus might be more musical at the expense of detail and air. For the money. . .	11
iPod vs CD: WSJ CES I agree with Rotovirus above. If you take 30 chumps and place them in a room with 2 bottles of wine, one $15 and the other $500 how many will pick the $500 as being better, and . . .	10
Accuphase &Proac I have no idea what the others are saying, the D38Rs can be driven by as little as 10 watts and have a 91db efficiency. I have driven easily with 30 watts solid state	9
ProAc D40?? I have found the D40 absolutely phenomenal. I have heard on a number of systems and found them to compete well above their price range. If I were buying any speaker under $4000 . . .	8
Digital inputs - Esoteric Ditto, it is frustrating and I really wish my X03SE had them	8
Which speaker for 30 watts amplification at $1000? Thanks for the Proac recommendation, they have holes all over the face and was looking for a cleaner looking speaker. Sad to say aesthetics has a play in the decision, but thanks	7
New CDP vs. older used and more expensive player This is a hard question and one I am very familiar with. I haev owned most of the above. My feeling is the newer ones (I have the Raysonic CD128) are simply better in terms of . . .	7
Upgrade for Pass INT-150 Thanks for the responses, let me investigate	6
worthy competitors of the amr 77 Anyone who wants to respond to this thread only needs to read MrTennis's other posts. There is no answer to his question. He wants his player to sound like it has a sheet over . . .	6
The EMM TSD1/DAC2 what is the pricing	5
JC1, Pass X250.5, CJ Premier 350, Krell 300cx Stevecham: I respectfully disagree with your unhelpful remarks. Amps do have a very distinct sonic character. I was not asking about total system synergy, just about the . . .	5
Burr Brown or Wolfson Agree that Cambridge wolfson DACs sound great. The BB PCM1704 is arguably the best DAC made....although not made anymore it can be found in older CD players and still new high end. . .	3
Krell SACD Standard mk3 giving problems AGAIN Join the crew.....I had a 280cd take about that long. Standard issue	3
Audiomat Maestro v Audio Aero Prima SE DAC I have heard of Audiomat.....not heard the products but honestly the maker/importer/fruitcake is enough to scare me in any other direction, even out of audio if that was the only . . .	3
Esoteric X-03 vs Accuphase DP-500 I have heard the X03 and other Accuphase players (but not the DP500). With that being said, if the DP500 is like the 75v or 65v I would say the X03 gives detail and resolution, . . .	3
ProAc Response 1SC with ARC 150.2 Issue You can never have too much wattage for speakers, just the reverse. Use some wire stripped bare at the ends	2