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Samujohn's Responses in Amps Preamps	Posts
Oh how I wish Class D amps ... The single characteristic that most impresses me about my digital amplifier (Tact) is the absence of noise-white, pink, or mechanical-it is simply absent. The result is that one . . .	152
who wants tone controls on your next preamp? Old fashioned, cheap treble and bass tone controls were dropped because they added audible distortion and generally were of so little use that few protested their demise. (Quad . . .	99
Passive preamp vs. powered I have owned, built, and heard many passive preamps, and they all shared the advantage of clarity at the expense of dynamics. You pays your money	54
Anyone permanently convert from tubes to SS? For a few years I had parallel systems (VTL/CJ) but finally sold the tubes for reasons of practicality, not better sound. If I had unlimited funds, I would still have both	47
The closest approach: what amplification? Any reproduction can only be selections from the original, plus the additions and distortions. I can tolerate loss of information and distortions better than the additions! So low . . .	46
To all tube lovers....... Why would you buy a speaker that needs solid state? What amp was driving it at the demo that so impressed you	44
The use of equipment as "tone controls" Once the signal is converted to digital, "tone controls" are distortion free, as are the volume controls and any other desired signal processing. If you convert your CD . . .	44
Whats with the Watts ?? One could easily devote months, even years to figuring out the power game (it's marketing). I suggest: 1. stay away from exotic products that you, personally, have not lived with. . . .	43
Class-D or switching amps, any opinions on?? I have been using the Tact digital amps for sometime. The lower noise floor has allowed me to understand words in familiar songs which had been previously buried in the mix while . . .	42
? Tube Replacement Question ? I always buy a new tube set when I get a new piece of equipment. Worst case, (outside of spending extra money) is I then have a spare set which is very useful, especially in . . .	29
Power cord for CJ MF2500A I used a 2500A for years. I found this Naim recommended, Wiremold L10320 brand power strip extension, which has very high quality parts but no fuses or overload protection, to be . . .	27
Atma Sphere deserves praise My reaction is mixed. A "small part change" to a tube circuit would seem to be something that a lot of us could do ourselves for a lot less expense and trouble than shipping . . .	27
Can a preamp's gain be lowered? This is a FAQ. Preamp gain, especially tube preamp gain, is far too high for line sources when the speakers are of average (say 88 db) efficiency. The cure is to put resistance at . . .	27
I just wanted to play a record If it ain't fun, why are you doing it? Crazy can be fun....or not, depends...! If your friend is not crazy about somthing, I feel sorry for him	25
Ultralinear and Triode. What's the difference Triode mode is simply using the more liner part of the tubes amplification ability. The cost is about one half the power. The only reason for ultraliner is to try and get more . . .	25
Solid State to Tubes and Back Again Classic tube designs are seductive. They beautiful, but not truthful- alas! Modern tube designs are more truthful, but resemble their cousins more and their ancestors less	23
How to evaluate preamps? A SOTA d/a converter does less damage to a signal than most passive volume controls. Long story short, during our "passive" years we found that one Vishay 201 resistor . . .	23
Quicksilver amp owners I also had the KT88 monos. I agree with the above, however, with Quad esl 63's they were an excellent match. Still, subs were desirable (and difficult	21
Low volume music Tubes compress dynamics which clearly helps at low/med volume. I also enjoy my Quad subwoofer, which has a remote and four volume/crossover memories. At few DB boost at low volume . . .	21
Upgrade advice, please. Do you have any audiophile friends? If so, borrow a high powered amp and see if power is a problem. I discovered some years back that some of the distortion that I thought was on . . .	18
Tubes for Modulus 3A Have you tried using the tubes from your 3? What result	16
When has a piece of equipment paid for itself?? For most of us price is important. It determines how much we can participate in our hobby. I always look at the items that are easy to buy and sell and those things that hold . . .	14
What amp / int. amp would you still like to try? Over the years I have heard representations most of the successful analog amplifier designs. I would like to hear all the digital amp designs. So far I have heard a Spectron, a . . .	13
Help me make sense of what I'm hearing You can swap stuff around but it is hard to hit a target unless you can locate it. Get out and listen to other peoples systems until you find an example of what you are looking for. . .	12
Which Power Amp to buy The top performer in the list? Mccormack DNA 0.5 Deluxe Plus, don't pay too much and it's just money in the bank	11
Tact 2.0S or Tact 2.2XP The 2.0S has been discontinued because newer, faster processors have become available, however for the price difference you will still get all the basic room correction, plus a . . .	9
El cheapo sleeper amps.... My favorite cheap old solid state is a Marantz 1060. For tubes, a Dynakit SCA 35. I have owned and used several of each and keep running into them still working and sounding better. . .	9
tact reliability The first piece of Tact equipment I purchased (used on Audiogon) developed a bad channel. I called Tact, and they sent me a new memory board via priority mail, which snapped in . . .	8
moding and the inexperienced If you do not own a piece of equipment why buy one you have to modify? Usually modified equipment (unless by very well known experts) is worth less, not more than stock items on he. . .	8
ARC with CJ? CJ amps have 100K input to accommodate tube preamps. Any preamp therefore should work if the gain is reasonable. My experience, however, has been that CJ preamps have excessive . . .	8
Extreme low budget amp w phono & "reputation"? Check the harmanaudio.com website for the online store. I have bought several of their home theater receivers. Factory warranty included. This one might suit your friend's needs. . . .	8
How to tell if tubes are matched? Relax. This is not a new problem. Normally only output (large) tubes are matched. If input (small) tubes are not marked "left" and "right" etc., it won't matter. . .	8
Downsize to Digital Integrated Amplifiers? I have been here for the future before (Tubes to transistors, transistors to IC's Stereo tapes to records, records to CD's, reflex speakers to air suspension etc.). Gets cheaper, . . .	7
Tube amp vs. speakers I lived with a pair of M3si's for years which are about the same efficency as M1s. I owned and used several tube and solid state amps. Here is my experience. tubes: Quicksilver m . . .	7
Is a VTL ST-150 enough? Triode amplification is addictive, but the price is less power out of the amp. I had several triode amps, including a set of VTL 185 monos which sounded about as you describe (in . . .	6
Does a tube phono stage get through... Tubes add compression, harmonic distortion, and a high frequency roll off to the mix. Most of us just love it, i know I do. The technical and subjective reasons for this apparent . . .	6
Audio Research VT100, MKii and MKiii Pdreher: No. But replacing the tubes is a much more complicated procedure than with most other tube amps. One of the after market tube suppliers (I believe it is Triode) has a . . .	6
VTL ST-85 Repair The VTL book (the original one if possible), and Valve Amplifiers by Morgan Jones ISBN 0-7506-4425-7. Luke Manley is a nasty piece of work. I had VTL's but no more.Too bad cause . . .	6
Recommend Amp/preamp 1000k with Acoustats Which Acoustats	6
Amp upgrade question Have you tried simply exchanging the amps to see if you like the HF of the 2500A better? I upgraded from a 2300A to a 2500A and I thought it a worthwhile improvement. I am also . . .	6
Retubing power amp Since you are not experienced with tubes you definitely need expert help. Spend a little time reading on Audio Asylum. They discuss who to order tubes from, and the symptoms of . . .	5
Noisy amps. preamp? AES / Cary Noise while using the provided remote control-normal. Your other complaints seem to suggest that you have some RF sensitivity problems and/or that your "dedicated line" . . .	5
Looking to Modify a Quicksilver Linestage Tubes, caps, and low noise resistors. Or for the same money upgrade to a better unit. The upside of modification is the fun and making the choices. The downside is that the . . .	4
How many of you upgrade your preamps and amps? I urge you to contact the service dept. of Accuphase. I have installed many simple capacitor and other parts upgrades but I always contact the service techs for their advice. Often. . .	4
wanted: preamp with bass equalization Try a Tact. cheers, Sam	4
What is your experience with Muscial Concept Mods? What will the Hafler 200 sell for on Audiogon after it has the $1000 mod, and how long would it take to sell it? I suspect that if you sold the Hafler and added a thousand dollars. . .	3
Perfect linestage for Quicksilver V4s or Triodes? I use Quicksilver's older Full Feature Preamp for analog. It includes an exellent phono stage, and was designed to pair with the very expensive Quicksilver 135 amp. I suggest the. . .	3
VTL MB 185 Signature any Good or Bad Comments I have have had a pair of VTL MB 185 sig's for several years. I also have a CJ solid state 2300A. The 185's are wonderful in triode with a reasonable load. They are not capable or . . .	3
VTL small signal tubes upgrades. Mullards - available from the Parts Connection, on sale until October 31. cheers, Samuel Johnston P.S. They meet spec which is more than I can say for the Pentas that Luke Manely . . .	3
Has anyone heard a Classe DR-15 ? A friend had the 15 and the 25 in his system for years. They were reliable and powerful, especially the 25. However, they do not sound as refined as the Conrad/Johnson (solid . . .	2
ARC VT200 vs. VTL MB 250?? I have an MB 185 and a friend has an ARC vt 100. In the first place the ARC is a stereo amp and the VTLs are monoblocks. Second, the ARC is not switchable to triode, and the VTL . . .	2