creativepart
Responses from creativepart
| “Classic” phono stages 2007-20013? A classic that's both highly regarded and affordable is the EAR834p phono stage. I've owned the Deluxe MM/MC version for maybe 12 years. I replaced it this year with a PS Audio Stellar Phone which is very new and very well reviewed. It's even Ster... | |
| Looking for best streamer without DAC under $3500 @creativepart Have you ever had the firmware corrupt on you requiring you to burn a new microsd and put it on? I find that a bit annoying.Actually, one time. I originally had the SMS200 before getting the SMS200 Ultra. I don't remember exactly w... | |
| What to upgrade to? Time for one of the fantastic new $10,000+ phono cartridges. With your system you could really unlock great sound with something like an Ortofon MC Anna Diamond.The other thing - it's sacrilegious - a great new streamer and DAC. Your budget would ... | |
| Best Streamer for External USB Dac I’m a SoTM SMS200 Ultra user and have it with the SMS500 power supply also sold by SoTM. It’s a great sounding network streamer and I believe sells for about $1,200 new. I found a used one with the power supply on A’gon and have been super happy. ... | |
| Looking for a SS integrated amp... approx. $1200 range Musical Fidelity A5. Big power - 250w, fine sound. Reliable and full-featured. Has Home Theater Bypass mode so if you wish you can use it as a dedicated power amp and use your own pre-amp.I had the A5 for a dozen years and it was great. I sold it ... | |
| Looking for best streamer without DAC under $3500 I don’t think anyone mentioned the SoTM SMS200 Ultra Neo with an outboard power supply. That’s what I use into a Chord Qutest via USB.It’s not too expensive ($1200), works and sounds great and is Roon Ready plus a large number of other connection ... | |
| Yggdrasil - what next? Everyone recommends what they have... and I'm no different. I love my Chord Qutest DAC ($1800) and would suggest any recent Chord DAC. Not much available from them in your price range except the Hugo 2 at $2495. The next step up is the Chord Hugo ... | |
| Best DAC for my system? Have you every heard of Topping DACs? I hadn’t either, but the brand is a favorite of an audio forum that believes in OBJECTIVE test results. Topping has a line of sub-$300 DACs many sub-$200 that in the test results there are state of the art.htt... | |
| Rega P8 Phono Stage, better than EAR 834p The reason is that "sometimes" tube pre-amps and tube amplifiers are characterized by a warmer tube sound quality. So, many folks like to pair tube pre-amps (phono and otherwise) with solid-state amplification or visa versa.My tube EAR 834p phono ... | |
| Turntable Mats: Rubber, Felt or Cork. I’m using a Herbie’s Way Excellent Mat on my Rega P8. It’s thin, doesn’t rob the sound, looks great, and couples well with LPs. It’s fairly cheap ($59.99) and is actually made near my home in South Texas. I find it much better than the OEM Felt or... | |
| Mark Levinson 30.5 DAC vs. current DACs? Stereophile just tested a Chord M Scaler and in the process tried it with the ML 30.6 DAC. As part of that they talked about how that DAC has stood the test of time and how the M Scaler helped modernize it.So you might want to check out that revie... | |
| My Harbeth C7ES-3 story... Congrats!I got some Harbeth P3ESR's this year and I'm totally smitten with them. The only speakers I'd replace these with would be the Compact 7s (or other larger Harbeth). Just magic sounding.I'm powering them with a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum II ... | |
| VPI classic to ClearAudio maximum solution I had a Classic Anniversary - before they called it the Classic 1. I also had an SDS. I found the SDS wasn't really needed for the Classic to remain on speed. So, I sold that. After 12 years, I decided to buy a brand new Rega P3 when they were rev... | |
| PS Audio DirectStream DAC measurements by ASR ASR only likes DACs from obscure makers in China that you’ve never heard of. The site’s owner proudly rejects listenability and many times has stated he never once listens to the equipment he tests.Even when he does find a mainstream product that ... | |
| Cartridge find Audio Technica AT155LC - any good? The AT 155LC is one of the very best MM cartridges from the mid-1980's. It sold for nearly $400 in 1980's dollars or in the low thousands of today's dollars.AT was at the top of their game and developing better and better cartridges just as CDs we... |