1markr

Responses from 1markr

What should be the first component when upgrading?
Another vote for speakers. Get the best you can afford and work your way up from there. 
Which artists' music do you buy without audition
Keb' Mo'Jack Johnson 
First Sound Preamp Owner's - What NOS tubes?????
Well, for the record, mine are VR5s. Thanks for the info Ace. I didn't realize there were so many variations.I preferred the VR5s to any of the Amperex 7308 or 6922 tubes in the First Sound, as well as others. 
Discovering New Music.....
Pandora is wonderful. Hear other artists that match the style of artist or group that you select, or the style of song that you select. You will also hear whole songs in decent quality, and not just a 30 second snipet.Can't believe it's free! 
Best rock song of all times
Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen 
New Patricia Barber cd "Mythology"
A1, I'll see what the feedback on the album comes out to be. I currently have a "wanted" for it on lala.com, or I might pick it up cheaply on yourmusic.com when it shows there. I'm in no hurry to get it...yet. 
New Patricia Barber cd "Mythology"
That should read "Mythologies"...Got a good review (4.5 stars) and an AMG Album Pick. AMG ReviewShould be an interesting listen. 
Best $200 speaker cables for overall performance?
I'll second the recommendation for Gregg Straley's Reality speaker cables. They are the real deal for me, replacing cables that cost significantly more. They just allow the music to flow unimpeded with no colorations, a natural airiness and produc... 
Modwright SWL 9.0SE Preamplifier
I believe one tube stage inverts the phase, and to have it revert back to the original phase in would take another stage (add'l cost, and add'l devices in the signal path) to correct. Keep it simple, is what Modwright and various other mfgs wisely... 
Aero Capitole as a preamp?
I've been this path already, and all I can tell you is that you will most likely be disappointed with the preamp performance, especially compared to your Calypso. I too wanted it to replace seperates and cables, but no go.I had the Audio Aero Prim... 
"Burn-In" quietly?
Depends...some SS amplifiers and most, if not all, tube amplifiers require a load (like speakers) when they are powered on. They may get damaged if there isn't a load connected.That being said, I'm in the process of breaking in a pair of new Dodd ... 
Denon 3910 vs Sony 999ES/9000ES
The Fujifilm Audio CD-RWs are much better than the Memorex, and I never have a problem with them playing on my Modwright 9000ES. 
Tube preamp $1500-2000 for a thin sounding amp?
Try a used deHavilland UltraVerve, if you can find one. You will easily be able to tailor the sound of the preamp by just rolling one 6SN7 tube. When I had one, it had all the fullness and lushness one could ask for. 
DIY Interconnects review
Excellent write-up JD! I enjoyed reading about your thought-driven experimentation.I have similiar results to back you up on the usage of gold wire and Eichmann bullet RCA connectors. I made my own IC, cloning a Dual Connect IC, using a pair of 30... 
1st, most memorable recording...
Back in the 80's, the turning point for me becoming an audiophile was hearing Springsteen's "I'm on Fire" from his "Born in the USA" album through a friend's powerful system with Klipschorns. I was floored, and still remember it to this day.