artmaltman

Responses from artmaltman

Basis Model 2100 vs Michell Orbe SE II
I love my Basis 2001 and have heard great music from various Michell tables. I don't think you could go wrong either way. The Rega arm is a limitation, but dealers often offer trade-ups. I have never gotten around to upgrading the Rega on my 2001,... 
Does Cary stack up to ARC
It's possible, even probable that you would prefer the Cary sound, but the question is whether the SLI-80 is high enough on the quality ladder to satisfy you. These seem to show up fairly often and sell fairly quickly, so trying one out used would... 
Thiel 1.6 vs Proac 1.5
Break-in! Which-ever you get, please make sure you break the speakers in very thoroughly. My unbroken in Thiel 2.3's had no bass for a few hours, then one-note bass for a dozen or more hours, then finally, remarkable bass. Same for lean-ness in th... 
Are Thiel 2.3 much better than the 2 2's?
Such a simple sounding question, oiy vey. I've owned Thiel 2.2, 2.3, 3.6 and Proac 2.5 and currently Spendor FL-9. Here goes....1. Thiel sound vs Proac vs SpendorThiel are very clean and analytical. They need a lot of power to sound their best, es... 
Looking for a tube preamp that is 1700 or less.
Audible Illusions M3a (used) 
Benz Ruby 2 vs. Van Den Hul Frog
I compared Benz cartridges to the Van Den Hull Frog several years ago and chose the Van Den Hull. I've been very happy with it. It's fast, extended top and bottom and very musical. I do load it down a bit (100) to warm it up a tad. The Benz cartri... 
tubes for audible illusions mod 3
I've had best experience in the line stage with New Old Stock Sovtek 6922's from Kevin Deal. Much better than original Sovteks and even better than the sought after Tungsrams, IMO. 
Top Ten Speakers of All Time?
Gale 401-c, in Teak. 
Alpha Core Goertz......need recommendations
I have have great experience with the larger diameter Goertz cables, such as Sapphire Interconnects and AG2 speaker cables. The smaller interconnects are precise but less bass. The interconnects have high capacitance so use short runs only. Not su... 
Attention Cary CD Owners
Never noticed it. Seriously, I am so captivated by the sound, the light is just not on my radar. I have a 303. 
Most "Musical" speakers
Spendors. 
Best reasonably priced phono cable
I just installed the Graham IC-30 on my table last night and could not be happier. Very natural, with great nuance.Art 
Can the Rowland Concentra II be beat?????
I've got the Magnum Dynalab MD-208 receiver in house right now and the sound quality is staggering. It is tubelike and lovely with deep bass, not sacrificing detail. I have never heard solid state this good. I don't know if it's better than the Co... 
Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 vs. BAT Vkp5
I think it's hard to go wrong with the Sonic Frontiers. I know that SF gear can sound dry (try changed 6550 to KT88 in the amps...) but Phono One seems to hit a sweet spot, detailed, neutral and musical. I did not compare to BAT, sorry, but I gene... 
Conrad Johnson 17LS Stock Tubes
I just put NOS Sovteks from Kevin Deal into my Audible Illusions M3a and am shocked at the level of improvement in sound. There seems to be something to this "NOS" thing.--a