bassdude

Responses from bassdude

Are there any issues with connecting speaker wire in this manner?
The advantage of banana plugs (as others have suggested) is that they are much easier to manage and connect to the terminals... and... eliminate the possibility of damaging the terminal connection inside the amp (if the terminals rotate as you tig... 
ATC SCM150ASLT
@noromance "I think the ATC are way overkill for PC streaming electronic music...."  Most definitely!  You don't need one of the best speakers available, unless you're wanting to reproduce the real, live sound of the best classical, jazz, blues,... 
Have you found your "End-Game" speakers yet? I have. And it feels so good!!!
@russbutton  +1 re: the Linkwitz Orion's!  While I like my Harbeth 40.2's and Legacy Calibre's - I think the Orion's (or the LX521's) may edge them out, when set up properly with the right room / acoustic treatments.  The only other speakers I h... 
Electronics for Harbeths -- $5-10K
As you likely know, Harbeth often drive their speakers at shows with Hegel amps and suggest SS amps to drive them. I was not pleased with the sound of my 30.1’s or 40.2’s until I got the H590 to drive them, which does an excellant job of controll... 
Should I graduate to floor standers or will larger bookshelves suffice?
The Legacy Calibres are superb and have the advantage of a great soundstage because they are a hybrid open baffle / dipole speaker, which provides a dispersion similar to Maggies, but with better bass and dynamics. I’ve got some great speakers (L... 
Audio Research Financial Troubles
Just had ARC repair my new 150SE under warranty... and... the service was excellent and very responsive!  Although, it was a very minor repair (which I likely could have completed myself) - tightening a speaker terminal on the back - they complet... 
Full range stand mounted speakers
Harbeth SHL 5 XD or 30.2 XD - you can add a sub(s) if you think you need it. Very hard to do better. Or if you have the budget and space - the 40.2 or 40.3 XD. And the Cabasse Rialto is incredible and is self powered. Very clean installation with... 
Intg Amps: Hegel 590 vs NAD M33 Masters vs Gryphon Diablo 120
@bigtwin Wow - I’ve had the H590 for 2 years and haven’t touched all of its many features and capabilities mentioned in the review - I wasn’t even aware of them all. As I noted, I got it because it was one of the best driving Harbeths.  
Intg Amps: Hegel 590 vs NAD M33 Masters vs Gryphon Diablo 120
I got the H590 to drive my Harbeths because Harbeth demos their speakers at shows with Hegel amps. And I did find it drives them better than my other amps, which includes the ARC Reference 150SE. So… at least with Harbeths it’s the amp to have. I ... 
Best set-up under $20K
By the way - I have the Hegel H590 integated amp.  I got it to drive my Harbeth 40.2’s because Harbeth uses the Hegel amps to demo their speakers at shows.  It does a great job at controlling the Harbeths, which many amps struggle with - it adds c... 
Best set-up under $20K
Keep the Hegel and get a pair Harbeth SHL5 XD, or 40.2’s, or 40.3 XD at a discount.  Get a good player - such as the Bryston BDP-3 and with a Schitt Yggdrasil DAC or any number of others that will cost more).  Or… keep the Hegel and get the Legac... 
What speaker could safely be ordered without hearing it first?
I'd generally agree with those who say - don't buy any speaker without hearing in a demo session.   However, you may be unable to do that for various reasons.   In my experience with a range of speakers (e.g. Harbeths, Magnestand Maggies, Linkwi... 
DAC Under $3000
+++  Schitt Yggy R2R is superb... at a bargain price!  
Taylor Swift Concert Prices
While PT Barnum may not have said it... it, nevertheless, may be apropos:  "There's a sucker born every minute!"    
Munich High End Show Report 2023 !
Yes the Clarisys was one of the best... but... at a price.   There were several great systems displayed there... but... most were beyond the means of most folks... However... there were two... modestly priced systems in particular that had super...