bbro

Responses from bbro

Upgrade from TAD 150 Signature
I just aquired a TAD 150 Signature preamp. I have had the following parade of preamps through my system over the past 2 years; Modwright 9.0 with upgraded caps and tube power supply, Emotive Audio Sira, Cary SLP 98 with direct coupled caps, Suprat... 
Budget Speaker Recommendation?
The Sound Dynamics RTS-3 two way bookshelf sized can be found on Audigon occasionally for about $150-$190. It is rear ported so you are better to stand mount it. Great speaker for the $$s. 
Magnepan difference of 20 and 20.1 ?
I have the 20's and think that I have solved the problem for me. I tried a Bryston 10B active crossover, crossing over at the points and slopes recommended to me by Magnepan but never heard the order of magnitude difference I was led to expect. I ... 
The best speaker you ever heard?
Hey Es347,I disagree.There is so much distortion in that "speaker" that it breaks all records. It can sound very good at first but then listener fatigue sets in. The wood is highly resonant oak (actually acorn) which can add to the distortion. It ... 
Conrad Johnson pre-amp / amplifier mods
I have had my Musical Design SP 2B preamp fully modded by Bob and Gary (Bobs "Dynamic Linearity" and power supply mods, Black Gate and V-Caps, and gold over silver wire upgrades to critical areas)with Stunning results. I have had a lot of exotic p... 
Kimber 8TC or NBS King/Serpent speaker cables
Palerider and Ryder's posts above are absolute opposite ends of the opinion spectrum re the Kimber Kable 8TC speaker cables, which is what keeps this hobby so disconcerting. One guy calls it London Smog and the other calls it a Giant Killer. For w... 
re-tubing CJ LP70s
Jtimothya,In my post above I mentioned my preference for SED Winged C 6550 tubes in my CJ Premier 8A's. However FYI I had already scheduled to have my PR 8's converted to the XS triode version utilizing EL 34's tubes, for the reasons you mentioned... 
re-tubing CJ LP70s
I have tried a variety of 6550 varients in my CJ PR 8A's from EH, Svetlana, NOS Tungsols and others and for the price, sound, and reliability the SED Winged Cs are my tube of choice as of a lot of other Audiogoners. 
I need SS muscle
In the"great bang for the buck" category, consider the Odyssey Stratos Extreme SE monoblocs, expecially if you can find one of the pairs that Klaus did as an all out assault with components from the German Symphonic line , built similar to the "on... 
Tube el34
There was a blind shoot out of EL 34 tubes done by golden eared blindfolded audiophiles by Vacuum Tube Valley a short while ago of a total of 15 different EL 34 variants including Mullards, EH, etc and new and NOS Original TESLAS and the original ... 
Preamp Deal of the Century
Just to chime in. I am currently using a Supratek Syrah with my highly modified (capacitor & wiring upgrades including the amazing rhBackert proprietary dynamic linearity circuity mods)pair of Conrad Johnson Premier 8A Monoblocs driving Magnep... 
cj Premier 11 capacitor upgrade
I just saw it on their website also and plan to get the upgrade done to my CJ Premier 8A monoblocs so as soon as I do I will let you know how they sound. 
Jolida 102B - enough power for Smaller Advents?
I have a Jolida 102B and it is an amazing little amp for the price. I and a lot of my friends use it with the equally amazing (for the price)Sound Dynamics RTS -3 (now discontinued but used on Audigon for ~ $150-$200)in either a second system or i... 
How much are your speakers toed in?
I have Magnepan 20Rs which are 6' out from the front wall in a 16' wide L shaped and vaulted ceiling living room with 6' 6'' between them measured from their inside edges. My listening position is 13' back with an additional 6 feet to the rear wal... 
VAC Standard 220 monoblocs
Thanks Dusty,I do not have the VAC 220s at this time. I am currently driving the MG 20Rs with older CJ Premier 8A monoblocs which use 8 6550 tubes per monobloc and delivering 275 watts per side. Since the VAC 220s get their 220 watts from only 4 K...