cheapmike

Responses from cheapmike

300 B Shuguang Black Bottle tubes
I am glad someone else is also appreciating the Shuguang, I actually prefer them over the newly minted Western Electric 300b. It seems like the Shuguang Black Bottle has more "bass slam" and more articulate than W.E. The Golden Dragons Iv'e heard ... 
Any cables that give more bass
I had a DK design MK I and found the bass "slam" lacking compared to some other amps. Was using silver speaker bi-amp wires. Took amp to local Hi-End shop and compared au24 and Analysis plus copper cables; both had better "bass slam" than my silve... 
older hi-end tube tv recommendations.....and hdtv.
I am using RCA 38310(?) 38" 1080i 16:9 CRT 1999 model purchased 2000. Have been watching OTA HD for almost 10 years now with $39 RadioShack antenna. 300lbs? Is only now bettered by picture quality of newer flat panels. No HDMI, component video inp... 
Tube Amp recommendation
I'm happy with my Almarro A205A MK II. I feel good value at price point (less than $1,000) plus $200 modifications.Low watts just enough to drive my 91db sensitive Zingali Overture 2. Tube rolling not too expensive. Let us know what finally works ... 
A hard look at the effect of cables
This article unfortunately reminds me of attempting to make good speaker cables using my Nakamichi AV10 as test amp. What finally sounded only OK on AV10 was poor on everything else. The weird loads with normal speakers is why I was so taken (and ... 
Best used DVD Player...Not interested in Blue R...
My Sony DVP 9000 ES is a wonderful DVD player and OK/good on CD SACD also. I do not think the newer cheaper players will match the Sony video or audio but of course are very good values none-the-less. That being said, I was going to replace my Son... 
Has anyone ever tried two center channel speakers?
Iv'e been using two RadioShack Minimus speakers (marked RCA 40 5002) for some time now as none of the center channels speakers I tried seemed to properly reproduce dialogue or have decent soudstage. Were sitting on top of display on each upper edg... 
whoom instead of BOOM
I had same disappointing problem with my system. Until I installed MIT one in/two out splitter gizmo on end of toooo cheap (Radio Shack) IC going to sub from receiver, that corrects for low frequency phase shifts/smear from general purpose cables ... 
Dedicated Lines & Power Conditioners
Iv'e noted sizzle or "micro-arcing" from Zinsco brand circut breakers (common in older houses) you can actually hear coming from the breaker with heavy load applied. When different re-conditioned (no longer available new) or used circut breakers e... 
Integrated amp reccomendations
Of the three you are down to, I would prefer the 9100, Iv'e heard the A5 and very much prefer the A308, Iv'e heard the NAD and think they are "only OK". Keep it simple at this price range, mixing and matching with so-so preamps into so-so amp is c... 
Is there an optimal interconnect lenght?
When I was experimenting with making my own Ic's, it seemed like anything shorter than .6 meter was "edgier". I agree with Kurt tank about 1 meter length as practical size. Mike. 
Has anyone heard the Magico Mini?
Iv'e only heard the Magicos' at CES/THESHOW when used to demonstrate mid to lower-high priced equiptment. The speakers always seemed to me to be overly analytical and were not a good match for lesser equiptment. I should probably say my personal t... 
a good $1500 home theater speaker/integrated 2ch.
I'm happy with my Rotel RSX 1056 home theater 7.1 channel receiver. Looks good, adequate power, versatile. Conversely, a two channel integrated at this price point would offer better everything. Recently I was using my 2 channel integrated amp for... 
Harsh cable audio solution?
Over the years in trying for better TV sound, Iv'e had good luck with using MIT T2 interconnects. They seem to do the best job of straightening-out lousy consumer audio sources. Should be easy to find cheap these days used. Also for best TV sound ... 
Newbie Part 2
The Music Hall CD 25.2 is my current "real-world" favorite CD player with its' rhythmic handling of music. Bass ok, even-handed midrange, highs not shrill. Coupled with a decent DAC is a small improvment, coupled with a Whest digital gizmo at 3 ti...