david_berry

Responses from david_berry

In Memoriam: Bobby Palkovich of Merlin Music
I fell off the audio merry-go-round "cold turkey" about 7 years ago and haven't even looked at any audio sites for almost as long. This morning while surfing the internet, for no particular reason I stopped off at the Merlin Music website just thi... 
My love of music is killing me.
Dean,I will. Thank you for the reminder. 
SS amp for Merlin VSMs?
Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but the Belles 150a Hot Rod. 
Ars Sonum/SBAM hook-up
Hi Swamp,I am pretty sure that this is the way it goes. When you select CD, it takes that input and sends a signal both to the amp section and to the tape out RCA’s. In your setup, when you select input 2, it is looking for a line level source sig... 
ARS SONUM FILARMONIA - QUESTION
Again, I am agreeing with Pubul57. Immediately prior to my ARS, I had the Joule Electra LA 150 / VZN 100 in musicwood. The ARS is a simple 'plug and play' integrated amp compared to the Joules. I've had the ARS for over a year and have not regrete... 
Stupidgood: Ars Sonum
I have had mine now for over a year and have not even thought of replacing it. It is driving the Merlin VSM-MX.That's about the best compliment that I can pay to this integrated amp as I used to switch equipment out every few months for years. 
Merlin Upgrade Experience
I recently had the same upgrade as Bhoage (new batteries, jumpers, lead free power cable for the SBAM). I agree with everything that Bryan said, and for me, the improvement was well worth the small amount of money spent.One of the nice things abou... 
Mft 's suggested VTF: Follow or not to follow???
Well, first of all I would scrap most of that low/mid-fi equipment that you have. Then I would...Just joking!I know your anxiety. I sometimes have that same problem that you have, even including, at times, piano that sounds a bit “ripe”. I also ha... 
One's trash is someone else's treasure
Jesus Murphy, I don't know where to begin.... so I won't.Hang in there Gemini. 
Can any player challenge Audio Aero Prestige SE ?
Hi George, Long time, no talk! I had owned the AA Prestige SE player for about 3 months last year, and it was a great player! If one is looking for a CDP with a built in preamp, this, in my reviews on the internet (with the BS filter set to high ... 
Upgrade from Merlin VSM-M to What?
Jeez, I forgot all about this thread!Long story short, I sold the Joule equipment and bought the ARS Sonum Filarmonia. I couldn’t really hear that great of a difference between the Joule equipment and the ARS and, more importantly, I really like t... 
Time to reflect - why do you post on Audiogon.....
Newbee,You mentioned the word "expectations". This, I believe, is the dark heart of the Audiophile Nervosa that so many people get afflicted with. Me too to some extent, but I recognize the symptoms when it starts to get a grip on me. A simple low... 
Should I Brush My Cartridge After Each Use?
After each record side, I brush with the supplied stylus brush that came with my Dynavector. Always from back to front about 2-3 times. Every 2 days or so, I do the simple Magic Erasure cleaning.Oh, and I also clean each side of the record just pr... 
Time to reflect - why do you post on Audiogon.....
Simply to help others as I have been helped. 
Review: Ars Sonum Filarmonia SE Tube amp
JB,Would you mind terribly if I just copied and pasted your review and put my name to it :)Your review pretty much hits the nail on the head with my thoughts and feelings as well, especially this:"I really hesitated before going for such a "reason...