djbaudio

Responses from djbaudio

Jena Labs speaker cables vs. Kimber 3035
I just traded my KS 3038 for Jena Symphony speaker cables and couldn't be happier. The Kimber only better the Jena's in being a little warmer sounding. All other aspects, the Jena's were more detailed, more airy, and produced a much bigger soundst... 
Tube amps and rock music...
Must be just your amps. I have an ARC VT 100 mkII and I can enjoy jazz, rock, or classical. Bass is good and tight, not pudgy and slow. 
Transparent VS Synergistic Research
I've had both the of the interconnects in my system and find there is no comparison between the two. Transparent is much richer and fuller sounding. More resolution of inner detail and more natural sounding. Designers Ref has more air, but images ... 
B&W vs Thiel vs Dunlavy 6K LIST
LouDigital correction is used to take out the room anomalies. Every room has reflection and dead spots in them that make the speakers sound the way the do based on the room and set-up. Do you have any sound treatments in your room? They can make a... 
B&W vs Thiel vs Dunlavy 6K LIST
Hi LouThe midrange in the Alethas is probably the best I've heard. It is very natural and the truth of timbre is outstanding. High-end, I would give the nod to B&W, Dunlavy's tweeters sometimes exhibit a little too much energy. Could be the re... 
B&W vs Thiel vs Dunlavy 6K LIST
I've had Thiel 2.2s, Dunlavy IIIs, and now Alethas. I've heard B&W 802s and 804s. B&Ws have excellent midrange and high-end, but seem to me to be a bit bloated on the bottom. Thiels and Dunlavys are much the same on the bottom, very tight ... 
What's my next upgrade? Please advise.
I agree with everyone else, cables would be a must and also look at Synergistic Research. I have their Designer Reference inter-connects and been extremely happy. 
Argent Roomlens,s ?
Yes. I have three of them set-up by the instructions. Imaging and soundstaging were the immediate improvements. All you have to do is install them for awhile and then remove them. You will notice a distinct difference in how your system sounds. I ... 
Acoustic Zen Satori-How Good Are They?
I have Satori shotgun cables and I love them. I had Synergistic Research Resolution Reference .5 which retail for about the same price and it wasn't even close. Synergistics did bass and were a little more dynamic but that was it. Across the entir... 
Have ARC LS-16 Pre- what to upgrade to??
The Ref II is awesome. I just upgraded from a LS15 to the Ref II and the difference in detail, soundstaging, and just plain air is amazing. Keep looking for a used one, many Ref II owners are selling and moving up to the mkII version. It is a 3k u... 
Speakers for ARC REF.1 pre amp, VT200 amp
I have the same gear but different models and the stuff sounds great. Tim is right on target! My gear is a Ref 2, VT 100 mkII, Dunlavy SCIIIs and Synergistic Designers Ref interconnects, and Resolution Ref .5 speaker cable. I would bi-wire the Dun... 
Amp upgrade over BAT VK-500??
I would look at getting a used ARC VT 200. You can find them for $5-6k here on Audiogon. I feel ARC builds some of the best tube gear on the market and ARC loyalist are upgrading, so used gear is plentiful right now. VT 200 can drive just about an... 
Audio Research Reference-1 reviews
I just upgraded my LS15 to a Ref 2 mkI and it's awesome. I never heard a Ref 1, but I couldn't be happier with my decision. Like the previous guy said, the soundstage is huge and subtleties more pronounced. Now I can understand why people have sai... 
Power cord or conditioner for ARC VT100?
I have a VT 100 and use a synergistic master coupler power cord with it. Tried running the amp thru my Bybee power conditioner and found that ARC amps need to be plugged directly in the wall and not use with a power conditioner. The amp has circui... 
Vandersteen 2CE vs. Thiel CS3.6?
I also had 2.2s and had listened to 3.6s quite a few times. There are some good deals on used 3.6s...some as low as $1,700 a pair and that is a steal for such a good speaker. They need a lot of power...preferably solid state power. The speakers ar...