dr_joe

Responses from dr_joe

Esoteric Owners
I've got the Esoteric P-70 transport which does not have a standby mode. But, to be honest, I've never had a CD player or transport that has a standby mode. I've only seen that on DVD players.Anyway, my compromise is to turn the P-70 on in the mor... 
McCormack DNA-1 vs. DNA-125
For what it's worth, I liked the DNA 0.5 Deluxe a LOT more than the DNA 125.The DNA 0.5 was smooth yet detailed and "demanded" more and more listening; the DNA 125 was cold and sterile by comparison and got boring very quickly.[Associated equipmen... 
Differences in sound Esoteric SA-10, SZ-1,SA60?
If you find that you like your VRDS-20 just as much as using it as a transport for a Benchmark DAC1, then I'd say you should stick with your VRDS-20.I myself have a VRDS-25 and a VRDS-25X. The 25 is optimized as a transport with power supply upgra... 
Easy to drive large speakers for Rock & Roll?
There's a number of easy answers to your question (in no particular order):Altec Model 19Altec 604-8KTannoy System 15 DMT IIAll are high sensitivity (95+ dB) with easy impedance curves.I use the latter two. I prefer low- or zero-feedback MOSFET am... 
Swapping the MMF 5 for an SL-1210M5G
An SL-1210M5 will give you a lot more/better music for your money than most audiophile 'tables at twice and three times the price, especially with some KAB mods (e.g., external power supply).And if you want to do better than that, I'd recommend th... 
why not use biamped studio monitors?
That's exactly what I do in my bedroom system: Tannoy AMS-12A active monitors (12" dual concentric driver, two 180 Wrms MOSFET amps and electronic crossover in each cabinet), fed by Bryston BP-26 line stage which is in turn fed by two sources (tur... 
Ringo Starr or Charlie Watts???
Definitely Charlie; by comparison, Ringo's got no soul.Cheers,Joel. 
Surge Protection for Bryston 14BSST
For years Bryston advised against using its products with any kind of line conditioner or surge protector. Now it recommends--of course!--the Torus units. Whether you regard this as nothing more than Bryston's attempt to get a share of the lucrati... 
What's your profession? Age?
Translator, investor; 53 years old. Bought first audio system in 1971. Got rid of everything in 1990, started over again in 1999.Presently $40K invested in one three-source system and two two-source systems, all two-channel only. Most of the gear ... 
Upgrade from Adcom 600?? Benchmark?
The Benchmark DAC1 is certainly a worthy component. So is the similarly priced Lavry Black DA10.A number of listeners have preferred the latter to the former. I have both and could happily live with either. Some days or weeks I use the Lavry, othe... 
Former Rega Apollo owners, Upgraded to what?
May sound strange, but I....Bought a 10-year-old Teac VRDS-25X, purchased the transport upgrade package (power supply caps, master clock w/ power supply, digital output board) from ASE-Audiotuning in Germany, had my tech install the parts, and pai... 
Preference for large drivers?
The top-of-the-line, full-range models of most companies still use large drivers (10-12-15 inches). The main playback monitors of any well-funded recording studio--those used to judge the quality of a recording once it's finished--always use large... 
best MM cartridge...
I certainly second the motion on the Reson Reca; I'd also add the Ortofon Super OM40 (and if the newer Ortofon 2M Black is better than the OM40, long their top MM cartridge, it will be excellent indeed).I myself use the Reson Reca with a Rega RB-2... 
Any DAC/CD direct with power amp success stories?
I have used a Benchmark DAC1 and a Lavry Black DA10 direct to a pair of Meitner MTR-101+ monoblocks via 1-metre single-ended interconnects (Canare StarQuad, Mogami 2534, DH Labs SilverSonic, Cardas Golden Cross)--XLR-to-RCA in the case of the Lavr... 
Recommend a forward speaker
Iconic 704-8A/GPA 604-8H-II in Stonehenge V cabinet or as implemented by Serious Stereo.