duane

Responses from duane

Has anyone had any luck in contacting Dale Pitcher
I talk to him several times a week. He can be frustrating but after setting up Alpha-Tech to service his older Essence equipment I had a chance to look inside the designs and talk to Zaw.He really is his own worst enemy. The stuff is so hard to wo... 
Parasound new classic 2100 vs Emotiva USP-1
What amp are you matching up to? Why do you need bass management for a 2 channel system? 
Oppo BD83 as a transport
I agree with Buff and would add that the BD83 can be made into a good transport if the engineer designs the D/A around it like Exemplar. 
Do the Isolation Transformers protect system
Isolation Transformers protect just like a surge protection strip would as long as you don't have any device in the system hooked to a cable feed or phone line.All system can still be hit if the lightning is so close that the static electricity in... 
Amplifiers:A Keeper for Life. Do you know of one ?
Besides my Essence I would have to ad the Berning OTL's. 
B&W CM1's vs. ERA 5's
I stand corrected. I thought Kelly voiced them as well. The Arcam is incredible sounding and one of the most under appreciated products out there. We have one at the store I work at and it gives nothing up to any other receiver. 
Marantz SR8002 as PRE & B&K REF 200.7
The Aragon is clean and punchy but has a metallic sheen over the treble. This is only a problem with bright speakers or speakers with metal dome tweeters.It does sound better left on all the time. 
B&W CM1's vs. ERA 5's
The ERA's are voiced by Micheal at Aerial and I am a huge fan of Aerial. 
Vandersteen 5A vs Meridian DSP8000
Follow up.Vandersteen's are not the only speaker that matches centers and rears perfectly but I do agree that it is rarer than you would think.My issue with the Meridian speakers is that they can lean towards bright and harsh even with there built... 
Marantz SR8002 as PRE & B&K REF 200.7
Marantz is not warm unless you compare it to Yamaha. It is neutral. The B&K is slightly bright and grainy but not extreme. Rotel would be a little warmer and Parasound much warmer.Everything is based on perspective. Klipsch are extremely brigh... 
Marantz SR8002 as PRE & B&K REF 200.7
The B&K will be an improvement but to get the biggest change for the dollar it is important to know the sound of your speakers, room, and everything else.This is best done by working with a dealer that will let you borrow the equipment of is v... 
Nordost Valhalla RCA vs. Wireworld Platinum Eclips
Everything is dependent on your equipment matching. 
Reciever Phono Stage
Both of those tables are good but I lean towards the Project because it is fuller sounding.The arm is better on the Rega but who puts a $1000 cartridge on a table like that. LOL 
Vandersteen 5A vs Meridian DSP8000
I work for a high end dealer but don't sell either one.The Vansersteen's are more musical and have more potential but are much harder to set up. Only get 5A's from a knowledgeable dealer. 
B&W CM1's vs. ERA 5's
I work for a B&W dealer but the ERA's are better sounding to me.Only thing to think of is in 3 years the B&W's will hold on to most of their value where as the ERA's will be well below that.The best is to listen to them. Find a good dealer...