gnostalgick

Responses from gnostalgick

Please help me find perfect dac for me
Another vote for Chord. The Hugo2 comes in silver, but can be used as a preamp. The Qutest (what I own) is more purist, but black only. Still amazed by it. 
What system would you gift someone for the appreciation of high fidelity sound?
No reason not to; I've thought about it myself (though no one I know seems interested).But... I've seen/heard rather good floorstanders pushed against walls/into corners and not sound very good at all--regardless of price.  Also some speakers are ... 
What system would you gift someone for the appreciation of high fidelity sound?
No answers, but a few questions that may narrow down your search. Are looks important--if so, is modern or traditional preferred? Will you have free reign to place the speakers and set up the listening area? And do they have any listening preferen... 
Happy with digital, but thinking about vinyl--looking for system specific recommendations
The Gem Polytable is definitely on my watch list.Any thoughts about the new Technics 1200gr?Seems pretty straightforward to use, reputedly good neutral sound. Would that change anybody's cartridge reccomendations? 
Happy with digital, but thinking about vinyl--looking for system specific recommendations
So what do you consider above entry level? 
Happy with digital, but thinking about vinyl--looking for system specific recommendations
$1500 would be easy to do before the end of the year. But I’d rather save more & wait a little--if necessary--than not be impressed with my purchase. That said, if it’s too much more money, I'd be tempted to just further upgrade my digital cha... 
Happy with digital, but thinking about vinyl--looking for system specific recommendations
Thanks for the opinions so far. Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned least expensive, and instead said a good value that matches the rest of my system.  From what I've heard, I agree that a Rega 1 is probably not quite there (though it was in a more e... 
If cost was no factor, what system would you build as your main audio system?
It's hard to spend even imaginary money without knowing where I'd put it all.  Since I'm pretty happy with my system, I'll just list some out of budget incremental upgrades I'd love to hear at home. Custom PC --> Aurender W20Chord Qutest -->... 
Best Class A / Class AB SS Power Amplifiers between $5000-$10,000
I haven't yet heard the new Pass Labs XA25 (class A), but from the praise it's gotten, the sound of the First Watt I own, and other Pass I've heard, and that would be at the top of my list.I also like Wells Akasha/Innamorta for A/B solid state i... 
Is the 2.5 way speaker the ideal home speaker?
I love my ProAc Studio 148, which I think qualify...  "The two 6.5 inch units cover bass frequencies but each one has been mechanically tuned to cover mid frequencies. To improve dispersion the upper bass driver has a phase plug whilst the lower u... 
Axpona 2018
ihor, I take it the Van Alstine gear must have sounded pretty good for the speakers to impressive you so? 
New system has fatiguing, harsh high frequency sounds. How to fix?
Yeah similar to that one; if you have even basic EMI/RFI filtering, it probably wouldn't do anything more.  Even without, its effectiveness may be minimal depending on where you live.  But I found it an ear-saver in my an older apartment complex. 
SUGDEN MASTERCLASS FPA-4 Class A amp
Let us know if you get one & how it works out.jperry, may I ask where you heard it? 
Advice please on up to $10k to upgrade pre amp, dac, phono, and power amp
What don’t you like?The only thing that I’d immediately think to change is the Emotiva. I’ve heard Parasound sound really good at a KEF demo, (LS50, Ref1 & Blade2); an A21 would be a nice upgrade at $2.5k.The best digital I’ve heard in your bu... 
New system has fatiguing, harsh high frequency sounds. How to fix?
Do you have a power conditioner?  Even a <$100 Furman made a huge difference when I was still using a receiver.  Should be easy to find one from somewhere with a return policy.