highdudgeon

Responses from highdudgeon

Sony XA9000es/Sony DVP-NS999ES
Thanks for the advice! I'll probably keep my eyes open, then, for an XA-777 or just throw down for a demo XA-9000 and have the comfort of the five year warranty. Not a bad thing, when you have moving parts -- I've had more than one CD player go so... 
DACs: Airport Express vs waveterminal vs mini-dac
I've played around with using the airport express and then a TOSlink to a dac (Musical Fidelity) and into the preamp. Preamp is GamuT, amps Electrocompaniet, speakers Harbeth Monitor 30s. I cannot tell the difference between this and a $2,000 cd p... 
Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s
Well, on the sub question I've been lookning at TBI, REL, and Vandersteen. As it happens, I wound up order a Quad L sub AND a TBI magellan. The TBIs are smaller and, were I to use two subs (is that really necessary?), it would be easier to go with... 
Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s
Well, I have simplified thing: I now I have set of Quad ESL-988s on order. Smaller than the maggies and soundlabs, which is nice. Plus, the price was right. The experiment goes on! 
Anyone Heard the DeVore Silverbacks?
Actually, I did "upgrade" to the Super Gibbon. And, with a mild whiff of regret, I "upgraded" right out of it.I think it's a very good loudspeaker and just wonderfully detailed. However, I thought it lacked some presence and, like the original, is... 
Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s
Really? You feel the electrostats are somewhat compressed and less dynamic? I would have thought the opposite.Also, I'm hearing (and reading) tha the esl-988 is actually the smoother speaker. Anyone audition both of these? 
Amazing ''Overachieving'' products...your pick?
Electrocompaniet AW-220 mono blocs and McIntosh MC-501 mono blocs.I now have both. Both are ridiculously good. The Electro's are the more ridiculously great deal. I can't see selling either set, which is in itself ridiculous. 
Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s
I've heard (not with my ears) and have read that the ESL-988 actually surpasses the 989, especially in the all-important midrange. They're much in price point to the 3.6rs.Anyone familiar with them? 
Audio Aero Prima CD player vs.Modwright Sony 999es
Is there much of a difference between the 999 and the 555? 
Integrated CD/Pre + Amp or CD plus integrated amp?
For the record, I have the EC AW-220s. Talk about sleepers -- these are amongst the best amps on the planet, period. The fact that you can buy a pair for around $2,300 or so has got to make them of the very best buys in high-end. 
McIntosh C-2200 or C-46 with MC-402???
Well, things changed: just as I was going to0 pull the trigger on the 402, I ran into a pair of MC-501s and took them. 
Quad ESL 989 and Maggie 3.6s
You know, I've considered Soundlabs -- I've only heard wonderful things about them, although I've never seen a pair.You guys are now making me feel like I shot myself in the foot with the MC-501s! They haven't even arrived yet (but paid for and sh... 
McIntosh MC-501s; balanced and unbalanced preamps;
I've gotten interested in the C-100, which is basically the same as the C-200 minus something to do with home theater (this according to Chuck Hinton) and can be had for around three grand. I've also thought about something along the lines of an A... 
McIntosh C-2200 or C-46 with MC-402???
Great comments -- I really appreciate it.The other contenders that come to mind (used) would be a Mac C-100 or an ARC Ref II Mk II (or LS25). I understand the C-200 is basically the same thing.Any comments on these, or comparisons to the above?The... 
Harbeth Owners - I Need Some Help
I'm using Monitor 30's with 24" sand-filled Skylan stands. Absolutely perfect. The consensus -- and this is coming from the designer -- is that an inert stand is best. Noel recommends topping off two diagonally-oppossed posts and 5-6" in the other...