kennyt

Responses from kennyt

Looking for a pre/processor
If all you want is a two channel system with USB and several analog ins, you could simply upgrade to the Benchmark HDR which has a solid preamp built in and would cover you for all your inputs, is two channel and you already like the DAC sound. 
the marantz sound...mid-fi avrs...vs Denon....
D&M holdings also own McIntosh....... I would strongly disagree about Marantrz and Denon receivers sounding the same having owned several in the past few years of each, but YMMV. 
Krell EVO 302 or 302e
I have heard the Krell Evo 402 directly A-B'd to the 402e and the improvement with the 'e' model was immediately evident to all in the room, more open and cleaner, smoother and more natural top end, a significant improvement. FWIW from several lon... 
the marantz sound...mid-fi avrs...vs Denon....
I find the Marantz to be more open than Denon which always sound kind of closed in to me in my system. I have owned several from both lines at several price points and I always prefer the Marantz sound FWIW. 
Apple Airplay Sound Quality
Well, let's say this, almost every room in the Venetian @ CES this year was using a Mac product as a source, sure they're were TT's and high end CD players, but most people had either AirPlay or a Mac as a source...... 
Aragon and Acurus brands being revived
I don't know if they are showing @ CES but I'll be there so if they are their I should see them. 
Aragon and Acurus brands being revived
I saw these guys @ CEDIA in September and the new Aragon amps look SICK! Supposedly they used the identical amp design (from Dan D'Agostino of Krell) and just updated the power supplies to meet current trends in energy star efficiency.Should be in... 
APS Pure Power A/C Regenerators
They do show up on the used market but not very frequently. I suspect most people are pretty impressed with them and don't sell them unless they have a reason (upsizing or downsizing) 
Component racks
Check out AuidiAV, I have their Crystal rack and the thing is sick strong and solid as hell. I looked for a rack for a long time and these guys really outdo themselves! The customer support is off the charts and the product is to die for.http://ww... 
Mark Levinson 32 or Audio Research Reference 3
I have a ARC Ref 5 now and have had much experience with the ML 32/326. The difference is huge. The ML is neutral and relaxed, the Ref 5 will give you some tube warmth and bring you into the music more.Do you want a tubed or SS preamp? The analog ... 
Krell or Mark Levinson with Revel Ultima2's???
Well, I never got the 5x436's as they were backordered so I took a 433 for a while but have had the Krell Evo 403 for a few years now, you just can't beat the bottom end on the Krells and the new Evo line (esp the 'e' models) are insanely good! 
AVRAK Rotating Gear Racks
A good friend had these in his HT for a while, while the idea is sound, they don't work as well as I would have liked, cabling is a huge PITA on such a system, as you need to very tightly secure them, therefore gear changes mean cable problems....... 
APS Pure Power A/C Regenerators
I found the same thing and everything I used it on improved, even amplifiers mad a difference as the PP units use the battery backup to also handle peak demands so it can usually output a lot more than the actual line voltage/amperage. Amazingly w... 
has anybody heard of jackson loudspeakers?
Sounds kind of 'White Van' line to me.... 
Smoke Head or Sherry Bomb?
I go for both depending on my taste that day though lean more towards sherry and wines casked Scotch. I have a 25 y/o Talisker that hits the perfect smoke balance, but alas I could only get a bottle of it....