lajollaplanars

Responses from lajollaplanars

Why do people buy preamps if they can directly connect amp to stereo source/phone/PC/tv?
You have to hear it to believe it. Listen to a quality preamp, then try to bypass it, source right to amp. Even easier these days with digital volume control on Jriver. For me, the sound is flat without a pre. With my tube pre (Eastern electric mi... 
What is an acceptable level of transformer hum on a Krell S300i?
I had one of those, and it was dead quiet. These days, only a so so tube amp should be expected to have any hum. 
The Magnificent Magnepan 30.7 speakers....wait, I don’t like planars!
I've done an el cheapo version of the 30.7 by combining mini maggies with MMGs.  It gives me the clarity of the ribbons-- the mini maggies are in the center with a Forte class A amp.  And then the MMGs are on the wings with a PS Audio Stellar S300... 
New D'Agostino Monoblocks...$250,000
Relentless is also the name of Slayer's recent album, and they're doing one final tour.Dan got pushed out of Krell by some Wall Street sharpies and he's just trying to make a few bucks.  The early glory days of Krell are gone.  Class A and spartan... 
How much do I need to spend to get a preamp that sounds better than no preamp?
Agree with fsonicsmith re jump factor. Answering the OP question, I'd say $5k to $20k. In other words, the price of a Shindo preamp. I would rather go straight from DAC to amp using jriver digital volume control than use a $2k preamp. The big jump... 
Anyone bought direct from ps audio and returned it?
I bought a Stellar amp from them. Zero problem with customer service. If you want to return anything, I would expect no difficulty.  
Magnepan 3.7i Amplifiers Aesthetix or Modwright? Thoughts?
Still possible to biamp the 3.7i?  I'd recommend Pass Class A on the top end, and then a quality Class D for the bottom.  Sweetness for the highs and middle, tightness and power for the bottom.  But I guess that would take an active crossover, whi... 
Dan D'Agostino Helius dual monoblocks, 1500w @ 8ohms
I used to think Krell was so awesome, and I had a Krell amp for over a decade.  But I'm over it.  The truth is, Dan D'Agostino is not in the top tier of amp designers-- he's no Nelson Pass or John Curl.   It's all about more more more and overkill...