loomisjohnson

Responses from loomisjohnson

Eric Carmen
@bdp24 i just checked out "this whole world" and the chords do fly by, but there's only 7 or so different ones--"let's pretend" has something like 20. "if i fell" by the beatles (13 chords) is another one that changes in a flash. i personally stru... 
SEEKING ADVICE: Which component would you upgrade first?
@lukasread you seem to enjoy your vintage system, so (esp. given your budget) i'd stick with vintagey gear. I don't think i've heard the sx-680, but i owned the sx-780 and it was a really good sounding piece. also consider a kyocera receiver, whic... 
Eric Carmen
my condolences to his family. the rasberries were pretty great and "let's pretend" and "go all the way" are power pop classics. that said, he stuck in more chords per stanza than anyone i've ever heard and (especially considering my muscial inepti... 
Why did this 1975 amp sound so good?
imo tandberg is the best-sounding of all the 70s receivers. i briefly owned the 2045 and a 2055, both of which outclassed the yamaha/sansui/pioneer that preceded it, although the latter were more durable. @i3eyond55 you could try adding a tandberg... 
DAC suggestions for a reasonably modest system
@pickindoug i use the smsl su9 in my most-listened to system and i really like it--i will admit that my buddy's chord hugo 2 (which you can find used for around a grand) was better--i also heard a topping d90 in the same system and it was really g... 
Recommendations for good WiFi speakers
sonos and marshall do what you seek  
recommend PRAT Integrated amplifiers (not Naim)
for whatever reason, whenever i hear the term PRaT i think of british integrateds like rega, creek or musical fidelity, which are generally not the most powerful or best-spec'd, but have that certain jump factor...  
Seeking Honest Opinions: Your Experience with McIntosh Audio Gear
i haven't listened critically to mac gear since the 2010s, and i do recall it sounding warmish/mellow at the high end--i can't opine as to sq of their current stuff. i will say, per @glennewdick above, that its resale value is off the charts--i do... 
on the cheap
+5 on the wiim pro  
20 Years?
just checked and i joined in 2003. looking back, there's always been the same mix of trolls, know-it-alls and good folks. i do confess that the trolls and know-it-alls annoy me more than they did back then, but the good folks remain the overwhelmi... 
Value of a preamp?
fwiw, i just did a listening session with a naim power amp and a ps audio 5.0 preamp, which has both an active and passive (straightwire) mode. at the same volume, the active mode had significantly deeper (but less sculpted) bass and more dynamic ... 
Best Circa 90's CDP
if you can find a denon 3560 (or the lesser 2560) it's a helluva player--massively overbuilt, with xlr and variable outs. the much cheaper, less formidable-looking rotel 855 is also pretty great.  
Recommendations on integrated amps
Most of the above-recommended makers have models with onboard dacs within your budget---nad/rotel/yamaha/cambridge/arcam etc.  
Recommendations on integrated amps
rotel is affiliated with the same company as b&w so should synergize well. i'd also look at cambrigde audio ax81.  
Arcam SA30 vs Denon PMA- A110
@edwinf, you could drop a lot more money on a luxman or pass which would probably sound better than the denon, and many folks on these pages instinctively tout less mainstream brands,  but the denon is a helluva piece on its own terms. the way i s...