mekong56

Responses from mekong56

Integrated amp for Usher Be-718?
I used a BAT-VK-300x SE (150 WPC solid state) with a pair of the 718-BE's and it was a great combination. 
BAT or Cary Pre with BAT VK-55?
Just to update those who contributed to the thread, I went with a BAT VK-31SE, and am so far very pleased with the combo. 
Cartridge upgrade for VPI Scout
Stanwal-Wouldn't a butcher block do essentially the same thing as the Ginko, just give a different "flavor" result sound wise? 
Cartridge upgrade for VPI Scout
Thanks for all the sugestions guys.Stingreen-I did try taking it off the Ginko, but it seemed to muddy the overall clarity, and did not have an effect on the upper treble. I am a drummer, so I prefer a "hotter" top end to get a nice sizzle and air... 
Audioquest DBS pack orientation?
Mulveling-Yes, it is terminated with RCA's on both ends. 
What's your favorite lyric from a song?
"Every day things change, but basically they stay the same"- Dave Matthews, from "Seek Up" Simple but profound. 
Cartridge upgrade for VPI Scout
Stingreen-I originally had it on just a shelf on my rack, but that was a quite some time ago. Why do you ask? 
Sony SCD-XA5400ES-Best SACD for under $10,000
this may have been discussed before, but does this player have true balanced outputs, or balanced outputs that just convert to single ended on the inside of the chassis? 
New XLR cables for system? Need your opinions
Mogami gold XLR cables are very very good, and very affordable too. I also made some myself dirt cheap with bulk 2534 cable and basic Nuetrik connectors. 5' pair cost me $20.00 including shipping and about a half an hour with a soldering iron to m... 
How much better is BAT VK-3ix than the VK-3i?
Samzx12-Thanks for your response. One thing that conerns meabout tube rolling in the 5i is that there are 8 6922's. With NOS tubes that can get very expensive considering you may not even like the sound of a particular NOS set of tubes that just c... 
BAT or Cary Pre with BAT VK-55?
Thanks for all of the responses guys. I am leaning towards a BAT pre at this point. Probably can't go wrong with either. 
Tube integrated amp recommendations?
Cayin A-50t is quite good and should be available around $800 used here on Agon. 
Manley stingray or Cary sli 80 sig
I have owned the original Stingray and the Rouge Tempest Magnum. I preferred the Stingray by a wide margin for it's clear, sweet, and ballsy sound. Excellent bass for a 40WPC tube integrated. Tube magic is there in spades, maybe it's because of th... 
matching center channel to mains/rears
FWIW, I had Paradigm Studio 60 v4 fronts and a CC-590 v4 center. I then sold the Studio 60's, kept the CC-590 center, and moved in Dali Helicon 400's MkI for the fronts. Based on all that I had heard and read, I was expecting to be dissapointed wi... 
Footers for Esoteric SA50 CD-SACD Player
I got great results with Stillpoints w/ the risers under my SA-10. I bought the Stillpoints first w/o the risers and they definitely "cleaned" the proverbial window. I was then skeptical about the risers making a noticeable difference, but for $10...