mento

Responses from mento

Advice sought on Lowthers.
A friend uses and sells the Beauhorn Lowther (top-end) speaker. He has had great success with the speaker. It is fast, transparent, detailed (but not overly so), coherent with good highs, mids, but limited deep bass (need a sub).If I were going to... 
Custom jumpers?
It has been my experience that custom wire will always perform better. Another tip would be to play around with your speaker wire connections, that is, jumper down or jumper up. I was told by a speaker manufacturer to try jumper down (connect spea... 
The best balanced digital link?
I have a NBS signature (1st version) that is excellent.It beat everything I tested it against when I bought it(including XLO nonAES/EBU). I cannot use it with my new transport (no balanced out, trades). I'm willing to sellit for $500 (shipping inc... 
Isolation Platform Recommendations
Best product (but expensive) is a vibraplane.Check out http://www.soundsofsilence.com. 
Isolation Platform for CD Transport??
Best for the money (expensive though) is vibraplane. Seewww.soundsofsilence.com. 
Best Speaker for 300B
Heard Avantguard, Parisfal, and Beauhorn with 300B. The Beauhorn with a REL sub was the best (and least expensive). Check out http://www.soundsofsilence.com fora peek (and talk with Steve K. for more info). 
Has Anyone Heard the Kharma Loudspeakers
Save some money and check out Beauhorn speakers instead (www.soundsofsilence.com). I have heard a friend's $60K Karmas that he has replaced with the Beauhorns for higher performance at much less cost. 
balanced are they worth it?
One thing not stated here is the equipment, meaning, are you using the XLR cables on equipment that has been designed as a balanced circuit? It is my experience (with my Amp, DAC, and Tuner) that some equipment sounds better with XLR because of it... 
d/ac s
Check out a product called the DIO on:http://www.artproaduio.comI heard this thing last week and could not believe theperformance for the price. You would require a set ortwo of 1/4" to RCA adapters (RadioShack). 
Low level Tuner Signal Bleed Through?
You should call Magnum to confirm, but I'm not sure that you really have a problem. The 'off' switch may not mean that the unit is off as much as the output stage is muted. I had a 101A and noticed this and now have a 102 but haven't bothered to c... 
Meridian 508.20 Upgrade or Hold
I have a Meridian 566 that was upgraed to 566.24. The improvement was substancial. Call the tech at Meridian and get the explanation (lower noise floor and better noise shaping). The $700 cost for this type improvement (vs $3K for a new unit) is c... 
Ideas for new Turntable
Having heard the Linn LP12, Transparent top-of-the-line and the VPI Mark IV and TNT and having bought the baby Yorke, I would recommend that you check the Yorke tables out. Two products with differnt price points are offered. Good luck!http://www.... 
Reasonably priced 2K Phono Preamp?
I hear that people and reviewers have fgood things to say about Audiomat phono (never heard it myself). Costs $990.Check it and review out on http://www.mutine.com. 
Replacement model for Magnum Etude tuner
Consider the MD102 used for $1750. Better model. Awesome tuner! 
Ayre V3 owners. What preamp do you use?
I've had the amp upgraded (owned an original), and it still sounds better balanced. If you want to use a single-ended preamp (I do with Bel Canto even though it has balanced out), get a good pair of RCA to balanced converters. That way you will ge...