nordicnorm

Responses from nordicnorm

Speakers which always sound good
I agree with @mrdecibel headphones are always agnostic to the room... 
Upgrade DAC recommendation
The DAC in your preamp is significantly better than the Node 2.There are loads of DACs that will sound different, but better? Only you will be able to decide that.When I embarked on my quest for a DAC, I too had a budget of $4 - $5K. I went from a... 
the sound of massed violins in classical orchestral recordings
I’m a musician (trumpet) who plays in an orchestra (well, not at the moment actually - sniff!).I too struggled with building a sound system that could handle the challenges of classical music.I didn’t achieve that until two things happened:1. I ac... 
Tubed Preamp recommendations?
+1 for Don Sachs' preamps.You might find a used Model 1 that would fit  within your budget?You can sync it to the rest of your system through judicious use of tube rolling...  
Tube Preamp
Within your budget, nothing can match a used Doge 8 preamp. It takes 4 x 12AT7 (line stage) and 4 x 12AX7 tubes (phono stage).  It does both MM and MC.It is however, very dependent on which tubes you select. I had very good success with Siemens EC... 
Preamp under $2,000 used
If you can find one on the used market, a Don Sachs 6SN7-based preamp should be a consideration.They don’t come up for sale very often, however.  
Best cartridge under $1500.
+1 on the Decca London Super Gold Moving Iron cartridge.It does exactly what you’re looking for. 
Upgrading digital source device is not easy
The DAC in the Cary is already very good. To best it, you will have to go to something like this $23K Esoteric D-02 for $8,895. Here’s a review of it: https://www.audiostream.com/content/esoteric-d-02-dual-mono-da-converter 
Newbie here with a cable question
I’m a fan of Martin Logan speakers so naturally I’m biased. ツI was initially drawn to the ElectroMotion ESL line but once I heard the Spires, I was hooked.I have two amps I interchange. One is a pair of highly modified Golden Tube Audio SE-40 75W ... 
Searching for the most "accurate" speaker (below 15K)
@audioman58 wrote: "Accurate speaker is a broad area . To my taste the new Martin Logan Renaissance Loudspeakers from the powered Dual Bass with 24 bit DSP and room correction from mid Bass on down is the first time I have heard seamless accurate ... 
Higher end value cables
With their generous return policy, it costs you very little to audition Teo Audio’s Game Changer ICs. That is, unless you decide to keep them! ㋡For the cost of postage ($15?) it is a worthwhile experiment. 
Need recommendation for CD transport (not Cambridge)
Here is an Esoteric DV-50S that is worth consideration for $1,500: http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649396527-esoteric-dv50s-with-david-schulte-ugrade-performed-in-2...This unit has been professionally upgraded by the Upgrade Company (David Schu... 
Teo Game-Changer IC's - get on the bus!
Hi Derek,I have them in all three paths (CD, digital and vinyl).Describing the effect is challenging since the words I use may not resonate [pun intended] with you.As a musician, I immediately noticed the ’space between the notes’. Individual inst... 
why do people feel the need to buy expensive cable
What is the problem here? If you don't believe higher priced cables make a difference, don't buy them.I don't really understand all this angst to scientifically "prove" something that, at the end of the day, is 100% subjective?  That's a bit like ... 
What's the best Sony CD/SACD player?
@jafant The Esoteric was a significant improvement over the Sony wrt SACD playback. With CD, it was much closer (but the Esoteric still won out).