opus88

Responses from opus88

Soundstage issue on Air Tight/Supratek matchup ?
Thanks, Steelhead. I'm currently in the process of having a dedicated listening room built for myself, and I had Martin Logan Quests several years back when I had lived in Miami. They were badly damaged by Hurricane Andrew. I've since had a custom... 
Preamp w/ big sound AND extended frequencies ?
Calling waltersalas/lugnut re. Supratek. Do either of you fellows have any knowledge about the Air Tight/Supratek soundstaging issue that I've just posted on a new thread ? I would most appreciate any of your input...or anyone else's. Thanks very ... 
Seek cartridge w/ following description :
Dougdeacon: You state "The ZYX Airy 2-X-SB meets your description almost perfectly...The Airy 3 and UNIverse do not have that distant a hall perspective, so you can avoid them." Didn't you mean to say they DO have that distant a hall perspective, ... 
Seek cartridge w/ following description :
Rauliruegas : My tonearm is the SME IV.Vi 
Preamp w/ big sound AND extended frequencies ?
Many thanks to all who replied, especially to Waltersalas and Lugnut who eased my uncertainty and encouraged me to take serious note of Supratek. This, plus some e-mail exchanges with Mick at Supratek currently has me strongly leaning toward purch... 
Preamp w/ big sound AND extended frequencies ?
Lugnut: I'm a little concerned about your comment regarding the Syrah's very high gain and the possibility of being unsatisfied with my system's sound. Pardon my ignorance, but what kind of speaker db level might pose a problem here ? I have a won... 
Preamp w/ big sound AND extended frequencies ?
Thanks very much for your replies so far. Looks like head and head between Supratek and First Sound. It's probably not difficult for one to audition the First Sound in one's home, but what about the Australian made Suprateks ? 
Classical music-Calypso or FS Presence ?
Thanks very much to both of you fellows. Your comments are encouraging. I am considering the Calypso and Rhea together in the Janus package. Are either of you aware of any notable losses in sound quality in comparing the two components separately ... 
Most achingly-beautiful music
To Tubegroover: You are right on the Rach. 2nd---it's the third movement adagio (shame on me!) And while I'm here, may I also cite Dvorak's String Serenade, op. 22, and the lesser known Suk Serenade, op.6 . 
Most achingly-beautiful music
Brahms 4th Symphony (second movement); Rachmaninoff's 2nd Symphony (second movement); Grieg's The Last Spring; Mahler's 5th Symphony (adagietto); a lot of Tchaikovsky; Nat King Cole singing Stardust; and the nicest symphony ever composed--Dvorak's... 
What's the best line stage tube ?
Based on the two follow-ups given so far, I've got to make a clarification : My question is not about the best line stage, it's about the best line stage TUBE i.e. brand name 6922s,6072s,6DJ8s,7308s,etc. 
Best musician in the world?
The best ? How about the greatest ? Well, I can think of two or three---and they're all dead. The one that comes to mind most immediately is Jasha Heifetz, an absolute wizard with his instrument (the violin, of course). 
Your favorite Cello recording
To Pls1: Absolutely ! You're also correct about the vinyl reissue--it's terrible. As for CDs.......... 
Whats the best and quietest 12AX7 tube
You've got to test listen for compatibility between various 12AX7s and the other tubes they're sharing space with in the preamp. But, try the Ei Yugo 12AX7. It is very inexpensive, and you might find it has a very musical balance too. It is also a... 
Your favorite Cello recording
I'll give you another fine Brahms Double Concerto , and one that seems relatively ignored compared to more recent versions of this wonderful work. It's the Heifetz/Piatigorsky/Wallenstein from RCA's past Soria series. If your looking for it, don't...