plga

Responses from plga

Solid states more accurate than tubes?
Well, it dependes on what SS and tube amp you are comparing and your personal taste. My 300B 805 tube amp (48 wpc) has about 1% THD vs 0.0001% on my Class D amp (400 wpc), both very rewarded among audiophiles. Guess what, I prefer by a WIDE margin... 
Which USB Re Clocker
Audio-gd DI-20 is not a Reclocker but a DDC and it will improve the sound of your DAC a LOT. It converts the USB signal of your streamer to AES/EBU, I2S or SPDIF for the DAC.The HE version has a built in high end power regenerator and its a superb... 
DAC upgrade suggestion
I have the Audio-gd R8 DAC and its a superb DAC for the money. You also have many setting options on the front panel and its FPGA programable wich can upgrade its sound with new firmwares that they launch about twice a year.Ive heard three systems... 
Audioquest or Kimber kable.
I use Kimber 8PR biwired in my high end (entry level) system and Im very pleased. In Audioholics they have compared the 8PR against the 8TC and they say you can get with the 8PR about 95% of the sound of the 8TC at considerable lower price. I woul... 
Looking for an integrated amp around 4000 to 5000.
I've also listened to a Prima Luna EL34 integrated, I dont remember the model, but it costed about 3.5k USD and I wasnt impressed at all.  
Looking for an integrated amp around 4000 to 5000.
+1 to Line Magnetic LM-508IA or LM-805IA.Its on another league for me too and for a guy I know that have tried many Line Magnetic amps an another brands, those models are the best. I've tried my LM-508IA vs a well regarded class D amp that I also ... 
Non Analytical Sounding DAC Upgrade- Budget $1,500 or less
Audio-gd R8 DAC with FPGA programable. Very neutral with plenty of detail and big soundstage.  
Different Tubes and general purpose?
Hello @gunners01I have the Line Magnetic LM-508IA and tubes made a big difference in sound. In fact, power tubes (805 in my case) also made a considerable difference, may be even more than preamp tubes. If Im not wrong, you said that your amp has ... 
Tubes
Hello @gguy767I've had the same amp and it was very nice for the price.I even heard a Primaluna EL34 based tube integrated (about 5 times more expensive) and I believe it wasnt better. As it has 2x35W it can drive many speakers, but if you like ro... 
Point of diminishing return for a DAC
The Audio-gd R8 is FPGA based so you will be able to update firmware and improve its sound very often. I find A MUST to feed any DAC with a clean USB signal and I dont agree on keeping the Mac Mini. I have the SOtM SMS-200 Ultra Neo and it was a B... 
Point of diminishing return for a DAC
Get an Audio-gd R8 DAC (ladder DAC) and a ultrarendu streamer/bridge and you will be MANY steps above now and VERY close to a multi thousand dollars DACs.  
Best integrated tube amplifier, under $3,000.00. No phono needed. Could be used, too.d
A used Line Magnetic LM-508IA or LM-518. 
300B SET or EL34 SET
Its fair to mention that when I mean speakers coming alive, I mean balanced, dinamic and transparent at low volumes. You wont get your sofa vibrating like a thunder, but you will hear a beatiful presentación at low volumes. It also important to re... 
300B SET or EL34 SET
Hello @simna My speakers are the Q Acoustics Concept 500 floorstanders.I've been told by a couple of dealers who sell them that they think the C500 are the best you can get at that price range and even for considerably more money. I know its about... 
300B SET or EL34 SET
Something else to mention. At low volume levels I believe it could be more important that your speakers are good at that volume. Not all are, some need medium volume levels to start sounding alive.My very best listening setions are at night, with ...