rach_fan

Responses from rach_fan

Schiit "Gumby" owner considering Ayre Codex -- advice?
I finally opened the SD135. I can't see anything out of order. The failure mode was exactly the same as the previous time with the ThermalTrak transistors.  Wish ARC was willing to do anything for me on this. The good news is that I have found com... 
Anyone try Nakamichi PA-7 amplifier with Vandersteens?
It sounds really good; it’s zero global feedback (which seems to be a good thing with Vandersteens), Stasis (Nelson Pass) design, and it has 132,000 uF internal storage. The little Stasis receiver sounds great except it could use more power with t... 
Anyone try Nakamichi PA-7 amplifier with Vandersteens?
I now have a Nakamichi TA-3A Stasis receiver.  So far, I think it sounds better than my D130 Audio Research power amp: more refined and detailed and more accurate timbre of instruments, more texture to female voices.  But after a point, increasing... 
Schiit "Gumby" owner considering Ayre Codex -- advice?
Yes, both AR amps.  The SD135 is the one that failed, and the symptoms are exactly the same as before, when the ThermalTrak transistors were the issue.  My other thread has more detail.  I haven't unscrewed the 18 screws to remove the top, but I d... 
Schiit "Gumby" owner considering Ayre Codex -- advice?
Lots of helpful info!  Thanks.  Especially, thanks gdnrbob and rvpiano.  I bought a used Codex, and it's on its way.  Unfortunately, my power amp died a week or so ago, so I'll have to make comparisons with my D-130. I don't know if it's the recor... 
Schiit "Gumby" owner considering Ayre Codex -- advice?
Makes sense to me.  I'm using balanced cables with the Gumby, so I would continue that. 
Power amp for Vandersteen Treo?
I may have found a repair for my SD135.  I thought it was a loss, but now...?  My SD135 was the "little brother" to the HD220.When I first heard the Treos, it was with the LS 27 and an Ayre V5.  It was wonderful.  I'm not sure how the SD135 compar... 
Power amp for Vandersteen Treo?
Anyone hear Vandersteen with a Stasis amp -- Nakamichi or Pass? 
ARC SD135 will not turn on -- fearing the worst
Hmmm.But the DS225 has a lot more power supply energy storage going for itBut notice that the manual for the DS225 lists "OUTPUT CURRENT: 15 amps peak at protective shutdown."The manual for the SD135: "OUTPUT CURRENT: 60 Amps peak (1 millisecond)"... 
ARC SD135 will not turn on -- fearing the worst
Regarding ARC's product suggestions to me, has anyone compared the SD135 with its class-D successor, the DS225?  I'm not sure about the class-D.  But the DS225 has a lot more power supply energy storage going for it, and no overall negative feedba... 
ARC SD135 will not turn on -- fearing the worst
I would like to hear from anyone who has replaced the ThermalTrak transistors recently.  My tech tells me that replacement parts are entirely compatible with the original amp design:The type # changed slightly, from NJL3281D & NJL1302D to NJL3... 
ARC SD135 will not turn on -- fearing the worst
Here's a thread from two years ago, about another broken SD135. In this poster's case, ARC gave him a credit toward a new amp. The thread discusses the ThermalTrak transistors, which had been discontinued. There's a new version of those parts, but... 
ARC SD135 will not turn on -- fearing the worst
A follow-up from ARC, with some suggestions:Dear DavidSummary: I'm sorry but yes, we can no longer accept these units into our service department. With parts unavailable, there is nothing we can do short of redesigning the amplifier and this is no... 
ARC SD135 will not turn on -- fearing the worst
Here's ARC's response to me:Summary: Since your last repair, the SD135 has made it to the list of products that can no longer be repaired by Audio Research. The same parts Kalvin mentioned below are no longer manufactured and no suitable replaceme... 
Newbie to digital streaming looking for advice on next steps
Rachmaninoff and Mahler salute each other across the Net.  :-)@mahler123, I appreciate your experience and insight.  Have you tried using the MusicBrainz Picard app for metadata management?  I'm looking at an article by Terry Walsh on How to maste...