richopp

Responses from richopp

New to Preamp - Preamp suggestion around 10k
Most will agree (or not!) that ARC is known for quality pre-amps.  I would not be shy about buying a used one, but check the reviews.  Some are "better" than others for certain types of systems.  They started in the 1970's with the SP-3, and even ... 
Why are People Dumping their Audio Research Gear and What Does it Say about them?
I agree with @ideal8592   I will be pleased to take any ARC off of any of you if you want to dump it in my lap.   From what I have seen, the prices are holding pretty well--at least they are mostly above what I can afford.  I did see a VT-100 up ... 
Audio Research equipment for sale.
Some very "wishful" prices listed here for used gear.  I especially enjoy the SP-3 listings...some say A-1, some do not.  First of all, they were $595 when I started selling them.  They went to $695 and then $795 (A-1 version).  What many do not k... 
Why are these called 5 way binding posts? I count four!
@larryi is correct. We always used to use double banana plugs in the day as they saved time, but the posts have to be the correct distance apart.      
the big one: how do you choose speakers? By what features, data?
YOU have to decide what YOU like IN YOUR ROOM.  When I had my shop, I spent some time with a customer finding out what they listen to, where, etc.  I then asked them what hardware they had and worked with them on that.  THEN, I let them listen to ... 
Audio Research Dog
There is kind of a mantra in the tech world about business that goes like this: Original inventor comes up with a brilliant product. Makes a few and they are spectacular hits with his friends. Decides to make more of them and sell them. Doesn't... 
Direct Cut Metal Mastering vinyl - the best I've heard
Not to be obtuse, but how is this different from the direct-to-disc recordings in the 1970's by Lincoln Mayorga? Cheers!  
ARC REF 6 upgraded by ARC.
Someone mentioned doing this yourself. Back in the "very old" days, ARC sent out kits to us dealers for upgrading the SP-3 to an SP-3A1.  I did about a dozen for my customers back then.  I forget exactly--it was 48 years ago--but as I remember it... 
ARC REF 6 upgraded by ARC.
@cleeds I guess the 1,000,000+ Fellow Americans that died are just another hoax to him.  When you are lucky enough that your distant relatives managed to get to America so YOU could be born here and say ignorant stuff like that, I guess he missed ... 
Is it possible for a high end manufacturer to overprice their goods?
Hard to answer this one; my first response was, "Is it possible NOT to overprice high-end gear?" A former business associate used to RAISE the prices of stuff that did not sell, and heavens to mercy, he was successful in many items.  Some people ... 
Does anyone know where this J. Gordon Holt comes from?
I liked JGH when he wrote for Stereophile.  His objective and mine were the same.  When I had my shop, we always brought in our instruments to compare to the recordings we were listening to on our systems. It was how we determined, back then, tha... 
What is the most challenging music to play on a stereo?
A good RECORDING is the best bet. Since all recordings are "processed" in some way by the time we get them, I would seek out something by Mayorga or other direct-to-disc recordings since they are the least processed. Loving to hear Baez do Diamods... 
Thinking of Magnepan ... finally!
I sold them in my shop when they were new and still have my Tympani I-C’s working perfectly. If you set them up properly IN YOUR ROOM, you will never hear a more accurate speaker. ARC gear makes them sing, but whatever you like is probably going ... 
What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?
@upshift Interesting system.  Very pleased that the PL700B is still running.  Our experience with them back then was that the owner would manage to make them fail pretty much every time.  CONGRATS! The rest of your system sounds fine, and if YOU ... 
What's your experience with snooty HiFi salesmen?
@upshift and @szeidman2002 My shop was in Boca. As for Sound Advice, the guys who started it came into my shop one day--4 of them. They proceeded to laugh at me and my shop and told me that "they will run me out of business" in a month or two. W...