rtn1

Responses from rtn1

Ultimate Classical Speaker. Magico Q5, Rockport...
Classical piano is my reference, in addition to violin sonatas and concertos. I used to this orchestral works were the hardest to reproduce, but it is definitely piano and violin.The speaker is important, but just half the equation. One can have t... 
Does Avalon speakers have a house sound?
I am a classical music buff with a particular affinity for violin and piano. These instruments are the litmus test for any system audition. These are the most difficult instruments to get correct, and my system excels in both. The violin was the m... 
Wadia debuts new Integrated
I wonder if this means they will introduce high resolution inputs for all their dacs. They seemed reluctant to commit on the USB side, but wouldn't this be it? 
$18k Tube preamp for large scale symphonies please
I listen exclusively to classical music. I love large orchestral, chorale, and opera pieces. I also love sonatas, trios, quartets, etc. I like the large pieces to be "you are there", and the small pieces to be "they are here". Orchestral music ben... 
A dilemma: Modern sound, Musical Bliss or both?
If you go with the Indra, consider matching a good SS amp with a quality tubed preamp (i.e. BAT, CJ, ARC, Joule, etc). Some of these offer more flexibility for tube rolling and sound customization. Also consider Jade Audio cables, which have both ... 
Summer Power Woes
Miguel,What do you think of the new Pure Power regenerators? I remember researching these several years ago and liked the concept. 
Best Solid State for Avalon Isis
Cpcorreia, I agree it is a risk and it may be worth it, so perhaps you just have to try. However, I would be prepared to forgo the Soulution and try at least 1-2 other amps for direct comparison. As I said, I've spoken to a number of Isis users wh... 
Best Solid State for Avalon Isis
The Isis do benefit from good power, and lots of it. While amps like Soulution, Vitus, Dartzeel, FM Acoustic may have their merits, I think 100-200 watts is too little. I would look for something with a lot of class A, at least 300 watts into 4 oh... 
Difference between Pass Labs XA160.5 an X600.5?
Gary, I found that the X.5 really benefited from an extended warm-up time. It took at least 8 hours for it to become musical and listenable for me. At 12+ hours, it was even better. During the winter, I would leave them on 24/7, and they sounded g... 
Best ampli for Avalon Time
Consider Pass Labs for SS, BAT Rex for Tube.Avalon shows with Boulder, Spectral, Ayre, VTL. None of these interest me. 
Difference between Pass Labs XA160.5 an X600.5?
I've owned the X600.5 and now have the XA200.5.As good as the X.5 series is, it sounds hard and 2D compared to the XA.5 series. For large orchestral pieces, the suitably powered XA.5 series wins easily because the climaxes remain sweet and undisto... 
Gryphon Diablo & Dartzeel CTH-8550
Personally, I would be leary of solid-state charactarized as "dark". To me, this suggests a lack of transparency, palpability, dimensionality. Reviewers often confuse "dark" and "tube-like", which to me, are opposites. If I detected any haze, nois... 
JADE AUDIO Cables
After hearing JDs cables, all other cables became irrelevant. They do things I did not think possible.Folks, here is a man driven by obsession and the joy of discovery. He is just happy to keep making something because he knows no one else has any... 
Fuses that matter.
I tried to replace my HiFi gold fuses with the Supreme fuses, and found them worse in just about every way. They were mechanical, etched, unmusical. I could hear the difference in a single fuse. I then reversed the direction and it got worse. I le... 
Review: Schnerzinger Audio Cable Audio Power Distribution System Power cord
Uli,Glad to hear you've found a cable that takes you there, and completes the search. Getting off the cable merry-go-round is such a liberating thing. As I've found in this hobby, there are obsessive individuals making real breakthroughs off the w...