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sleepwalker65

Responses from sleepwalker65

Why a separate DAC?
An upgrade is only worthwhile if it actually is an improvement. Problem is that the medium itself is intrinsically flawed. Garbage in gives garbage out as the old saying puts it.  
What’s really hurting the audio hobby?
Mass stupidity and apathy has destroyed the credibility of retail in general. Add the flooding if the market with really crappy inexpensive products to that, and you have the factors that are making this hobby more of a challenge to fully pursue a... 
Cable lengths
Look for cables that don’t use the “signal ground” as a shield. That’s a major issue, especially with phono cables.  
Cable lengths
The majority of the cost in making cables is paying the human that prepares the ends and solders the connectors on.  I know this because I make my own cables. The raw cable is relatively inexpensive, then next most costly ingredient is the connect... 
Pre-recorded Reel-to Reel tapes
For whatever it’s worth, Amoeba Music stocks every format of tape except open reel. Go figure.  
Cable lengths
5 meters is trivial for a shielded balanced cable carrying line level signal. You might be worried about increased cable capacitance from 20 picofarads to 100 or so picofarads, but it’s only amounting to 318,000 Ohms of capacitive reactance at 5kH... 
Pre-recorded Reel-to Reel tapes
I just bought a 4 track stereo TEAC A-3300SX, and am starting to assemble a collection of pre-recorded tapes. With the first, “Best of Cream” at 3-3/4 IPS I was thrilled to hear those favourites like “Badge”, “White Room”, “I Feel Free” and “SWLAB... 
Cartridge recommendation?
Audio-Technica VM540ML is listed at $249 on Audio-Technica’s web site. Under $200 at $169 is the AT-VM95ML which probably more than 68% of what the VM540ML is. I can tell you the VM540ML is worth much more than what it sells for.  
Reel to Reel is Alive & Well!
The tape medium, even at 3-3/4 IPS quarter track captures something I’ve not yet heard from vinyl. For instance, there’s piano on “Badge” that I heard plain as day for the first time in my 54 years. I was blown away! By the end of the week, I shou... 
Reel to Reel is Alive & Well!
Yes, half track masters are pretty much the final frontier for dedicated audiophiles. I may even break down and buy a half track 15 IPS machine if I can’t find all of the music I want in quarter track. Disposable income is a limiting factor though... 
Reel to Reel is Alive & Well!
The tapes were through fleabay. Noise wasn’t a concern, but I have to say this was only the first listen. Too bad the recordings weren’t at 7-1/2ips.  
Tonearm for Technics 1200GR
You should first look at adding isolation to the turntable before anything else. That’s the weakness in the SL-1200 series. Your arm is more than up to task. Second area of improvement is in the cartridge.  
Will 2 watts monoblock 45 tube amp work for 90db speakers ?
Most you can expect is to use them for headphone amplifiers. Even then they’re a little wimpy.  
turntable choice
I’m just not a “way out” type Geoff.  
turntable choice
Beware of exaggerated claims on Synergistic Research products. They really cater to clientele who think way outside the box. The OP is looking for high-value, so probably not interested in Synergistic Research products anyhow.