subaruguru

Responses from subaruguru

NAD dvd-the new one vs Pionner Elite 37
What about a Pioneer 434DVD (has progressive scan) for $300, driving a BelCanto ($1300) or Perpetual Tech ($700) DAC? 
Any advice on CD player upgrade?
I'm in the same boat as Outlier, and have a new system that's WAY too resolving for my old CDP (Rotel 855). I tried the ARCAM 9, and although I found the midrange very well fleshed out, I'm afraid I have to agree with other posters who found the A... 
Hear ye! Thou who knowist thy speakers..
The Revel for $3k (fine midrange); the 803N ONLY if your room allows listening in the farfield (they don't integrate well closer than 10-12' away; splashy if close to sidewalls, too, and a bit out of control in the bass); used Aerial 8, if you nee... 
Anyone seen/heard new Denon DVD-3300?
Not me, but the Bel Canto people just told me it provides a weightier bottom end with their DAC than the Pioneer DVD units. Hmmm...does that make it worth the $5-600 I hear it commands compared to the Pioneer 525's $249? Comments, please! 
Aleph Monos vs Power Tubes like SF Power
Hi, Paul. Aleph 2s (100w) sound utterly natural, slightly soft at frequency extremes, with no soli-state atrifact. Utterly neutral, with phenomenal, yet not etched, soundstaging; these comments relate to use with the P preamp (be careful how you d... 
A Call for all ALEPH owners
I use Aleph 2s to drive 88 dB/4.5ohm three-ways, and have much more perceived power than 80w/4ohm solid-state. The 2s use the same case structure as the stereo 60w/ch Aleph 5 (12x12x11in, which, interestingly will fit perfectly into a standard pla... 
Pass Aleph amps with PS300 or PS600?
Have Aleph P and 2s (300w idle each), and wonder if there are audible benefits from these power-line devices. Isn't one of the benefits of that bathtub of Class A energy idling along to act as a flywheel (sorry to mix metaphors)? Anyone hear a dif... 
Best Integrated Amp $1-2k range
Eldragon...cut the flaming, huh? Compared to Audio Refinement Complete and ACURUS integrateds, which measured within 0.5dB of each other 20-20k, 1/3 octave sweeps, the AVATAR: flat to 100Hz, then dipped to -2.5dB at 250Hz, rising through unity at ... 
Best Integrated Amp $1-2k range
Audio Refinement Complete sounded MUCH better to me than ACURUS, NAD, CREEK, and much more neutral than VAC Avatar (what a joke!). Simply the best integrated under $2k IMHO. DO NOT ASSUME THESE ALL SOUND THE SAME! All you need is an excellent, res... 
Best loudspeaker on the 3k range???
Rock? Hales 3 has prodigious bass/slam; classical/jazz/folk? Revel Performa F30 has GREAT midrange. Both speakers are MUCH better than Nautilus 804, but WAFs aren't the best.... (Frankly, they're better than 803 also...what a hideous tweeter integ... 
Balanced Interconnects??
The AQ Coral sounds great! I'm using it to limp along with my Rotel CD for now. MUCH more transparent and resolving than similar Monster, for example. It replaces the Ruby, and sounds better than it or Topaz, INHO. 
Wadia,Pass,Avalon
tsv I just bought Aleph 2s, and am awaiting the Wadia 831. Meanwhile will use Aleph P as my CD won't passively drive the Alephs. Did you go with the Nordost to enliven the top end of the Alephs? I liked the Eidolons, too, but needed smaller speake... 
Am I deaf?
Yup...junk the Classe. Wanna solve the problem on the cheap? I recommend the Audio Refinement Complete Integrated. Phenomenal 50w/ch SMOOTH piece. Their CD is mighty nice for the bucks, too. Both pieces are a LITTLE rolled off up top. Re: passive ... 
Best Interconnects and/or Speaker Cable
Phew! Didn't I just read that NBS cables are rebundled Belden industrial wires? Let's face it: most cables are tone controls, and as such may affect your system in ways you find pleasing or displeasing; correlation between price and performance sa... 
Asymmetric Interconnect/Speaker Cable?
Thanks for the posts, guys. I've just bought an AlephP to run balanced to the Aleph2 monoblocks, so won't I be safe running enequal BALANCED interconnects, but using equal, shorter speaker cables? (Hate to have 5 extra meters of interconnect flopp...