warjarrett

Responses from warjarrett

Passive Preamps
My listening experience is that passive preamps that use a potentiometer lose dynamics, bass quality, and HF extension in most systems. But, transformer based preamps are excellent, particularly the Music First Audio preamp, which uses Stevens &am... 
Best DAC under $ 2,500 on used market
What do people think of my favorites from the past: Theta Generation 5 or Basic 3, and Monarchy Audio? Also Encore, rare but great. 
DacMagic - Now What
Can anyone describe in what ways all these DACs sound different? When I compare DACs, I also compare to my somewhat expensive MC cartridge/arm/turntable/step-up/preamp, and every DAC I've tried just doesn't come close to me. Actually, my very old ... 
DacMagic Plus
My question is, in a high-end audio system, and with a very good turntable as reference, does this DacMagic sound like a cheap CD player or like the latest generation of high-end digital? 
Zu Mission vs Event Cables
Both Mission and Event interconnects use the Gore geometry to isolate the conductors from electromagnetic interference. This makes them very beneficial for a tonearm cable, or a cable between step-up and phono. The cables look identical in size an... 
Jack White Promoting Vinyl
I do have many of his records on LP, and do get "immediately involved" with the LPs (particularly White Stripes), although the quality of sound does not impress me. I don't think CDs could sound better or worse with such mediocre recording quality... 
Will outdoor antenna help if reception is max?
Exactly the same antenna, just located a few feet higher improves noise and multipath. Then, just being outdoors instead of indoors also improves these. Finally, being directional adds another big improvement, but that requires a rotator, so added... 
MONO cartridges
I have a Benz Ebony LP Mono. Does anyone know how Benz-Micro designs mono cartridges? I beleive they use the same stylus as the stereo. Also the same motor and coils, but turned 45 degrees, so that one coil is 100% lateral, and the other coil is 1... 
Gyrodec Best Tonearm
I had a Zeta on my Michell Gyrodec for many years. Finally, I decided to upgrade the turntable but keep the Zeta. In my opinion, it is one of the best tonearms ever made. The Michell, on the other hand, is just a very good turntable. The Michell b... 
Clearaudio Balanced Reference phono stage.
I have a Clearaudio Balance (not the Plus and not the Reference). After comparing it to many phono stages, I find it to be truly excellent for both a Benz Ebony LP and a Shelter 90x, low-output MC straight-in. Plenty of gain and totally quiet. Als... 
Cary/AES phono stages
This is an old post, but I just recently found an answer, because I just chose between the two models mentioned myself. I had the newer Cary PH-302 and still have the AES PH-1. The big difference is that the PH-302 (and the 301) have step-up trans... 
Wright Sound WPP specs please
I second the concept of avoiding a linestage. "Use the (phono pre-amp's) gain pots for volume control" is absolutely right. But usually we have more than one source, and we don't want to shift interconnect cables. We would like a selector and a ce... 
Wright Sound WPP specs please
So how did anyone decide between the WPP100 and WP200, if the specs were the same? Obviously they use different tubes, but why? Did one replace the other? 
For a boomy room, what panels will reduce mid-bass
Try GIK Monster Bass Traps. They are not expensive and VERY effective. I agree that sometimes a room is just too boomy on its own. Moving speakers and listening chair can locate a specific spot where the standing waves cancel just right, but that ... 
Experience with Audio Research SDP-1
Now it has been three more years. I am still listening to the SDP-1 in my high-end audio system, and really like it. I have upgraded the dedicated rear amplifier to an Audio Research solid-state model that I picked-up for a good price. And I upgra...