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wspohn

Responses from wspohn

Stolen property
If you own them, take an electric engraving tool and carve your SIN (Canada) or SSN (US) on the plate that carries the speaker outlets on the back of the speaker.  When buying speakers ask whether there are any marks like that on them, and declin... 
Throw it out!
I have known people that apply the same solution to marriages that displease them, but of course that is a considerably more expensive solution than segregating or selling an album....  
Dog pissed on speaker
A bit fussy to do, but an electric varmint fence unit plus a moist pad he'd have to stand on to pee would be a very real disincentive.  Next time, a small female dog might be a better choice. The easy way would be to get a couple of 'scat mats' f... 
Handling Heavy Amps
I'm in the same boat - I have heavy amps that I doubt my back would allow me to heft now - a 150 lb Jeff Rowland and a pair of Classe monoblocs that weigh 'only' just over 100 lbs. each. You can always hire help to do the job for you.  
Excellent Solid State or Hybrid Monoblocks Recommendations
You already own the answer - get the JC1s checked out and serviced if necessary or track down why you lose signal. They are excellent and you already own them!  
Turntable Cartridge upgrade question.
I run three systems with turntables and one is a less sophisticated one that I wanted a lower priced MC cartridge in so I installed a Goldring Eroica LX and have been quite pleased with it.  That might be a good way to see if heading into MC will ... 
Finally...subwoofer that's aesthetically pleasing!
I actually dislike the look of those.  I use a pair of Hsu VTF-15H MK2 subs ($2500 and a faux rosewood finish that is quite nice) and have no complaints.  They are only used in the home theatre section of my system as my main speakers are 3 dB dow... 
Where to go next with the turntable
Is the bass adequate when using a digital source? The reason I ask is that I had the opportunity to audition a couple of power amps in my main system. One was an older  Lexicon, another was a fairly expensive Chord, and I threw in an older Jeff R... 
B&W 805 D4: which 5 channel power amp should I go with (home theater): Parasound or Rotel
I currently use an Ascom 7605 but have also used ATI and was quite happy too.  
Your greatest high end audio purchase!!!
Best was a phono stage - a John Curl Vendetta that sounds better than anything else I have listened to (except a Herron VTPH-2 which was pretty much a tie). Second best was a Sugano made Koetsu Urushi. Third best were speakers - Wilson Maxx 2 (w... 
Lowest priced MC thats better than a Premium MM?
I run MC in three systems ranging from Koetsu Urushi, through vintage Lyra Clavis to a modern Goldring Eroica LX. I recommend the latter as a  c. $1,000 option for you.  
Ripping CDs
While ripping CDs takes time, it needn't be tedious. I ripped my entire CD library (4000*) over a month or so by doing it with my laptop in the evenings while watching TV. Painless. Put them all on NAS and you are set to go once you have software... 
Best Options For A Tubed Preamp - $2500 Or Less, Preferably Used To Maximize Value
I'll second (or third?) the Conrad Johnson Suggestion.  I run solid state in a couple of systems but my primary system runs a Premier 14 preamp and a Premier 11a power amp.  
Martin Logan vs. Everything
The only answer to the dilemma of "what's best" is to have at least three main systems! Indeed - and that's how many I have, as I am reluctant to dispose of gear that I really enjoy. One of my systems is based on original Martin Logan CLS, and... 
Anyone has a reference system where amplification is SS ?
Sure - my old reference system had a Classe DR7 preamp feeding two bridged Classe DR3 VHC monos, running mids and highs, two mono PSE V running bass, in Vandersteen 4a speakers.  Liked it so much that is remains my second system