November 12, 2001
Subject: Balanced preamplifier
I purchased a pair of Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pros based on
reviews from you and others, and I am very pleased with my choice. Thank you for providing
information that helped with this decision.
I am wondering if you can help again. I would now like to
upgrade my preamp to one with a balanced output to take full advantage of the Pros. Can
you suggest preamps that are not in the mega-buck cost range that have good performance
and balanced outputs?
Thanks very much,
Steve Lefley
Hi Steve:
Thanks for the kind words. One preamp that
immediately suggests itself is the Adcom GFP-750. It's a real honey, and it's around
$1400.
November 10, 2001
Subject: Tube amp for my speakers
I own a pair of KEF Reference Series 104/2 speakers, and I
want to buy a new preamp/amp to use with them. The speakers are 92dB efficient with a
4-ohm impedance. My listening room in 40' by 15' and acoustically alive. KEF has advised
me to purchase an amp (either tube or SS) with high current. I think I would like to try
tube gear (I liked the sound of VTL preamp/amp combo), but I am not sure if it can deliver
the high current required. If it can, please recommend some tube brands that would be good
fits with the KEFs that I should investigate. Also, what about a tube
preamp/solid-state-amp combo, and how would that sound differently from an all-tube combo?
Regards,
Kevin
Hi Kevin:
Tube amps are intrinsically high current, at least
anything that will drive the KEFs is. You haven't given a price range, so it's hard to
actually recommend any specific models, but VTL would certainly have a wide range of
models available and so would Sonic Frontiers. I've always been a big fan of
Conrad-Johnson, which also has some spectacular solid-state amps these days.
November 10, 2001
Subject: Best interconnects for my system
I am soon getting a Meridian 557 amplifier. This amp has
balanced inputs that I plan on hooking up to my Meridian 568 processor's balanced outputs.
My question is: What are the best balanced interconnects I can get to match my system? My
price range is $700 or less for a one-meter pair. I've been looking at the Cardas Golden
Reference (used) and the Coincident CSTs, but choices can really get confusing. Any help
you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Tom:
Buying cable used is a great way to keep prices
manageable. I haven't auditioned the Cardas myself, but I've heard it in use at Ayre and
it sounded articulate and detailed there. Since you have some available at a good price,
why not go for it?
November 9, 2001
Subject: Budget integrated amps
I've got a small bedroom (9' by 11'), and I able to listen
music at low or moderate levels in it. In which order would you arrange (for your taste)
affordable integrated amps -- Creek, Arcam, Bryston, Musical Fidelity -- for my
conditions, since not everything sounds good at low levels? If you are able, please
explain why.
I'm on budget, but I don't want to compromise too much. I'd
rather wait (hopefully not for years). I'm a newbie at high end and have no preferences.
If it's not possible to get a good-sounding system with my conditions, please let me know,
too.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Vlad
Hi Vlad:
If you're listening at low volume levels, you
shouldn't experience problems with any of these units -- unless you listen at barely
audible levels. Some amps use volume controls that tend to favor one channel over the
other at extremely low levels -- right around where music is just beginning to be audible
-- but get any louder than that and you shouldn't have any problems.
Also, the speakers you choose might mate better
with one amp than another, such as the particularly attractive combination of Arcam DiVA
A85 and Epos M15 I reviewed here some time back. But that's the kind of matching that is
only obvious with audition.
But you should find good sound quite possible with
any of those amps and a good set of loudspeakers.
November 6, 2001
Subject: Headphones
I just boxed up my beloved Vorgos to a happy buyer and have
a bit of a wait ahead of me for the new version to arrive at my doorstep. I thought this
gap would give me a good excuse to play with some headphones. Is it possible to
successfully drive the Sennheiser HD 580s at least temporarily off of the headphone jack
of the SCD-333ES. I was wondering if you had tried it with your HD 600s. Mmm. I'll
go read that review again. Thanks for all the great info!
Chel Illingworth
Hi Chel:
It's an OK headphone jack, and it puts out a
powerful signal. For short-term use the HD 580s should work well with it, although a
separate headphone amp would give better control. For long-term use, I'd want a headphone
amp.
November 4, 2001
Subject: Megachangers
Can you recommend one please? I enjoyed your article about
these, and I would like to keep the price down to the $160-$200 range if possible.
Thank you,
Bill
Hi Bill:
If you shop carefully you can probably find the
Sony CDP-CX400 I reviewed here for about $250. It's really well built and has been rock
solid and as reliable as a Swiss watch. The 350 is probably available for right around
$200.
November 2, 2001
Subject: Separates or integrated
My current setup consists of a Rotel RC972 preamp, Anthem
MCA2 II amp, and Castle Severn II speakers. I like the way everything sounds, but I am
considering switching to an integrated amp to consolidate my rack space. In the past I
have been told that separates (in general) will sound better than an integrated. Recently,
I have seen great reviews of new Arcam, Creek, Musical Fidelity, and Roksan. Will one of
these driving my speakers approach (or surpass) the sound quality of my current setup? I
understand there will be a drop from 200Wpc to 85-110Wpc, which may or not affect the way
my speakers are driven. What are your thoughts?
Thank you,
Ben
Hi Ben:
Your current system is pretty high resolution, so
I'm not sure you could do as well with the integrateds you've mentioned, unless you mean
the MF Nu-Vista, in which case you won’t consolidate any rack space. If it's just
extra rack space you want, try putting your Anthem on a floor-mounted amp stand between
the speakers.
The integrateds you mentioned are all
products which eliminate the traditional drastic difference between separates and
integrated amplifiers, but your Rotel/Sonic Frontiers combo is several steps above entry
level and offer great value at their price point -- you'd need to look at upscale
integrateds such as Meridian, Krell, or Mark Levinson to better what you currently have --
and even then, some listeners might not think the more expensive separates offer clear
improvements (although many would).
I think you could possibly get more mileage out of
a preamp upgrade than an integrated replacement.
November 1, 2001
Subject: Adding a DVD player
I am looking to tap into your 30+ years of audio experience
-- although you don't look a day over 35. I am one of those few people who have not yet
joined the digital revolution but plan to do so.
Over the past three years I have assembled the following
equipment from friends or as discontinued items. My amp is a Counterpoint solid-state unit
that puts out 200 watts (from Marty in Kewannee, Illinois). Preamp/processor is a Citation
7.0 purchased as a discontinued piece, but oh how sweet the sound at less than half the
price. And my Mitis 40" direct-view 507 was on clearance with a B-stock Pioneer Elite
97 laserdisc player.
The kids are demanding a DVD player. As I understand it,
progressive scan will not work on the Mitis. Which of the DVD players out there will give
me the best audio and video quality available? Arcam's DV88 has received rave reviews, but
at $1200 it does not seem to be a bargain. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Leo Kazaniwskyj
Hi Leo:
For video use I have found the not-so-costly
Pioneers to do just fine, although the Arcam DV88 has demonstrably better picture and
sound, if you can spend the extra $1000. Whatever you do, use a good S-video connection
for the best picture possible. I just got a Philips DSR6000 TiVo DirecTV receiver and the
difference in switching to an S-video connection was as great as the ability to take
digital directly out of the box into my preamp/processor.
November 1, 2001
Subject: New or used
I live in Vermont, where the closest stereo store is an
hour away and they have very little equipment anyway. I am attempting to put together my
first decent system. None of my friends are into stereo, and I have by chance met a fellow
online who is not selling anything but has been attempting to guide me in buying some
equipment (none from him or persons he knows).
He is a complete Museatex Meitner fan and wants me to
purchase what are called a PA6i preamp and MTR101 monoblock amps. He indicates they can
still be repaired by people in Canada, if need be, and the total cost for the above would
be about $1600.
I, on the other hand, have read about the Musical Fidelity
A3CR amp/pre combination and was leaning towards spending about $2800 for a new pair of
these.
He says he is familiar with the Musical Fidelity and
believes the Meitner just plain sounds better and used costs less even though its original
price was about $4000.
I am not a audiophile and have heard very little equipment
and would greatly appreciate hearing what you think is the way to go as I have read your
write ups on the MF. I will mention I have purchased some Triangle Antal speakers already
and have a nice CD player.
Thanks,
George
Hi George:
It all depends on you. Some people would never buy
new -- "Let someone else take the depreciation hit," they say. They take comfort
in owning high-quality previously used gear. And it's true that high-end audio gear
retains an amazing amount of its value, once the new/used distinction is in play. Other
people just aren't comfortable with it and if you aren't comfortable, you aren't happy.
If you are comfortable buying used, then the
Meitner gear is certainly fine stuff. I used to sell the PA6i and the MTR 101 monoblocks,
and I really liked them. They are small, they sound good, and I always thought the
rosewood cases looked really classy. If you like the sound -- and you must definitely
audition them before you buy -- and you are comfortable with the "previously
owned" aspect of the deal, then go ahead. I miss Ed Meitner's presence in the
consumer audio world. He is a fascinating man, and I thought his products had a lot to
offer.
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