November 30, 2001
Subject: Niro integrated amp
Any idea when you may be getting an integrated in for
review?
Unsigned
Hi Unsigned:
We're discussing it now, so keep watching this
space.
November 29, 2001
Subject: Subwoofer kit
I live in the UK and wondered if the 10" subwoofer kit
for $349 you reviewed was available here.
Thanks,
Neil
Hi Neil:
No, the amp isn't wired for the mains there.
November 28, 2001
Subject: Speakers for music and movies
From this website, it seems as though you are an
accomplished audiophile. So here goes....
I have a Sony A/V receiver and I'm looking to replace my
two speakers that I've only ever used for audio. (I bought the Sony A/V a while ago with
the possibility of someday using the Dolby 5.1 feature for DVD.)
Well, I think that day has come. I'd like to be able to
take advantage of the Sony's 5.1 input that can be driven from a DVD player. But what set
of surround-sound speakers will provide both nice audio (from my CD player
cassette player and MP3 computer input) and surround sound when playing a DVD movie?
I do not see any place on the web that describes a speaker
system that will accommodate both uses. It seems the systems are either home audio or home
theater. What do you say? Do you have any ideas?
I don't have an unlimited budget. I used to have money B.C.
(before children). But whatever I purchase, I want it to be the best I can afford. ($400
to $500).
I hope to hear from you.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
Hi Mike:
At that price point, your options are somewhat
limited. I'd suggest to start by using your present stereo pair for the rear-channel
speakers and buy three of the same speaker for L/C/R use. The Axiom Audio Millennia M22Ti
SE would work well and just about fit your budget. Then, add the .1 capabilities when you
can afford the Titanic 10" subwoofer kit ($349) I reviewed recently. That's give you
great sound for both music and 5.1 video use.
November 27, 2001
Subject: Preamps
We are in the market for a new system including, speakers,
receiver, amplifier, etc., and are willing to invest approximately $5000. We are not fond
of the lack of warmth (coldness) of many of the electronics and speakers we have heard. We
like warmth and presence of the older speakers.
We've looked at several stereo publications and have done
research on the web on the various components. We've read good things about the
MartinLogan speakers. However, the wealth of information is overwhelming and we still
don't know what we should buy. We don't want to make a mistake, nor do we want to buy more
system than we need. Two limiting factors are that we have limited space for speaker
placement and we have cathedral ceilings which affects the sound.
Our tastes in music range from classical to hard rock. Is
there a recent review that you have done that recommends all of the components that will
give us the quality and warmth we are looking in our budget?
Cheryl B.
Gosh, Cheryl:
Ask me a hard one, why don't ya?
But you asked so nicely -- I especially liked the
touch where you asked me to use words I've already written, if possible -- you might look
at my review of the Epos M15.
Those speakers, when paired with the Arcam A85 (I
reviewed it on Soundstage!), made incredible music together -- and without a
trace of the coldness you dislike. That combo is under $3000,which would leave you $2000
for cabling, equipment racks, and a CD player. Look at Arcam's three offerings first, as
they sound great and they'll work off the integrated's remote. And if you need to conserve
space, consider a wall-mounted equipment rack, such as the two-tier-model from Target.
November 26, 2001
Subject: 300+ CD players
I know you're busy so my question will be short. What is
the best 300+ CD player in terms of quality of the sound and features. I have been
contemplating a Sony CX-350 (400CDs) vs. a Pioneer 1039 (301 CDs) and still can't come to
a definite conclusion.
Follow-up question: If I buy a CD player of one brand, does
it mean I should go with the rest of the home theater (amplifier, etc.) with the
same brand?
Thanks a lot for your time and advice.
Marina,
Your Russian fan
Hi Marina:
I have several of the Sony CX-400s and I like 'em a
lot. The Pioneer seems to be similarly well-built and also, I believe, features an
interface with CDDB, which means you don't need to type in disc info (a big plus).
You don't need to construct a one-brand system,
although if you buy one multi-disc changer, you probably should buy any others you need
from the same company, simply to make it easier to have them working together. You an buy
preamp, processor, and power amps all from different companies though, if you want to.
November 25, 2001
Subject: Subwoofer review
I am one of your frequent readers. Your article on the
Dayton Loudspeaker Co. 10" Titanic Vance Subwoofer Kit just addresses a subject that
I am thinking about lately, i.e., a good subwoofer. My system consists of a pair
of Audio Physic Virgo speakers, a McCormack DNA-1 Rev.A power amplifier, a Musical
Fidelity A3CR preamplifier (I bought it after reading your article), and a Sony SCD-1 disc
player.
The Virgo specification said that it'll go down to 34 Hz
(-3dB) but I still don't get enough bass (may due to my room acoustic problem), so I plan
to add a subwoofer.
The Musical Fidelity A3CR has only one set of outputs, the
McCormack DNA-1 has two sets of outputs (two sets of right-channel outputs and 2 sets of
left-channel outputs) that can be used for bi-amping. The Virgo has only one set of inputs
so it can not be bi-amped. Could you please tell me how I should connect the cables so
that I can run the Virgo in full frequencies together with the Titanic subwoofer? And do
you think that the Titanic subwoofer is a good combination for my system? I have also been
thinking about the Hsu TN1225HO subwoofer. Which subwoofer do you think will fit my system
better?
I enjoy reading your articles very much. Thank you for your
help in advance.
Best Regards
David Ma
Hi David:
I think the Titanic is an awfully good 10"
subwoofer and a heck of a buy. But if your primary speaker gives you 34Hz, you need more
than a 10" driver supplying the low frequencies, in my opinion. The Hsu or a Velodyne
or a REL might be better suited for your system.
November 22, 2001
Subject: Big questions
I've followed your cohesive reviews and comments for a
while now. I'm faced with some huge questions and live where access to a great local audio
store is far from convenient. So I hoped I might risk asking a few questions. You're
probably swamped with e-mail, so I'll try to be brief and thank you in advance for any
advice you can offer.
I have a custom modified Dynaco tube amp and preamp. I do
not stand by tube versus solid state, my main interest is sound quality at an affordable
price. The equipment needs some fine-tuning (minor hum problems, and I know from prior
experience some internal wiring must be revamped) and I have an extensive, and rarely
played record collection because the phono section is basically unusable.
So, should I tweak what I have or upgrade to new or newer
components? In some respects, I crave the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of a topnotch
integrated with a great phono section (if such exists). Starting with your reviews, I'm
inspired by the Musical Fidelity lineup, which on paper "sounds" like about the
best thing going these days, addresses most of my needs, but will it lack the essential
ingredient (soulfulness, a "you are there" quality) that tubes MAY give music?
Again, I'm not sold on tubes versus solid state, I'm only commenting on what I have now
versus prior solid state (B&K).
Also, it appears that Musical Fidelity is no longer carried
in the US. Do you know if that's true? Any suggestion on used equipment locations if
they're not available and if that appears the direction in which to head.
Okay, there's probably 87 questions in those sentences, but
I had to try. Thanks again.
Jasmine
Hi Jasmine:
There's no question that you could have your Dyna
gear thoroughly upgraded and you'd have a darn good hi-fi -- but you'd still have a
40+-year-old system and the resale value might not reflect your expenses.
Musical Fidelity is indeed carried in the US,
although no longer by Audio Advisor. Kevro International, Inc. (1-905-428-2800) is the new
distributor.
The Creek 5350SE's plug-in MM and MC modules are
probably the best phono section(s) on an integrated that I've heard, especially the SE
versions. And the Creek is a very, very fine amp indeed.
November 21, 2002
Subject: Bose
What do you think about Bose speakers? Are they worth the
money?
Sylvain
Hi Sylvain:
A lot of people seem to like 'em and I wouldn't
dream of telling them they're wrong, but I personally find them expensive for what they
offer in performance. Mind you, several kajillion consumers seem to feel otherwise.
November 20, 2001
Subject: Turntables
I'm an audio-component-challenged wife who is searching for
a decent turntable for my husband for Christmas. I would like it to be under $200 since he
will only be using it to play the old albums and to record them. We currently have a
Yamaha R50 receiver (old one). What would you recommend?
Thanks.
Unsigned
Dear Perfect Spouse:
I love that you're willing to share your husband's
hobby with him, but I have to warn you that buying components for your audio-sweetie might
rob him of the part of the hobby some audiophiles enjoy most: the hunt for the new
component.
Why not give him a "gift certificate" you
have printed up, offering him the $200 from your joint account free and clear toward a new
turntable along with an afternoon when you'll accompany him on the hunt? That way, you
won't buy him a Music Hall when he had his heart set on a Rega (or vice versa), plus he'll
get to strut his arcane knowledge in front of you -- as big a turn on to some audiophiles
as a black lace teddy (not that the two are mutually exclusive).
November 19, 2001
Subject: New CD player
I like your advice on audio topics and now my question is:
I want to upgrade my Cambridge Audio D500 CD player with a Musical Fidelity A3CD CD player
or by adding a MSB Link DAC3. Could you please give me some suggestion?
I need a CD player with detailed and punchy sound. My
speaker is the Mission 752, amplifier is the Cyrus3/Cyrus PSX-R/Cyrus Smartpower
(bi-amping and component power supply).
Looking forward to reading you.
Best regards,
David Rose, an audiophile from Shanghai, China
Hi David:
I'd suggest upgrading your CD player first, mostly
to take advantage of the heftier build-quality of the Musical Fidelity over the Cambridge,
which is a superb-sounding unit, but one built to its price point. The MF is built like a
tank and should perform for years and years of service.
November 17, 2001
Subject: CD player advice
I have long admired your writing style and valued your
opinions. Your reviews for Stereophile were among the best and it is gratifying
to know that your high standards are very much in evidence on your own website, which is
really excellent.
I am considering replacing my 11-year-old CD player with a
Mark Levinson No.39 CD player, which you reviewed very favorably in Stereophile.
As this unit has been discontinued, I have the opportunity to purchase one as a dealer
demo (with full warranty) for a 35% discount from my local high-end dealer. I intend to
connect the No.39 directly to my Mark Levinson amp using balanced Kimber Select
interconnects bypassing my preamp altogether. Other than a CD player, I do not use any
other sources. If I recall your review correctly, you stated that connecting the No.39
directly to an amplifier using balanced interconnects yielded optimal sonic results.
Query: Should I go ahead and make this purchase or would I
be better off considering other CD players instead (if the latter, what alternative(s)
would you recommend)? BTW, I have heard the No.39 in my system (on a loaner basis) and
loved it from both a sonic and an ergonomic perspective. I am only interested in
purchasing a high-quality CD player (my collection = 6000+ CDs) solely for two-channel
playback. I have no current interest in SACD or DVD-A -- the software offerings are
woefully inadequate from my point of view.
Thank you in advance for your advice.
With best wishes,
Reynold Meni
Dear Reynold:
Go for it! A 39 at a great price will give you
years of listening pleasure -- and your proposed scheme for connecting it sounds like the
way to go.
November 15, 2001
Subject: Volume control?
I just made an egregious mistake. I ordered an AES AE-25
Super Amp and thought I'd plug the output from my MSB Link III DAC directly into it.
Obviously, I totally forgot about the volume control, so I guess I now need a preamp. If
you could send me your first reaction to the following couple of preamps or suggest
another that would mate well with the Super Amp I'd really, really, really, really be
grateful. You see, I don't have a car and I live in rural New Jersey so it's really a pain
for me to audition stuff and all the dealers I've talked with won't let me take stuff home
on trial.
- Adcom GFP-750
- BAT VK3i
- Tact RCS 2.0
As you can see from the list above I really don't have any
idea. I'd be much indebted for even being pointed in the right direction.
Best
Craig
Hi Craig:
I'm sorry, but you mean that stores selling that
level of electronics won't let you do an in-home demo? That's incredible! My suggestion,
which has nothing to do with the relative merits of the three preamps you mention, is to
refuse to buy any of them from dealers who won't allow you to perform a secured home
demonstration. Either buy the Adcom from Audio Advisor, where at least you have return privileges, or find a
reasonable dealer.
November 13, 2001
Subject: Balanced preamplifier
I would like to know what do you think about the new
Musical Fidelity A300CR amplifier. I'm about to buy the following system:
- Amplifier: Musical Fidelity A300CR
- Pre-amplifier: Musical Fidelity A3CR
- CD Player: Musical Fidelity A3CD
- Loudspeakers: Vandersteen 3A Signature
I have listened to all those products, with the exception
of the new Musical Fidelity A300CR. I live in Portugal and the Portuguese importer is
still waiting for the arrival of the first A300CR.
My local retailer had strongly recommended the A300CR over
the A3CR, but know I'm concerned about the quality of the new Musical Fidelity A300CR
amplifier.
Here's why:
I'm not a Stereophile reader, but I have been told
that, in the June issue of that magazine, Sam Tellig, after comparing the established
Musical Fidelity A3CR with the new Musical Fidelity A300CR, had concluded that, although
the A300CR is more powerful, it does not have the clarity and ambience retrieval of the
A3CR.
I would like to know your opinion about this subject. Is
the A300CR better than the A3CR?
Yours sincerely,
Domingues Ribeiro
Hi Domingues:
I haven't heard the A300CR, so I can't really say.
But this is a good place to discuss how knowing a reviewer's listening habits might
influence his decision. I know Sam well and I have worked with him. He's one of the finest
reviewers I've ever worked with and probably the best writer to ever work extensively with
audio.
But like all reviewers, Sam has particular things
that push his buttons and these may or may not be the same as the ones that press yours.
Sam really loves the magic of low-output single-ended tube amps, which means that a lot of
his life is spent looking for speaker that are extremely sensitive and which do not
present taxing phase angles to their amplifiers. These speakers may not sound the same as
a relatively power hungry, reasonably complex load, such as your Vandersteens.
Now this is pure speculation on my part, since I
haven't heard the 300CR and I don't know which speakers Sam used to reach his conclusions.
I'm merely trying to point out that Sam's search for a certain type of magic might make
his priorities different from yours.
I'd definitely want to audition the 300CR before
committing to it, but I suspect your speakers will benefit more from the added power
delivery than from the A3CR's low-level resolution. That said, in the end, it is your
taste the product must adhere to.
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