Recent content by mondoribo

Both speakers CAN go at the same time Happened to my old Aeons during a party. They were getting quite a workout. Perhaps there was some transient in the home-made CD that called for a lot of current from the amp, and they both blew. Nothing much beyond the woofers working. I spoke with Martin...

Agree w/ tube preamp suggestion Made a world of difference. Went to a Tube Audio Design TAD-150 from a Rotel RC-1070. After that, went with tube monoblock amps. But a very noticeable difference going from SS to tube preamp. You can find a nice used preamp without breaking the bank.

DTB300 makes a good point. If you are going to try one of the mail order subs, try to audition one locally if you can. Return shipping on one of these will be significant. (for reference it costs ~$50 to ship 50 lbs. across the country). If you have a local dealer for any of the listed subs try...

Forgot to mention... My room is 25'Lx15'xW16'H and the Depth is plenty. Also, sub placement is important, e.g. placing in a corner vs. out in the room more. There will be room nodes where the bass frequencies cancel (and others spots where they reinforce). I found some interesting white papers...

Depth I'm sure you could find a Depth used for under $1500. I got mine new for about that.

Things I did with my Pro-ject Xpression1 I had a Pro-ject Xpression until my recent upgrade to a VPI scout. This is an excellent "entry level" turntable that can sound almost as good as the Scout if its tweaked right. I started with the Sumiko Blue Pt. No.2 cart as a dealer-installed upgrade...

Thanks, I'll keep my eye out for one on Ebay. Nothing there right now except an ABCE500-11. Jon

Check the Vinyl Asylum There are many threads there debating the merits of various entry level turntables. I would agree with everyone here. I started with a new Project Xpression with Sumiko Blue Pt. cartridge. Swapped a Dynavector 10x5 for the Sumiko, then moved up to a VPI Scout using the...

Next up: UPS for HTS Hi Cherian, Between the Powervar and the TAD-1000 monoblocks with the huge transformers, I've got more humming on my shelf than a barbershop quartet. Fortunately, they are all on the other side of the room from my speakers. so I don't hear the mechanical hum. But there is a...

Try Ebay as well for the Powervar units Thanks to Cherian, I had 3 of these units in my system months ago. You guys are way behind :D. I bought the largest unit for most of the components (2 preamps, CD, phono pre, monoblocks, etc.), a 4-outlet unit for one Ascent and the Depth sub since they...

Volex cords are cheap And are the backbone of the DIY cable recipe. But you can just buy the basic 14 gauge shielded cord. Go to Audio Asylum, and do a search on Volex in the cables forum. They are about $6. each. I bought some upgraded IEC connectors so I could make them in custom lengths for...

Another experience with VDA-2 I tried the VDA-2 (with upgrade power supply) as an outboard DAC with my Rotel RCC-955 changer. Direct A/B test into different inputs on my preamp with identical cables. Could not hear any difference, other than a difference in gain. My wife has better ears than I...

Tube Audio Design TAD-1000 monoblocks I have used the TAD-1000 tube monoblocks with Aeons and now Ascent i's. I think they go for about $2300? new. Check reviews online for the TAD-60 as well, a 60W amp from the same outfit. I haven't found any TAD-1000 reviews, but the TAD-60 is similar, just...

60 W might be just fine. Why do you think they are underpowered? Do they sound bad? I think many folks run their MLs (e.g. Aeons and smaller) with 60W or less.

Happy Rotel customer I have the Rotel RCC-955 changer. This is a nice sounding player and a good value. I bought a Channel Islands VDA-2 DAC and power supply, a $750. "upgrade", and sent it back because I couldn't hear any difference.