Audiophile Equipment Comments and Letters To Us

Letters To Us

January 2008

Hi Steven,

I am looking for a pair of speakers to mate with 2 Rega Exon 3 monoblock amps, Rega Cursa preamp, and Rega Saturn cd player. My cables are all Chord cable company speaker cables and interconnects. My power cords are Wireworld Stratus. I am thinking about the Reference 3a mm de Capo i after reading your review, but one issue I have is that they must go into built in bookshelves. I have no choice about this unfortunately.

Since the Ref 3a mm de Capo's are rear ported, I wanted to know what your thoughts were about this and whether or not it would be worth trying. Just fyi, I have tried many bookshelf speakers such as ATC SCM 11, Penaudio Rebel 2, Dynaudio focus 140's, Quad 12L's, Focal's, etc., you get the picture.

Best Regards,

Butch Holmes

Butch,

Thanks for your e-mail and the 3a should be fine. All should be fine even with the rear port in the bookshelf, though I'd suggest placing some 1/2-inch or more thick felt on the backwall of the bookshelf just behind the speaker (or some other type of air/sound baffling). Attach the felt to the back wall of the cabinet itself. This will help modify the air that will be moving behind the speaker. Always glad to help and in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

January 2008

Dear Sirs,

I was considering to move up to a single ended integrated amplifier like the Jolida 300B or Cary 300 SEI, I didn't want to have to spend over $3,000. to get it. Could you tell me anything about either of these amps or maybe the Decware SEI ? Would you possibly consider reviewing one of them. I'm researching it now while I save up for it.

I currently have a JoLida 302B integrated amp, Klipsch RF3 II speakers (an efficient two way loudspeaker that goes from 38Hz -20Khz). I also use a Sony SACD/DVD 685dvp changer , Sansui TU 717 tuner, and a Toshiba Hi- Def rear projection widescreen TV. I like two channel sound.

Thanks for publishing an interesting magazine with good equipment and music reviews.

Sincerely,

Rick Kowalski

Rick,

Thanks for your e-mail and there are many SET amplifiers available nowadays under $3k. Best bet is to check our review archives and read about them. These detailed reviews are better than brief descriptions typed in 2 minutes into an e-mail. Always glad to help. Of course in the end what really matters is that you…

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

January 2008

I really enjoy & appreciate your site. Please add me to the mailing list (& contest). Thanks & keep up the good work!

Greg Hall

January 2008

Steven,

I am a 56 year old former musician who can remember sitting in between my fathers speakers with a tube amp and spinning LPs on the record player. I became a piano player and have never hear that kind of quality sound again. I want that experience If I don't win I need help on a low budget

Gerry Schiller

Gerry,

Like you, am a musician and grew up enjoying my father's stereo system. Check out our 'Best Of' awards over the years as we indeed do have many value-oriented products that do a splendid job of reproducing music. See the Review Magazine Archives for the wide assortment of amplifiers available.

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

January 2008

Steven,

Allow me to pick your brain and experience with new/old gear if i may. i currently run a pair of Rockport Hyperions with mbl mono s, 9008 and 6010d mbl preamp. digital is a dcs stack. Cabling is Transparent's ref.mm /opusmm, and s/r absolute ref. and Valhala power cords. Have been searching for new mps/ preamp. As the Hyperions need a lot of oomph to drive them, the amps need plenty of power. i was considering the Vitus, Gryphon gear( insane pricing due to the weak dollar), Pass Lab, BAT, Plinius, Dartzeel... Could you recommend or give some input from your prospective about these aforementioned names ,or even a few i haven't thought of?

Thanks a lot in advance,

Oded Zyssman

Oded,

Thanks for your e-mail and always glad to help as i can. Having never tried those speakers i can only speculate. Because you say the need oomph, then that would lead me to Gryphon gear. What you basically seem to be saying is that you need amplification that produces high current (Amperage). Thin of it in car terms, wattage is horsepower and Amperage is torque. In racing, torque wins races, or so they say and i have to agree. So the Gryphon should do nicely. Of course you may want to try the new Pass Labs amplifiers they just announced (see the Enjoy the Music.com Industry news page) as they may be true winners, too. As always, best bet is to try and get an in-home audition to be sure of synergy and that the system meets your needs. Remember, in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

January 2008

Hi Steven,

It said to write and all questions would be answered. Okay, I bought a pair of Legacy Focus HD speakers, Musical Fidelity A1008 Amp, Pro-Ject RPM 10 turntable with a Sumiko Blackbird cartridge, A Rega Saturn CD player and a PS Audio Power Plant Premier 1500. Have I made a good choice? I had to do this on-line because of health issues!

Thank you so very much,

Greg Simmons

Greg,

Have never reviewed those products, though each one is said to be very good. It looks to be a very nice system! May it bring you many years of musical bliss. As always, in the end what really matters is that you...

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

January 2008

One of my favorite e-zins out there!

AOZ

January 2008

Steven,

I've been visiting and reading articles in your web site. I was impressed by your review on Conrad-Johnson MV60 written by Todd Warnke. Do you have any reviews about Mastersound products, specifically the Mastersound Due Venti (220) S.E.?

I've heard from some audiophile colleagues that it is a nice amp. But I don't see much review of in on the web. I'm interested in this Italian amp. Would you be able to help me by posting your reviewer's thought or impressions on this.

Thank you very much,

Regards,

Nolan M. Lenon

Nolan,

Thanks for your e-mail and compliments. Alas, Mastersound does not seem to send products out for review and this could explain why you are not finding any. We do have a review of Nightingale, a great Italian tube amplification manufacture.

Enjoy the Music,

Steven R. Rochlin

January 2008

Nels,

Nice review of the TVC. As I am unfamiliar with passive units, would the 5-meter run of IC from my amp to the TVC preclude using it in my system? (McCormack DNA-125, V'steen 2Ce sig.)

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Tim Fossett

Hi Tim,

I believe it would work, but for optimum results, I would recommend as short an interconnect as possible.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Nels

January 2008

Hi Bill,

I just read the following review, and was wondering where can I get a used Loricraft record cleaner, or what is the second best option if I couldn't afford one? I'm in the process of converting my vinyl records to PCM/WAV file, and what the best possible sound I can get or afford.

Thanks,

Matt Long

Matt,

Interestingly, I'm doing the exact same thing with my vinyl using my Loricraft. For best results I'd suggest using Walker Audio's record cleaning system. As for the Loricraft, I have not seen any used units advertised on any of the other auction sites. A new unit will set you back about $2000. VPI makes an inexpensive cleaner at about $500 which works almost as well.

Good luck with your project,

Bill

January 2008

I really like your reviews.

Richard Fischer

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