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    Ron’s New System

    For the Clear Reflection, I would think the capacitance is low. If you look at Golden Reference it is listed as 15 pf/ft for rca. 7 pf/ft for balanced. Golden Cross has more conductors and it is 25 pf/ft for RCA and 15pf/ft for balanced.
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    Rega P10 - I have a hum

    Reach out to Rega through your dealer if possible or directly to Rega. You should not have this problem. Rega use to have a specific ground design for the tonearm. My P9 was silent used single ended. I used a koestu MC cartridge. If I floated the ground for a balanced input it would hum without...
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    Rega P10 - I have a hum

    Ground wire from phono pre to the Rega. Do your best to get bare ground wire to touch the arm base. I could slip it under a gap in the arm base for the P9.
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    Turntable Theory on the Optimal Turntable

    Just a note on the discussion. Several opinions are based on the ideal or theoretical design. Implementation is everything. Most designs have varying degrees of comprmise.
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    Turntable Theory on the Optimal Turntable

    I guess this is in league with Roy Gandy’s thoughts from Rega. Perhaps a Rega Naiad. https://www.rega.co.uk/about/naiad
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    Home Dac test - Legacy Boulder VS Bartok VS Bel Canto E1X

    I’m sure the Bel Canto is well designed. I have not heard the unit.
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    Home Dac test - Legacy Boulder VS Bartok VS Bel Canto E1X

    So much of what makes DACs sound different is evident in the power supply/regulation, digital filters and the analog output stage. The Boulder has much more attention to power and analog output. I still enjoy an older Ayre model for similar reasons.
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    Spectral DM30-SS

    Excellent preamp. There is a version 1 and a version 2. Both are superb. The version 2 had increased gain and a few changes to the boards. Some of the changes are due to parts obsolescence so changes may be necessary.
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    BEST SPEAKERS FOR LISTENING LEVELS BETWEEN 50 AND 55 DBS

    Harbeth M40 series. They sound full and complete at lower db’s. They have been designed for monitoring at sensible levels. Audition if possible. I was surprised how satisfying they sound a lower volume levels.
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    Cardas 4 X 24 DIY Headphone Cable

    You are happy with the mogami. Stay there unless you can demo other cables. It’s a rabbit hole of trade offs.
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    ? What Jazz Music Selection are you Listening to in the Now? | Analog, Digital ??????

    Rainy day in the Bay Area. Praying for a big dump of snow in Tahoe. Wes Montgomery. A day in the life.
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    Ypsilon VPS-100 MKII + MCL / CH P1 / Aesthetix Io

    If you live in the EU, you should look at EU manufacturers. I would go with the Ypsilon unit for a single cart system. Multi arm, go with the CH. I am located in the US and use the Io.
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    Nagra HD Preamp Versus Aries Cerat Incito S Preamp

    My Nagra PL-L has 12 db of gain and is single ended. 3 tubes so it’s easy to try different tubes. Look for a used unit and tweak like John recommended. Hard to lose money on an older Nagra.
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    Nagra HD Preamp Versus Aries Cerat Incito S Preamp

    Transformers when done properly can be nice to have. In the Nagra the output transformers were used to drive amplifiers with a balanced design. In your case Ron, balanced to the VTL and switch to SE for the Jadis. Using the SE output the signal comes straight from the output tubes. I get the...
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    Nagra HD Preamp Versus Aries Cerat Incito S Preamp

    I look forward to the preamp evaluations. I have kept a Nagra PL-L preamp. It can drive two sets of rca interconnects. It also has the output transformers for the balanced output if needed. It has been a solid piece of gear all these years. Ron, the modulometer is helpful in setting up phono...
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    Spectral prep

    The DMC -20 has up to 40 db of gain. The manual discusses attenuation of inputs. Try connecting single ended to the disc input. No sure what amp you are using and what disc player you are using. Some modern disc players can output several volts. Guessing the DMC-20 was designed for 1V of input...
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    Upgrading from 2150 to 3060?

    Cymbal and snare should have a somewhat sharp sound. You may be getting exactly what’s in the recording. Easier to experiment with an IC to tune, Cardas Golden Cross have been a great way to tune treble hot systems in my past. Other IC’s have a bottom up balance as well. Sounds like you have a...
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    Is Audiophilia a Dying Hobby or Just in Need of a Tune-Up?

    It is dying, as it should. Younger generations experience music differently than many of the older generation. Music will still be appreciated, just by a smaller subset of people.
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    Question for Spectral owners

    If the noise is consistent you should be fine.
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    Question for Spectral owners

    It’s normal. How loud is a different story. Welcome to Spectral.
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    Upgrade stand mount from Heritage Specials

    Hopefully you get a chance to demo at home. I went through several increasing upgrades only to find out what I had many upgrades before was just fine.
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    Upgrade stand mount from Heritage Specials

    I still use a pair of Dynaudio Special Twenty Five's. Consider staying with what you have. Its not broken, you are just curious. Buy more music and reconsider a sub (swarm) if you really want low end. Its not more bass or better bass necessarily. You just need to enjoy it without being...
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    darTZeel out of business?

    Its not funny, but I keep thinking Spectral is getting to the end of their road soon. I hope Herve and Dartzeel live on.
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    dCS new flagship

    This is the right direction for DCS. The competition for their current offerings is crowded. Not better necessarily but it becomes a value decision. This elite tier is better for them. I like many will watch and enjoy what I have. I’m wholly in the single box disc playback group and we are few.
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    How Good a CD Transport is Required to Sound Better than Streaming?

    I would hold onto that K-01XD. I think they have an upgrade available? If you have already paid the price and enjoy the sound. I still use my Ayre C5xe MP. Almost 20 years old. Still sounds good and I have a backup transport. I do not dabble in the lates dac’s. If your music sounds good and...
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    Spectral website awakens after a very long period :)

    Call Goodwin’s in MA. They would likely be first to know anything with Spectral.
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    darTZeel NHB-18NS and NHB-108 model two 20 & 25th Anniversary Edition Models

    Herve must be getting close to retirement. 240K euros for the set with no source and no speakers? He dose make great sounding gear. Expecting FM Acoustics to get on the limited edition to follow along.
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    Boulder and ARC

    If you go 1160 or 2160 look at putting in a 30 amp line. Not sure if Chuck is using 30 amp but most say it makes a difference especially if you push your amps and system. It’s not necessary as plenty use a 20 amp line and I would on the 1160 but that’s because I don’t crank it.
  29. D

    Boulder and ARC

    Depends on your room and listening habits. The 1160 is probably more than enough. Hard to unhear the 2160, but it is likely more than you need. That said, start saving. If I was at that level I would be all Boulder pre and amp. Enjoy!
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    Wadax World Premiere at Munich Highend

    It is good to see Wadax giving the physical media people something. I only spin records or play CD/SACD. Esoteric was almost alone as the CD/SACD player. I am biased against streaming as the future is not bright for those who license content and stream.

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