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    Plasma Tweeters

    I've been toying for awhile with the idea of trying a Plasma Tweeter along side the ribbon tweeters in my speakers (Evolution Acoustics MM7). I have no idea if it would integrate well or not seeing as there would be quite a bit of frequency overlap. But my primary question is whether any...
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    Extreme Luxury Pricing in Audio

    In the relatively short time (about 12 yrs) that I've been a part of the Audiophile world, I've noticed an accelerating trend in high-end gear pricing that has only the most tenuous relationship to actual value. The economics term for this is Veblen Pricing where, in the luxury marketplace...
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    Strange Subwoofer/Plate Amp problem

    Since owning the Evolution Acoustics MM7's, the right subwoofers plate amp has gone bad 3 times within the 16 months I've owned the speakers. I've replaced the plate amp twice so far, but they only function for a few months before going out again. I'm thinking this may be beyond bad luck with...
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    Listening and Vision

    I've been paying more attention lately to the differences between listening with eyes open or closed. I find myself going back and forth for a different experience. Eyes closed usually brings more effortless focus. But lately, I've been noticing that with open eyes, the sense of space and...
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    PreAmp Goldilocks Conundrum

    I have a Dartzeel preamp and amp (108 model 2). I also own the Atmasphere MP3 pre-amp. From time to time I compare the two pre's and I find myself wishing for some ideal between the two. The two pre’s bring differing pros and cons: The DZ is more full; the Atma more lean. The DZ sounds...
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    Ukrainian tube seller

    A couple of weeks before the Russian Invasion, I purchase a pair Russian Meltz, old stock tubes from a Ukrainian Ebay seller. I finally got around to trying them out yesterday. After 5 minutes, I heard some crackling and shortly thereafter, one of the little tubes gave up the ghost. I...
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    Mark Levinson Master Class software

    I'm curious about this Mac software -- a combination of EQ and something called A+. The A+ is purported to "fill in the steps" of the PCM sine wave to reduce the fatigue purported to result from listening to PCM. I personally am not aware of PCM induced fatigue if it's a good recording...
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    OCD Hi-Fi Guy

    I just happened across this Hi-Fi guy on YouTube. I'll say one thing, he is funny. And not a shrinking violet. His description of what he likes or doesn't like in a DAC is right up the Natural Sound alley, though I think he manages to avoid saying the word "natural." Kudos on that!
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    Volume and Listening

    I'm moving the volume talk that was derailing the Magico thread here. My experience is that there is not a particular "ideal" volume for listening. A low volume and high volume level can give equally rewarding experiences. Some systems perform better than others at low volumes and at high...
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    Bill Low, Audioquest, interview

    I happened upon this interview from about a year ago. Interesting guy.
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    "I"m terrified for the flute!"

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    A way to improve Power Factor

    I recently installed a 6 gauge "home run" line from our main panel to a dedicated outlet for audio. Connected to this outlet is a Sound Application TT7 240v power distributor. My amp, server, dac and switch power supply are connected to the TT7 and my class d speaker amps are on dedicated...
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    Now, this is how to listen to Stereo...

    New York pad and Boenicke W8's. Who cares if the right speaker is blocked by a fuzzy couch? (picture from the Boenicke Facebook site)
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    Earspace Speaker comparison video's

    Jana Dagdagan, formerly with Stereophile, and a very talented filmmaker, has some interesting video's where she compares different systems, with 4 standard references, recorded with binaural headphones. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNqMrzZG0wUBwrNepdprwVQ She has done Devore Reference...
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    Devore Reference

    Has anyone listened to these? https://devorefidelity.com/oref/
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    Roon Labs Future?

    I heard disturbing news from an industry insider, that early this year Roon "fired it's 2-channel guys." The two prominent names mentioned are Steve Silberman and Bill Leebens. He believes that this is no coincidence that the latest software release, by many accounts, took Roon's sound...
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    MSB Premier or Lampi Pacific

    To follow up on the previous locked-down discussion: I was able to compare the Premier (w/ upgraded clock, power base and Pro USB) to my Pacific. The difference was pretty striking, for me, in favor of the Pacific. While the MSB sounded very good with a full and rich tonality -- The...
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    What is your ambient room spl level?

    And, are your measuring db-A pr db-C? I've noticed db-A gives a level 10 db lower than C. My db-A level is in the mid 30's. (measured on "db meter" smart phone app).
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    FMC -- Gigafoil -- EtherRegen Question

    I've just run 100' of fiber, with FMC's at either end, from utility room to audio room. The plan is to use the fiber instead of the existing long run of ethernet. My question is: would it make theoretical sense to place my Gigafoil in the ethernet run between the FMC and the EtherRegen...
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    Pimped out Premier or Lampi Pacific?

    I'm planning to sell my beloved Pacific (if I get the price I need for it). Otherwise, I'll be very happy to keep it. I'm kind of tired of dealing with tube issues and I'm very interested in the dac Bakoon will eventually come out with that may optimize with my Bakoon 13r amp and its Satri...
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    Most Respected Amplifier Designers

    I'm curious to hear names of amp designers over the years that you particularly respect. Whether well known, or under the radar, whose designs to you think are exceptionally innovative and well executed? I'm also not that curious about the super high end amps (where most of the value might be...
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    Luxman C-600f pre amp

    Does anyone have experience with the C 600f line stage pre? I'm also curious how it compares with the newer C700u? My amp is the Luxman 300 q. (300b SET).
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    Acourate with Lumin, Tidal and Roon

    Hi, Is anyone using this combination? I'm just beginning to look into it.
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    What do you use for EQ processing

    I use an Ashley ne4400. My concern is that it's DAC might be a weak link in the signal chain. My source is the Lumin S1 with the ESS Sabre 32 bit dac chips. Can anyone suggest eq processors with dac's of comparable quality to the Lumins? Does it matter? Thanks
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    Lumin S1 and Ashley digital processor

    My system's sole source is the Lumin S1 network player. I'm currently listening mostly to 44.1 khz, 16 bit streamed from Tidal. The Lumin is capable of up to 192khz 24 bit PCM files and DSD 128, but I haven't listened to much higher res yet. The signal from the Lumin then goes through the...
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    Stein Music Harmonizers

    Does anyone have experience with the Harmonizers? I'm curious to audition. And what about the "Magic Rocks"? (They seem to undermine their credibility there, but who knows, maybe there's also a magic rock in Harmonizer box! But I have an open mind...

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