Search results

  1. John57

    Not an urgent quandary: Fix or move to what?

    Recently my Audio Research LS10 refused to turn on. It was an unsurprising final step after pressing the on-switch increasingly harder until it just stopped starting up. Sure, I took it to the local service centre, here in Melbourne. And waited. And waited. Until 8 weeks passed. No call. No...
  2. John57

    It's been a while...system updates including Viking Acoustics L'Instrument speakers plus plus plus

    Dear All who may visit here... thanks for stopping by. I've finally reached Audio Nirvana and thought it was time I updated those who visit about my system changes. As luck would have it, I found my end-of-search power amplifier in Perth Australia. It was one of a pair being used in mono...
    • John57
    • Thread
    • audio research d240 mk ii audio research ls10 l'instrument luxman m900u viking acoustics
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: General Audio Forum
  3. John57

    DSD SACD Player to sit alongside ARC Ref CD9

    Can anyone suggest what you add to my esteemed ARC Ref CD9 SE to enable me to play SACD and DSD discs? Please, no Esoteric. Give me your other thoughts and experiences that fit my situation please. Thanks.
  4. John57

    Colibri Labs Croatia

    So I did a search here and didn’t find anything about these speakers or cables from this company based in Croatia. Given this review on Mono and Stereo I was duly impressed. https://www.monoandstereo.com/2016/12/colibri-labs-electrum-speakers-review.html I had recently ‘met’ the designer...
  5. John57

    Esoteric new releases...is there a new Class A amp on the way?

    So many new Esoteric units released this year. Grandioso full suite preamp amp DAC streamer and CD player. So the F03A is a unique offering still listed on the Esoteric website as the only pure class A Esoteric available. Do you know if there is a replacement class A coming down the pipe? I...
  6. John57

    Which is the best DAC? How many votes for Boulder 2120 DAC?

    I’ve heard it said the Boulder 2120 latest DAC is better than CH Precision MSB and so on. DACS are personal taste and budget. Tech is rapidly advancing. R2R vs FPGA. Are there any owners of this Boulder DAC who can share their experiences?
  7. John57

    Who’s the best high-end Technician you know?

    That you have given your high end component to customize the voicing? Any solid recommendations here?
  8. John57

    If the Esoteric K03Xs CD/SACD Player has harsh leading and trailing edges...

    Listening to my K03Xs SE in my system is a clear transparent articulate and full range CD/SACD experience. Herb Albert is super crystal clear. Playing through any of my amps... PassLabs XP20/XA25 Esoteric F05 To MB2SE (super transparent across the range) or funnily enough my Monitor Gold...
  9. John57

    From XA25 to INT60 what can I expect?

    So I own a Pass XA25 I’m powering the following speakers PMC Twenty26 Now replaced with MB2SE Viking Acoustics Berlin Type II’s In all cases the XA25 is an iron fisted controller in a velvet glove of sweetness. Interestingly the Berlin horn speakers seem to deliver a more coherent sound...
  10. John57

    ARC LS27 vs PASS XP20 into XA25

    I am wondering the difference in end results between a soft pitcher ARC LS27 and a serious SS the XP20 as Preamp choice into my PassLabs XA25? Anyone with experience to share will be gratefully received.
  11. John57

    Steinway-Lyngdorf review posted.

    A new benchmark system. Strangely it sounds like good value. What other systems can or do deliver this experience? Which amps and speaker combo’s can really equal or rival this review system in perceived performance? I wish I knew. I met the European Dealer, and heard the LS story personally at...
  12. John57

    Streaming Dreaming

    Most revealing and best sounds Streaming control via mConnect Lite mobile App Tidal Weekend Waves as sample, mostly current hip/pop music Player: PS Audio PerfectWave DAC To Stereo: Burmester 897> PassLabs XA25 Sub direct drive off XA25 And Berlin R Type II speakers Listening Notes...
  13. John57

    What happened to TotalDAC at Munich HiFi Deluxe this year?

    I haven’t seen or read any reports visits highlights nada. It’s like they weren’t even there... And without knowing they closed on Saturday my wife and I went to the Hotel on Sunday. Mmmmm. Waste of time. No German humor was found. TotalDAC and the funny side of life had left the building. You...
  14. John57

    Esoteric K03XS Upgraded first listening notes

    This is my very first Esoteric purchase, of three planned. Second will be the F05 Integrated followed by the Rubidium Master Clock I hope. Esoteric K03Xs Internal upgrades to rid of noise. Listening notes ... “Just finished taking a first listen after most of the SE upgrades & RFI EMI...
  15. John57

    New release Chord Pre and Power amps: Any experiences of these here?

    There is a glowing review reporting on the new tech development by John Franks here: https://www.audiostream.com/content/chord-electronics-launch-ultima-flagship-amplifier-and-preamplifier I wonder if there are any owners or those who’ve heard these here? Where do they sit in the scheme of amps...
  16. John57

    Esoteric: much more than just an SACD player?

    Why do we only or heavily discuss Esoteric as a SACD player of choice? Can we move the needle on these discussions? I am considering purchase of an Esoteric K07Xs. I see it as three key functions: 1. Red book standard CD player 2. USB/other connections as a Digital player 3. Occasional SACD...
  17. John57

    Single or multiple strand wire and other cable design properties: what is their value contribution and does it matter for what?

    Recently I’ve become aware of a number of different designs for various cables Speaker cable - my current best practice example is a 9ga multi strand twisted silver and copper thread made up of fine single threads. Others I use vary from isolated Westinghouse copper wire again in twisted...
  18. John57

    The New Integrateds: An Urban Renewal?

    I have recently been fascinated by the emerging variety of integrated amplifiers coming to market. Here’s few of the names I’ve been exploring for a future house stereo system: Esoteric F03A - this was always a brand that seemed to provide great value and integrity it ignited my interest in the...
  19. John57

    Preamp with MM/MC phonostage built in - Options

    I’m looking for alternatives to my Burmester 897 Preamp with MC phonostage installed. It’s given me so much headache and total cost including frequent transport now stands at >$4800. So I’d like to ask what options are there under $5K that serve as an integrated preamp with flexible phonostage...
  20. John57

    Guidance on selling prices please.

    Today I am trying to sell a few items and no one has even squeaked at me with interest. Normally it’s price that determines interest. I thought as a starting point. Two of these items are upgraded. I’ve invested somewhere north of $1000 per piece to upgrade them internally. One is a Finale...
  21. John57

    Three items For Sale: Finale Galliard 829B SE/Cambridge CXUHD/CocktailAudioX40 SE

    I have the following items for sale: 1. Finale Galliard 829B amp Location: TMR Audio Boulder Colorado Link: http://tmraudio.com/components/power-amplifiers/finale-galliard-829b-special-stereo-tube-power-amplifier-upgraded-new-tubes/ 2. Cambridge CXUHD three months old only Surplus to...
  22. John57

    Is there a new What's Best Standard? FM Acoustics @KLIAV

    This review posted by Dato' Danon on his website Analogue Fellowship suggests that FM Acoustics speakers and amps are contenders for a What's Best Award if there was such a thing... http://analoguefellowship.com/2018/07/22/fm-acoustics-at-klav-2018-impacted-a-well-known-reviewer/ I wonder...
  23. John57

    Audio Research CD9 vs Marantz SA10 - are there alternatives?

    Recently on a visit to Melbourne’s Carlton Audio I had the pleasure of listening to the Marantz SA10 and Audio Research CD9. There was a revelation when switching from the Marantz to the Audio Research. The phrase ‘lifting the veil’ applies. I was very surprised. Equally by the obvious coloring...
  24. John57

    Better than the Best? New Tektron design

    These are billed as giant slayers http://www.tektondesign.com/ulfberht-pmd-monitor.html Better or at least as good as Magico and Wilson or B&W Anyone heared or own these here?
    • John57
    • Thread
    • speakers audio review tektron
    • Replies: 20
    • Forum: Speakers
  25. John57

    COS Engineering DAC 1

    Ever since I read the review by Srajan Ebaen of the D1 DAC from COS Engineering I am keen to learn more. He certainly waxed lyrical. Is this in the same league as say the TotalDAC or dCS Vivaldi? At $9000 MSRP it seems to want to be there. Hailing from Taiwan, according to Sranan it has many...
  26. John57

    After a PMC Twenty26 what's next?

    I've enjoyed my PMC Twenty26 very much. Clear transparent with great soundstage. I recently installed a significantly more powerful amplifier. An Emotiva XPR2 SE. At 600W per channel it's outside the operating conditions for the Twenty26. It's simply too hot- too much power too much upper...
  27. John57

    Positioning the new Reference SACD SA10 from Marantz

    I am very keen to know what you make of the latest reference SACD DAC Player from Marantz SA10. Where do you see this unit fits from technology and results in relation to the best such players or separates. Is it just another good mid range unit or does it reach greater heights?
  28. John57

    New Technology - Ken Ishiwata

    I wonder if you agree with Ken Ishiwata as he describes his new SACD player as having unique new technology he says surpasses his expectations. https://youtu.be/E_rVelm6l-E
  29. John57

    BMC vs TOTALDAC

    I know less about BMC than TotalDAC and am keen to hear others experience when comparing these two DAC brands. If you were putting together a dream system which would you choose and why? Of course in your dream, you may choose neither of these brands, however let's stay somewhat but not...
  30. John57

    Osborne Speaker Company Australia

    I encountered online for this first time today Osborne Speaker Company of Australia. This company make some uniques products that have received significant praise in their categories namely speakers, amps and CD/SACD players. I was impressed by the speaker reviews from customers and reviewers...

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

Home Forums Contact us

User Menu

Login
Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing
Top Bottom