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  1. dr k

    My First Sound Presence Deluxe III-Si 4.0 preamp with Paramount Special Edition upgrade

    Someone stated that FirstSound preamps can be constantly updated as a selling point. That’s why I listed these on sale. I’m not trying to argue with you or steer people away from buying your preamp.
  2. dr k

    My First Sound Presence Deluxe III-Si 4.0 preamp with Paramount Special Edition upgrade

    Here are the Firstsound preamps on sale on eBay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/325747960212 https://www.ebay.com/itm/185607494079 https://www.ebay.com/itm/275953825217
  3. dr k

    My First Sound Presence Deluxe III-Si 4.0 preamp with Paramount Special Edition upgrade

    Don, I never doubted Emmanue’s passion for his preamp. It’s meticulously built and crafted. At the time I was inquiring about his preamp, the price was $16k+, now probably over $20k inflation adjusted. Although there are diehard fans for his preamp as there are for other bespoke preamps, I like...
  4. dr k

    My First Sound Presence Deluxe III-Si 4.0 preamp with Paramount Special Edition upgrade

    Any First Sound owner ever audition their preamp before buying? I tried to audition one but the designer would not let me audition his. AFAIK there were no dealers at the time. Who would buy an expensive preamp with no dealer network without actually doing a home audition? I don’t understand the...
  5. dr k

    Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?

    I have no idea what that means.
  6. dr k

    Alsyvox planars...prepare to sell your Magico's, YG's, Wilson's, Cessaro's. Maggie's, and all others!!

    Afik, Alsyvox has been making ribbon speakers for over 20 years. As Rhapsody said, no failures in the field in the past 5 years.
  7. dr k

    Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?

    Why is it that most of these ultra high-end, expensive preamps lack a balance control, which IME is essential to get correct soundstage and imaging due to either channel imbalance in the recording or asymmetric loss hearing between our left and right ears? Some argue balance control degrades...
  8. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    If a planar magnetic or dynamic driver can’t reproduce the original signal accurately, it is distortion. Question is to what degree. AFAIK, a planar magnetic driver thwack is heard when the driver suddenly stops reproducing music signal because it runs out of excursion and is physically...
  9. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    That nasty thwack is also a form of distortion. I know it well.
  10. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    I like to play dynamic bass tracks very loud on occasion (95-100dB+) and Duettas, Calipers, and Stages will distort. I’m more sensitive to bass distortion than most. It’s just the limitation of the design and not an indictment on poor quality. This won’t happen at reasonable listen levels...
  11. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    They do sound very dynamic given the limitation of YouTube. I love Porsches for their vehicle dynamics, a true drivers car and one of best around. However, I can't handle the cost of repair if anything fails. Even if I had stupid money, I'd be happy with the Caymen.
  12. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    How does the Scinnies compare in sound compared to other apogee models? Scinnies are the only apogees I haven’t listened to. The Scinnie midrange/tweeter arrangement is so unique.
  13. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    Is there a particular brand? Link? I myself use custom silver foil cables with very little dielectric.
  14. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    Every one has different taste and to compare two speakers set up on two entirely different systems in different rooms is pretty useless. I’m sure the guy genuinely preferred your speakers, but his comparison is completely invalid. Having said that, I applaud any one who makes significant...
  15. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    Yes, Jason highly recommended the Symo cables which were probably the best cables for the apogees at the time, even maybe to this day.
  16. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    I’ve always had a soft spot for apogees. The Duetta was the first truly great high-end speaker I was exposed to along with the original Martin Logan CLS (warts and all) and Maggie Tympany 1D.
  17. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    But I’m happy to see you’ve improved on the classic Duetta. Congratulations! Perhaps one day I’ll be able to hear the Interstella and break the 40 year losing streak I’ve had with apogees.
  18. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    Have you heard a pair of Duetta’s set up by Jason Bloom? Have you talked to him about the design of the speakers and how he personally tuned every singe pair? I may not have credibility to you, but he definitely should. I’ve been listening to apogees for almost 40 years and that is my...
  19. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    I once asked Bob Carver why he used Kapton for his ribbons in his speakers. He said Kapton is the most heat resistant polymer for the application. He provided the ribbons for Arnie Nudel‘s Genesis reference speakers, which were essentially improved Infinity IRS Vs. Actually one of the heat...
  20. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    The apogees can seem to have “more balls” because the Leo Spiegal and Jason Bloom purposefully tilted up the bass. Actually if I recall correctly, there was about about 10dB differential from bass to treble range. They were aware of the importance of power response of speaker dipole speakers...
  21. dr k

    Another Apogee thread? You bet!

    Interesting thread. Even after all these years, people still talk about the apogee sound. The first time I heard apogee was in 1983-84. It was the Duetta set up by the late Jason Bloom himself. To this day, I can recall the music as being the top 3 most transparent and realistic I’ve ever heard...
  22. dr k

    My First Sound Presence Deluxe III-Si 4.0 preamp with Paramount Special Edition upgrade

    Let us know how the updated power supply improves the sound. I’ve found that some of these power supply filters can do more damage than good, especially if you already use a power conditioner.
  23. dr k

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    Hi, I didn’t see any mention of the Pass amp in this review. Where did he claim the Coda bested the Pass?
  24. dr k

    My First Sound Presence Deluxe III-Si 4.0 preamp with Paramount Special Edition upgrade

    So can anyone do a review of the updated First Sound in comparison to other high end preamps they’ve owned? All the pro reviews are old. I was seriously thinking of buying about 8 years years ago, but there was no dealer to audition this preamp. The designer wasnt willing to send me a loaner...
  25. dr k

    Movers of highend audio equipment

    Thank you everyone. All of you have given me great suggestions. I’ve never tried to move so much valuable equipment across the country. I’ll be doing it probably in January after the holiday madness. Do you know specifically who offers tip and shock sensors with cell phone alerts?
  26. dr k

    Movers of highend audio equipment

    Thanks again. I’ll give them a call.
  27. dr k

    Movers of highend audio equipment

    Thank you. Would you happens to know one based in Texas?
  28. dr k

    Movers of highend audio equipment

    Who are the most trusted movers for highend audio equipment across the US? Simple home movers are too untrustworthy to move equipment that can total hundreds of thousands dollars. Is it better to find a general shipping company? Should one get insurance? If so, who do you recommend? Thank you.
  29. dr k

    Kuzma Airline linear tonearm

    Thanks but I wanted a more objective opinion customers. Appreciate your comment.
  30. dr k

    Kuzma Airline linear tonearm

    Hi, does anyone own or have experience with this tonearm? Is it reliable? Is it difficult to setup? What’s the weakness and strength sonically? Does anyone know if it’ll fit on the Techdas AF 3 premium TT? Appreciate anyone who can give their opinion and insight. Thanks.

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