Search results

  1. Vinyl Valet

    What is it about most audiophile cable designs that make cables sound like Tone Controls?

    I use mid-priced WireWorld cables since their design goal from the beginning has been to be as neutral as possible. With them installed, if I still hear an issue, I fix it elsewhere rather than using a colored cable as a band-aid. I generally find that it's a speaker and/or listening position or...
  2. Vinyl Valet

    Good DAC/Preamp for actives ATC SCM50 ASLT?

    I'm very happy with a Weiss DAC501 directly driving my ATC SCM50ASLT speakers. A friend of mine is doing the same and is equally happy. Excellent headphone output and many useful DSP functions as well. My DAC501 is connected directly to wired ethernet. Very simple and clean solution.
  3. Vinyl Valet

    Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?

    The best I've heard and now own is the Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II fully balanced. There are many more expensive preamps I haven't heard.
  4. Vinyl Valet

    Amp for Fyne f1-12

    I've tried a number of amps with my Fyne F703 speakers and ended up with the new Zesto Audio Bia 200 Select. Coupled with Zesto's phono and line stages, the sound quality is excellent, IMHO.
  5. Vinyl Valet

    IsoAcoustic Speaker Isolators Vs Speaker Spikes / Component Isolators Vs Premium Products Like Critical Mass Systems

    I thought EVP worked well and offered good value when they first came out. But a few big prices increases later, they now offer poor value compared to the better manufactured and sounding Iso Acoustic products. For example, when first released the 2" EVPs were $39 each. Now they are $99 each.
  6. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    Mine is quieter than my Herron and holds it's own against my much more expensive Zesto. A real sleeper, even at the $5k retail.
  7. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    Yes, well below wholesale and languishing there for some time.
  8. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    There is an 06x currently on US Audio Mart for $2150. Already a screaming deal for a world class phono stage (I own one) and he's accepting offers below that.
  9. Vinyl Valet

    Tube preamp suggestions under $11K, new/used

    Zesto Audio Leto Ultra II or Herron Reference.
  10. Vinyl Valet

    Moving from Spendor,ATC,Graham....to??

    I've owned both Avantgarde Duos driven with some high quality 45 or 300B SETs as well as various active ATC speakers. My current revision ATC SCM100ASLT speakers are far superior to any Avantgarde speaker I've heard. BTW, the current Avantgarde line is grossly overpriced, at least in the US...
  11. Vinyl Valet

    TT Lighting

    UberLight Flex Turntable Lamp
  12. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    For those with turntables, the Coda 06x phono stage is another sleeper.
  13. Vinyl Valet

    Analog Magik

    Like I said, I can't argue your points; not my area of expertise. I'm not endorsing one brand or another. As stated, I plan to use both which I suspect many others will do.
  14. Vinyl Valet

    Analog Magik

    Please don't kill the messenger. Apparently WAM has developed their own methodology for measuring Zenith error (that tool is not yet available to the consumer) and then to correct for that error (WallyZenith). I'm not interested in arguing these points as I'm not a mechanical engineer: just...
  15. Vinyl Valet

    Analog Magik

    This from Wally Tools (WAM Engineering): "Based on another client of mine who had his cartridge analysis done with me, said that after mounting his analyzed cartridge with the custom shim he got the lowest distortion figures he’s ever seen on any cartridge from AnalogMagik for azimuth and rake...
  16. Vinyl Valet

    ATC VS WILSON SASHA

    I've owned both Avantgarde Duos and ATC SCM100ASLT speakers in the same room. The Duos were powered by either very good SET monos or very good conventional tube power amps and other top notch, expensive components upstream like a Walker Proscenium Gold turntable (over $100k today). The ATCs...
  17. Vinyl Valet

    Telefunken NOS 6922 tubes are they worth the Money?

    Like many of you, great selection and service from Brent Jesse and deceptive marketing, poor product, terrible service from Upscale Audio.
  18. Vinyl Valet

    advice sought, turntables $10-20k

    You're welcome. I have a 12A and 20/3 after four decades of owning or experiencing much of what's out there including Walker. Great sound quality and a pleasure to use. Many expensive turntables may sound good but are large, kludgy and often from small companies with poor quality control. Many...
  19. Vinyl Valet

    Which Cartridge/TT Should i buy - Ortofon MM Black, Rega Exact, Rega Ania?

    At a minimum I would get the Rega Planar 3 (not a fan of Project) with the Ania cartridge. Later ,when you can afford it, you can buy the Neo power supply for an additional improvement. Your system should have no problem resolving the improvement.
  20. Vinyl Valet

    advice sought, turntables $10-20k

    I would add SME to your list if you can audition one.
  21. Vinyl Valet

    DACs under $3000 that compete with very good LP playback

    Try to audition the Sonnet Digital Audio Morpheus at around $3k.
  22. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    You're welcome Marco. We look forward to your impressions.
  23. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    Hi analyzer, I spoke to Doug Dale at Coda today. The backordered transformers arrived recently and they are catching up with back orders so the Italian importer should have your No. 8 soon.
  24. Vinyl Valet

    One recording for system evaluation?

    In Jim Smith's Get Better Sound book, he recommends The Chieftains' Tears of Stone CD. He uses different places on different tracks for use in optimizing specific parameters. A very effective system that he developed over a lifetime in the audio biz. In the back of the book he recommends about...
  25. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    AZWink, who did you purchase the No 8 from? I'm guessing the Coda 07x would be your best bet.
  26. Vinyl Valet

    SME Model 6 Review

    Retail is $8,995 in the US.
  27. Vinyl Valet

    Coda no 16 amplifier

    Best value in US made, upper tier solid state. I'll soon have the 06x and 07x that I'll be using to drive ATC SCM100ASLT active speakers. Very excited!
  28. Vinyl Valet

    Best "bang for the buck" DAC

    Last August, the AZ AV Club held a DAC shootout with ten or eleven contenders. It was well designed; level matched, 0.5 seconds between selections, three DACs at a time, each labeled A, B & C. Expensive, highly resolving system. As I recall, Black Ice Audio FX Tube DAC ($799) came in first...
  29. Vinyl Valet

    Best EL34 amps

    Like several of the other guys, I have an Ars Sonum Filarmonia driving late model (the ones before Black Magic) Merlin TSM speakers. I've also swapped in the far more inexpensive Klipsch RP-600M monitors which sound remarkable with this amp.
  30. Vinyl Valet

    As We Get Older - Hearing Aids for High End Audio/Concerts & Home Theatre

    Glad to hear you're feeling better and expect to have a full recovery. Icing on the cake is your improved hearing. Interesting.

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  • 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.

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