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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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In Reply to: Equipment: Stuff you love, and will never sell, even if not in current use (me first) posted by Elizabeth on March 26, 2013 at 05:56:06:
1. JVC XL-Z1050 CD player.... There is a connection to the music with this player that I’ve just never heard elsewhere.... Not the cleanest or most-dynamic playback around, but the one thing it does is the “magic” that makes people prefer analog playback over digital.
2. Philips CDC-935 CD changer..... This player has a DAC section that IMO performs as well as any DAC I’ve heard, integrated or outboard, outside the venerable Wadia 9. This is the product that made me part with the Prism DA-2 DAC.... (The DA-2 might be a better DAC, but I wouldn’t want to modify a product costing over five grand, by putting a tube output stage on it, in order to find out.) But this player, with Don Allen’s tube output stage attains musicality close to the JVC XL CD players, with the dynamics and clarity of the Prism, and the resolution of “time resolute” DACs. This product would be the very last piece I’d part with.
3. Prism DA-2 DAC.... I no longer own this piece, due to financial reasons, but would have kept it otherwise. Aside from the Wadia 9, the best outboard DAC I’ve heard.
4. Symfonia Opus 10 solid state amplifier...... Still the best solid state amplifier I’ve heard..... I sold it to someone who is more resourceful in maintaining vintage solid state..... It is in good hands..... (And I still get to listen to it visiting his place!) Maybe the most “transparent” amplifier I’ve ever owned.
5. Don Allen “Four Tube” line stage w Audience Aura T-O caps...... The evolution of the Don Allen line stage is culminated in a product that IMO would be tough to beat at any price.... Transparency and linearity are what set this line stage apart..... The only problem is the Audience Aura T-O caps are now “unobtanium”......
6. Audience Aura T-O capacitors......... I hope this company is able to market these caps again.... My favorite audio signal cap. Not cheap, but worth it. Unlike the VH Audio V-Cap, these Teflon caps sound great from the get-go, and don’t need a lengthy “break-in” period in order to perform at their best.
7. Don Allen amplifiers or mod vintage amplifiers. Including 8417 SE monoblocks, 45 SE stereo (using 46 tubes with adapters), 10 SE stereo, mod Bogen MO-100 monoblocks, and mod Magnavox 6V6 push-pull console amplifier. (The last amp has scary good iron.) Each has unique strengths, and interchange based on mood.
8. Silverline Audio Biwire speaker cables...... Purchased at the 1998 Stereophile show, I don’t think these cables are available anymore. (Alan Yun has other cables, but not these.)
9. Telcoflex IV 6 AWG speaker cable....... Stiff but cost-effective, can be had for $200 for 8’ pair..... Must be assembled (a solder pot is necessary for terminations)........ And I’d put these cable up against anything at any price.
10. Volex 17604 power cords..... Performs at 90 percent of the best available, at less than 5 percent of the price.
11. Opera Consonance T1288 tonearm....... I prefer this tonearm over the original Schroeder One tonearm, by a good margin............. And it’s roughly 1/4 the price.
12. Aiphone TX-1200 AM/FM tuner..... Modified by Don Allen, the best FM source I’ve owned...... (And It’s not even mentioned on the fmtunerinfo.com site!!)
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Follow Ups
- RE: Equipment: Stuff you love, and will never sell, even if not in current use (me first) - Todd Krieger 03/26/1317:37:25 03/26/13 (0)
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