iceman94

On a more serious note, Music Reference does a passive EQ to help boost the low end on single driver speakers. Even though they're listed as packaged with their amps/preamps, I'm sure you could get a custom box done if that interests you. They also have a simple Fostex bookshelf for relatively cheap. I've never heard any of it, but its out there to look at. http://www.ramlabs-musicreference.com/

I meant to be sarcastic, but it is interesting to watch how they're extending themselves, and I do feel the response would be different were they a different company.

One more step in Google's quest to dominate the world. But wait, I thought they "do no evil"?

Electrocompaniet makes me want gold ...really quite sexy in person.

Really, it's not that big a deal, I just hate overexposed transformers. Ones that I can get by with are the Plitrons open in the BAT and mounting them on their side w/ a cap on them like on Bottlehead and Border Patrol (oo, I forgot about Bottlehead...) Audiovalve looks interesting, if a little blinged out. But that's nothing really compared to Art Audio entire-chassis-chromed bling.

Roger Modjeski says he can produce headphone amp versions of the EM7's... I've seriously looked at the RM-10, but I feel like triodes would be a bit more fun. The 245.1 as it stands looks like a good fit, but is a bit underpowered, hence the 300B on my list (which Roger has also mentioned can be done).

I noticed it with the Wright stuff, too. I totally agree that things are blinged out to death too, but there is a happy medium.

I was originally going off a poorly visible photo that I can't find (reading the tube type silkscreened next to the socket), but this pages says the same thing. Hmm. The 12BH7 is more encouraging, I take it? Haven't had the chance to come across that tube yet, although the Quicksilvers do use them and I guess are pretty well regarded. Just a rant aside...why the hell does so much tube equipment have to look crappy? It doesn't take that much to have something as simple as transformer covers. Some people don't even try, and it really bugs me.

IMHO BAT VK-55 > PrimaLuna. I like the tube complement better (6SN7, 6C33B). Yeah, it's more expensive, but there are deals to be had on Audiogon.

That's overkill power-wise. I'm also looking at more "traditional" medium-efficiency speakers, but I feel more comfortable with my amp options there, which is why I'm only asking about low-wattage amps.

The running cool thing is just wishful thinking, I'm open to anything. I always forget Moth had stuff more powerful than the 2A3's. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Any comments on stuff listed so far?

I'm looking for speaker amps for a pair of 92 dB, 8-12 ohm speakers, AudioKinesis Jazz Modules. So far what I've been looking at has been anywhere from 8 to ~50 watts, although I guess I'm shooting for the 16-30 watt range. I'd like to get your guys' recommendations on brands/amps to look into. Right now, any price range is fine- I'll narrow it down later. This is for a home system for next year, but I'm antsy and like planning ahead. In particular, I'm interested in any cool-running amps in this range. All I've come up with so far are the Red Wine stuff and Resolution S30 (part of the Opus system). I don't know what livable heat output levels would be, and want a backup. DIY is out for now. Also, if you guys have any comments on what I've found so far, I'd welcome your input. Thanks! My list so far: BAT VK-55 Consonance Cyber 211 monos Music Reference 300B (they only have a 45-based amp on their site, but have done this before) Wavelength Corona 300B/50 Yamamoto A-09 Artemis DP-2 (aerius, what's up with the 12AU7 input stage? + probably too $$) Trafomatic Experience Reference (too expensive, but here for shits and giggles) Pass XA30.5 First Watt F4/F5 Sugden A21 Resolution S30 Red Wine Signature 30.2

x9

I would be very interested in this comparison. I own the M192, but can't really gauge it against anything. I saw the ECD-1 at a Boston meet a couple of years ago, but didn't get a chance to listen to the setup. It looked awesome, photos don't really do it justice. I'm not a fan of gold, but it made me one. FWIW, I wouldn't mod these DACs, at least unless there's someone other than Empirical Audio. EA just strikes me the wrong way, for some reason, especially with that Spoiler DAC silliness. I have nothing to justify this, maybe some other members can back me up or debunk me, its just a gut feeling. Also, since these mods are quite rare, I think your resale value would be hurt were you to move up or otherwise change your source in the future.

Haven't had the chance to fool around with it. I also don't have a headphone amp right now, and I doubt I'd hear anything different with my speakers in my current situation. Maybe I can get back in a few months' time.

If you can't get the B22 going and/or want a commercial option, don't forget the Headamp GS-1.

I really like my Northstar M192 (first version) that I got for roughly around $1k, but I have nothing to compare it to. It's another option, at least. I use it with a Trends USB thing as a transport.

At least in my experience, Mikhail had problems before the whole new-product-of-the-month syndrome beginning with the Extreme. My MPX3 SE was roughly a month and a half behind schedule when it shipped. This was only based on what I was told- I wasn't given bogus shipping info, just a projected completion date. It seems ridiculously good compared to things now, but I was pretty annoyed at the time. The fanboy problem is not just RSA setting up conditions- I let myself get sucked into everything and so I let go my aggravation with the delay. The unreliable wait times were always a casual aside, not only expected but accepted. Perhaps if forum sentiment were more blunt and balanced, an earlier wake-up call would have spared us this situation. Maybe. What it did instead was not only accelerate SP's self-destruction, but let it begin in the first place.

I can hear her voice in her posts, so no.

:sadcat:

Apparently APL can convert your SACD 1000 into a DAC, or at least there's one in the wild. http://www.aplhifi.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=654 Not sure if you'd be willing to send yours off or if its still offered.

I'm about to explode from the Jim/Pam tension. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Anyway, the last scene was pure win.

I'd be really interested in impressions, I haven't had much time to investigate it myself. I just got a Squeezebox Duet and at some point in time want to pick up a used iTouch to do remote comparisons between the plugin and the default Logitech remote. I might try the Airport Express/Signal thing too, although I think I want to stick to something for SB as a Modwright Transporter or APL DAC (now w/ integrated Duet) are my two source choices for when I build a home (not crappy dorm) speaker system a year or so from now. In any case, iPod-style-remote = teh awesome. I hope.

A third-party developer also has an app out there for an iPhone/iTouch Squeezebox remote. http://penguinlovesmusic.de/?page_id=3