tom_hankins

I hate even seeing threads like this. I walk by the used reel to reels at the store I go to and smile thinking if I could get some newer media i would get one these. I have a friend in AZ. that still uses reel to reel in his system as #1 source. I was weened on it and vinyl and would love to have one in my system. I think I will start checking out audiokarma for some info on players.

Go ahead and keep hawking. Sometimes the souls need help finding there way to Heaven.

If your wanting to get into SACD and maintain great redbook playback, plus have the added bonus of DVD-A. I would look into the Ayre C-5XE universal player. I have heard many times in many systems and it always made beautiful music.(no matter which format) it is 2-channel only and does no video of any kind. I think its a great buy at either used or new price. Around $4K/$5.5K

Money well saved.

You and me both. The best digital I ever owned used one of the PrimaSE dacs with Sony SCD-1 as transport and Siltech digital cable. I ran them both balanced and could use the SCD-1 for SACD and the AA for redbook.(which I preffered over SACD alot of the time.)

Had one. Wish it was still here.

Way off topic...Have you had a chance to listen to any of the balanced tube DACs out there? Any one heard the Audiomeca or Audio Logic?

Back and forth between the Thrashers/Islanders hockey game, and the OU/Mizzou game.

NAD C520 CDP 100.00 (Agon) NAD 325 BEE Int. amp 250.00 (Agon) Have the woofers surrounds replaced on the Advent Larges that are in my garage. 90.00 60.00 for some cheapie ICs and speaker cable.

I have had that effect when using all Kenrads but never when used in front of the Sylvanias. I tried the EH tubes for about an hour and stuck them back for a dire,dire,dire,dire,dire,dire, emergency.

I would sell them in heartbeat...........and get a Dynavector arm for my table.

BTW, tell the Chinese it's spelled Thiel....not Theil. Purk, I am going downstairs now and do two things. Listen to music and forget you said that. Stop by tonight if you and Gia want. Bring the denon if you can. Matter a fact, want to trade out the NAD and the Denon for a few days?

I think I would rather get a used pr. of 3.5 or 3.6s for around the same as there sell it now price.

Thin for sure. Struggling as in I noticed I had a stereo going on alot more than previously. Nothing flowed with ease. It was having a hard time making music happen easily. Before the MF, and since it left, I would kick back and watch and listen to the music not the stereo. With the MF I always new the gear was working. This in comparison to what was in the chain before and after it. The system was not bad. But it never let me forget it was there. it did not stop me from listening everyday But that was the main thing I noticed with it in there.

The month I had to use the Musical Fidelity was better than nothing. It didnt sound bad. Just a little thin, and sometimes it seemed like the music were struggling. (does that make sence?) Nothing like the music I had before it. I bought it a few years ago and then sold it to a friend who uses it in a second system. When I sold the Ayre I borrowed it back. I think it might be the A3.2?? Is there a difference? Anyway i think they were around 1500.00 new. I got it used for pretty cheap.

Sorry, I must have missed the Musical Fidelity question. I was using the AC3R preamp. If you go to Virtual systems on the front page of audiogon and type in CTC blowtorch in the search box, Essentialaudio has one in there system. Nice black two box preamp.

Judging by the cult like following of the Blowtorch (I've never heard one, but saw a picture once ) on Agon it would seem like there would be quite a bit of interest. Especially with all the JC-1 owners out there.

LOL I would pay big bucks to see this episode.

I will be comparing the Maestro head to head with the VTL7.5 in my system when it gets here. It had always been my favorite by a small bit over the Ayre. However most of the people who heard them both here preferred the Ayre. (I have to get some friends with a little more class) My wife the most outspoken. Needless to say............ I have a ton of hours in front of the Ayre MX-R amps. With a bunch of sources and speakers. (it is great when your buddy owns a shop)They are as good as it gets. I wish they had more power. Lately i have been listening to the Mac 1201s and if I ever switch from the Krells with my Thiels, they are here quick. Right now I am not changing anything. Only making small aditions. Things are to good to mess with. PurK and I sat there listening to vinyl and the NAD last night and both thought the system was really on point. I hope the Maestro doesnt screw it up. Mikhail says it will be much nicer than the loaner I have. God I hope so.

I put a few hours in with my 650s run balanced from my vinyl setup, out of the transparency preamp outputs yesterday and this morning. I forgot how much I enjoy them. They are the only thing headphone related i have. I'm glad I kept them.

Gee, ya think...

To bad with all that great equipment he doesnt know that the needle has to actually be in the groove to make music.

No kidding. I would have to take a canteen and overnight bag of food just to go get the tubes I wanted to try. Go in friday and come out on monday with the weekly stash.

If your the writer you can get them to do whatever you want without the maggies. Of course it might have to go to cable.

Try KenRad VT-231 Black glass in front of either a pr. of Sylvania VT-231s or the Bad Boys. Or the TungSol roundplate in front of either pairing of the Sylvanias.