Can somebody explain me the simultaneous Class A ratings for two preamplifiers from Balanced Audio Technology, REX ($20,000) and VK-3iX ($2995) in Oct 2008 issue?

Either Balanced Audio Technology did a damn poor job as even for additional $17,000 it could not improve the VK-3iX

Gentlemen,

This system is a stereo system for music only. I have the following components:

1. Integrated Receiver -- Yamaha RX-V2095

2. Speakers -- Definitive Technology Mythos ST Supertowers

3. CD Player -- Sony Playstation 1 (thought I'd give it a try!)

4. PC with iTunes and Creative Labs X-Fi Platinum

Now I need to know what else I need in the way of cables and power and such.

I currently have B&W N802 speakers resting on small felt pads directly on a wood floor which is cemented to the concrete pad underneath. I'm considering putting the B&W N802 spikes back on the speakers (they were used when I had carpeting in the room) and protect the wood floors with "tendercups" which are small metal devices that accept the spikes and protect the wood floor.

Is there any real advantage to using the spikes on a wood floor? Will spikes likely improve the resolution? Will spikes likely help or hurt the base response?

Hello,

When my amp is on and switched to my phone pre-amp, I hear a fairly loud hum from my speakers. In addition, when my fridge switches on (whatever it is that it is switching on and off), the noise seems to feedback into my speakers. Can this be solved with a power conditioner? My phono preamp is a Bellari tube preamp which I am told is noisy but I am not sure if it is the culprit in both these situations. Thank you.

I have asked variations of this before bt I am still very confused. I have purchased a used Benchmark DAC1 that specifies 24/192 upsampling. The owners manual does not in any way explain what this means and how it works. I do not mean on the signal but how one has the DAC upsample. Is this an automatic function of some sort? Does it take a data stream from my CD player as transport and automatically upsample to some level and if so, how does it know what to upsample to. There are no controls or switches on the unit associated with upsampling.

I picked up a pair of Emotiva BPA-1 monoblocks at a record sale today and know nothing at all about the company. These are small 75 watt units that apparently can also operate as basic integrated amps together or separately. I know the price new is small, under $250 each but the fit and build is pretty impressive. I was thinking of using them in a small system. Anyone know anything about the company?

I've been a long time fan of Meridian and was wondering if there was any formal announcements on when they will be supporting TrueHD, Blu-Ray?

if anyone knows, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

Guys,

I'm considering upgrading my Rogue Cronus integrated tube amp to the Belles 150 Ref and possibly a Manley Shrimp. Needing some inputs on this setup, unfortunately I'm not able to hear this combo but need the extra power due to my room size and hear this amps rivals the McCormack DNA 125.

Thanks,
Wig

Is there a general rule of thumb for setting volume levels when you have a separate amp, preamp and source?

(ie - should two of the three have specific, unchanging settings and the third be used for volume control?)

FWIW, I'm using an Antique Sounds preamp, a Trends Micro amp and an Oppo 980h.

tks,

Scott A.

Greetings,
While deciding what amp to purchase, it would be good to hear any words of wisdom on the speaker cable side. While wanting to be sensible cost wise I also would not want the cable to constrain performance. What I need to match quality wise are the RTi9a Polk speakers I have (the rest of the system I am still deciding on). I would like to get the most out of the speakers with classical music in mind. Thinking stereo. Should I think silver?