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it sure went through a lot of componets and wires, so again, why would the last few feet all of a sudden make for massive improvemtns, it all starts off this heavily loaded ckt board, lotsa ative ckts, now when you play it back, you say, teh AC cord will make it better? Or the wall outlet is giving it more space and air....hmmmmmmmmm http://www.akg.com/mediendatenbank2/psfile/datei/22/c414b_xl41136043685e2.pdf 
Kal - either in print format or in these forums, I'd love to read your take on these Hybrid SACDs which seem to be proliferating. I don't have the SACD player, so I wouldn't know, but I can't stop but to think that the Vanska's Beethoven 9th sounds much better through SACD playback... or does it also sound a tad veiled in SACD, too? The Mahler 2nd by Ivan Fischer does sound excellent through the redbook, so no qualms there... but what's the word on these? Any difference between the SACD-only discs and Hybrid discs, in terms of SACD performance?
Ive been building and learning for a while. Building a system is obviously a long and occasionally frustrating experience, i have heard enough though to know that the end will be worthwhile.
I think ive finally figured the ideal sound, im using a full set of Quad electronics with Quad 22 floor standers. The sound is very good, the thing that im missing to get to my ultimate sound is scale.
The sound itself is fine, the tone, attack etc of the speakers are great, there is good if a little bloomy bass.
Hola,
I have a favorite product that I am willing to call definitive for its category.
This...
I've had it 22 or so years.
I rank it ahead of the SOTA Reflex Clamp because it weighs less and does the same thing. It's also easier to adjust the amount of downpressure.
Of course I forgot to take a pic of my favorite record mat!
Anyway, if you ever come across one of the Maplenoll clamps, grab it. I promise you won't be disappointed.
I've been looking into getting a stereo system with a TT. I have about $700 I can spend. I was thinking of getting a cheap used TT, around $100 or so. Maybe getting a Technics SL-1200 or a Rega Planar off of ebay. I originally thought of getting a new Rega P1 but decided to put more money into the amp and speakers. Any ideas?
The rest of the money I want to put into an receiver and the speakers. I was thinking of a 2.1 system if anyone has any suggestions.
Thanks!
My setup was strongly guided by the TAS article (Dec 07) many of you have probably seen. So, the laundry list will look familiar. I did this setup as a cheap proof-of-concept to see if I liked using a music server at all. Hence the PCI card instead of a DAC and generic cabling.
PC:
Nothing special but overkill for music. 2.4Ghz P4 chip running XP sp2.
Ultra-quiet fans: $30-40 for two.
Storage:
Internal 500GB Seagate Barracuda drive. $100 new on ebay.
External 500GB Maxtor One Touch. $100 retail on sale.
So I've been all over the place, and gotten lots of advice on this and other boards. and here is where I am leaning right now:
(1) Audio Note AZ - 2 speaker -- $1,100
(2) Jolida JD 102B - $550 regular or $750 for the factory upgrade
(3) Music Hall 25.2 cd player -- $550.
I want something pretty warm -- My cds are mostly jazz (w & w/o female vocals) and acoustic instrumentals -- that soundstage really well (would the joilida modification help on that?).