Hi all.
I tried to search for this newbie question with no luck.

I just got into this world of audiophile and I am wonder what all the specs in the real world mean to someone who can not actually see or test the specs of any given amp.

Like:
Signal to noise ratio.
peak amps.
Damping factor.
How does an amp rated at 350 watts cosume 900 watts of pwer at 4ohms?

Also does anybody use the Marsh amp in the real world? I tried looking for the review from Stereophile but can not find it.

Yesterday my CDP went kaput. Need recommendations for a short list of candidates for a replacement - thanks.
(I'm sure this has been addressed before so if you have a link to an older thread I'll use it)

Hi all, anbody try the HDTracks site that Chesky just put up? See http://www.stereophile.com/news/032308hdtracks/
I like the selection and signed up, but I'm having trouble with the Windows Downloader working with my PC loaded with Vista Ultimate. The downloader has the XP logo on it, so I'm thinking that they're not prepared for Vista yet. I find that surprising given Vista's good environment for media in general.

I really like the concept and hope that it's fully functional very soon.

Dave

Is anyone familiar with the Peachtree Audio Decco? I'm planning get rid of my cheap Onkyo Tuner for an integrated amp and I want to do the same with my Fubar DAC. The idea of an Integrated Amp and DAC in one is tempting...for around $800 am I better off buying something like a Jolida JD 1501A and a Musiland MD-10 DAC?

If I was Michael Fremer, this would be my "In Heavy Rotation" sidebar. In order from heaviest to lightest:

1) Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
2) Radiohead, In Rainbows
3) Devotchka, A Mad & Faithful Telling
4) Heather Duby, Heather Duby
5) Thom Yorke, The Eraser
6) Bobby Valentin, Algo Nuevo
7) Joanna Newsom, Ys
8) Van Morrison, Astral Weeks
9) PJ Harvey, White Chalk
10) Various, Cuba: Soneros de Ayer y de Hoy

Which would you prefer?

Wig

Hi

Im a total rock music fan but lately ive been listening to some different genres of music.

Anyways ive been listening to a SACD of Pictures at an Exhibition ( for rock fans this is well known from ELP ).

I was really impressed with the scale and grandeur of this peice of music ( no jokes about my inexperience please !! ) and would appreciate some recommedations of similar large scale orchestral peices.

Thanks

Alan

I have a Cayin A-50T tubed amp. I have really enjoyed it so far, and have spent some time reading reviews on-line. Many state that "once I replaced the tubes with xxxxx it sounded fantastic". I have also heard of rolling tubes.

So, is rolling tubes the same as replacing tubes? If so, is this just a matter of taste or are there really significant upgrades I can make here? I am new to this, but I think what I have sounds really good now - but I wouldn't mind experimenting.

Advice / tube recommendations?

Hi

As part of my job I have to make frequent worldwide flights. As anyone who does this regularly will tell you its far from glamourous and is very wearing on the body and mind.

Anyways things are good at the moment and im looking to treat myself to the best reasonable travel package. Im thinking classic IPOD, Bithead amp and either a good earphone or a good closed headphone. Obviously I cant use a good open headphone because of the noise polution, im not overly concerned about noise cancelling but if I do end up with noise cancelling id liek a talk through feature.