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  1. Echolane

    Your All Time Favorite Preamplifiers?

    I can’t resist chiming in. i have two favorite preamps. My present one, which is less than 6 months old is a Luxman CL-38uC tube preamplifier. It has a stunningly attractive vintage image with real wood top and sides as well as all sorts of tone controls . I love that it has a phono stage...
  2. Echolane

    Advice/What to expect when importing audio equipment from Japan via US eBay

    Thanks to all for your replies. I did the deed, took the risk, annd with eyes wide open and fingers crossed I ordered the amp and preamp that I couldn’t resist. The seller included a step down transformer and a promise of long term support if needed. My audiophile friends gave me the...
  3. Echolane

    Advice/What to expect when importing audio equipment from Japan via US eBay

    That would be a surprise, as I thought I would hear from US Customs. in 1985 I imported Quad speakers, amp and preamp from England. I had to go to US Customs at SFO and pay a duty and then they gave me my package. That was 1985 so I expect there might be differences. I’d like to know what to...
  4. Echolane

    Advice/What to expect when importing audio equipment from Japan via US eBay

    One uses a step down transformer. I’ve talked to several people who use one With no issues. The vendor is including a transformer free with my purchase. According to ChatGPT (AI) : “
  5. Echolane

    Advice/What to expect when importing audio equipment from Japan via US eBay

    I want to buy an amplifier and a preamp from Japan via an eBay seller because I will save nearly half the cost at any US dealer. But I haven’t done this before and I’d like to know what to expect. I don‘t want any unexpected surprises. . I’ve ordered lots of CDs from foreign vendors and...
  6. Echolane

    B&O Beogram 4004 - is it worth restoring?

    I’m considering having my Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4004 sent off for a complete restoration. What prompted my decision is that I recently heard that Bang & Olufsen had bought up all the Beogram 4000 series turntables they could find. They called in retired employees with knowledge of the 4000...
  7. Echolane

    State-of-the-Art Recordings of Classical Works (SACDs)

    Wow, love this thread! I’ve just bought an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc player and need to build my collection. For starters I’d love to have a recommendation for a Richard Strauss recording in SACD. But most any outstanding recording would be good to learn about.
  8. Echolane

    How to use my iPad to view the Ayre DX-10 DSD menu

    Haven’t tried it yet. I did buy it and expect to test it next week.
  9. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    I didn’t like putting together a large order Like I did at cdscinyljapan, but I discovered shipping costs go down considerably with each new title added to the order. I observed the same high shipment costs on the sellers from Japan on eBay. It doesn’t pay to buy one disc and pay an extra $20...
  10. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    This is just a quick reply, it’ll take awhile to respond to your other generously lengthy replies. I just placed an order with cdsvinyljapan.com. I wanted to buy them out, if you know what I mean. So many wonderful titles! I bought only 5 SACDs and i still cringe when I look at my order...
  11. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    I’m super pleased to see your note endorsing the Ayre DX-5 DSD. And you have a new Luxman and still like the Ayre! I wanted that Luxman, especially for its hi-res DSD capability and its DAC but thank heavens the Ayre came along and such a nice one. I did buy it. It arrived Saturday! And...
  12. Echolane

    How to use my iPad to view the Ayre DX-10 DSD menu

    Hi all, I did decide to buy an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD player to add to my audio system.and I am eager to welcome it. The only problem is that my audio system lacks a monitor and I need a way to view the menu. It looks like all I will need to use my iPad as a monitor is a little dongle that has...
  13. Echolane

    Bang & Olufsens Beogram 4000 turntable

    It’s a beautiful work of art. I read somewhere that women really like ir. Like many women I fell for it the moment I saw it and I have always always enjoyed using it, even admired it whenever I used it, so I’ve decided I’ll have it looked at. I know it needs a new belt at least and if it...
  14. Echolane

    Bang & Olufsens Beogram 4000 turntable

    Oh yes, I so agree, $6500 is a lot of money but i was told it would be improved / brought up to date with the latest turntable technology. I don’t know specifically what that is with one exception. They would add streaming capability. That makes no sense and I wouldn’t want that. But if I...
  15. Echolane

    Bang & Olufsens Beogram 4000 turntable

    Chiming in because I own a Beogram 4004. I bought it new and it still looks showroom new though I haven’t used it for years now because it needs a new belt and I now have another turntable a Rega RP40 Anniversary edition. But I’ve just heard about the remake of the 4000 series turntables. I...
  16. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    You are most welcome because you deserve them! But I have to confess I don’t quite understand your comment that you only mod what’s in your video. What does that mean? Only the video gear you personally own? Or?
  17. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    It sounds fabulous! Really appealing! I have an Oppo BDP-83SE and I’ve checked in with two mod sites and they are both former mod sites because of problems with parts availability. I also have the Oppo UDP-205 and I suppose it could still be modded but am averse to losing Oppo’s support if my...
  18. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    Thanks for the great tip on a record cleaner. It does look like a good substitute for the very pricey ultrasonic cleaners. And with nothing whatever that would need maintenance it is a winning idea. As for the Ayre, I’m sure I’ll like it. I have to ask you about your Ultra K Series...
  19. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    Congratulations on your 18 year old Ayre CD/SACD player! Eighteen Years in use makes your player a very good investment. I will need mine to last another 5-10 years based on demographics for women of my age. Depending on the manufacturing date of mine I’ll hope to get the same eighteen years...
  20. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    Right or wrong, I’m going to buy a used Ayre DX-10 DSD. It was a well regarded player in its day retailing for > $10,000 which is around $16,000 today adjusting for inflation. Though it doesn’t mean that a better player hasn’t come along. But the thing is, I can’t afford the better player...
  21. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    Hmmm, that’s interesting. I didn’t know Oppo has an iOS app and I own two Oppo players, the early 83SE and the latest (and sadly, last) 205. I’ll have to check it out. But as for choosing an Oppo to put in my audio system, I don’t think so. The only model with a linear power supply is the 205...
  22. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    I’m in contact with Ayre. They still offer an upgrade for the original DX-5. In fact, they still service even their oldest products. I wish more companies would have this ethic!
  23. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    Thanks for the good tip on the Marantz player, I had seen the more expensive one. I think it costs around $8000 if I remember correctly, which is too much for me. I’d be better off going for either one of the Marantz options simply because they are newer. It’s not entirely a no-brainer...
  24. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    Thanks so much.
  25. Echolane

    I’m struggling to decide about buying an Ayre DX-5 DSD SACD & etc Player

    My CD player is down and I don’t have an SACD player for my audio system, I’m into really good sound and the new SACD players with the best audio quality run $10,000 to $16,000 and more (Marantz, Luxman, and Esoteric). I can’t afford that. I looked for used, first at the well regarded Ayre...
  26. Echolane

    ISO quality AES/EBU cable. Or should I consider Toslink.

    What would you suggest?
  27. Echolane

    ISO quality AES/EBU cable. Or should I consider Toslink.

    I think I have an above average system and I’d like to make it better if I can. I do almost all my listening via streaming and about the only way I can improve it is via cables and power cords. I’ve been reading about AES/EBU cables and quickly came across reviews that insist Jorma digital...
  28. Echolane

    Favorite European Push Pull Tube amps of all Time

    Nice to hear from someone who knows the Solfège. Are you saying that all the Audiomats sound very similar? That there is not much sense in upgrading to a more expensive version?? I have the original Audiomat Arpege and the Audiomat Prelude Reference MKII. I had decided just a few days ago...
  29. Echolane

    Favorite European Push Pull Tube amps of all Time

    Do you feel like talking about the Solfège? I’m quite interested in buying it. Actually I already own the Audiomat Arpege, which I bought first. Then I was offered the Audiomat Prelude Reference MKII barely used at a very good price and I bought it. Now I’ve got the itch to upgrade and the...
  30. Echolane

    Favorite European Push Pull Tube amps of all Time

    I’d love to talk about Audiomat. I bought the Arpege first and a couple of years later I bought the Prelude Reference MKII. The Arpege has worked beautifully with my small Spendor S3/5 speakers, in fact sometimes the two make magic together. I’ve just put it in my TV system where it...

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