Back in the very old days, many of us bought our hi-fi equipment based on visiting B&M stores and getting recommendations from dealers. Then came the hi-fi magazines and their recommendations which guided many of us. Then the internet on-line magazines and the print magazines with formal reviewers. Now we have a proliferation of comments on forums, including informal reviews, and more formal reviews and comparisons.
Looking at your current equipment, what are the pieces that you have which have not been reviewed formally, and if not, how did you decided to buy it? Also could you include equipment that has been formally reviewed. You can note if you bought it independent or in spite of the the review.
Thanks, Larry
I'll start:
Herron 360 Preamp - never reviewed. I have bought Herron preamps since the early 90s, upgrading every few years when Keith changes models.
Herron VTPH-2A phono pre - never reviewed. See comment on Herron above.
Cary 2A3 Signature monoblock amps - never reviewed. Bought the pair 15 years ago - wanted a pair of SET amps for several years.
Pacific Microsonics Model Two ADAC - never reviewed. Bought - actually had my consultant find one - 8 years ago after a shootout. Really hard to find. A pro piece of equipment, not designed for the consumer market.
Ampex ATR-102 R2R - never reviewed. Pro machines bought used after restoration. Recommended by sound engineer friends. Wanted to be able to play 1/4' and 1/2' tapes and copy tapes (have two of them)
Bottlehead balanced phono pre with variable EQ - never reviewed. Had custom made by Bottlehead for my vinyl ripping project.
512 Engineering/Marutani Symmetric Power Unit - never reviewed. Mentioned in TAS/Stereophile show reviews. Tested prototypes and bought one of the first production models in December 2017.
512 Engineering interconnects - never reviewed. Custom built by Scott Rust.
Reviewed:
Doshi 3.0 Tape prepro (in Positive Feedback, I think that is all). Buzz on internet and emailing friends.
Lampizator Golden Gate (in some on-line pubs) Buzz on internet and talking to friend who has one.
Avantgarde Duo Speakers - reviewed extensively. Bought used in 2003 to match my SET amps - still main speakers
Velodyne DD-18 Subwoofer - reviewed extensively - Bought used in 2010 - still main subwoofer
Conrad Johnson MET-1 mch preamp - sort of review by HP in TAS a decade ago
VPI Classic 3 TT with Soundsmith Zephyr II cartridge and Miyajima Zero mono cartridge - reviewed in print and on line
NADAC mch DAC - reviewed Stereophile, TAS? Postive Feedback - use for mch files
Oppo 105- reviewed extensively
Looking at your current equipment, what are the pieces that you have which have not been reviewed formally, and if not, how did you decided to buy it? Also could you include equipment that has been formally reviewed. You can note if you bought it independent or in spite of the the review.
Thanks, Larry
I'll start:
Herron 360 Preamp - never reviewed. I have bought Herron preamps since the early 90s, upgrading every few years when Keith changes models.
Herron VTPH-2A phono pre - never reviewed. See comment on Herron above.
Cary 2A3 Signature monoblock amps - never reviewed. Bought the pair 15 years ago - wanted a pair of SET amps for several years.
Pacific Microsonics Model Two ADAC - never reviewed. Bought - actually had my consultant find one - 8 years ago after a shootout. Really hard to find. A pro piece of equipment, not designed for the consumer market.
Ampex ATR-102 R2R - never reviewed. Pro machines bought used after restoration. Recommended by sound engineer friends. Wanted to be able to play 1/4' and 1/2' tapes and copy tapes (have two of them)
Bottlehead balanced phono pre with variable EQ - never reviewed. Had custom made by Bottlehead for my vinyl ripping project.
512 Engineering/Marutani Symmetric Power Unit - never reviewed. Mentioned in TAS/Stereophile show reviews. Tested prototypes and bought one of the first production models in December 2017.
512 Engineering interconnects - never reviewed. Custom built by Scott Rust.
Reviewed:
Doshi 3.0 Tape prepro (in Positive Feedback, I think that is all). Buzz on internet and emailing friends.
Lampizator Golden Gate (in some on-line pubs) Buzz on internet and talking to friend who has one.
Avantgarde Duo Speakers - reviewed extensively. Bought used in 2003 to match my SET amps - still main speakers
Velodyne DD-18 Subwoofer - reviewed extensively - Bought used in 2010 - still main subwoofer
Conrad Johnson MET-1 mch preamp - sort of review by HP in TAS a decade ago
VPI Classic 3 TT with Soundsmith Zephyr II cartridge and Miyajima Zero mono cartridge - reviewed in print and on line
NADAC mch DAC - reviewed Stereophile, TAS? Postive Feedback - use for mch files
Oppo 105- reviewed extensively