Hi John,

Thanks for having me over yesterday. Your digital front end with the new Vivaldi DAC and Transparent digital and analog cabling sounds really, really good. As I mentioned yesterday, the bass depth, output and texture was very impressive and the bottom end was better on vinyl as well which I am guessing is a result of the new Transparent speaker cables. Congratulations!

Arnie

babybear June 15, 2014 07:55

Sean,
As john says, the LT arm is worth the wait. I waited quite a long time as well but once Steve set it up and upon the first listen it was so obvious how good it was and significantly better than what I had been hearing with my Reed arm. I didn't realize how much difference an arm could make.

Now, once john gets to hear the Allnic H5000 DHT phono stage in my system I think he will be back in the market for a new phono stage (just a guess).

Arnie

babybear December 30, 2013 06:31

Hi John,

I definitely agree that your system has made a major sonic improvement since the last visit. The change in speaker position (and perhaps further speaker break in) coupled with the other adjustments that you made have really paid off. Your system sounded wonderful on everything we played.

It would be fun to hear that Allaert MC Finish cartridge. I went back and did some reading about it and I think it would be great to hear it. If you do mount it, let me know what you hear but I do understand your hesitation as your Atlas was sounding superb.

Arnie

babybear August 18, 2013 07:26

Hi John,

Thanks for having Lee and myself over this morning to hear your new system. The Rockport Altairs combined with the new Koda K-10 preamp are sounding really, really superb. I've got the Eric Bibb and Sara K albums on my "to order" list now. It was great to hear a Rockport speaker again after 5 weeks of no music for me while my VTL amps are being upgraded. Also, the paint color of the Altairs is stunning and is a great match to your wonderfully relaxing room. Really well done and congratulations!

Hopefully my amps will be back this week and soon after you can come by to have a listen.

Arnie

babybear July 13, 2013 14:19

Hi John,

Thanks for having me over to your place to hear your system today. Your room has a wonderfully warm and relaxing feel to it - pictures don't do it justice. Your system is sounding great as well and thanks for all of the great music we heard. Let me know when you want to come by and get a good listen to the new Absolare preamp.

Thanks,
Arnie

babybear January 05, 2013 19:24

Hi john,

Glad you got to hear the Altairs.

I have heard the Wilson XLF'S at Lyric HiFi. Its hard for me to tell if they are better than the X2's without a direct comparison. But, I would be surprised if the XLF's would change your view of the difference in sound between the Wilson and the Rockport. If you do get the Altair I know of a very good moving company who can get those speakers up your stairs.

Arnie

babybear August 23, 2012 10:42

Hi John,

I am in Austin. Take a look at my systems page as I answered your questions there. Let me know if you want to stop by for a listen and we can discuss further room acoustics, power distribution, etc.

babybear August 29, 2009 08:42

Hi Bflowers,

I have auditioned the Boulder 2050 mono block amps - fabulous amps. I spent 2 days auditioning the Boulder amps but using the ARC Ref 3 preamp splitting my time between using the Rockport Altair speakers and the Magico M6 speakers. The ARC Ref 3/Boulder amp is a fabulous combination. Also during the same audition period, I listened with the Boulder 2010 preamp - I have to admit, I preferred the overall sound with the Ref 3 as the preamp. The Boulder pre was more transparent, open, and had better bass - but I just enjoyed listening more with the Ref 3. I also own the Ref 3 and have been auditioning the VTL Siegfried amps in my system with the Ref 3 - your friend is correct - this is also a great combination. I now have the VTL 7.5 series 2 preamp on audition with the Siegfrieds. The VTL is fresh from the factory so I am breaking it in now, but in a few weeks time I will be comparing the Ref 3 to the VTL preamp driving the Siegfrieds. Hope this helps a little.

babybear August 28, 2009 19:27