LETTERS
1st Quarter 2006

All of us at Dagogo would like to thank you, our readers, for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.  

We value every opportunity to hear from you, so feel free to type away!

3/26/06

Subject = Harmonix Reimyo DAP-777 (2005)

Just had to comment.  While reading your review, I noticed that your dedicated room has approximately the same dimensions as my dedicated room, which also is full of Real Trap products.  

Also, you referenced Steve Earl's "Train a comin'".  That CD is playing in my system at the time I was researching the Reimyo DAC.  You also made the comment "you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear".  I have heard that all my life. Are you from Eastern Kentucky as I am originally from?  

I am seriously considering the DAC.  I think it would mate well with my Piega C-8LTD ribbon hybrid speakers.  

Thank you.

Tim Clark



Laurence A. Borden responds:

Tim:

Thanks for writing in.  To answer your question, I was born and raised in New York City, and moved to New Jersey about 15 years ago.  As your letter clearly demonstrates, people with diverse backgrounds can still have many things in common.

I hope you enjoy the Reimyo as much as I do.

Sincerely,

Larry Borden

3/24/06

Subject = A Conversation with Junji Kimura

It's just wondeful for me to read about the purists innovative concepts of Kimura San.  I heartily agree with the sense of many of his non-conventional ideas.  You have to like audio products designed by true audiophiles.

There's a lot more gems in simplicity and minimalism.  I still own and enjoy a Luxman L-550 amplifier which I understand was designed by Kimura San.  Thus, I thank him for the many hours of music I've enjoyed through the years.  May Kimura San continue creating more audio wonders for us to enjoy.

Henry Co



Ditto.

Editor

3/22/06

Subject = Sonic Euphoria PLC review

I've been a regular customer at Jeff's Sound Values for several years. I  live in San Diego and know Jeff and Dan personally.

I have had the opportunity to audition the SE PLC on some extremely revealing equipment onsite at the National City store.  The SE PLC represents the best quality sound that I have been able to afford.

Jeff and Dan are my audio mentors and their discriminating taste allows for the highest level possible in the PLC.  I am also a big Who listener.  I loved the way you ended your article because the shoe definitely fits in this catagory of components.

Steve Boddy



From Sandy Greene:

Hi Steve.  Thanks for the comments.

Sandy Greene

3/15/06

Subject = Yoshi Segoshi's "Have you been to Naru?"

What existing jazz cafes are there?  And, also do you have any similar accounts of these hang-outs?

P.S. I really enjoyed the personal nature of this article.

Jacques Le Dreff



(Yoshi Segoshi to comment. -Ed)

3/14/06

Subject = Eastern Electric MiniMax CD player

What tubes have you settled on or compared?  Mine came with EH but I am curious.

Thanks.

Ed Lanway



Sandy Greene comments:

Hi Ed. Thanks for your contacting us.

I personally have not tried other tubes in the MiniMax, but had a conversation with Bill from Morningstar Audio (importer of the Eastern Electric line).  He listed a few tube options: the Amperex Bugle Boys 6DJ8 A-frames at around $40-50; the
Amperex 6922’s at around $100 pair; and the Tungsram 6dJ8 or 6922.  

Bill says the best value is in a Russian Military tube 6NiP with rocked logo... easily found on ebay for about $14 pair.

I personally have not tried other tubes than stock, so I cannot comment.  But I hope to try some other tubes soon.  I’ll let ya know how it works out.

Sincerely,

Sandy Greene

3/12/06

Subject = Monarchy Audio M24 & SM-70PRO

I am very interested in carrying the M24.  You did not compare it to other DACs.  How does this stack up as a DAC to the best out there?  I love the Consonance CD players and have several of them.  I wonder if adding the M24 will be a significant step up.  

Thanks.  

Brian
Retailer



Sandy Greene responds:

Hi Brian,

I have not had other DACs in my system for comparison, but I certainly can compare the M24 to the many other CD players (and their internal DACs) I have had in my system.  

The Eastern Electric Minimax, a tubed CD player, has been my favorite of many over the last couple of years.  Only the Roksan Caspian even had me close to replacing it.  I felt that the M24 was a little more musical and entertaining in comparison to the MiniMax.  The Roksan was a little more neutral and natural.  It’s really down to personal preference and I would suggest an audition. Monarchy Audio have a 30-day return policy.

Thanks for your email,

Sandy Greene

3/11/06

Subject = RealTraps & Rives Audio

I use RealTraps along with a TacT RCS.

Laurence is right on the money about this company.

Dan Evert

3/8/06

Subject = [Modified] EAD Ovation Plus

Hi there,

I juet read the article on the EAD OP, great reading.

I'm the proud owner of an EAD TM OP, but as far as I'm concerned, the upgrade was made by EAD, by upgrading the DA converter to state of the art, as in Signature.

Is it the same upgrade that you describe in your article ?  My model is upgraded in 2001, and is an Theather Master Ovation Plus.

Hope you can answer the Q for me.

Regards,

Henning S. Nielsen
Denmark



Noble Electronics Responds:

We began our mods with a "stock" EAD TheaterMaster Ovation Plus, and then added our mods to that.  If my understanding is correct, EAD upgraded the gentleman's unit from a stock Ovation to a Plus model by replacing the Ovation DAC board with the higher-grade Signature DAC board.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

Greg

Greg Palma
Noble Electronics, Inc.
1973 155th St.
Fairfield, IA  52556
(641) 469-5092
greg@nobleElectronics.net

3/8/06

Subject = McIntosh Open House

I love Mcintosh so much!

Nguyen Tan Tho
Teacher

3/6/06

Subject = Shindo Aurieges L preamplifier

Jack:

Very fine article.  A pleasure to read and to be informed by.

Congratulations.

Larry Cox
www.positive-feedback.com

3/3/06

Subject = Eastern Electric MiniMax CD player

So, I take it that you like the cd player!  Just joshin.  Great review - I am enjoying the heck out of your reviews and the web site.  Thank you!

Donald N.

3/3/06

1) One reason we can't settle for accuracy is that most recordings are not high enough in euphony.

2)Some recordings are very good, but until the AVERAGE recording improves, what we need is some kind of device that allows us to "restore" NEW recordings in the home ... maybe it would be the unaffordable equalizer Stereophile praised, maybe not.

3)Too few of the variables have been explored or named.  One might be "dynamic frequency response" and some measure of dynamic distortion more illuminating than TIM in amplifiers.  Does a speaker that is nicely flat with swept sine waves, & noise sources, AND sounds clear, smooth and flat with gentle music, become no longer flat, gain a blurry kind of distortion and sound like someone has slapped a cardboard cover (quilted)over it, when a transient filled very loud passage comes along?

MANY expensive "High End" speakers -- in stores with top electronics -- sound that way to me, but NOT the newer Klipschorns, and some JBLs.

G. Camp

3/3/06

Subject = Sonic Euphoria PLC review

Great review - I read Stereophiles as well - all three were enjoyable.  Thank you!

Donald N.

3/2/06

Subject = Shindo Aurieges L preamplifier

Superb review....makes me want to purchase one!  

I, too, visit Yoshi's a few times a year when I'm in the Bay area.  In fact, I usually wrap my business around concerts and heartily agree with your assessment of that live, "mono" sound.  I especially enjoyed your comments about harmonics and textures, for that is precisely how I evaluate anything in the playback chain.  

To me, it's quite easy to achieve proper imaging....that's the function a properly set-up pair of speakers.  After all, that's what stereo is supposed to do!  But tone (the macro) and pitch (the micro) are much more difficult to achieve, and therefore what I primarily listen for.  

Thank you again for listening....and listening.  It shows in your review.

Alan M. Kafton
Audio Excellence AZ

3/2/06

Subject = Accustic Arts CD Player I Review

Hello I appreciate all your good work in the hifi field.

I am inquiring into purchasing the new Accustic Arts CD Player I Mk2 CD player.  I was hoping you can you can tell me how the new 24/192  set up is improved compared to the old one .

I would appreciate anything you can tell me , thank you.

Paul Letteri



Constantine Soo responds:

Dear Mr. Letteri,

Thank you for your email, as well as for reading Dagogo.

Brian Ackerman of Aaudio Imports will be sending the Accustic Arts CD Player I Mk2 to Dagogo for review in the near future, so stay tuned.  Thank you for suggesting this review.

Constantine Soo

2/28/06

Subject = DAGOGO 2006 CES Coverage I

The best coverage of HighEnd Audio on the web.  Period!!

Dwayne Majors,



Dear Mr. Majors,

Thank you very much for your kind words, as well as your readership.  

Editor

2/27/06

Subject = Jazznote Anne Weerapass CD

I have this beautiful singer's CD.  I must agree that you have described her... SMACK-ON!  This is the CD I would suggest to anyone who really enjoys good wine and great music with a beautiful and talented singer with you.

Moe Alkaff

2/19/06

Subject = Art!  The Perspective in the Creative Process, Part I

Mr. Pryor certainly has nailed this problem [as described in his article].  As a performing professional, I can relate with all of his points.  Some of my best compositions were written under a strict dead line.  I have seen and been part of too many projects that don't get off the ground because of constant "tweaking" of one thing or another.  I also appreciated his stab at educating people to discover art in it's many forms.  

I look forward to parts 2,3,4,etc.  I hope you have more articles from this author.  Unlike some, he clearly has something to say.

Aloha from Hawaii,
Rockford J. Holmes



Gordon Pryor Responds:    

Thank you, Mr. Holmes, for your response.  It is indeed good to hear your comment as a professional in the field.

2/17/06

Subject = Sonic Euphoria PLC review

Although I am flattered that a beautiful pic of my Decware amp made it into the review, it is curious that there is no mention of it or how it was setup, except by inference that the PLC may not be a good match for all amps (location of remark above picture).  

This may be unintentional, and I don't recall that Sandy and I set it up through the PLC, except for a moment.  Mainly, we ran his CDP direcly into the SE-83CS for kicks and to set up a minimal system.  It should be noted that the Kestrel Meadowlark II's Sandy has are 89 db sensitive @ 8ohms with unknown crossover topology, and therefore not a good speaker-amp combination.  

Like most flea power amps, the 1.8w of SE-83CS works best with speaks that have better than 94db efficiency at 8ohms (or lower) impedance.  I feel that with a well matched speaker, and a source that puts out at least 2v, the Decware CS and the PLC would reveal similar qualities and results to what Sandy and I experienced on his Rogue / Meadowlark setup.  

Cheers,

Matthew Yoder

2/12/06

Subject = Accustic Arts Drive I/DAC I Mk3 Review

I have this combination now.  Can you recommend a transport for the DACI Mk3 not priced above $10k?

Thanks,

Ron Sicard



Constantine Soo's response:

Dear Mr. Sicard,

Thank you for your email, as well as your readership.

I shall be auditioning several CD transports at various price categories, and I shall share my findings with all our readers as soon as I can.  

Thank you for your support, and please visit Dagogo often.

Sincerely,

Constantine Soo

2/10/06

Subject = DAGOGO 2006 CES Coverage II

Hi,

It was interesting to find your mentioning of Hubert von Goisern on your site.  I just thought you'd like to know that he's Austrian, not German.

Regards,

Sarah Marchant
sarah@hubertvongoisern.com

2/4/06

Subject = Art! Part I

Interesting, in that when I view art, sometimes I have to ask what was the artist thinking of.  Of course there are times when that does not matter, but instead what do I make of it.  

After all, who's perspective is important?

Jon Miller
Director
MMT Networks P/L

2/2/06

Subject = Synergy between Nemo & 800D

Dear sirs,

I would like to ask your opinion about what must I prefer to drive my B&W N802: 1.NEMO ? 2.MCINTOSH MC602 ? OR 3.CLASSE CAM400 ?  Thank you in advance.

Vouros Manos



Ed Momkus' response:

I am not personally familiar with the MacIntosh 602, so I can't really comment on its use with the Nautilus 802.  I am familiar with the newer Classe M400 amp (which reveals phenomenal detail), but only indirect experience with the CAM400.  I used an 802 with a Mark Levinson 335 and liked it a lot, but felt it could have used a bit more bass.  I understand that the CAM400 would provide a bit more bass than the Levinson, which is quite "lean". (However, the 802's can sound strident with some amps, so you need to be careful with amps that are on the bright side.)

In my opinion, the Electrocompaniet Nemo is in another class.  First, I used it with the 802's and was blown away by the additional weight and power it added to the music.  Second, the Nemos manage to be smooth without losing detail, which I think is a consideration with 802s.  Finally, with the Nemos you will never worry about upgrading your speakers - the Nemos will power absolutely anything you chose to throw at them. Again, I have not dealt directly with the CAM400, just the M400, but I can't imagine it beating the Nemo for the Nautilus series.

Ed Momkus

1/28/06

Subject = Audio Note AN-E SEC Signature Review

Great read - love that finish - way out of my price league but, I can dream!

Donald N.

1/28/06

Subject = New reader

Wow - just found your web site!  This is a great new place for me to visit - Thank you!

Donald N.


Thank you for your email, Donald, and welcome to Dagogo.  Please visit us often.

Regards,

Constantine Soo

1/23/06

Subject = A Shindo Shindig

The author presented a concise, enjoyable account of the shindig.  It made me wish I were fortunate enough to attend.

Arthur Kraemer

1/23/06

Subject = Carlos Kleiber conducts Beethoven Symphony No. 4

Thank you for the review; I had just put these 2 on my Amazon wishlist and this information certainly helps in the buying decision.  I'm particularly grateful for the tipoff to the copy protection on the 6th.  It's particularly irksome not to be able to play music in one's computer.  What a way to treat paying customers; no more assuming "CD"s are safe.

Barbara

1/17/06

Subject = [Modified] EAD Ovation Plus

Constantine,

Was the EAD Ovation the original 1702 Burr Brown DAC or the Ovation Plus with the 1702 series K BB DAC and teflon circuit board you audition before and after?

I ask because I have the orignal Ovation and they do not have anymore of the teflon boards left.  I am just curious would it make much difference without the teflon board.
 

Best regards,

Jim Johnston



Hi Mr. Jim Johnston,

Thank you for reading the EAD Ovation Plus Review.  

Not being an avid EAD user but just a reviewer of the finished Noble Electronics modified Ovation Plus, I would have to refer your very valid question to NE.  

I have alerted NE of your question, and you shall hear from them soon.

Thank you for your readership.

Sincerely,

Constantine Soo

1/16/06

Subject = Verity Audio Tour

I'm planning to visit the factory.  I want to hear the Lohengrins for myself.

Redell Napper
Asset Protection
President

1/11/06

Subject = Acapella La Campanella Review

Great review.  Have you ever reviewed the models with the Ion tweeter?

Redell Napper
President
Asset Protection



Mr. Napper,

Thank you for your kind words.  I'm glad you like the Acapella Review.  I have brief encounters with Acapella's High Violin Mk III, the lowest Acapella model equipped with the Ion tweeter: at the 2005 and 2006 CES, as well as in a visit to Brian Ackerman, the U.S. distributor's home.

Top-end as rendered by the Ion tweeter is no ordinary feat.  From my personal experience, only ELAC"s JET (Jet Emission Tweeter) possesses a comparable level of definition.  I'd have to audition the High Violin Mk III in my room in depth to be able to substantiate more of the qualities that I heard in Brian's room and at the Shows.

With your letter, I shall renew my efforts to acquire a pair for review.

Thank you for your readership.

Sincerely,

Constantine Soo

1/8/06

Subject = Acapella La Campanella Review

Hi,

I am based in India and I am a regular reader of Dagogo.

I presently use the Audio Artistry Beethoven loudspeakers.  As my children are growing up, I need to move to a smaller room.

After reading your positive review on the La Campanella, I was wondering if it would work in a small room, or, do you think the Genesis 6.1e will be a better option?

I shall try to depict the room where my new set up will be.  The distance between the speakers is 8ft.  The ceiling height is 9.5 ft.  On the side of left speaker there are no walls.  2 ft away from the right speaker is a window on a complete wall. Distance between front wall and wall behind the couch is 11 ft.

The rear wall is only 8ft long, after which there is a huge opening into another room.  I am planning to use a few Echobusters to correct the room flaws.  I hope this description helps.

The rest of my system:

Esoteric P70
Esoteric D70
Parasound JC1 monoblocks
Powerwing conditioner

I was earlier using the Shunyata Hydra 8, but just shifted to Powerwing.  Earlier my speaker cables and interconnects were Kimber Select, but now I use Grover handmade cables.  I also moved from JPS power cables to Absolute power cords.  At $50, I have not found anything more neutral.  Worked better than the Anacondas in my system.  I use the Rack of Silence.  All equipment is under the Feet of Silence or the Disc of Silence.  There is a 20 amp dedicated line. The receptacle is Oyaide.  That more or less sums up my system.

I prefer a natural, transparent, dynamic sound.  Bass is not very critical but whatever is there should be tight and tuneful.  Anything up to 35-40Hz is fine with me.

If you feel some other speaker will work better in my set up, I am open to suggestions.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards

Premnath Rajagopalan



Dear Mr. Premnath Rajagopalan

Thank you very much for your readership.  

For a smaller room, the Genesis G6.1e would certainly have the advantage of being considerably smaller in size, although it can also play loud in relative effortlessness.  However, the room you depicted is large enough for the Acapella La Campanella, considering there is no immediate wall to the left the speaker, and that you can place them 8 feet apart.  

You certainly have a very well-regarded system of electronics, cabling and accessories, which has a very good chance of bringing out the strengths of the Acapella.  Your couch is a little too close to the rear wall, and I would suggest for you to move the system 90˚ clockwise for it to sit on your current right wall, which will also allow for a placement quite similar to that in my 12-feet-wide, 27-feet long listening room.  

The next question for you is how well you can adjust to the sound of the Acapella after your Audio Artistry Beethoven.  

If you have auditioned the Acapella at the dealership and liked it, then I would suggest you to bring your amplifiers into the dealership as the last step and confirm the sound of the synergy.  It is better for you and the dealer if you are but to discover disagreeable sonic aspects right there and then.  

I hope this helps.  Again, thank you for being a Dagogo reader.

Sincerely,

Constantine Soo

1/7/06

Subject = Klipschorn

Very good review indeed.  Thanks.

J. Luis Cruz P.

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