General Comments:

I have been an audiophile for many years now.    My background is in computer engineering so it is easier for me to pick up some of the technical knowledge.   In my university days, I made my own Transistor amplifier.   It puts out approx. 85 Ws per channel.   The transformer is custom made and I used the same transistors as the ones that are used by Goldmund.    Everyone with a bit of knowledge can use a scope or read a spectral diagram.  But the key to producing good sound is through tweaking the small signals which doesn't show up on the scope.   If you measure any high end amplifier on the scope, they all give excellent readings, but everyone of them sound different from one another.    For what its worth, my DIY amp is very good sounding.

I have made speakers as well.    Although it may look as simple as putting together some simple parts, I find it very difficult to make a great speaker.   It is very difficult  to achieve coherence and a balance between the resonance characteristics.   The finishing on the cabinet is very hard do as well.

I find that most McIntosh gears are slightly colored.   Some may call it the "McIntosh" sound.    I use to drive the B&W801 with the MC2255, but the power was inadequate.   I later used the Bryston 4B NRB which was slightly better in terms of power, but was quite coarse sounding.   The Classe CA400 was a perfect match, it had the power and muscle to control the 12" power hungry woofers on the 801, the tops and mids are very smooth and musical. 

As for preamps, I have several of them.  The Conrad PV10A was not to my liking despite what they say about the famous Conrad Johnson sounds.   The Sonographe was  better than the Conrad.   The McIntosh C29 is an excellent preamp, very musical despite its old age.   The ML No. 28 is the best match with the Classe though,   it is fast, accurate and clear. 

I like Analogue as well as Digital, but Open Reel Tapes are a class of its own.  There's a euphonic character to them which are hard to describe.  I do not mind the hisses and pops, and as long as you can live with that, it is very hard to beat the sound of open reel tapes. "

Future Changes:

"I purchased some long spikes for my speakers, and I am going to lift if up and off the ground level.  I have been told that this will tighten up the low end.

I am also waiting for a Meridian 588 DAC to arrive.   "

The ALTO, DIY transistor amp by Jay Lee.

  Here's an inside peak.

Mark Levinson No. 28

   Sonographe SC-1

                    Conrad Johnson PV10A

DIY speakers with Audex Drivers.

Bryston 4B NRB