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Letters -- October 2006


Nordost Valkyrja and SPM

October 25, 2006

To Mike Silverton,

Just need some advice regarding Nordost Valkyrja cables. I would like to use them in my current setup: Accuphase CDP-65 CD player, Jeff Rowland Synergy preamp, Bryston 14B ST amp, and Talon Raven speakers. My current interconnects are Nordost SPM. Would Valkyrja make a good combo with the SPM?

Mark

When I reviewed Nordost's Valkyrja speaker cables, I thought (to my surprise) that they sounded as good as the more expensive Valhallas. While I've not had the pleasure of Nordost's SPM interconnects, I cannot imagine the Valkyrjas operating as a mismatch with anything. The Valkyrja speaker cables are in the system now, along with Nordost's Valhalla interconnects, which I preferred at the time of the review to the Valkyrja interconnects. My system is ruthless in revealing less-than-superior components, and the Valkyrjas sound heavenly. I hope that helps....Mike Silverton


Suggestion for "TWBAS”

October 16, 2006

Editor,

I love your “TWBAS” column. I do wish it came out more often, however. Here’s a suggestion for “TWBAS”: a full Goldmund system. I know the logistics would be a nightmare, but can any discussion of the best audio gear be had without including, on some level, the definitive company from Switzerland? I suspect you would like their sound.

Dan Parson

I like the idea of writing about a full Goldmund system, but someone has to be willing to send one! I can contact Goldmund USA and see what they have to say about it….Jeff Fritz


New CD player?

October 5, 2006

I read your review of the Wadia 861se CD player. I'm in the market to replace my Theta Gen 5a DAC (upgraded) and Theta Basic II transport. I've been waiting for Spectral's new player, but it has been on hold for years. Now I wish to get your impressions on the Wadia compared to Mark Levinson, Krell, ARC, etc. Where do you think my money will be best spent? I'm using a Spectral amp and preamp, MIT interconnects and speaker cables with Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy 7s.

Joe McLaughlin

I've no direct experience with Krell or ARC CD players. The Wadia I reviewed is long gone. My lingering impressions of that player are less reliable, I suspect, than my on-the-spot published remarks. On the other hand, my thoughts regarding the Mark Levinson No.390S, my then reference, are reasonably reliable. My present player, Aurum Acoustics' Integris CDP, quite simply blew it away. It's my reference now and will likely remain so well into the future, the Good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise. Check out my review here on Ultra Audio, along with Doug Schneider's and Marc Mickelson’s comments. The Integris CDP is one impressive -- and expensive -- device. Its excellent preamp section would be for you redundant, however. Even so....Mike Silverton


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