Delliott

I too am a fan of the vintage Marantz/McIntosh receivers, great sound and looks. I have a Marantz 2270 as part of a second system and it has more than enough juice to power my Essence Super Gems rated at 88db efficiency. They are large and heavy monitors with an 6.5in rear ported woofer and 1in tweeter and with the volume at 6 o'clock on the Marantz they get plenty loud. You can probably find one on Ebay for between $200-$400 in good shape. I think I paid somewhere in that range 2yrs ago when I got mine with the walnut case. Haven't had a problem with it yet. It also has a phono input which I haven't tried yet but I heard it's pretty good. As far as speakers, I can't give you any suggestions in that price range but it's not impossible to have a great sounding system in that price range. Don't let anyone try to steer you away from your ultimate goal, if it sounds and looks good to you that's all that matter. Good luck D.

Nice! Keep'em coming.

I guess this post would be directed to you Chris:) Are you working on a sticky or some way that the members could post pics of their listening environment without sending one to an outside link? I, for one, am very curious about what components everyone else here is listening to and I think it would also be easier to actually "look" at the pic here instead of copy and paste the name of the equipment on a new web tab to get the manufacture site. If this has been discussed please pardon me, I'm just the curious and visual learner type. Thanks D.

Matt How about "Vide Cor Meum" performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

Ash and darrenwm, Thanks for the comments! I should have mentioned that I have all of my music stored on an external hard drive hooked up to a Belkin N+ USB wireless router streaming to my PowerBook, I guess it's the same principle of an Airport Express (without the optical). I'm also using my Ipod Touch as a remote. I'm happy with the sound of my setup but like almost everyone in this "hobby" I'm looking for that last 3% and I thought maybe there was another output that I could use to get me 1.5%. D.

Thanks for all the comments guys! Shenzi, I checked and my PowerBook doesn't have a S/Pdif output so I guess USB will have to be the way to go. I'll put in an order for the Kimber and Belkin Gold today to A/B them. D.

Notbald, I totally agree with your post! I had a question similar to yours regarding cables and posted it yesterday in the simplest terms, received one reply and it didn't even answer my question. I was trying to save some time by getting help here but I think I may have to spend some time on Google. Good luck

Hello I fell upon this site about a month ago after I put my Accuphase DP65 redbook player in the shop for a sticky drawer and skipping problems. During the time it was being serviced I purchased a used Aluminum PowerBook G4 and a new Paradisea 3 with USB input to give a twirl. The Paradisea 3 is very pleasing to listen to with about 70 hours on it and not fully broken in. The questions I have: 1. Is there another output on the PowerBook G4 besides USB that I can use to go into the Paradisea 3 that will give me comparable or better sound? 2. If there is another, what is it called and who makes it (web links, etc)? Please be specific as possible. If there isn't such a thing I plan on trying the Kimber USB just to compare it to the USB I stole off an idle printer. I use Itunes in Lossless and auto correction. My associated equipment: Aronov LS9000 tube monoblocs, Aronov LS9100 tube pre, ProJect Perspective TT with Grado cartridge, and Essence Topaz loudspeakers. I listen to all types of music as long as it's a good recording. Thanks and please stay on topic