Recent content by johnandvirginia

i have owned my David Berning ZH230 amp for five years.i have enjoyed every minute spent listening to it, especially now with the dCS Bartok. I understand that valve life with the Berning is quite lengthy but the time must come soon! How will I know? Will the amp just die completely or will the...

I am really sad at the thought that Cyrus Unofficial might have shut down. My hi fi history is indelibly linked to the CU site. I have made friends, lost friends sadly and received so much help and advice over so many years - since owning my first Cyrus amp. Is there anything we can do?

currently usung a Bel Canto C7R integrated as a pre amp into my David Berning ZH230 but it’s not ideal. Source is Naim ndx2 and Rega 6. Speakers are Focal Diablos. Room is quite small - 6m x 4m - as is budget!! (£1000-£2000) Any suggestions gratefully received.

Pair of Tellurium Q Graphite RCA interconnects. Really rather good!

Bel Canto FM1 - fabulous!

AllFlac.com seems to have a good variety at a reasonable price

How do you reply to the guy who phones to tell you that there is something wrong with your Windows computer and that he can sort it out for you? Should I mention that I am using a Mac!!

Sara Gazarek - Return to You - Why isn't she better known?

Interesting review of the new Hegel H360 in this month's Hi-Fi Choice. Amp + Pre + DAC + Streamer could really reduce box count!

Any thoughts on the Hegel H300 from someone who might need to downsize his box count?

Thank you so much for all these helpful replies - much to think about! John.

Any advice from experienced owners of tube amps for a complete beginner who would like to get the very best from his David Berning ZH230 + TE Vibe/Pulse + Focal Utopia Diablos.

I have known for a long time the sound I wanted from my Focal Diablos. It had been provided at my local HiFi dealer’s in the shape of the Vitus integrated amp. I have also know for a long time that I would probably never afford the Vitus, and certainly could not justify spending as much as...

Cannot recommend the Diablos highly enough. First heard them demonstrated with Vitus amp - absolutely gorgeous but out of my reach. Then had them demonstrated at home with my (then) Bel Canto Ref1000M's - still gorgeous. I part exed my Focal 1008be's for the Diablos and listened to both in...

Thank you Merlin. My room is small - 15" x 10" and I listen at quite low levels. Sounds as if the Linear A would be ideal with the Diablos ( what a great speaker they are!). All I have to do now is find a shelf big enough to house the Linear A"s !!