This Zero is a TEN!!!

BottomFeeder

For many months, Zero (aka Sean) has been an incredibly patient, indescribably helpful mentor in helping me to massively upgrade my system. I’m writing this because I just have to tell everyone how truly amazing he’s been. Through phone calls and dozens and dozens of in-depth, insightful and wonderfully well-written emails, Sean painstakingly increased my knowledge while carefully ascertaining my budget to wants ratio. Even with his vast knowledge, Sean never once spoke or wrote condescendingly, but always with patience and an easy to understand simplicity.

Honestly, I still cannot understand why the guy stuck with me for so long, but I will be forever grateful that he did. After monitoring audiogon on a daily basis, Sean directed me to a sweet Marsh A200S amp and, having found it on the first day of availability, I snagged it. Days later, I received an email pointing me to a fabulous deal – in his words, “suspiciously so” – on a 9/10 b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l, ridiculously low priced pair of Aerial Acoustics Model 6s. Though I have no business even thinking of owning such a nice pair of speakers, the price enabled me to snag them as well. Wow.

Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Words cannot even come close to expressing how amazed and thankful I am for Sean and for the help he’s been to me. I’ve just worked the Marsh into my system, connected the speakers and, again, with Sean’s help, have begun experimenting with optimum placement. There is no way that I could have found, purchased and set up what I’m now absolutely digging in my living room on my own.

Sean received nothing for his time and effort (I spent it all, thanks to him!), except perhaps the knowledge that he’s been a huge blessing in my life. I’ve never even met him! Just last night, as I was listening, I heard an instrument in a song that, though I’ve heard it perhaps 100 times, I’d never noticed before. Every time I listen and hear the sweet sounds of my system, I’ll be grateful for what Sean has done for me.

Sean, you aint no zero, you are truly a TEN!

AsSiMiLaTeD

That's why I've always liked this place.

ND13

Ya'll need to get a room;):p:D

Seriously, Sean is a cool dude.

He sold me my modded AMC CD8b that he did himself and after subsequent discussions with him about DACs, he has kept me from wasting money on a seperate DAC, as this particular cdp won't see a dramatic improvement from one...at least not one worth the $$$.

zombie boy 2000

When I first go into this hobby, I spent many an hour on the phone with Sean. To be honest, he helped me assemble what I consider to be my favorite rig (though it has made many changes since).

steveinaz

Sean is serious about his tunes, and likes to take the road less traveled. He likes his music smooth and it shows in his choices.

Early B.

BF -- I had a similar experience with Sean a couple of years ago. In fact, he steered me towards the Marsh amps, as well. They are an incredible value. As a result, I just picked up the Marsh preamp and I'm very happy about this purchase.

Eventually, grab yourself an A400 and use the balanced connections, even if your pre doesn't have balanced outputs. It's the same sonic signature as the A200, but with more "ummph" to it.

Early B.

Hey, BF -- snap some pics of your system, please.

dkg999

EarlyB - The Marsh a200 I got from you ain't leaving anytime soon! I agree the Marsh amps are excellent. I'd love to move up to the a400, but really no need to. The a200 did an incredible job driving LSi15's as several forum members can attest to!

Early B.

dkg999 wrote: »

EarlyB - The Marsh a200 I got from you ain't leaving anytime soon! I agree the Marsh amps are excellent. I'd love to move up to the a400, but really no need to. The a200 did an incredible job driving LSi15's as several forum members can attest to!

I'm really happy to hear that. Honestly, I often miss my Marsh amp.

Fireman32

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

That's why I've always liked this place.

Agreed.

Lowell_M

Early B. wrote: »

I'm really happy to hear that. Honestly, I often miss my Marsh amp.

I miss Doug's (yours) Marsh amp too! (althought a minty fresh Rotel RCD-1072 arrived at my door today, so it makes me feel somewhat better)

BottomFeeder

I'll post some pics later - probably tonight.

Thanks also for the additional comments about the Marsh. Helps me to further appreciate mine!

Lowell_M

BottomFeeder wrote: »

I'll post some pics later - probably tonight.

Thanks also for the additional comments about the Marsh. Helps me to further appreciate mine!

It's the only amp I've heard at a similar pricepoint to my ADCOM GFA-555 that would cause me to throw the ADCOM out the window. (almost did)

Ricardo

Well, I am also enjoying my Marsh A200.

But I feel excluded because I've never shared emails/PM's or been on the phone with Sean :mad::p

BottomFeeder

Ricardo wrote: »

Well, I am also enjoying my Marsh A200.

But I feel excluded because I've never shared emails/PM's or been on the phone with Sean :mad::p

Hey, it's never too late to join the club!

Jstas

Sean gets a bum rap here sometimes but he's A-OK in my book. Especially since he sold me my SDA 2B's! I had to drive to Norfolk to get them but both he and his family there were very hospitable. He was surprised at how fast I got there and got back too. He's a cool dude and he honestly just wants to help and talk about his audio thing. He's also got alot going on in his life there that not many people know about and that affects things for him. But the sheer fact that he tries to help and go way more than the extra mile is a testament to his character.

Toxis

Wait......................WHO?????????????

Demiurge

Wait, we can't be talking about the same guy.

Thanks for the RT600i's many moons ago, Sean.

Gaara

Don't normally post in these...hell the clubhouse is a scary place recently, but Sean is great.

He helped me decide to purchase my SIA Rothschilde A2s and I absolutely love them. He also helped me pick out a well mated Monarchy SM70 amp, great synergy. I never thought PC-Hifi could sound so go. Honestly its been over a year since I put this rig together, and I still am shocked by how good it sounds. Thanks Sean.

BottomFeeder

Ok, here are a few pictures. Nothing special, but you get the idea.

While I'm at it, THANKS AGAIN, SEAN! YOU DA BOMB.COM!

heiney9

The A200 is a great amp. The only one so far I've heard that, IMO, dethroned my trusty Adcom. It's on my short list.

Pass Labs
Monarchy
Classe
Marsh
Forte

that's part of my short list in order.

Nice snag and enjoy!!

H9

P.s I haven't heard any others on my list except the Monarchy SM 70 and those are stellar as well.

heiney9

One small word of upgrade advice. Eventually ditch the Adcom pre-amp. The only pre Adcom made that's in the same league as the Marsh is the GFP-750.

Otherwise a stellar system...................but you need some SDA's

Enjoy!

H9

BottomFeeder

heiney9 wrote: »

One small word of upgrade advice. Eventually ditch the Adcom pre-amp. The only pre Adcom made that's in the same league as the Marsh is the GFP-750.

Otherwise a stellar system...................but you need some SDA's

Enjoy!

H9

Hey, thanks very much for the advice! I need all I can get. However, I've heard that the 710 is a pretty good pre as well as the 750. Maybe not, I guess. I'm surprised that you didn't go after the entry level NAD cdp. It's the C521Bee and I thought of it as the weakest link. I also need speaker cables big time.

Thanks for the advice!

heiney9

BottomFeeder wrote: »

Hey, thanks very much for the advice! I need all I can get. However, I've heard that the 710 is a pretty good pre as well as the 750. Maybe not, I guess. I'm surprised that you didn't go after the entry level NAD cdp. It's the C521Bee and I thought of it as the weakest link. I also need speaker cables big time.

Thanks for the advice!

You'll get there (maybe your already there). I wasn't putting your system down. It seems you are so elated with what you already have I was just making a suggestion for your next possible purchase. NAD makes solid gear as does Adcom. But you've got things in the right order. Cables, cdp, pre-amp.

For now enjoy what you have. Have a nice sounding system that has the "synergy" is a wonderful thing.

H9

BottomFeeder

heiney9 wrote: »

You'll get there (maybe your already there). I wasn't putting your system down. It seems you are so elated with what you already have I was just making a suggestion for your next possible purchase. NAD makes solid gear as does Adcom. But you've got things in the right order. Cables, cdp, pre-amp.

For now enjoy what you have. Have a nice sounding system that has the "synergy" is a wonderful thing.

H9

Nah, I didn't think you were putting my system down. I know what I have and that there's considerable room for growth, so I appreciate - truly - your comments on my potential upgrade path.

I'm still working on optimum speaker placement. The imaging isn't yet what I know these speakers can do so that's what I'm focusing on right now. You're an ace, so I really value & welcome your input! Please keep it coming!

Early B.

BottomFeeder wrote: »

I'm still working on optimum speaker placement. The imaging isn't yet what I know these speakers can do so that's what I'm focusing on right now.

Yeah, placement can take weeks or months to work out. After about 16 months, I finally got the placement right on my speakers, then shortly thereafter we rearranged the room. Now I gotta start all over again.

BottomFeeder

Early B. wrote: »

Yeah, placement can take weeks or months to work out. After about 16 months, I finally got the placement right on my speakers, then shortly thereafter we rearranged the room. Now I gotta start all over again.

Arg!

16 months and then you have to start all over again???

Sheesh! Bummer for you and not encouraging for me! I've only been fiddling for a couple of days and was almost ready to settle in! I've tried my 6s near the wall - yuck, 3 feet out - not necessary, toed in toward my ear, toed in to just outside my ear, straight ahead etc.

So far, 2 feet out from the wall & toed in to just outside my ear is in the lead...

Good luck, Early!

zombie boy 2000

Dead Can Dance's offerings have made me punch blind puppies on more than one occasion. Who really needs to reflect on their musical inclinations?

hearingimpared

BottomFeeder wrote: »

For many months, Zero (aka Sean) has been an incredibly patient, indescribably helpful mentor in helping me to massively upgrade my system. I’m writing this because I just have to tell everyone how truly amazing he’s been. Through phone calls and dozens and dozens of in-depth, insightful and wonderfully well-written emails, Sean painstakingly increased my knowledge while carefully ascertaining my budget to wants ratio. Even with his vast knowledge, Sean never once spoke or wrote condescendingly, but always with patience and an easy to understand simplicity.

Honestly, I still cannot understand why the guy stuck with me for so long, but I will be forever grateful that he did. After monitoring audiogon on a daily basis, Sean directed me to a sweet Marsh A200S amp and, having found it on the first day of availability, I snagged it. Days later, I received an email pointing me to a fabulous deal – in his words, “suspiciously so” – on a 9/10 b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l, ridiculously low priced pair of Aerial Acoustics Model 6s. Though I have no business even thinking of owning such a nice pair of speakers, the price enabled me to snag them as well. Wow.

Incredible. Absolutely incredible. Words cannot even come close to expressing how amazed and thankful I am for Sean and for the help he’s been to me. I’ve just worked the Marsh into my system, connected the speakers and, again, with Sean’s help, have begun experimenting with optimum placement. There is no way that I could have found, purchased and set up what I’m now absolutely digging in my living room on my own.

Sean received nothing for his time and effort (I spent it all, thanks to him!), except perhaps the knowledge that he’s been a huge blessing in my life. I’ve never even met him! Just last night, as I was listening, I heard an instrument in a song that, though I’ve heard it perhaps 100 times, I’d never noticed before. Every time I listen and hear the sweet sounds of my system, I’ll be grateful for what Sean has done for me.

Sean, you aint no zero, you are truly a TEN!

Preacher, you said a mouthful. That is what this place is all about!!!, not the rediculous BS that is flying that causes mods to feel the need to put stickys up on threatening bannings.

BY-THE-WAY, RIGHT ON SEAN!