As you say, the Sugden Au-51c was our reference preamplifier, before we upgraded to the Copland CTA-301 and then its successor, the CTA-305. The Sugden was smooth and delightfully musical, but the Copland was more revealing, which led us to conclude that it would give us the improved resolution we needed to better evaluate sources, speakers and cables. And that may be a clue, because resolution is a two-edged sword.
     It sounds to us as though there may have been something wrong all along with the way your system handles higher frequencies, but that your Sugden was smoothing it over to the point where it was less noticeable. Finding what's wrong may be difficult, because your system doesn't have any obvious toxic zones that would require hazmat suits. If the turntable is giving you particular problems you might check its settings, including tone arm height.
     But it could actually be the fault of the preamplifier. You need to make sure you don't have one or more weak tubes. If you do, it could cause exactly the problem you describe.

     I truly enjoy your magazine, one of the few I actually read from cover to cover.
     I've been on a slow but steady upgrade path. I'm enjoying my lastest addition, which is a Rega Mira amplifier, the version just before the Mira 3. My system is a a simple and basic one, which consists of the Rega Mira and Apollo CDP with Monitor Audio S1 speakers, connected with PNF Audio cables, and a Monster Power HTS-2600 Mk2 conditioner. I do however feel I could get alittle more from the Regas with better speakers, and this where I turn to you for suggestions.
     Typically my room will average 12’ x 20’ (I am an apartment dweller). I'm looking to spend no more then $2000 on a pair. Each step I have taken has yielded sonic improvements, but the choice of speakers that would be a good match is puzzling me. Any thoughts on a pair of Rega RS3's or RS5’s? Any other suggestions you may have as to upgrades would also be appreciated.
Ralph Schulz , CALGARY, AB

     We understand why you're puzzled, Ralph. Your Monitor Audio is the smallest member of the popular Silver series, and if you upgrade from that you'll want to make as big a leap as possible. That's for the usual reason: it's inevitable that you'll lose money on a trade, and you want to make it as worthwhile as possible.
     In the Rega line, we would suggest settling for no less than the RS5, which, despite its size, you should be able to get for under your $2000 limit (and that's not counting the very real resale value of your S1 speakers). Have you heard them under reasonable conditions, to determine that they are what you want? We know that's not always possible, but it's always an advantage.
     There are of course other possibilities, from Reference 3a to ELAC to Totem to JAS to Harbeth -- all speakers we have given warm reviews to. Not all are as affordable as the Regas, and some of them may not be accessible locally. The Rega may be your best choice.

     My dad buys your magazine regularly, and I have a question that has probably been asked before.
     My father recently gave me a turntable. I am 16 and am just getting into vinyl records. I just bought a Yamaha RX-V365 and was surprised to learn that it did not come with any phono input jacks. My dad suggested I needed a phono preamp.
     If I end up getting a preamp, which input jack do you recommend I plug the preamp output cables into: Auxiliary (on front of receiver), CD, DVD, DVR, CBL, MD/CD-R.
     All of these jacks will be left open as I will only be using an optical audio cable going from my TV to the receiver.
Nick Cook, TORONTO, ON

     All of them will work fine, Nick, because all of them "expect" a similar signal: about 2.5 volts, unequalized. The label is just a convenience. We'd be tempted to use the MD/CD-R input, simply because it's unlikely ever to be used for anything else. "MD" refers to the long dead Sony MiniDisc format, and CD-R refers to standalone CD recorders, which were a commercial flop because they required special, expensive blank discs.
     The one we’d least advise is the “AUX” on the front, because plugging a cable into a front panel is fugly.
     At one time pretty much any receiver or amplifier would have had a phono input, if not always a good one, because turntables were the home music source. We didn't then refer to records as "vinyl," because what other records were there?
     Enjoy your vinyl. We think you're on the verge of an exciting discovery.

     Congratulations on a wonderful publication! I can now really appreciate the importance of having a reference system, as I’m currently searching for a new CD player.
     Of course I am able to listen to the players I’m interested in, but the three I’ve short-listed are sold at different stores in different cities. Not only can I not hear them in my own room with my own system, but I can’t even listen to them in the same room with the same associated equipment.
     I’m considering the Bryston BCD-1, the Rega Saturn, and the Simaudio CD3.3. I’ve read your favourable reviews of the Bryston and the Simaudio CD-1, but are you familiar with the CD3.3 or the Saturn? Care to compare the three?
     I know the Simaudio has an optional digital input, but I already have one (four, actually) in my Bryston B100-DA SST. The speakers are Martin Logan Aerius electrostatics.
Ken Hicknell, KITCHENER, ON

     We did like the Bryston, Ken, and we think it would edge out the Saturn. We're not sure about the Simaudio, which we haven't heard under good conditions.
     As you no doubt know, we no longer review CD players that don't have digital inputs as well as outputs, because we don't think you should be paying for an expensive digital-to-analog converter (which may account for more than half the cost of the player) if it can be used only with the built-in disc drive. Of course your Bryston has its own DAC, and so you're not really concerned about that.
     Which brings up the idea that perhaps you don't really need a full player. A CD transport, plus a good digital cable, may be a logical choice. The CEC TL51X transport (which we own, and sometimes use) would cost less than any of the players you're looking at. With the explosion in the use of the computer as a music source, standalone DAC's are becoming more popular, and you can expect transports to make a comeback as well.

     I have been a subscriber for a number of years and enjoy your magazine very much. I purchased a Squeezebox on your recommendation and I am very happy with it. All of my CDs are stored as FLAC files on a server, and I love the convenience of choosing music without having to change discs.
     I am wondering if the Cambridge DAC Magic reviewed in your latest issue would provide a worthwhile upgrade. The Squeezebox does support an external DAC, however, I recall that the Squeezebox's DAC was pretty good too. Would the Cambridge DAC Magic provide even better sound?
Jeff Roberts, CASTLEGAR, BC

     We would say yes, Jeff, because the DAC in the Squeezebox is a freebie, thrown in as stopgap unless and until you can afford better. A better DAC is very much an upgrade to think about.
     Other manufacturers are planning similarly-priced DAC’s, and we expect to review one or more shortly, but the Cambridge is here now.