joshnich

Not that anyone would.....but please don’t take what I say as gospel. I don’t know a lot about vintage empire turntables. But as one who has rebuilt and refurbished a number of vintage turntables I would venture a guess that the guts of that Empire are dramatically better than any entry level rega, project, music hall, whatever option. All of those tts will sound good but I venture to say that your empire could smoke them all. I say this thinking that you would have the desire and time to spend figuring out how to upgrade that table. I imagine the weak point would be the tone arm. Researching what to earn could work and what the arm board and plinth options would be is a time consuming but fun thing to do. In fact just writing this has gets my blood moving! On second thought sell me the empire and buy some cheap replacement. !

My goodness. What a wonderful tribute to your sweet and devoted companion. Like many others I have gone through the same pain. Unless one has experienced it they wouldn’t know. After our last experience I swore I wouldn’t go through it again but low and behold we now have a wonderful new companion. Different for sure then her previous siblings but wonderful in her own way. If I could be so bold to suggest that there is a Newman out there that needs you as much as you need her. Just saying. You mentioned you keep seeing her out of the corner of your eye....even after 5 years I still think I hear our departed love one rambling through the house. I hope that will remain for you as well. Josh

What does stereo rehab have to say? In this kind of situation I would always check with who did he restoration. I’m assuming they have some kind of warranty.

Very Nice! I love mine!

I have owned the large advents ( years and years ago!) and I enjoyed them. But they are a completely different sounding speaker than Klipsch - Forte 111 or otherwise. I think owned them until I could trade them in on a pair of Rectilinear s that sounded more dynamic to me that were in turn sold off to help pay for my first Klipsch speakers provided that you enjoy dynamics and realism, you will be very happy with your choice. J

I havent used the Pete Riggle VTAF but my tone arm has a VTA adjustment that could also be used on the fly. To tell the truth I set it and havent made adjustments based on record thickness. In the past I have adjusted the vta (before this arm) by using different thickness platter mats. Worked out well. Josh

The first time I heard Klipsch was at an outdoor party. They were Cornwall’s not LaScalas but I still remember how remarkable the sound was. I bought my own pair shortly thereafter! Probably around 1973 I believe. J

I would think it is more than likely the DAC. I had a 105 and sound improvement was dramatic when putting the benchmark back in play.

Agree with this recommendation. The AHB2 is the best solid state amplifier I have owned. It is truly remarkable.

Yes it is only one more opinion. But I have to say it is a somewhat informed opinion. I have been involved with the USTA for as long as I can remember. It was actually the USLTA when I joined. ( the L was for lawn - since removed) I dont know what the level of play is at the various ratings in Texas - it does vary by USTA section. But in nor cal at the 4.0 level you could likely find yourself up against a former D1 college player. The descriptions that the USTA publishes are far from reality. Your rating will be a result of your match record. When the USTA originally came out with the rating levels you had to get rated by a pro - there was no self rating. Since they have gone to self rating its pretty much the wild west out there. Not that it matters but I have played USTA league tennis for over 20 years, raised three kids who played top level junior tennis. All could have but only one went on to play college tennis. I have been around the game a long long time and have the injuries to prove it.

It’s awesome that you have started playing tennis. No offense is meant but If you have only been playing for a short period of time ( less than maybe 10years) I would suggest that you probably shouldn’t enter any 4.0 USTA events.

I haven’t only listened to McIntosh in fact I have owned or listened to many others. If I had only listened to McIntosh I would have lived long enough.

Yes this is true. But I’m at a loss to understand the context.

In the past I have owned a number of NAD components and would say that I found each and everyone a stellar performer. That does not mean that there could be other better options. The recommended choices will come down to budget. At this point all I know is that 8k is out of your range!

Must be getting old as well!

No its not done from a kit. Before he opened his own custom guitar shop, the luthier who did the work, previously worked at Gruhn in Nashville and restored or repaired guitars owned by the likes of Elvis Costello, John Hartford, Johnny Cash and Norman Blake. So again the bracing it not from a kit. J

First off I thought I was posting this to the what I got today thread! But to answer the question on Harmony guitars. There were thousands of Harmony guitars built from the 30s through the the late 60s. They made both acoustic and electric guitars. In fact Keith Richards and Ray Davies both played Harmony Meteor electric guitars on their early recordings. They were offered under a variety of names : Harmony, Kay, Airline are just a few. Most were sold via mail order from Sears or Wards. They were mass produced but were for the most part hand build with hide glue . The most common woods for the acoustics were mahogany for the sides and backs and stitka spruce for the tops. They did obviously build all mahogany guitars as well. No they are not laminate. You can find a them for as little as a couple of hundred bucks in original condition. The most common update that you will see is that the original bridge will be replaced with a pin bridge. Given that they were mass produced, most will need a neck reset to result in a playable action. The quality of the wood is generally better than what can be found today. And given that the wood is naturally aged they can be "re - imaged" into an excellent guitar. I have owned a couple of Sovereigns in the past that have had modest adjustments and they are fine guitars. This one has been completely re - imaged. The top has been removed and the bracing has been replaced. The original Harmonys were all latter braced - an easier and less critical bracing pattern. The bracing that has been installed on this guitar is an exact replica of the forward X bracing found in Martins of that era. In addition the fingerboard, made of really fabulous rosewood has been re- shaped with new frets added. Overall the guitar feels like a modern guitar with great action but sounds like a vintage Martin with incredible sustain and tone. Truly remarkable.

New really old guitar. Harmony H165 From th 1940s. Lots of work has been done. New bracing ( x style ie martins from the same era) new pin bridge, neck reset etc etc. I ave played a number of 30’s 40s and 50s martins and have to say that this is in the ballpark for significantly less than the 10s of thousands that one would pay for a Martin of similar vintage. In fact there were less than 20 mahogany martins of this size manufactured and if you actually find one you would be shocked at what they go for.

it is really spectacular. I am really loving it. Audio memory being what it is, as well as tonearm and phono pre changes but I would say that this is my favorite in a long line of cartridges. J

Ana Mighty Sound modified EMT TSD 15

best use of cowboy boots is not on cowboys

Cary 45SE is a great amp. Since he only built a few of them I have a feeling that the one youre getting may have been mine !

Iphone shot along Chicago river.

Way In!