Deang

I think it's simply because a preamp is responsible for elevating the low level source signals before they go to the amp. I'm left with the idea that this is an important step in capturing the whole of the original signal. I've read many comments by people using simple passive devices and not really being happy with the sound. They describe the sound as 'lifeless' and 'flat'. Others claim that a properly well designed passive device reproduces without these ill effects. My 'whimpy' explanation will have to hold you over until the heavyweights show up ------------------ deanG

I'm really happy with my Bryston 3B-ST and I bought it on AudiogoN for $1000. My RF7's like it too ------------------ deanG

You actually came to this board expecting someone to give advice other than 'buy Klipsch'? The Boston's are a nice polite speaker. You'll enjoy being bored to death by them. The Paradigm Studio's are a notch better in my book. You'll like them for 6 months - then want to upgrade. The Klipsch RF7's crush just about everything up to $4K - $5K. Buy these and be happy for a long, long time. ------------------ deanG

Well, there is no question that you are going to take a beating here. People factor in the shipping as part of their purchase. You would have to sell them for $600.00 a pair to make it worth anyone's while. Why not just put them into storage for a while? ------------------ deanG

The outlaw 1050 is a lot of bang for the buck - but it's ugly. No, it's really ugly. It breaks the first commandment of Audio: Thou shalt not own ugly components. As far as I'm concerned this is a complete no brainer. buy the H&K ------------------ deanG

how rude ------------------ deanG

I just sent you mail ------------------ deanG

I'm familiar with that unit. Doesn't it have something crazy like 300 watts per channel. You didn't say how much he wants for it. It would also be nice to know what kind of music you like and how loud you like to listen. You need to remember that all watts are not created equal. Besides power there is also sound quality to consider. It's only a good deal if you are picking it up for very few dollars. ------------------ deanG

POHP - Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis, also known as Rocky Mountian Eye Disease & Pigeon Disease. This one's a beauty. There is this lovely fungus in the soil indigenous to the Ohio and Mississippi Valley areas. The fungus comes from bird and bat droppings that are mixed in the soil. I used to do quite a bit of caving and on one of my trips down, managed to inhale the fungus into my lungs. Symptoms of exposure are similiar to a killer flu. After a week you feel better and life goes on. Most people get exposed and don't even know it - they think like I did - must be the flu. One of the residual effects of exposure is that the fungus leaves very small (microscopic) lesions on most of the major organs. Especially the lungs and eyes - specifically the retina. Now, one of the things the human body does naturally as it ages is produce new networks of blood vessels. They are referred to as 'neovascular membranes'. These new vessels however, are not as stable as the originals. Occasionally, one of these 'new' networks will find it's way underneath a Histoplasmosis legion - and when it does it ruptures. When this happens in the lungs or elsewhere it is usually no big deal because they are so small. As a matter of fact, Bob Dylan was hospitalized about a decade ago where one ruptured in his lung and caused some problems. If this happens in the eye though - it's bad. This is how I found out I had been exposed - I experienced a sub-retinal hemorrhage in my left eye. They first tried to stop the bleeding with laser (twice) and then I finally went under the knife in an attempt to have the actual membrane removed. I eventually lost central vision in my left eye. I have a 20% chance of losing vision in my right eye. The diagnosis was nerve wracking enough, then I had the pleasure of experiencing everything from having steroids injected into my eye - to the surgery itself where I got to experience having the fluid drained out of my eye and then filled back up with gas (like a balloon) so it would keep shape until the bodies natural mechanisms filled it back up with fluid. At any rate - this whole thing lasted about a year and left me pretty much a wreck. Then I found out my oldest daughter was skipping school and smoking dope & crack. I had four kids on honor roll and then this 5th one who acted like she had a chromosome missing. At some point my brain told me to 'go to hell' and they diagnosed me with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Lots of tachacardia and night sweats. Oh the joy! Later it became full blown GAD - or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. These are all cute names for a basic condition where the neurotransmitters in the brain go completely ga-ga. I had to choose between Jesus and a gun. I chose Jesus ------------------ deanG

sometimes a transparent post has more meaning than a transparent speaker i hear ya HornEd I have POHP, PTSD, and GAD - in my case though, if it wasn't for the meds I would be a basket case. I say - Better Living Through Chemistry ------------------ deanG

My Superamp is coming with a built in volume control. I have no idea what to expect. If I do buy a preamp it will be the AE-3. ------------------ deanG

No - Mobile had it right. I have a Superamp on the way and I asked him if it used tube rectification. My comment wondering what the hell he was talking about was aimed at Dennis Had (or however you spell it). ------------------ deanG

Impressive - wonder what in the hell he's talking about ------------------ deanG

I don't want that kind of disposable income if it turns me into an a$$hole. $4500 for a powercord? God Forbid. I felt guilty for spending $1500 on a CD player. I STILL feel guilty for doing that. I'll never do it again either. There is much to be said for diminishing returns. This message has been edited by deang on 02-21-2002 at 03:04 PM

a fool and his money are soon departed ------------------ deanG

Would you happen to know what my beloved Superamp employs - can't seem to find much detail on the circuit design. ------------------ deanG

I'm not exactly clear on what the importance is regarding the type of rectification. Doesn't a rectifier just change AC to DC? ------------------ deanG

BOtched Sound Environment This message has been edited by deang on 02-21-2002 at 12:07 PM

that's insane i would only pay that much for interconnects ------------------ deanG

I say we leave everything the way it is. Newbies will stumble into the 2 channel area and learn all about tube gear and big ugly Heritage stuff. If they are lucky - they will see my occasional plug for RB5's and RF7's If we create a 'tubes' area - it'll just be you smart old guys sharing all the good stuff ------------------ deanG This message has been edited by deang on 02-16-2002 at 11:34 PM

:bump ------------------ deanG

Absolutely cannot beat them for the money. I owned them for almost two years. They smoked my $2000 Magnepans - badly. I take them over anything up to 2 grand. ------------------ deanG

I don't get it...you put up with mediocrity for 10 years until you didn't have to really invest anything to get slightly better than mediocrity. And this is a good thing? I value good sound too much to put myself through that kind of agony. ------------------ deanG This message has been edited by deang on 02-16-2002 at 06:28 PM

Manuel said: "Now, one of the things I really liked about hearing those RF7's was that my good old Heresy's are not noticeable behind them!!" You're kidding right? ------------------ deanG

why are some of these tube amps so cheap you ask - i believe the answer would be Chinese Slave Labor ------------------ deanG