doctorcilantro

I see...I forget that was someone responding to Joe's comments...my bad.....I work in a radio room for 12 hours and some times I start going lightspeed with my stereo obsession. Pretty nice to be able to learn about this stuff all day, but mistakes do get made that way, and my dreams are full of glowing tubes and talking heatsinks..... JC

Thanks for the replies all. I read so many high regards for Scott & Fisher, etc. that Joe Rosen's comments were very strange to me. I figured he must have a pretty particular taste to make such comments. I guess I could keep using the Sansui Greg, but I am eager to find an integrated or a receiver that fits the bill. The 299A & B seemed to score the highest points with what I read today, but you guys know the scoop not me. I was thinking of possibly purchasing that Fisher 500B; I have some tubes I need to look through first and see if I have any NOS from two of my Lowrey organs I used for parts (tubes : ) Also the FM tuning wire needs to be wound. Otherwise he says it works. I'll have to ask about the other one. I am sensing that a pair of Klipsch Forte's would a worthy set of speakers to come by, yes???? Jon

From Audio Asylum: "Scott is just cheapo mass-market tube dreck with lousy iron (and bizarre impedances, the OPT's that Von Recklinghausen specified for the 299 were between 1/3 & 1/4 the proper primary impedance!). Von Recklinghausen did bizarre horse-latitudes in all his stuff, like he was really, really bored or something... The sound of Scott is further off the source than just about ANY vintage hi-fi amp! You've got to go to a SET amp circuit out of an issue of MJ magazine (OK, OK, Sound Practices even...) to find something that would sound any more bizarre and surreal... " By the way, Joe also seems to hate almost every EL84 amp, so some of his comments may take this dislike into consideration. As for Scott, the only 7591 model I owned was a LK-72, which was intitially a kit and probably not as nice as the other 7591 Scott integrateds. I have also owned a 222B which uses EL84's. I personally liked these amps (not love), but sold them both. I really do not like the 6U8/6GH8/7199 approach to phase splitting/ driving. I do not like in the Scotts, the Sansuis, or the Dynacos. I think the Dynaco circuits sound best by a small margin, but all the vintage circuits I have heard using this approach seem to have similiar sonic deficiencies. But be aware that all were stock (although within spec). I do like several features on the Scotts, such as the adjustable bias, ac balance, and dc balance pots. These are noticibly absent on allot of stuff including the Pilot integrateds. Moreover, I certainly like the looks of Scott equipment. However, I would think that if I needed an integrated I would look for a Fisher X-1000 (EL84) (some like the 100 series). Fisher, in my opinion, built some of the better EL84 integrateds. A Pilot 240 or 245 (both EL84) might be a good choice if you like the looks of them. As for 7591 integrateds, Scott's may be your best option, though Harmon Kardon made them and I am sure there are others. People really like 7591's, but I have never heard an "all out" 7591 amp, so it would be hard to comment. Another option would be a 6V6 integrated. I have not seen any, but I know they are out there. In fact I think Pilot made one. 6V6's are a MUCH BETTER sounding tube than EL84's. If you could find a 6SN7/6V6 circuit with a good power supply you would be in hifi heaven.

Thanks Greg, I'll have to dig out your number, where are you again? I saw 299 in your post and I think that's actually what I am looking for now. Jon

What ch'all think about FISHER 500B FM stereo multiplex receiver. 37 wpc. Uses 7591 output tubes. Works fine but needs restringing of the tuning dial. Cosmetics 'very good.' Some tubes included, $150. HEATHKIT AA100 integrated amplifier. Uses 7591 output tubes. Est. 35 wpc. Massive, quality transformers. Near mint but has hum and some distortion. $95. H.H. SCOTT 222C integrated amp. Excellent condition but has a blown power supply. Worth $495 repaired. $195. Jon

from Usenet: I own both Fisher and Scott equipment and like them both. The best sounding of the lot is the Scott 299C. My Fisher 500C and 800C are great receivers, though, and the tuners are a bit more sensitive then Scotts with the exception of the 310 series of Scott. As for the 222series verses the 299 series, the old 222 is not as nice as the 299, but the 222C is much clearer and crisper sounding then an older 299 or 299B, but again, the 299C sounds better then them all. With respect to amplifier sections with a CD player, Fisher has nice tight bass, but lacks the extreme highs of it's Scott counterparts. With a turntable, the 299 series of Scotts has a very fine phono section. Much better then the Fishers. Quite frankly, both Fisher and Scott are excellent, but Fisher seems to be built a little more rugged. Little things like heat shields and the like make the Fisher a much longer lived unit. Scott, on the other hand, has a lot more component deterioration due to inadequate heat ventilation and channeling. A 299C it a heat nightmare. I have yet to see one that hasn't had at least one bad power supply capacitor. The 299's power resistors under the chassis cause a multitude of headaches. But, with minor mods, the Scotts can be made better. Circuit wise, though, Scotts are just plain great. One thing about Fisher, though, they use pretty much all 12AX7's in the audio sections. This is great since they are readily available. Not so with the 7199 phase splitter tubes in my 222C Scott..

My other thought is that I could pick up something like a 222d Scott integrated amplifier and run FM from my Sansui to it. While I'd like to have it 'all in one', I'm sure there are some nice units out there to be had without a tuner right? Jon

Thanks for the responses guys (any gals around here?) .... I guess I just have the upgrade bug in regard to the speakers-=-=-=translation = my fiance hates how they look LOL! I like the speakers a lot and my thought was stick with them for a while because speaker selection is going to be a long process I think...I haven't heard any Klipsch speakers, but maybe I can get Greg to let me prostrate in front of the legendary Khorns and weep --since I am in Maine. The only Klipsch product I have heard is their computer multi-media system, and while I usually laugh at these systems, the one my brother has totally blew me away, for what it cost and what I thought it was going to be....I was very impressed. I am looking for a very nice tubed FM receiver with a quiet phono stage yet I can't spend a grand or anything so I have been eyeing and reading about the vintage ones in that price range. I found a Harmon Kardon for 250$ but don't have the model number or any specs yet. Thanks again...this forum makes me feel warm & fuzzy... Jon

The budget isn't very big, unless I sell my drum kit -yikes- Speakers 600$ tops & an amp maybe 300-600$ Jon

Hi folks, I am still doing my homework but I thought I'd post here for some much needed help... I am looking for a tubed receiver with a quiet phono stage...most likely a vintage one. Currently I am using a Sansui 6060 w/ Sansui SP-2000 speakers and I'd like to jump into the tube world ever since my experience with some Lowrey organs. I plan on getting some efficient speakers (the Sp-2000 are near 100db), maybe Klipsch, and I look forward to hearing your suggestions on what I should be looking for. thank you all for your time, Jon

Wow, Greg was right...this is an highly active forum. Thanks, I saw the listing on Ebay and was curious. I currently have a Sansui 6060 and some Sansui Sp-2000 speakers and I am ready for the waltz into tube gear and thinking of Klipsch for new speakers. I'd like a tubed receiver with a quiet phono stage. gotta do my homework.... Jon

Culture - Humble African

Hi folks, Can anyone give me a little info on the Klipsch Tangent 50's? I am looking to get into tubes right now and have my eye on various amps on ebay. Looking to put away or sell my Sansui 6060 and SP2000's and upgrade! Looking forward to learning a lot here. (hey Greg!) thanks, Jon