jheis

When I first dipped my toe into HT waters, I got talked into a Denon AVR-1804. My two channel set up at the time was a Carver CT-17 pre-amp and a Carver TFM-45 amp driving a pair of Cornwalls. When I got the Denon home I hooked it up to the Cornwalls with a Niles switcher so that I could switch back and forth between the Denon receiver and the Carver separates and compare the sound. This may not have been a fair test because the Denon wasn't exactly a top of the line model, but here was no comparison. The Denon receiver finished a very distant second. I don't really know how to describe it, but the Denon just sounded thin & lifeless -- no body. On top of that, the Denon's tuner was crap. It couldn't even pull in stations that the 14 year old Carver handled with ease. So, the Denon went back and was replaced by a B&K Ref 50 pre/pro and a pair of B&K ST-125.2 amps. And so I started my journey down the slippery upgrade slope.... James

Out of curiosity, what does B&K charge for the update? I have a Ref 50 (1st series) that I've been thinking about updating. James Nevermind, just read the exchange in Vladi's post.

Personally, I couldn't stand to listen to anything by anyone who listened to, tolerated, aided, or abetted any of the dreck produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber. James

Speaking of the Darwin Awards, I'll title this one "Drifter confirms Darwin's theory of Natural Selection." www.zippyvideos.com/7201304391362196/adriabmwdriftcrash James

Best wishes, but you can't TRY to quit, you have DECIDE to quit. Once you commit to it you can do it, but you have to DECIDE that you are NOT going to smoke anymore. I know everyone is different, but for me it wasn't too long before even the smell of tobacco was totally repulsive. Long before California banned smoking in public places, I stopped going to bars because I couldn't stand waking up with the stench of tobacco in my hair and on my clothes the next day. And, of course, there's the old saying: "kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray," you don't have to be smoke free very long for this to be true. Here's to success for all of you. James

As they say, "sometimes even a blind dog finds a truffle." Like the early spikes. James

I'll take a good old earthquake over a tornado any day. James

Anyone stupid enough to pay that kind of money for such a POS should have his money confiscated! Oops, I guess it just was. James

"Bryan's Home for Abused Speakers" James

Thanks fritz: I checked wikipedia right after I posted & think I understand the differences between class A and AB and how they work. I haven't found anything, however, on how a class A predriver works in conjunction with a class AB output stage. I'm guessing that this may mean that the amp is designed to operate as class A at low power (clean 1st watt?) and AB at higher power? James

It might be beneficial (to me at least) if someone could give a (simple) explanation of different classes of amplifiers. For example, my B&K amps "operate with a class A predriver and AB MOSFET power output stages." What does that mean? James

As Marvel said, they appear to be original Heresys - which means they date anywhere up to the early '80's. Serial numbers will tell you the exact year. From the photos, they appear to be HBR (Heresy, birch, raw) meaning the were delivered as unfinished Baltic Birch 7 ply plywood - which was either stained or oil finished by a prior owner. The capacitors in the crossovers can probably stand an upgrade, but I'd say live with them for a while before you consider any changes. Heresys are amazing speakers. Congratulations on your purchase. James

t: I don't think there was any discernible difference in sound - if you're running one pair of speakers, it's just an in or out switch. James

The Niles I used was a SPS-1. Cost about $60 ~15 years ago. Niles stuff is kind of pricey retail (big mark-up) but if you do a Google search you can find it much cheaper online. James

Had a Carver TFM-45 that did the same thing. I resorted to using a Niles speaker selector box that allowed me to turn off the speakers (disconnect them from the amp) before turning off the amp. James

I recall seeing a "Frontline" show on Mall Wart's business practices awhile back. They, essentially, put Rubbermaid out of business. Shame to see how their economic clout can be used to ruin what was a well run and well respected company. I, for one, will NEVER shop at Wall Mart. James

Just noticed that my last post was number 666. 666 in a 420. Whadda'ya think that means? James

For the record, there is no Section 420 in the California Health & Safety Code. Jumps from Section 416.23 (dealing with appointing conservators for disabled persons) to Section 425 (air sanitation). Sorry Johny. James

Sounds like a good day. Sorry I missed it (especially the chili []). Sign me up for next time. The North Bay contingent needs to be represented. James

Re: Photo size Sorry Travis. Didn't mean to single you out, just happened to be on your post when I blew a fuse. James

One more time. PLEASE resize your photo's before posting - some of us are on dialup. Huge photos take forever to load and the forum software is just going to shrink them once they finally load anyway, so there is no reason to post anything larger than 640 x 480 pixels. It's gotten to the point that I simply exit the thread rather than wait for these damn things to load. James

Exactly. Did the same approach and had my last cigarette 1 year 3 months ago. Good luck all. But Jheis, you must not of smoked very long? What did you do stop smokin at age 15? I actually smoked 2 packs a day for 24 years. But glad you were able to put it behind ya. Stornim: I congratulate you for being able to quit after 24 years. No, I wasn't hooked for that long. In college I was smoking 2 packs of Lucky Strike regulars a day. I'd quit, but when I was in Air Force boot camp, the only privilege we were allowed was smoking - "smoke-em if you've got-em." If you didn't smoke, you had to stand in formation (in February) while the others finished their cigarettes - so I started again. Cig's were 25 cents a pack for the GI's. Another reason to resent the military industrial complex. I got out in '72 and DECIDED I was not going to smoke any more. Again, not to minimize anyone else's struggle - the decision was what worked for me. You've got to DECIDE that you are not going to smoke any more. Unless you make the commitment to yourself - you're just spinning your wheels. James

I know everyone is different, but for me it came down to REALLY deciding that I just was NOT going to do it anymore. Once you make that decision it's over. Had my last cigarette in 1972. James

If you go with Denon, & you can swing the price, I'd recommend that you stay high enough up their food chain so that you get a made in Japan model (the low end stuff is made in China). Things may have changed, but I bought a Denon AVR 1804 awhile back and I thought it really sounded like crap. Stayed in my system for less than a week before I took it back. YMMV. James

In a word; yes. James