Ritz

Neil has been in my thoughts too since hearing about his issue. It is interesting to read the group's collective recollections because I share so many of them. I, too, fell for him early - brother is 7 years older - and 4-way took me over the edge. I saw the same 74 tour GaryMD speaks of. August 1974, 4 hours and 20 minuts and Neil carried it in my mind as he did the MCI center 2 or 3 years ago with the other 3. I think his body of work is the most robust, diversified, and of the most consistently high standard over the last 35 years of anyone in R n R. There have been and are other quality songwriters, etc., but none have hit the mark in such longevity. He is true to his convictions. Neil is the best in my book. He can take me places no one else can. Gerry

Gil. Very kind as always. I am sure to enjoy. Thanks. Gerry

More John Prine = Flag Won't Get You into Heaven and Sam Stone. CCR =- Who'll Stop the Rain Universal Soldier - Donavan When the Music's Over - Doors May think of others later. File under 'my 2 cents' Gerry

Gil. As usual, thanks. Always interesting reading your recommendations and finding out how little I know. Gerry Ritzert

Guy. Sorry for the delay. A little slammed at work. Anyway, can you pm your phone number so I can call you on the Toshiba. I am east coast and probably will call from work since I am here more than home. Thanks Gerry 703 934-9827 direct work line.

Guy. Let me ponder the Toshiba. Need to read up on it. Appreciate the offer/oportunity and will let you know. Gerry Ritzert

Gilbert. Thanks for the advice. I thought there must be a way. Oh, by the way, congrats on your tube ware. I am fairly new to it and it is enjoyable. I have 2 Music Reference amps. Roger Modjeski is the designer/builder out of Santa Barbara. I think I recall your request for good tube supplier. Mr. Modjeski and his assistant, Sage, also sell matched tubes via www.ramlabs-musicreference.com. You may find that a good source for tubes. I just bought some and they computer match them and place a tape on the box they send with each one with the stats of the computer testing. Thanks again. Gerry

As I have lurked in the shadows, I have noted your affinity for and knowledge of all things Jazz. I am late to developing an appreciation of Jazz brought along in part by a very good friend that plays trumpet in a jazz band - very proficient and knowlegeable in his own right - and I have been made aware of the Blue Note and Rudy Van G recordings. I now have many. Anyway, the point is and I am sure you already know, I have gone to the Blue Note website (bluenote.com)and streamed their radio channel. Allows you to personalize the playlist and choose classic only or a mix and no ads to distract. Great way to listen to jazz at work. If, as I may presume this is not news to you, please be kind in your rebuke. On a technical note, how does one get a stream from computer into your 2-channel system to replace a source like a tuner? Is it possible? Gerry Ritzert

Interested in your kind offer. Am I correct that it requires an amplifier or is it passive? Thanks Gerry

701. I have not noticed a clarity issue but will keep listening. Anyone have any expeience with the Russound products? I have seen a 4 speaker 2 amp box they make. I think they are out of Maine. Wondering if they make a good product. Gerry

Thank, Russ, Shade, and CTBB. Appreciate your time. No loose connections and I don't note any degradation even in the context of critical listening. In fact, I have 3 of the devices and even use it in my 'critical listening room' setup and it allows for varying volume levels or doing some a/b testing just to try to learn the sound differences between cornwalls and fortes and heresys It allows so much flexibility that I really value them. I was just wondering if someone had an identifiable weakness in such a set up. I think the devices are well made and quality items. Of course, I do not think I have the level of a discriminating hear on the level that some some members possess. I had also wondered why I had not read more (any) comments on the SVC-4 (there is a later version SVL-4AB as well)(I do not believe Niles is making either model anymore) since I found them so helpful. Just curious, I guess. Sorry, I have no pictures of them to post for ease of reference purposes. Gerry

I have a Niles SVC-4 speaker/amplifier selector that I have had for 15 years or so that I find is very valuable to me for convenience of use. It allows me to have 2 amps running at same time and to alternate/adjust volume of up to 4 pairs of speaker in different rooms. I can have it louder upstairs than downstairs and play different musice at the same time, for example. Anyway, I value the unit as indispensible but have noted that some opine that more connections mean less quality of sound. Is that a hard and fast rule in anyone's opinion? Also, with specific reference to the SVC-4, does anyone know a technical reason that it degrades a system or that it has known or inherent flaws? Thanks in advance for your interest and comment. Gerry Ritzert

Bill. I, like Mark, am interested in building one of these boxes - a passive one without amplification - but need help on the instructions of how to do so. Can you describe how and what you assemble in making the box? Sorry to be so clueless. Gerry

It is a good show and one can learn a lot. Your suggestion is a great one and I suggest you write it in and see if they bite.

I can't respond to your specific request because I don't know how to 'match' tubes either by knowledge or equipment. However, I understand that they should be matched for better performance. I just bought new tubes for my Music Reference RM-10. It takes 4 EL84 and 2 12ax7's if I recall. One of the 84 flamed bright and the vendor asked for that one and the one next to it (V3 and V5 as noted on the amp) in return and they will forward a separate matched set for replacement. I deduct therefore that at least some deem it important to keep them matched. Can I tell the difference? That remains to be seen. It seems like others are more able to do so than I. Gerry Ritzert