Jeff Matthews

When we were at Born2RockU's, we agreed that my HK CD player was up there in quality to the Jolida tube CD. Other than those 2, I don't know.

I think you already knew you were right on the price range. If cosmetically, they are excellent, $2200 would be very fair. There have been some very beautiful ones go for about that and less - although some have gone higher. Mine were cosmetically a 9.5 out of 10 (if you don't count grills in the rating, because they didn't have the grills). I got them for $1700 and think I could make some nice grills for about $20.00 in materials as soon as I get motivated.

OOCH! That's gotta hurt. Rick Not at all. The satisfaction outweighs the humility. Even the triangle (ting-ting-ting) and maracas in Steely Dan's "Aja" were much more vivid. The organs in Genesis' "Firth of Fifth" from Seconds Out are much more full. They just come down "from above" kind of like is shown in those oil paintings where the beams of sunlight break through the small cracks in the parting cumulus clouds. And Rush's "YYZ" and "Limelight." It's hard to beat the production on that album. One of the tightest albums there ever was. Okay. Enough stories. I just wanted to eat humble pie in the most profound way I could. []

I swear it all! No drugs. No drinking. I honestly saw the box and asked myself "If these don't make a difference, how am I going to put it politely?" Glad we're not going there. Now, if these are too bright, I like too bright. There's nothing more I can say about that for now. Definitely, some of those loud highs get in my face. I think it was intended that way, because it's all in the right spots. Just so crisp! Yep. All the bass is there - and then, a little more. I think the areas where the bass crosses into the mid are more pronounced and punchy. Now, for more of my favorite tunes..... "Return of the Giant Hogweed" on Genesis' Nursery Crime. That tune always had catchy fuzz effects throughout it. The fuzz is now "double-layered" deep - too cool! And I don't believe I ever really heard that tamborine before. "Perpetual Change" on Yes's Album. Oh, what a beautiful song (I can't even say "tune" on this one). Just so beautiful - tears, man..... tears. [:'(] I gotta stop, now! Really, Meagain. As down as I was on the idea, I confess all my sins, and I'm as sober as I can be, while still being so happy with the low-cost fixer. Not a tweak - a fixer.

As a matter of fact, Erik, Yes is going on next. My favorite of theirs is Album, followed by Fragile. I don't have any of King Crimson. You'd have to tell me some names of their tunes, and I'm sure I'd recognize them right away. It might even make me go out and buy their greatest if they have one. I don't believe I can claim any familiarity with Gentle Giant or Brand 'X'. You'd have to tell me more about them. And right after Yes will be "Return of the Giant Hogweed" - another one of my favorites by Genesis.

Done, Bob. I'll get them to you pretty soon. In the meantime, a few more little reviews. "Something Coming On" on Blood, Sweat & Tears' 3rd album. The brush on the snare is so much more crisp - it actually sounds like a snare. And the tamborine sounds almost like a bunch of little bells - so crisp. If this is "bright," I like bright. The Who's "Music Must Change." Wow! Roger Daltry's vocals get every little grit and grain coming from deep down in his throat. (Please don't make a play on this one!). And the "claps" smack in your face much better. I really need to listen to my entire collection again, but I don't have enough time. It sure will be fun as I go. I've been missing alot. Okay, everyone, I was wr... wr..... wro..... OKAY, I WAS WRONG, AND I ADMIT IT. So, there!

Thanks, JB! Bob, I know that. How much?

If ALK's are so much better, as people say, I couldn't imagine. It'd be interesting to hear, for sure. But right now, I'm just as happy as a lark. The next thing we need to know is what is different about your caps, Rick? They'll be your way, soon, Bob.

Meagain, I'm not kidding. If among your ailments are some low frequency (bass) issues, you still need to get BEC to re-cap them. The difference in mids and highs is very remarkable. For starters, I can no longer turn it up as loud anymore. If I did, it would bleed my ears to death on the mids and highs. Oh, yeah! They sound good. Not harsh at all. I just think I've been missing the proper proportion between bass and mid/high and never knew it. Here's an example from one tune I just HAD to plug in and hear right away. "The Cage" by Genesis on their Lamb Lies Down on Broadway album. Why is that song a reference to me? Not only is it one of my favorite tunes ever done, but the song is loaded with all kinds of high frequency, wicked little undertones - it really adds to the dark, sinister story that is told on the entire album. The change in xovers really brings out the undertones well. They are so well-defined - even at higher volumes, where they used to sort of get lost and muddled. I used to think it was just "that's what happens when it gets loud and you cover up the highs with loud, thumping bass." Well, I guess it still does that a little - but certainly alot less. And I heard more little wicked, dubbed-in effects that I never heard before. Too cool - if you're in to that kind of thing! Anyway, you can be the judge. But I'd tell you go for it in a heartbeat. Might not solve all your problems, but the mids and highs will open up like you won't believe. As I promised, Bob, a great big "Thank you." [] P.S. My Corns, Bob. What about my Corns?

I'm back..... Okay, here's the verdict. [] .......................................... Remarkable!!!! Bob, did you set them up for A mode or AA mode? The difference in the mids, and especially highs, is quite extreme. It's like I unloaded some wax from my ears. I'd swear that, as to the vocals, the soundstage has even changed. It is more centered and sort of over my head. I'll have to get used to this (and I haven't cranked it, yet - not until BEC confirms the mode), but at low and moderate volumes it is a remarkable improvement. They make the crisp highs sound definitely in line with those 10-tweeter cone speakers.

Yes they did. Want to know what they sound like? ................................................................................ Me, too! (I'll be back).

He e-mailed me yesterday. He's still around. I hadn't seen any posts by him lately, though.

Didn't some people on here say Serenity was good? IT SUCKED!!!!!

Just kidding. My bro' brought back a top of the line Pioneer 10" reel from Germany w/his LaScalas many years ago. That was a good reel. It's where I learned about all that great classic rock out there as a young boy. I'm still waiting for that chip-loaded component out there somewhere to be found.

Duke, I was with you when it was Crowns. But tape? [+o(] Guess you'll have to be "Duke Winder" from now on... []

And let's not forget to compare apples to apples when running CD's vs. LP's. CD's these days are so chock-full of compressed garbage, it almost kills me. I thought of this as I reflected on my quick get-together with my nephew the other day. I told him to come by and hear my new killer speakers and invited him to bring a CD so he could hear them with music he likes. He brought some of that head-banger stuff, and when I put it in, the volume went up and right back down. Not only was it objectionable from a musical "taste" perspective (which I am tolerant enough to bear for good fun), but I really feared my KHorns wouldn't be able to take it at the volumes I play at with classic rock. It was that awful.

You just haven't tried a good quality LP. []

Rplace, I just couldn't resist because the "tired"/"tried" typo in a sentence talking about $50k projectors. By all means, feel free to get me back - but do it in good taste, please. []

Heck, I'd have to be pretty "tired" to spend that kind of money on a projector. [] LOL, Buddy! [Y]

Nonsense. Not really. I won't go into the camp of whether LP sounds better at all. It might a little, but so what?

Ray, it's the Nostalgia effect. LP's sound better to LP collectors because LP's are dying and becoming even more rare. So, the thrill of living in the increasingly-remote good old days is a boost out of the starting gate. Yep. CD's are fine. And when you talk about convenience.... whew! It's a no-brainer. The real deal will be how long to keep investing in CD's now that you can store gobs of music on little chips that don't have to spin round-and-round and skip with vibration. BTW, anybody ever see something "chip-packed" for me? I've seen the built-in hard drives, but they still spin.

..... because, as much as he whines, he loves being "The Professor." []

Well, you must have missed all thoise headroom threads. I think we tend to agree its the power supply and capacitance. I can't say I have the science down enough to read specs and buy blind. But I can darn sure lift an amp and tell you I'll bet this one's good. [] Let me know when you're ready to compare my Crown to your Yammy. In terms of price, I think my Crown can be found used for $400-500. The money up front might be better spent than 3 or 4 $100 DIY projects that never really made that much of a difference.

Hey, I resemble that! Even the Physics 101 professor teaches the same course year after year. []

I'm glad you agree, Jay. Now, for Tipping 102. A point was well-made in "The Millionaire Next Door," which is a very good book that basically explains the everyday practices of millionaires. What is noted in the book is that millionaires tend to have good lawyers and CPA's and don't mind paying for their advice and services - which is very important. Then, the book contrasts habits of others, who hate to pay for the advice and services of good lawyers or CPA's, so they spend time trying to figure it out themselves or trying to get advice on tax and real estate from cousin "Merve" who's a family lawyer that knows a little something about it (which, of course, tends to lead to a waste of time and something done half-right, if at all). And the junk you find on the internet - let's not go there. What the book then says is how surprising it is to see middle America is so quick and easy to throw down tips for even mediocre or crappy service at all the restaurants they go to (which do nothing to increase their wealth), yet they can't stand to pay good money for good services of attorney's and CPA's who can both help to increase and protect their wealth. Same goes for real estate brokers. So true, it is. I have seen many people come in with problems that they never addressed when they had the chance. They could have spent maybe $500 - $1,000 on planning (like for wills and powers of attorney, for example), but they didn't. So, now that there's a problem (like someone died or is incapacitated) it winds up requiring 10x the work to deal with it, and of course 10x the charges. On the one hand, we hate when people go the cheap route and get caught up in these expensive situations. On the other hand, we love it. [] And anyone who is in business for themselves, there is absolutely no reason why you should not have already incorporated or become a limited partnership or LLC. These can fundamentally save your tails from debtor's prison (personal bankruptcy) for the rest of your lives if something bad happens. I've seen it time and again. Client "I'm in business and getting sued for xyz, and I'm worried." Me: "Are you incorporated?" Client "No. Just a DBA." Me: "Bad!" Okay, we'll have to deal with this the hard way...." Of course, I've seen it time and again where people have done it right, and when they come in with a problem, I get to tell them, "Lucky you...." Okay, enough for Tipping 102. Moral, if you have enough to pay generous tips at all the restaurants, you have enough to get good advice from good CPA's, lawyers and real estate professionals.