tom b. 57

I have an HK3480, and run a pair of KG5.5's and a pair of KG4's for A and B speakers. They sound fantastic together. The 5.5's have a great top and bottom and the 4's seem to compliment the mids very well. I am no audio guru but I have experienced no problem running the 6 ohm 4's and 8 ohm 5.5's at the same time. As I have said they compliment each other well, at least to my ears they do. I don't understand why one would think there would be some sort of problem running both sets at the same time. Maybe in theory its not right, but in reality they sound pretty damn good. Tom

"There's TONS of new vinyl released every week." I wasn't aware of that. New vinyl, what a concept! I would imagine prices are a bit high. What artists are releasing their stuff on vinyl these days? I'm curious. Tom

I finally pulled my JVC JL-A40 Direct Drive Turntable from the annals of the past, cleaned her up, threw on Jefferson Starship, "Red Octopus", kicked back and realized the old thing plays exactly like she did when I boxed her up 21 years ago. I finally broke down and purchased some old vinyl, (what other kind is there). The purchase consisted of 52 '70's lp's and 2 45's, also from the '70's. I payed $40.00 for the bunch. I'm not sure if that was too much or not. So far I have found 2 in excellent shape and 4 or 5 in good shape. I have only checked out 15 or so. It sure feels good seeing my old turntable earning her keep again. Tom

Last week I wrote a thread here on this forum about my interest in a Scott 299D int. amp. A few of you were helpful with your replys, and I would like to thank you for your thoughts and educated opinions. After speaking with the seller of this unit a couple of times I have arranged to meet with him and audition the thing. I am not educated in electronics and am certainly a stranger to tubes. What are some things I should do and look for while auditioning this unit? I will be contacting him on the 29th. He is on vacation and will not return until the 28th, so I have some time to gather information that will help me with this purchase. He is asking $300.00, but said he would let it go for $200.00 if it was going to a good home where it would be used. The seller also told me that a friend of his, who is a "tube fanatic", has replaced capacitors and done some other stuff to it and thinks that it should have plenty of life left in it before anything should need replacing. Can you guys help me by making some suggestions on how to check this unit out properly and things to look for that might raise concern about the condition? Thanks, Tom

I've ordered one. Seeing that the proprieters are out of the shop until the 27th or so, I will just have to wait and see if I got my order in on time . It is a pretty busy piece of art and certainly took several times of looking at it before I decided I could grow use to it on the wall of an entertainment room. Since I have no such room to date it will, (assuming I have ordered in time), stay in its tube until such a room exists, for me, in my world. Tom

Scott 299D on craigs for $300.00. Seller says it has been gone through by a tech. Says everything works fine. Is this a good amp/preamp? Does it have a good phono stage? Any noise with this unit? How many watts per channel? Anybody out there got info. for me? Tom

What do you guys think of replacing my Phase Linear 3000 Series II preamp with a Carver C-2 preamp. I am running a Carver M500 amp and pushing two pair of Cornwalls and a pair of Forte. I can get the preamp pretty cheap, less than $100. Is it a step up or just throwing money into the wind? What do you say? Tom

The same seller that has the Dynaco 70 for sale has offered up a Scott Stereomaster 130 preamp for $690.00. He says it is in mint condition and it has Telefunkin tubes. He says it is one of the finest preamps Scott ever made. I believe it has a phono stage . This is something I would desire in a preamp. As I know very little about tubes, and even less about HH Scott, I am hoping you guys will chime in and enlighten me. You have all been very informative and your comments are appreciated. Is Scott good equipment? Is this price good, fair, out of line? What do you think? Tom

The same seller has a Scott Stereomaster130 preamp, mint with Telefunkin tubes for $690.00. Anyone familiar with this animal? Tom

The preamp purchase may be the smartest move. I was thiking of the Blueberry, but that is a pretty big investment. I would like to incorporate my turntable into my system at a later date and would like a good phono stage. Do you have any suggestions on a more moderate priced preamp that would still be an impressive addition? (impressive to the ears). Tom

Here is the ad. I have a Phase Linear 3000 Series II pre amp that I would use temporarily, until I locate a tube preamp that would be compatable. I have just finished up a Dynaco Stereo 70 tube amplifier, all tubes are matched and either new or NOS new. The power supply bias has been updated for improved performance and reliability by pass caps installed; unit is testing better then original specifications. The cosmetic condition is just about perfect. Chrome bright, it even has the mint cage assy. This is a rare unit in this condition. As you can see in the photos I have lots of vintage gear and I do know what Im doing when it comes to professional restoration. 40 years of HI-FI experience. I have lots of other gear for sale and upgrade, just ask. Im firm on the price (read no haggling). I may consider trades for other tube gear. McIntosh or Marantz, Fisher, Eico or Scott. If not sold in ten days locally it goes to Ebay Tom

Is $675.00 a fair price for a Dynaco 70 stereo amp? I know very little of tube amps. The seller says it is in mint condition. I am eager for tube equip., but I don't want to make a rash decision to buy and regret it later. I respect you tube enthusiasts opinions. What do you guys think? The seller also said it tests out better than original specs. Tom

I chose to pass on the deal. I thought about it for a little while and decided I should wait and land me a bigger fish, like a tube preamp first and then maybe a tube amp. I am really interested in checking out the tube sound. From what I have heard from a tube system, I was very impressed. I just don't know squat about them. I have had some questions answered for me from the kind forum members but I think I need to hear more and do some research. I just find it hard to pass on stereo gear that seems like a good deal, and I have always wanted McIntosh, even though I have only heard Mac in a showroom. I guess its the idea of top of the line equipment that gets me going. Thanks for your help. Tom

I can pick up a mac MA6100 integrated amp-preamp 70 W. per channel for $400.00. I must act quick though. What do you think? Is it worth the money? I know Mac is good but I have no experience with any of their products. Tom

This is good stuff. Unfortunately the seller of the Forte II's seems to be unwilling to budge from his $600.00 asking price, so I gracefully bowed out of the talks and let him know that if for any reason he lowers his expectations, to go ahead and email me. I will still be willing to talk. I would like to thank everyone for their input. This has been very informative and helpful. I will keep my eyes peeled for another opportunity to check out the Forte II's. Does anyone have an opinion on Speakerlab Khorns? I know where there is a pair for $625.00. Is that a reasonable deal? What do you think? They were assembled by the Speakerlab folks, not a consumer. I am not sure if this makes a difference. I thought that it would possibly ensure the quality of construction, I don't know. Tom

I own a pair of Forte's, I think they are one of the best purchases I have made to date. I have an opportunity to purchase a pair of Forte II's, price to be negotiated. Does anyone have an oppinion on the sound quality difference?The same, better, or not quite as good? What do you think? Tom PS: I know the oppinion thing is a silly question. I am sure there are many oppinions on this subject out there. I've read a few threads.

To be fair to you , there is no comparison. The Cornwalls are in a class all by themselves. But, what I did notice is that the KG5.5's have very good and defined highs, the mids are good and the bass is tight and extends much lower than the KG4's or the KG4.2's. . The stage presence is great. You can get a feel for where the different instruments are, as if the musicians were right there in your room. I believe that the KG5.5 deal I made is the second best deal I have made on Klipsch speakers when it comes to bang for the buck. The best deal is my 73 vertical horn Cornwalls. Tom

I purchased a pair of KG5.5's a few months back and quite frankly I wouldn't sell mine for anything less than $500.00. I got a great deal on them. I payed $220.00. I dickered with the seller for a few days online and when I got them down to $250.00 I asked if I could come by and listen to them. When I got there and threw on some Jethro Tull and listened to how clear and accurate they were I knew they were mine. These things are fantastic. I thought I might sell them for a little profit, but once I got them home I listened to them for a couple of days comparing them to the KG4's I got and quite frankly they blew them away. I compared them to my Cornwalls and realized that they were keepers.They are pretty efficient speakers. I don't think you can go wrong for $300.00, but wheel and deal, you might get lucky and get them cheaper. You won't be disappointed in their performance, as long as their components are in good shape. Tom

Daddy Dee, first, let me say thank you for the horns I purchased from you a few months back. They are in great condition. I have not been able to use them in my Cornwall project yet because I keep getting sidetracked by good deals on Klipsch speakers that I find irresistable. I do have a turntable. It is an old mid 70's model JVC. I don't know the model #, since it has been in a carton stored away on a shelf for a good18 to 20 years. I do intend to eventually incorporate it into my system, When? I don't know. Thanks for the response. Tom

I am entertaining the thought of replacing my Phase Linear 3000 Series II preamp with a Blueberry. I have a Carver M500 amp and am really impressed with the sound I have heard from tube gear. My dilemma is this, Is the Blueberry going to be compatible with my Carver? Am I going to hear a difference in clarity and softness in tone like I have noticed with tube systems I have heard? Is it going to be worth the the $1500.00 or so investment? Is it going to lead to the purchase of a tube amp? I know some of these questions can only be answered by my self, but I would appreciate some of your thoughts. Since some of you have owned solid state equipment and tube equipment, I value your opinions. Please give me some feedback. You guys and gals have always helped in the past. I get different perspectives and this helps me in my decision making. Now remember, I am only in the "thinking about" stage, a very dangerous stage for my impulsive and compulsive self. Tom

"I think this is the first time I read something specific about tubes." I don't know if it was the tubes or if it was a very well engineered recording. All I know is it was wonderful to hear such accurate sound reproduction. The stage presence was phenomenol. The audio guru that was humoring me is probably in his late 60's, and built his first crystal radio at age 7, I believe. He had been a consultant to boeing in the past and now repairs equipment at home. People send him stuff to fix from all over. While I was there, he showed me an amp that was sent all the way from Kansas City. It was some obscure company that was no longer in business. Half the time he talked over my head and I would have to let him know that I was at a loss. My knowledge is very limited when it comes to electronics and all the properties that come in to play. I certainly was impressed with what I heard though. Tom

OB, you are right the system I have now is great. I'm happy with it. A few weeks ago I was at an audio tech's home and got a chance to listen to a tube system. He had a'63' amp., a '63' pre amp, both which sold for $89.00 back then, an AR turntable, vintage 1960. and some small tower speakers that were made in Canada. The Canadian company non-existent now. The sound was smooth and silky. We listened to a little swing music and a little jazz. On one of the cuts off of the jazz album, you could actually hear the female singer take the breath before she started singing. It was unbelievable, the presence and clarity. All I can say is, that kind of clarity and the instruments sounding exactly like they should, blew me away. The sickness needs to be fed. I want. Tom

Well, I see this isn't going to be as cut and dry as I thought it might be. Here is a list of my existing equipment: Carver M500 amp. (250 rms per channel), Phase Linear 3000 Series II pre amp, Carver TX 8 tuner, HK EQ 8 graphic equalizer, Sony DVP-NC80V cd/dvd player, '73' Cornwalls, '75' Cornwalls with a K43 woofer instead of the original K33, '89' Fortes, all connected through a speaker selector switch. My room is aprox. 12-14 by 20-22 ft. I listen to 60's and 70's rock,soul,funk,love the blues,jazz of any era, and an occasional 80's,90's and yes, even this century's music, (although not to often). I like my music, for the most part, as loud as I and my neighbors can stand it. As long as it is distortion free. No clipping allowed. Do you think there is something out there that will suit me? Oh by the way I have a pair of KG5.5's and a pair of KG4's hooked up to a Sony receiver of moderate power for standby ( normally an HK3480, but oopsed it and am now waiting for replacement which HK has notified me, is in the mail). In my bedroom I have a Marantz classic 2275, an AkaiGXC-730D cassette deck, a pair if Klipsch SF1's and a pair of polk Monitor30, I almost forgot an Audio Control 10 band eq. Tom

I have recently become interested in learning about tube amps,preamps,tuners,etc. I know absolutely nothing about them. I am hoping some of you good people can help. I have many questions. What makes a good tube amp? what kind of specs. should I be considering? Are there any particular makes to stay away from? what constitutes a good piece of tube equipment? Are there any articles or web sites that you could recommend that would give me some good info.? How do you shop for tube equip.? Please help. Thank you, Tom

I was able to pick up the pair of Fotes that I told you guys about for $400.00. They weren't real happy about letting them go for that. They stalled out at $425.00 but I let them play themselves out before I reeled them in.They are damn near perfect. There is a chip of the walnut veneer missing off the front right edge where it must have seperated from the fiberboard (I attribute that to age), and broke off when the speakers were scooted on the carpet. The other speaker has the right top grill post broke off in the speaker, otherwise these things are perfect. I got home late last night so I didn't hook them up to old Bob Carver until this morning before work. I put on Jeff Beck Blow by Blow, wow these things sound fantastic. I don't think I'll be getting rid of them soon. You guys were right, they sound great. My room is small, they actually work better in this environment then the Cornwalls. Tom