Cody_Mack

Don't forget all that nasty, intolerable, unlistenable distortion that ALL tube amps produce; HEAVILY discussed in a recent other post. EHHHHHH???

Interesting comment. While not the last word on get LOUD, or get LOW, Heresys have a nice sonic signature indeed. Heresys do what they do honestly! Rick

Mike, Several Bottleheads in the area. I met two guys at Doc's amp-building class in San Fran last summer. If you are interested I will look up their contact info. Send email through forum if you are. Rick

These tubes will drop right into my Foreplay III pre. After I ordered, I found an archived thread on one of my other on-line hangouts. Looks like these tubes are well regarded in the community; if it gets the Doc's blessing, then it is good enough for me! We all made a score at four bucks each. Thanks again, Speakerfritz! http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=bottlehead&n=34768&highlight=12au7a+national&r=&session== Rick

Very Good [Y]

I'll take four of these. Will send email. Rick

Don't know any of these folks or even the general location but some Forum members in that area may be interested. http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/bottlehead/messages/117635.html Rick

They are already posted on the Forum http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/thread/873002.aspx Maybe William got an offer already []

Dave, I'm sorry...my post sounded slightly more negative than intended....the surround system did indeed sound very good. My past experience with a pro-logic system playing 2 channel native material was not good; but then again I had no real equipment to base that on at the time. I do understand what you are saying about recordings (other than mono) containing a certain amount of surround effects. What I meant about "...not specifically recorded so...", I should have said, "...not specifically mastered so...", as in 5 discrete channels, for instance. Anyhow, all your systems are top notch. I foresee many more sessions in the future. As I said, I know of one other group in the Houston area, the Lone Star Bottleheads, and they generally meet on the west side of town. They also meet in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas. You have no doubt run into at least one of those fellas. There next meet is coming up in Dallas in a coule of weeks. There are several DIY guys in that group; lots of speakers and amps, and very nice build quality. The names Wardsweb and FredT300B come to mind. We got to hear a fresh pair of Straight 8s at the last SA meeting; they were astounding! Rick

I know nothing about these so I checked the specs on the Klipsch site, Looks like they are 99dB efficient and may go down to 32Hz. Considering my present setup, (2A3s driving Heresys with a small sub barely dialed in, and a very small listening room), what would a change do for me? What is the sonic signature of the Forte II compared to Heresy? I am very pleased with the sonics of the Heresys and the way they fill the room with sound. They are infamously light in the bass, but the bass they do sounds very good to me. Is that because they are sealed? What does bass with a passive radiator sound like? Rick

Dave, <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> OK, a few highlights: That digital amp sounded very good indeed. It was a seamless transfer from the Scout / George Wright Pre / Bottlehead 2A3 setup to the Music Server and digital amp setup. Your digital system is sounding very analog! The sweet spot was just that. In two-channel, the imaging was dead-on center. Like you said, you will swear the center <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Cornwall is pouring out the tunes; yet it is not even switched in. Was not all that crazy for your surround setup; think you said you use Pro-Logic II? I dont really care for surround music unless it is specifically recorded so. I have always experienced a less-colored sound with two-channel versus surround. However, with your explanation of how you like space in recordings I can understand why you like to listen in surround. The system sounded very good; its just not my taste. Again, I was very impressed with your digital setup. I may be interested in construction something similar. I think I am going to go that route (music server/quality DAC) instead of going after a high-end CD player. Thanks to you, and Paul, for the kind words. Paul, I dont know if I have the PAW; she thinks the latest American Idol on the TV is good sound. But she supports what I like (and approves the funding), and she is a lot of fun to be around. Thanks again, Dave, for hosting us. Rick

I think it depends a LOT on the recording. In my modest system, I note a soundstage on a few recordings (Elvis being one). I think it is also key to get the imaging perfect. If you get that perfect imaging and land in the sweet spot, the soundstage should appear in front of you. I can close my eyes and I am in right in from of center stage with Elvis standing right there. I can definatley hear a spacial presence on the stage, however, I can also still destinguish certain instruments or background vocals distinctly in one channel or the other. Is that a limit of the recording or a limit of the gear? Recalling a lot of the notable review(er)s on the Internet, they talk a lot about soundstage and how it is greatly enhanced with certain equipment. Is this true, but only to a certain extent? Does the price/soundstage ratio exist? Does the higher end equipment portray a soundstage that is enjoyed in sitting areas other than the sweet spot? Some of you pros chine in here. I am very interested in this. Here is a link to such a review. The guy talks about rolling in the review amp on a familiar recording; "The soundstage opened out beyond the speakers, the drummer shuffled back a couple of yards behind the band and music flooded out." http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/audion_e.html Rick

Dave, Thanks for hosting the Listen-In. You and your wife are very gracious. I will write more later; still recovering from last night where I provided the music for friend/family wedding shower. Yup, 2A3 + Heresys rocked the house! Had several curious inquiries about my equipment (tubes); especially from one (shortwave) radio guy. Don't believe I ever convinced him that my maximum output was 3.5 Watts. Fun Stuff! Rick

Hmmm....I think the "E" has to do with the performance of the cable, not the insulation rating. I believe you can (could) also buy Cat 5 with plenum rated (Teflon, or FEP) insulation. Rick

Hi Dave, Welcome to SE Texas. I am just a few miles up Red Bluff Road from you on the edge of Pasadena. I am just getting really serious with this madness we call hi-fi. I cannot tweak your TT, but I CAN bring YOU some beer, scotch, kool-aid, or whatever in exchange for lots of listening. [] Send email through the Forum and we can hook up. Rick

DocB is offering up the four Extended Foreplay III pre-amps used at the CES 'Tape Project' demo. The amps are equipped with the 'Extended' upgrade and fully assemblied and finished. The price is just barely above the cost of the basic amp and the extended option. So you get the assembly and checkout almost free. I am in no way affilliated with this company, but I do know they make some sweet sounding amps for the audiophile on a budget. Sweet deal IMO. More info here: http://www.audioasylum.com/forums/bottlehead/bbs.html Rick

As of late I am diggin' on Latin Jazz, like they play on XM channel Luna. Pi$$ed me off when they took it off the satellite. But I still listen on-line - every night. With Latin Jazz you get a good mix; traditional, lots of energy and percussion, and most recordings are very good indeed. I know a lot of folks bash XM because of the lower fidelity than CDs (and some say even FM), but I have been exposed to so much different music than ever before. Internet radio will also give you this if you look around. Just three years ago I listened to nothing but my old classic rock, but now I am into all forms of jazz, and am starting to crave classical. (related to another recent post, I am guessing my age also has a lot to do with that) I still like the old RnR, probably more than ever now that I have real equipment to listen to it. My wife just approved my proposed "order a new CD a week", so to catch up I ordered three just now; two Latin jazz and one Modern jazz (Prophetz of Time and Space) Rick

Thanks, I will go for it. Looking for a cart and some basic required vinyl rig accessories. Next, of course, I will be looking for a phono pre...probably a kit. My first inclination is to stick with Bottlehead...quality stuff, good price, and I have a blast building those things! Rick

Hi Joe, Mainly looking for parts to get a vintage table up and running. I saw your post of the 3000 albums. Good luck on the sale. Maybe later if you make a list available I would be interested in some of them. My listening tastes are all over the place presently. Rick

Indeed, Excellent post, William. In fact, you stole my thunder...well, sort of...I just want to reiterate that I think it has a lot to do with growing up, growing wiser, and more atune to the finer things. We are less tolerant of many things, we are more serious, and we expect more bang for the buck. My hi-fi system is just beginning to evolve, so I have a lot of growth potential in that area, and I am excited about that. However, my music listening habits have progressed, and really taken a 180 over the last couple of years. Not that I don't listen anymore, but the classic rock I grew up with is now somewhat boring, and I am seeking other genre to spark my interest. Along with other genre comes a different quality....generally speaking from my limited experience, jazz, for instance is (across the board) arguably better recorded than most of the music I enjoyed in the past. Therefore, I am on a steady climb upward and I have a ways to go before peaking. My reply does nothing to pacify Dave's situation......well, look at it like this...most of us would love to have your delimma (read - the perfect system) Rick

Anyone have experience with Garage A Records? I am taking baby-steps back into vinyl and am looking at their lower prices, compared to some other well-known sites. Rick

ROFL.....tiny girl speakers......Brian, are you listening??? Great post, Doc. Thanks again! Rick

Thanks Doc. All good comments. I know your opinion arguably is well regarded around here. Room size? I am not sure but I will get back with him on that. Sounds like you rate the Synergy line a little better than what I had visioned. Guess I just have a hard time relating hi-fi with Best Buy. But the B-2 and B-3 systems do look nice with very good specs. But the drawback, as you mentioned, is the larger enclosures with the rear ports not living up to their potential placed in the EC. The system efficiency is also very good. Too bad he can't get these out into the room. Maybe after he reads this he will rethink the placement options. I am sure WAF will play a big part. Why do you not recommend the Cinema series? I am guessing the size of the drivers and enclosures just will not produce the 'big' sound required for a true home theatre. That's what I tried to tell him; that the satellites do not have the frequency range, therefore the subwoofer has to fill in most of the mid-bass. I am a bass purist, so to speak, so to me that means a very hollow and boomy sound. Definately not desirable to my ears. That is what the Bose and others (with those tiny satellites) suffer from, right? On the receiver, he is doing his homework. He has talked about the video conversions that you mention above. He probably will buy the receiver first, simply because his other one has just about crapped out. Again, thanks for the comments. Rick

Hmmmm....no replies....maybe I should not have mentioned 2-channel? Come on, gang, chime in here! Rick

A friend of mine is doing his research for a new HT system. I have introduced him to Klipsch because that it what I use in my two-channel music system. I know the Klipsch reputation for quality, and I am very pleased with my Heresies I bought in 1983. However, I know nothing of the HT line. I would appreciate suggestions and comments from you users. He is looking for a speaker package around $1K or less. I think size is going to be an important factor. The fronts and center will probably be placed in an entertainment center. I tried to talk him out of this but I don't think he is going to be able to use the corners of the room. He saw the Cinema 6 system on the Klipsch site and is interested in that one. Searching for places to buy, however, it looks like it may be discontinued. What else do you guys and gals recommend with the credentials above? He is also looking at receivers; in fact he will probably buy the receiver first. He is looking for most of the recent video capabilities (conversion, HDMI switching, etc.), and plenty of power to drive the selected speaker package. I recommended Denon; again, I am a 2-channel audio guy so what do I know. He is looking in the $500 to $1K range on the receiver; probably more like $700. More important is he is doing his homework and having patience. Rick