ibanezhater

Wouldn't it be cool if Craig at NosValves were to introduce an integrated amp to his lineup? Or what about a Juicy Music integrated? They'd sell a lot of those things!

Nope, don't want to use a subwoofer. I read the Scott 299 had excellent bass. What would you say?

I just moved into a nice old aparment. Loots of square footage, but it's comprised of a lot of smaller rooms, not one big one. My listening room is not big - about the size of a modest bedroom. So far, I've been enjoying my KG 2.2s with my crappy solid state equipment. These speakers are small, and about 16 years old, so it's time to upgrade. Due mostly to size constraints, it looks like the Heresy IIIs will be my next speaker. Based on a lot of research on this forum, I feel confident that they will be fine in my little room - the 2.2s are placed in the corners, on the floor, by the walls, and I am getting more than enough bass, so I am not too worried about the low end. I plan on driving to suburban Philly to do some listening tests on the H3s, but I doubt any dealers' showrooms can really appoximate my listening room's quirks. I just want to see how they differ from the H3s. etc. Also due to limited room, I will be getting an tubed integrated amp, hopefully a Scott 299 on Audiogon or Ebay - or anyone out there who wants to sell me one that's in decent working order. Some day: Khorns, a Blueberry, and a pair of VRDs. It's motivation to make a lot of money (I work in sales) and move into a big house with a big listening room! [] I would appreciate anybody's suggestions on integrated tube amps. I am looking for one that is either all tube, or even a hybrid. It must have decent bass, and a phono stage wouldn't hurt either. I was researching the Manley Stingray, the Unison Research Unico, even the Mesa Tigris (does Mesa even make this anymore?). Also the Cayins and the Prima Lunas, but I am not keen on buying stuff made in China - maybe used. Is Jolida Chinese made? What about Cary? All suggestions are appreciated.

Damn straight! I really don't care about fake reviews - I am still going to buy a pair of VRDs.

My dad's console looks like this, but in much, much better condition. Yeah, his has a radio, too. Also a reel to reel. I think it might have even had reverb, believe it or not. JVC/Nivico (sp?). I never looked to see if you can hook up other components or speakers to it. It already has built in speakers. I remember it had a full, lovely sound.

Hi Allan, My dad currently owns an old JVC/Nivico (sp?) from I am assuming the 1960's. It has a turntable (needs either replacement or repair of some sort), and a reel to reel player. You open it up from the top (like a coffin). It is long, and the speakers are loaded so they face you from one end of it to the other. Not sure if tubed or not. Of course, made of real wood. Heavy!! I remember as a little kid he would play his records with it until the turntable started developing problems. Now it's in their dining room, covered with a tablecloth, not in use. Sorry, no pic. Are you familiar with these? Mike in NE PA

If it's the flavor of the month, you can bet Ibanez will endorse them. Or, they'll get their own signature guitar from Paul Reed Smith. Mark Tremonti? You gotta be kidding me!

All I know about quitting smoking is this: stay out of bars! I was about 5 months without a cigarette, and one day at a bar, drunk and happy, I asked my buddy for a Camel. Then another. Then another. Then I was at the machine, pumping in quarters. Cigarettes are wonderful when you're drunk, and that drunken reasoning, "Oh, tomorrow I will quit again," did not work for me. That was about 3 years ago, and I am puffing away ever since. Good luck to all y'all trying to quit! --Mike in NE PA

Hi Mike. Where are you? I am in NE PA, about 90 minutes from both NYC and Philly. Let me know!

Godins are awesome. Lots of guitar for the dollar, ya know? I just saw a picture of a Martin solidbody in Vintage Guitar magazine. Very interesting. I also would like to get a late '70's Ovation solid body, like the one the guy from Queens of the Stone Age uses. Then of course, there's the classic BC Rich guitars from the '70s and '80s, like the Eagle, Bich, etc. Let's not forget the badass metal guitars from the '80's, like the orginal Charvels, the Jackson Randy Rhoads model, the Hamer Californian, etc. It's called GAS - gear acquisition syndrome. It's a terrible condition. But FUN! Hi fi is an expensive hobby. So is guitar and amp collecting. Jeez, maybe I should take up jogging, or something else that's dirt cheap!

I'd like to know how these all-in-one packages compare to buying an HT receiver, a high end DVD player, etc. Thanks, Mike in NE PA

Current gear: 1999 Carvin DC127, all mahogany, neck-through-body: Made in the USA 2000 Carvin SC90, all koa body, Claro walnut figured top, abalone inlays: Made in the USA 2002 (?) Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue Tech 21 Trademark 10 modeling amp Previous gear: Peavey Triumph 120 1x12 combo Peavey 5150 2x12 combo BC Rich Gunslinger Les Paul Standard assorted pedals and accessories Gear I'd like to acquire: Carvin V3 combo Breedlove acoustic

My parents have a magazine rack made of teak. It's an extremely durable, heavy wood. Also quite expensive. It's naturally resistant to scuffs, and doesn't need much care. If Klipsch ever made Cornwalls out of teak, they'd be indestructible.

Those internet radio streams tend to use pretty high compression rates, thus being pretty low fidelity (I don't think I've seen any internet radio use greater than 128kbps, at least the ones that I've tried. It seems 64kbps to 96kbps tends to be the most common). That is necessary to maximize the bandwidth. To be honest, I doubt an outboard DAC would really improve the sound on internet radio streams all that much. I tend to agree with some of the other folks on here that you may be better off just skipping the DAC for now and see how just running off the Mac (using it's own DACs) sound. If you do opt to get an outboard DAC, I'd try to get one from a local source that will let you return it, if in the end you find it is not worth it. BTW, since I do have a network installed in my house, I thus use this device - Roku SoundBridge M1000, to stream mp3's and internet radio (my favorite is Progged Radio). I have over 60 gigs of music stored on my server which is in another room of the house and I stream my music over my network through the SoundBridge. I have SlimServer installed on the server where my music is stored. You can stream directly from iTunes with this device as well, although it will not play any iTunes DRMed music (that is, music you bought through the iTunes Media Store, unless you apply any number of tricks/hacks that will strip the DRM out of it). I can control it from a web interface from any computer in my house, including my laptop via a wireless connection. I can also control the device directly with it's remote control. Friggan pretty sweet! It does have an optical output so I could plug it into an outboard DAC if I so chose, but I don't have a DAC right now (I may consider getting one in the future, when I have extra money to blow on more audio equipment, but to be honest, I'll get a new pre/pro to replace the Denon AVR3802 that I am currently using as a pre/pro before I bother with any outboard DACs). Thanks for the knowledge, man. I will take your advice and see how the built-in DAC on the Apple sounds. I guess it should be OK. The day I go wireless, I will look into the Roku and the Slim Devices units. Funny nobody mentioned Olive - they make the same WiFi stuff as the other two, right? Either that, or just stick with the built-in Airport on the iMac.

I am in a similar situation as you - looking to go vinyl. First, do your research. Look for online articles instructional and educational in nature regarding turntables and set up. Learn about tonearms, cartridges, platters, phono preamps, etc. The new Stereophile reviews the Rega P1, which is made in the UK (not China!), and lists for a measly $350. Rega knows turntables, and Art Dudley said it is "strongly recommended." The reviewer goes on the say that he hopes the low price attracts more and more newbies to the enjoyment of LPs. You can also look for used P2s, which is also a highly esteemed turntable for those on a budget.

Do you own a pair of RF83s or are you naturally defensive about this particular set of speakers? I think TheEAR pretty much nailed it. RF-7s are superb speakers once you get them right. That is, they are very demanding as to sources, amps, etc. But, when RF-7s are "on," they are breathtaking. But, run by certain gear, RF-7s can also sound like nails on a chalkboard. Klipsch made a decision to replace the RF-7s with a speaker that sonic-wise, is more palatable for the vast majority of people that do not run speakers by exotic or $$$ gear. Nothing wrong with that decision. I'm also not sure that the move to RF-83s meant that there was necessarily anything "wrong" with the RF-7. And it is always highly subjective to one's ears which speaker is better. I also agree with TheEAR that RF-83s are one of the least Klipsch-sounding speakers that I have heard. On the other hand, to many people, that may be a good thing. Again, the RF-83s may end up having a more broad appeal than the RF-7s did. Its early yet - give them a chance. Most underrated Klipsch speaker? In my humble opinion, either the Forte I or II. Carl. P.S. I'm sure that RF-83s would sound very good with a JM/VRD combo. On the other hand, quality separates (SS) would also probably do RF-83 proud. I neither own a pair nor am I being defensive. It's just that these are the flagship of the Reference Series, but you never hear about them in the magazines or the online forums. They are priced right, right between the Heresy III's $1,500 list price and the $3,500 Cornwall III. I think they look great, more than likely built like a tank, have a smaller footprint than the Cornwall, great specs...seems like an ideal rock and roll speaker. It would probably kick the butt of any similarly priced full range loudspeaker. Of course, my crappy little local dealer doesn't carry the RF83 (or any of the Heritage line), special order only. Which means I will need to drive to either the Philly or NYC areas to do some critical listening when the times comes to buy new speakers. What I burn in gas I will save in sales tax. Isn't it great however, that when deciding on new speakers, it's not whether or not it will be Klipsch, but which Klipsch model. Klipsch has something most brands would kill to have: extreme loyalty from their customers, myself included.

Everyone have a safe and healthy 420!

To hook up a DAC in your system, you first have to plug the optical output on the Mac to the optical input on the DAC. You then run regular two-channel Right/Left RCA cables (the black and red plugs) from the DAC to the appropriate input on your pre-amp. Thank you for the knowledge. If I play streaming Grateful Dead radio from the internet, will the DAC help with the sound, or is a DAC's performance limited to just CDs?

Well, the RF 7 was a very well regarded speaker - so Klipsch discontinues it! They replace it with the RF 83, a speaker that few people have. If it wasn't broke, why did Klipsch choose to fix it? How would a pair of 83s match with higher end tube gear, a la Blueberry + VRDs?

It's hard to find online reviews of it, except for one where they review a whole HT speaker system. It looks like one badass speaker, but not many forumites seem to own them, or have even heard them. The list price of $2,500 is nothing compared to what else is out there of similar quality. Why no love for the RF 83?

Hi Mark, Let's assume I don't buy a high end CD player, and instead use the Mac's CD player as a transport, and a high quality DAC. OK, adding the DAC adds one more piece of hardware, and another question: how is the DAC connected? Do I connect the DAC to the Mac, and still run a cable from the Mac's headphone jack to the RCA aux input in the preamp? Or is there another, more efficient way of connecting this stuff? I would miss having a remote control if I were not to buy another CD player - or I could just use the piece of crap Sony mega changer I have now, and alternate using the DAC to the computer and the DAC to the Sony?

I was thinking that a DAC might benefit the sound of the Mac's CD player, thus negating the need for me to buy a high end CD player. Whadda you think about this, and how can I connect the computer to the hi fi via the DAC instead of the headphone jack? Thanks!

Hi Gil, Yep, you got it right. I am not looking to create a wireless network, just want to listen to streaming live Dead shows on the internet, MP3s, burned CDs, Pandora, Music Match, internet radio, etc., through an old school tubed hi fi. Yep, just some cables and I will be good to go. One concern: should I not even bother buying a high end CD player if I will be using the Mac's CD player? If I added an external DAC and used the Mac as a transport, would it noticeably better the sound?

Awesome. Yeah, I will probably buy new, so the Heresy III will most likely be my speaker. I am a little concerned about bass, but it's a small listening room, and I will definitely place them in the corners, close to the wall. Tubes, horns and metal - a combo I can't wait to try!

OK, I found my answer: run a cable from the Mac's headphone jack to the aux input on the preamp. Yeah, I am a newbie, in case you haven't guessed.