LocknLoad

Bill - I'm in the Chicago area as well - but my garage is attached so it doesn't get as cold I imagine. I've got a system out there, as well as TV, and a computer and haven't had any problems. I imagine if you're going to be spending anytime out there in extreme weather you'll be running a heater while they're in use anyway. You could always email Klipsch and ask if there is a suggested operating temperature for your speakers, or speakers in general.

RTR isn't the most convenient - but the cool factor is off the charts. I've got a Pioneer RT707 and use it regularly Try http://www.protapenw.com/acatalog/Open_reel_audio_tape.html - I've bought some blank from them.

Occasionally I've seen ported speakers that have their ports "stuffed" with open cell foam - KEF ships their bookshelf speakers with foam specifically for this purpose. I haven't been able to determine from what I've read - does stuffing the port create more bass, or less? Anyone have any experience with this? Or I guess, what's the point I'm missing?

Anyone using Cambridge DAC Magic? Care to share any thoughts on it, or others you considered?

cndnc - eBay works pretty well, buy form sellers that have a very good track record (over a hundred transactions and at least a 99.5% rate) if the seller deals in electronics primarily they'd be my choice to deal with. You'll be less likely to be disappointed in whatever you buy. Good luck!

An inexpensive receiver - I'm partial to the Marantz 22XXB series myself - and a set of bookshelf's will blow away your ProMedia set up. Go for a Marantz 2238B and a pair of used Klipsch 2.2's and you'll enjoy the difference without breaking your budget. For speakers a bit larger - floor-standing - KG3.5 are nice sounding and cheap. Connect a computer to it and listen to whatever you like - internet radio (pandora.com) or your iTunes library. Need smaller bookshelf speakers? - the RB10's sound nice in a small environment

Oldmako You said nearly everything I would've if I could have phrased it that well - my main system is a SA9500 II and matching tuner with a pair of Chorus and I love it. I have three 2 channel systems in the house and they're all vintage stuff.

Hogwash. IMHO + 1 The new stuff sounds flat and lifeless IMO

Ahhhh - good to know, thanks

I have used the AE - I wasn't happy with the quality, nor the dropped signal periodically. I'm using a 24" iMac, miniplug to RCA BlueJeans cable to my receiver. I control the whole thing wirelessly through my iPhone with the Remote application mentioned earlier. Works great. Having said that - it's hard to beat the AE for a simple connection in any room of the house wirelessly for average listening, or background music for a party.

Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall 1971 If you haven't bought this, you're in for a treat. listening to this at a decent volume makes it sound like Neil is closer than front row at the Chicago Theater. Excellent excellent stuff.

Little Feat, with the late great Lowell George - Down on the Farm Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon & Wish you were here Queen - A night at the opera Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs Led Zeppelin II Collective Soul - Collective Soul The Kinks - One for the Road (quality is average, but the performance is first rate) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

pandora.com is ad free and play what you like

Kevin - I did something similar - always wanted a Pioneer RT-707 reel to reel, couldn't afford them as a kid, saw a super clean one on eBay from a recognized seller and BANG - I had to have it. I love the damn thing, wish I woulda bought one sooner. Here's a couple links for tapes - I've used pro northwest. http://www.protapenw.com/acatalog/Open_reel_audio_tape.html http://www.tapestockonline.com/reeltoreel.html Picked up a CTF-1250 cassette as well. The think the old stuff is more "engaging" than the current equipment

I've got a pair of Quartets connected to a Pioneer SA 7800 integrated amp and Pioneer TX 7800 tuner. They sound terrific IMO. As another poster put it - a great value speaker in the Klipsch line. I think the statement of connecting them to the right amp is accurate for any speaker Mine are black finish, not my first choice, but couldn't beat the price $325 in great shape on eBay. If you're not concerned with the finish, black typically go for $50 less than walnut or oak.

I was so looking forward to this one, but as a long time fan, it doesn't hit me the way others did. The time period around the Back in Black album, Thunderstruck, even Stiff Upper lip - were all a little more elemental in their sound, clean, powerful stuff. This one seems to be too "layered" or something. I know I'm not explaining this well, so lets try this - the beginning of back in black. (drums) Bomp, Bada Bamp, Bada Bamp - (guitar) dedoo dedoo dedoo. By contrast this album doesn't seem to have the raunchy garage sound. Worth buying, yes. One of their best, no.

That Pioneer stuff - really all the equipment from the mid to late 70s holds up well - I love the Marantz 22XXB series with the blue green dials, the Pioneer stuff is a favorite of mine. I have a couple Luxman receivers as well - great sonically, not so much visually, but I'm sure it's a personal thing. The mid to late 70's equipment sounds soooo much better than anything available today (IMO) I pulled a Luxman R-361 out and replaced it with the Pioneer SA integrated and I love the warm full sound the Pioneer brings. The important thing is that we're keeping it alive and it brings a smile to our faces. It does mine everyday.

Marvel - thanks for the picture advice - you rock! Not sure where Lafayette GA is - but if it's near Savannah GA I may swing by and say HI - daughters in college in Savannah so I visit often.

The reel to reel is a favorite of mine. There's another system (Pioneer SA 510 and TX 610 with Klipsch RB 10's in the bedroom) I thought you guys would be bored stiff with the pics so far so I didn't bother.

A close up of the main equipment

The wreck room - aka basement - Pioneer SA 7800 integrated amp, TX 7800 tuner, Pioneer CTF 950 cassette, and Pioneer PL 115-D turntable with a pair of Quartets, and KG3.5's that sound EXCELLENT together. (There's a Luxman CD player hidden in the school desk opening that's not visible)

The "office" aka the garage - DirectTV, High speed Internet, a pair of Klipsch 2.2 in the enclosures below, and a pair of Solid Monitors mounted on the ceiling - powered by a Marantz 2252B. Music database is available by a WinServer out of the picture

The Allison's in the front room

The main system - Pioneer SA 9500 II integrated amp, Pioneer TX 9500 II tuner, Pioneer RT-707 reel to reel. Denon turn-table and Denon DCD1500 CD player - Rotel speaker switch driving a pair of walnut Klipsch Chorus (pictured), a pair of Solid Monitors on the deck, a pair of Sonance in wall speakers in the kitchen, and a pair of Allison IVs in the front room. Everything I own is available on a 24" iMac that doubles as a music server - out of the picture.

This is a great thread - love seeing all the stuff you guys have - I've spent the better part of the morning looking at all the equipment and your set-ups. Very impressive. None of my pics are showing up - I must be doing something wrong . . . Help - How do I post pictures? I'm using the insert edit image button, add a url where the image is located and nothing shows up. [:$]