easyeyes

Took a chance and called one of the local hi-fi dealers here in England and guess what he has available? He has the German Telefunken Smooth plates with the diamond for about 30 pounds and the Mullard long plates are going for 15 pounds. I've heard lots of talk about these tubes and wonder if the smooth plate/long plate are the ones to purchase. With the exchange rate, you know the dollar isn't doing too well, I can get the telefunken for $50 bucks each and the mullard for $25 each. I do not use my phono section so $100 for the two, are the telefunkens worth double the price or should I save some money and go with the mullards? As of right now, I do not have any back up tubes, if one goes I'm stuck. EE

What is the norm when it comes to 2-channel listening? Are single-disc players better or is it based on individual preference.? I have a Denon 5 Disc player now that I enjoy and I say this because I have not listened to anything else in my system;I'm sure that there are better units out there. I've grown accustomed to the multi-disc tray and being able to switch between favorite disks without having to change the CD each time. Also, my denon has a built in volume control, it makes the music player louder but I feel that music sounds better with the cd player's volume set to minimum and using the amp to increase the volume. Considering that I'm looking for a new player, should I look for something that does not have this capability? In the near future I will be able to audition a modded unit with my 299A but it too will be multi disc and the the cd volume function has been taken out of it. I've been following other topics regarding cd players and one constant is the treble gain. Is there any other inherent attributes that I should be aware of when it comes to a new player? Excuse the rambling EE

I'm looking into a new CD player also, my denon has worked well for the past 2 years, but with the upgrade to a 299A I think it's time to start looking for another one. I've been looking at some modified units, a buddy of mine has a modded unit and it sounds really good. I have the chance to pick up one at a fraction of the cost of a new one, through my buddy I can get it for $600-700. Better yet, I get the chance to audition in my home before I decide to purchase. I'm not going to speaker lots of money on a CD player. For those who are interested, check out this webpage. http://www.danielsaudio.com/basic_info_cd.htm EE

Craig, check your mail if you are lurking around.

NOS, I fixed the speaker last night, very simple process. You are right, the sound is even better.

Received my rebuilt 299A a week ago today, all I can say is that the sound is much better than what I was using before. This is my first tube experience so I do not have anything to compare to it besides the SS I used before. The first thing that I immediately noticed was that the speakers aren't as obvious as before; the sound seems like it's coming from behind the speakers. I have a KLF c-7 on top of my entertainment center that's not hooked up, sitting in the sweet spot, it appears the sound is coming from it. The overall sound of the music is more pleasant, I've listened to this for hours at a time and it still sounds good. After an hour or so with the other equipment I wanted to turn it down or turn it off. The sound stage sort of opened up, there is more separation of where the istruments are coming from, the right side or the left side. I tend to not only hear the singer, but I can also hear a lot of what's going on around the individual, the back ground etc. Going into this I prepared myself for the worst, I was thinking that the bass was going to be uncontrollabe and flabby considering there are four 12' woofers with only 17 watts of power. Not all what the reality is, I noticed that the bass is not as quick but it doesn't sound bad, I am getting used to it. The midrange and highs definitely makes up for I lost in the bass department. Thus far I'm very well pleased with the sound of the amp. I was told that it takes a while for the tubes to settle in and then the sound comes alive even more. With how I feel now with about 10-15 hours of listening time under the amp's belt, I will be even more surprised in a couple of months. At first I was very apprehensive about heading down this tube road, but now that I have, I'm thankful for all of the support and encouragement from all of you to take the plunge. EE

I will give them a call tonight. I did not pay full price for my speakers but if I did I would be very upset. I've never looked in a speaker before, I guess I expected more from an almost $2,000 set of speakers. EE

Tblasing, The horn removal wasn't hard at all, in fact it was very simple. The connectors were lying at the bottom of the cabinet. I wasn't sure which side connected to what (black on one and yellow on the other), so I looked at the other speaker and connected it that way; it sounds really good. While sticking my hand in the bottom to find the wires I disconnected one of the wires on the upper woofer. No problem, just pull it out and reconnect it. Upon loosing the screws the woofer kind of slipped out and the other wire came off. Didn't want to loosen the other speaker on this one, I connected it like the bottom woofer. I do not think that this is correct because when I tightened everything back up some bass is missing. It doesn't sound anything like the other speaker. Where can I get a diagram/schematic telling me how the wires should be connected on everything in the cabinet? Thanks EE

J, Sounds like you've done this before.

I've researched the topics for the past year and I did not see any relating to the horn not operating on a KLF 30. I've had my speakers for about 2 years now, I think the problem has been here all along. I started off with a sony processor then on to yamaha separates and my latest acquisition this past week--299 tube amplifier. With the new amp the problem the issue is more transparent. Initially, I swapped all of the speaker wires, ensured everything was connected right and still the muffled sound from the speaker. After putting my ear to both speakers it was apparent the there is not sound coming from the driver. There are six screws on the front of the horn to remove it, what can I expect or what should I look for once I remove the cover/horn? Any help is greatly appreciated. EE

After further review last night I discovered that none of the above mentioned is the problem. After switching the cables around the muffled sound was still there. I decided to place my ear up against the non working speaker, it turns out that my midrange driver in that particular speaker has no sound emanating from it. Just to ensure that it wasn't my hearing, I placed the same ear to the other speaker. It did not take very much deliberation with myself to ascertain that something was wrong. As stated earlier by Craig, we have talked several times on the phone and other times through email. I apologize to Craig for throwing this on the forum for other's advice without at least determining what the issue was, if nothing else this would have reduced some of the friction that my topic has caused. I know that this goes on all of the time, but I try my best not to post stuff that I can find the answer for on my own or go directly to someone else. Craig, again I apologize for putting you on the spot like this. The problem was there all of the time, the new amp amplified the issue even more. Obviously, since the amp was the latest addition to the mix, the problem would be attributed to it. I have the utmost respect for your talent, ability and time that you have given me with the amp. Mobile and the others I thank you for your helpful hints/advice. Now that the issue is with the driver, can someone help me with this? There are about six screws on the outside of the driver to remove. Is this a simple process? EE

In hind sight, I noticed this problem about two years ago when I used my old sony processor. I was just getting it klipsch and the music/ht thing then. I'll try to swapping of the speakers/wire tonight. The new amp made it much more noticeable though.

I'll have the check with Craig on the contact cleaner bit. I switched the two middle tubes last night and the problem persisted. I have to get smarter on exactly what tubes are where. Can't get to it tonight but I will by end of week, this is a busy one for me. EE

I have a pair of KLF 30s with 10 foot runs on them. For some reason the left channel sounds muffled and isn't as loud as the right channel with the balance knob set a equal. Before, I did not pay very much attention to it, I guess it all blended in together. I received my rebuilt 299A on the past Friday night, after connecting everything that was the first that that I noticed. The right speaker (B-Channel) over powered the left (A-Channel)one. With the 299 I was able to equal this out. Last night the left channel would not play very loud at all, it played but there was static in the sound and again it was not very high. I began to think that it was a problem with the amp, I called Craig and he told me what to do. One of the tubes was not seated properly, this fixed the low sound coming from the speaker, but it did not fix the the unequal sound. Even when I used the channel selector on the 299 (the one to the far right), the right channel sounds good even though it's the only one playing. When I do the same with the left one, it's muffled and less inspiring. I've read enough post on here to know that I should spell out everything, so here goes: I checked and rechecked all of the connections, everything is connected correctly. I rechecked all of the adjustments on the amp and they are according to the book. The only thing that I haven't tried is switching the speakers to see if the problem persists. I have a buddy with KLF 30s and his sounded muffled when connected through his DSP A1, but both channels were muffled. Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before.

Craig, Received the amp on Friday and my banana plugs fit the posts you put on it. I can wait a while before I look at cables again.

Quick question, I know some of you mentioned the Cardas spade connectors for the 299A. I looked at their website and they have two sizes, which one should I order: 1/4 port GRS-9 5/16 port GRS-R9 They are $2.50 each, I'll have a friend solder them on to my existing cables for me. NOS, will these work with the binding posts that you put on my amp? Thanks EE

It would be great to swap cables but I do not know too many people who have 10-foot runs. A friend of mine told me about DIY before, I never researched it but I'll peruse their sight. I really do not need a project that's going to take forever to complete, spare time is something that I do not have very much of now. Dean, Craig rebuilit my amp for me and it includes some of those nice binding posts. ee

Mike82, The amp has been rebuilt and on its way to me. I guess that I shoud have worded my question better on this one, maybe I should have asked what cables do you guys recommend with tubes. With the pronounced mids/highs, I just want to get the best sound I can. EE

If this horse has been beaten to death already please excuse me for this question. I am about to receive a refurbished 299A and was wondering if speaker cables sound different using tubes vs SS. I know that the ends will be different, I can't use my banana plugs. Currently I'm using some <$100 oxios cable that I picked up on sale; what can I expect in sound degradation with these cables? I do not want to put any money into cables now, I want to regroup from the holidays and the purchase/rebuilding of the 299. My plans are to change the conncectors for now and hopefully be in musical bliss at least for a while. You guys have a lot more experience with what works and what doesn't, that is why I'm soliciting your input. Thanks EE

Chris, You are right, you risk getting flamed if you say anything about modern-day politics on this board. I remember that longgggg political thread not too long ago. Talk about differing opinions on a subject!! No Flames please - The Defense Budget has something to do with my bottom-line. Now that NOS has my amp I will need the extra in my pay check. EE

Sorry fellas but this one is mine. NOS, this is the one that I sent you the pictures of. I talked to them the other night and was told that it wasn't in the mail yet. DJ is an old vet who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force back in WWII. It was really nice to talk with him, we kind of hit it off because he was once stationed in England back in the 40s. He really got excited when I mentioned that I went to the rededication of the American War Museum at Duxford about a month ago. All of the attendees were in their 70s who travelled mostly from the states and europe to attend. George Bush Sr and Prince Charles were keynote speakers. It is a pleasure to talk to the old vets, they can talk for hours about stuff that is not in the history books. Sorry for the digression, It's good the hear that the 299A made it safely and is in good condition considering the packing job. NOS, I'm not in a hurry for this. I've been perusing the forum and people are sending you equipment from all over. Take your time with this one and I'll give you a call later. Mobile, I do not make as much money as the actor. Thank God for the new defense budget that George Jr recently signed. Ed Ellis-(Harris)

Thanks Mobile, I'll leave four to five inches of clearance above the amp, I think that it will work out fine. My family and I are really enjoying living in Europe these days, we are in no rush to come back to the states right now. Looking forward to taking the family to Germany next year to see some castles, drive on the autobahn and eating some of that terrific german food, ie snitzel, broccatuffin etc. I do not drink so I cannot tell you how the beer is. My wife and I went to Paris last year for our 10th wedding anniversary and we had a blast. A trip to Paris and a one carat ring, she really made out last year didn't she. Finances aside, we really enjoyed ourselves and better yet, when we went France still had the French Franc. Then exchanges rate was 7 to 1 in favor of the dollar. Right now, the euro is almost equal to the dollar. My kids will have to wait another year or so for the dollar to gain some strength before they enjoy Disney Land Paris. EE

Thanks for your responses. No, my question wasn't in regards to home theater, I'm talking 2-channel here. I have no other location to place the 299, living in Europe with the smaller houses makes available wall space a premium. We almost had to call a family meeting to decide where to place the Christmas tree. I would love to place this unit out in the open and let the air circulate all around it, but in my instance it is not possible. I will monitor the situation to see how hot it gets. I can say with almost certainty that I will not be allowed to install fans around the unit, but something simple as having a fan to blow on it should help. I can also rearrange the shelving to inspire more circulation. Thanks

Plenty of responses and anticipation, but no answer to my question above. "Can the 299A be placed in an entertainment system?" Thanks EE

Like everyone else, I'm interested in Dean's review of the 299A. My reason is, I'm in the final stages of purchasing the same piece and I want to hear what he has to say. "Through the grapevine I've heard that he has listened to it already", so his initial review should be coming soon. My question is, can a tube amp be placed in the confines of an entertainment system? My wife has compromised with me a lot on arrangement of the furniture to accomodate the rather large-sized KLF 30s. I currently have my SS gear in this center and I leave it own for days at a time, though it runs very warm, I've never had a problem with the wood/fiberboard enclosure becoming hot. The amp will be enclosed in the wood box also. Hopefully, the answer is yes it can. I should have asked this before I put hundreds of dollars on the line. Thanks