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tube fanatic

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  1. Some additional information can be gleaned from this old thread on the forum:

     

    https://community.klipsch.com/index.php?/topic/34263-how-does-impedance-matter/

     

    When one considers that the output impedance of some SEPs without feedback can hit 30 ohms or so, holding the speaker impedance to a narrower range is certainly valuable.  
     

    My work with SEP spud amps (no fb) has been enlightening in this area and all the future builds will include an internal, switchable, snubber resistor.  Such amps can really sound nice!
     

    The SET crowd snickers at us guys who still use pentodes...😄

     

    Maynard

    • Like 1
  2. This remedy addresses issues with pentode amplifier characteristics (high output impedance and high plate resistance) as opposed to deficiencies in crossover characteristics.  I don’t know many audiophiles who would be qualified to reconfigure a crossover which, of course, would change what the manufacturer had in mind.  Installing a resistor to make the amp “happier” is something anyone can do.

     

    Maynard

  3. Agree Mike!  But that is the nice aspect of using Klipsch speakers most of which are so efficient (as you know!) that the power loss is not generally an issue.

     

    The resistor does not turn the speaker crossover characteristics into a purely resistive situation but will lower the effective impedance seen by the amp.  The graph on the Zu link above demonstrates this.  Even if the speaker impedance drops to 4 ohms, the resulting slight decrease should not be a problem.  I usually use 27 ohms which covers most situations nicely.  It is the very large impedance increases which the resistor really helps to contain.

     

    Maynard

  4. It is no secret that tube amp/speaker synergy is very important.  This is especially true with single ended pentode amps which do not employ negative feedback and are sensitive to speaker impedance variations across the audio band.  A trick which I, and others, in the design world have always used is a resistor across the amp output terminals, or speaker terminals, to keep the impedance the amp “sees” more constant (i.e.“flattening the curve”, an expression with which all are now familiar).  It can make a huge difference and allow amp/speaker combinations which may not sound great to suddenly become glorious.  
     

    So, it is gratifying to see a speaker manufacturer actually promoting such a tool:

     

    https://www.zuaudio.com/diy/loading25r

     

    The resistors they furnish can be purchased for a few dollars less but will not be matched.   As someone who designs single ended amps which are used almost exclusively with Klipsch speakers, I can tell you that using the resistors can be a worthwhile tool.

     

    Maynard
     

    • Like 1
  5. 4 minutes ago, Zen Traveler said:

    I am far from a lemming and am waiting for you or someone else to post something contrary to what the experts are saying. 

     


    Do a search and you will find many highly credentialed docs and scientists who disagree with the mainstream view.  Unfortunately, they have been branded as “quacks” and the self appointed social media arbiters have declared their work as being unfit for dissemination to the public.  You know as well as I that only certain viewpoints are being permitted.

     

    Maynard

    • Like 1
  6. 37 minutes ago, Zen Traveler said:

    This is an excellent example of how Social Media surreptitiously spreads misinformation and people are being fed their own bias without realizing it. From the link: 

    This means they can share topics that will intersect with people in those communities' interests and spread a message that, for example, "you don't need a vaccine, you can just take vitamin D," without it being overtly flagged to someone that the message is anti-vax when it appears on their feed, he explains.

    Vitamin D is relatively safe (although few medical interventions are entirely risk-free, especially at high doses) so it may not appear to be the most harmful of misinformation.

    The danger, Prof Van der Linden explains, is when people suggest the supplement is a miracle cure and should be substituted for vaccines, masks and social distancing.


    Why is it that when a view which is not mainstream is presented it automatically becomes misinformation?  It has long been known that vitamins C and D help the body fight respiratory infections (even Fauci admits to supplementing with them).  It is also known that many are deficient in them due to exceedingly poor diets.  The message should have been to do everything which may help a person from getting sick.  These supplements are cheap enough for blanket recommendations.  The same for non-standard treatments for hospitalized patients.  When front line docs reported great success treating patients with 6-8 grams of IV vitamin C each day, why were they called out as spreading misinformation?  I know why, but can’t state the reasons here.  
     

    As for labeling those who promote common sense approaches to avoiding getting sick as anti-vaxxers I think it is ridiculous.  I know many who will not put an experimental gene therapy in their body, and they could care less if someone else does.  There are always different approaches to disease prevention and management and no one should be forced to use an approach with which they disagree as a condition of living their life (an example is denying an in person college education without having proof of taking the COVID product).

     

    Sorry to branch out a bit from the subject, but some things should be repeated periodically.  

     

    Maynard

    • Like 1
  7. Israel may release the names of the unvaccinated to authorities.  In view of having 80% of the population inoculated, there should not be any further concern if the treatment is truly effective.  If the same laws are passed here I believe people will be attacked if their unvaccinated status is somehow “leaked.”  
     

    https://www.courthousenews.com/israel-adopts-law-allowing-names-of-unvaccinated-to-be-shared/

     

     

    Maynard

  8. Travis, I appreciate your perspectives!  But, as my 6’7” 300 pound attorney brother in law (who uses his size to great advantage in the courtroom) tells me constantly “you will never win an argument with an attorney”, I will concede until I have the time to state my case with more support documentation.  I would enjoy listening to you and him discussing this issue 😄

     

    Maynard

    • Confused 1
  9. Doctors are not telling patients that long term ramifications of putting this previously untested medical treatment in their bodies are unknown.  If pressed, as some patients do, they will admit it.  This is not misinformation, but simple truth.  Informed consent is not being employed when it comes to these products.  Anyone who has had surgery knows the detailed possibilities, including death, that could occur.  If you will not sign, no surgery.  
     

    As I said earlier, as long as we have personal choice in how we deal with the virus, all is well.  But, if segments of society are forced to accept an experimental medical therapy as a condition of being allowed to participate, that is a different matter.  The vaccine “passports” which are being rolled out will stigmatize those who do not comply.  Some Jewish friends have drawn a parallel to something which cannot be discussed here.

     

     

    Maynard

    • Like 1
  10. 42 minutes ago, grasshopper said:

    sometimes you just have to trust someone you have no reason to.


    I cannot do that having seen too many instances of harm to people who did so.  You mentioned polio as an example.  There were issues with the early vaccines which were not initially known (or if known, not disclosed).  My issue with the current therapy is that it is now being made a condition for receiving an in-person education (Rutgers, for example), and attending public venues/dining out/air travel, etc. (vaccine “passports”).  This is where a very dangerous precedent is being set in my opinion.

     

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10472327/

     

     

    Maynard

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1
    • Sad 1
  11. 21 hours ago, CECAA850 said:

    Strong evidence.  Lol.  Sounds 100% certain to me.

     

    Highly effective too.  Another absolute.

     

    The CDC has never been wrong either.  Lol.


    I understand your skepticism about an agency which lies constantly.  It is unfortunate that scientists who raise concerns about the mainstream view are immediately branded as “quacks” who are spreading misinformation.  Some interesting points were raised in this Israeli article from January.  Doctors and other medical personnel I know have raised similar concerns.

     

    https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/294852

     

     

    Maynard

    • Thanks 1
  12. 16 hours ago, RandyH000 said:

    Maynard ----for the great article -your point is very well understood

    Here is another article which highlights the legality of mandating a treatment which is not yet approved, and also discusses the protection offered to some employees by their unions.  
     

    https://finance.yahoo.com/m/ec8be132-9dbb-3ba2-ab82-ff3e66041a40/‘if-a-student-chooses-to-come.html

     

    I imagine there will be some interesting legal precedents set before this is resolved.  Any thoughts from forum members outside the US about how this is evolving in your country?  

     

     

    Maynard

  13. 14 hours ago, jimjimbo said:

    You link does not say anything about being "exempt", nor does it say anything about unions?  Where are you getting this information?  The following is directly from the Rutgers message:

     

    This health policy update means that, with limited exceptions, all students planning to attend in the Fall 2021 semester must be fully vaccinated. In parallel, we continue to strongly urge all Rutgers faculty and staff to get immunized against COVID-19 at the earliest opportunity.


    Read the last 2 paragraphs at the end of this article:

     

    https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/rutgers-university-students-vaccinated-190844608.html

     

    Unless things have changed, employees are represented by 19 union locals.

     

    Maynard

  14. I agree that you should wait until you have done the acoustical treatment work before deciding on an amp.  That said, much will depend on how loudly you listen, how close to the speakers you will sit when listening, etc.  I have had guys running as little as 300 mw per channel SETs with LSs without issues.  This topic should generate some good discussion.

     

     

    Maynard

  15. On 3/17/2021 at 9:32 PM, GriffinFL said:

    Not new to the forum, but it's been so long since I've been here most wouldn't remember me anyway, unless they were on the first factory tour (I still owe someone some money for that, but I gotta find him while I'm here...) 

     

    So yeah, I moved to Florida, and my wife and I started talking about audio options for the house, which led me to talking about my bucket list (either a pair of K-horns or a pair of Belles) speakers and the why and how of them.  Lo and behold, I scored a beautiful pair of Belles out in Satellite Beach for $2500, and the guy even threw in his Marantz surround receiver (which I probably won't use, as it's way more complex than what I need for the lifestyle application here).  And my wife agreed that they not only look like nice furniture, they also fit in perfectly with the living room furniture she already picked out, so win-win-win! 

     

    So now I'm contemplating a number of things, including the space they're going in and what kind of miraculous treatments I'll need to maximize their strengths in the room, but also various options to power them. 

     

    Initially, again due to our lifestyle, I'm looking at some Bluetooth preamp options (kinda like this Denon unit) , and I'll probably use my old Onkyo block to power them temporarily, but I really, really want to at least dip my toe into the tube waters.  But I look around online these days, and it sure looks like there be sharks everywhere!  What's a good entry-level SET power amp, preferably sub-$1K, for these speaks?  And keep in mind reflective surfaces are literally EVERYWHERE in this house - tile floors, glass sliders on half the walls, etc... so I really need to invest in tasteful-looking (read: the expensive shit) acoustic treatments before I blow big bucks on the amp, or it's just throwing money down a hole...

     

    Of course, you all might look at me and say, "Bluetooth?  You're throwing your money down a hole anyway, you jackass!"  Which is a perfectly acceptable response.


     

    The forum now has a Talkin’ Tubes section with a huge amount of info about using tube amps with Klipsch speakers.  If you post your question there I, and others, will gladly give you stuff to consider.

     

    Maynard

  16. 13 hours ago, jimjimbo said:

    Yea, 550,000 dead can’t be wrong…


    The deaths are indeed tragic.  However, many of the hospital based docs I know say that the protocols being used may result in greatly inflated numbers and they know that some of the patients labeled as dying from the virus did not have it.  The PCR test methodology may not be as accurate as some would like to believe as is explained in this recently updated NY Times article.  At this point I don’t know what to believe, especially after reading about how the situation is viewed in other countries.

     

    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/29/health/coronavirus-testing.html

     

     

    Maynard

  17. 23 hours ago, tube fanatic said:

    In analyzing my personal risk to benefit of taking the “vaccine” I came across this very fascinating, and concerning, information.  Has anyone else thought about this given the possible long term, unknown, effects of these fast tracked medications?

     

    https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2020/12/29/595414.htm

     

    https://www.hrsa.gov/cicp

     

    Maynard

     

     

      
    Travis, my understanding is that a person can not file a lawsuit at the state or federal level and must go through the CICP which has severe caps on payouts, even for death.  The likelihood of collecting in that program is almost zero.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

     

    Maynard

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