maxg

For over a decade the best sound system in any bar in Athens was using Bose 901's hanging from the ceiling. In there they were brilliant - they may even still be there (I dont get out much these days). I seem to recall they were being driven by massive pro-amps of something like 1000 wpc. There never seemed to be a limit on how much power you could put into those speakers. As it happens I dont really know anyone that runs them in their main system anymore. I know a lot of people that used to - I dont know if that says anything or not, but from what I understand imaging was not their strong suit. Sonically I think it is generally accepted that this was Anwar's best ever product. I might try to find a pair to listen to - just to revive old memories.

Anyone else remember the tennis game that preceded space invaders? The one with the 2 oblongs slowly batting a square ball back and forth? what a game that was - hours of fun (waiting for the ball to cross the net). I also remember black and white TV - I watched the moon landing on it at 4 years old (my father woke me at 3 am for the privilege). Come to that - we only had 3 channels back then - and one of those only started broadcasting at 6 pm - and they all went off the air around 11:30. I have a feeling people had more sex back then - there were fewer distractions.....and by that I mean the real thing - rather than phone sex or internet sex or whatever it is now....

Probably not a very fair comparison with indiginous products. The $ is weak, the units are made in Japan with higher wage costs and then they are shipped to the US (duty?). Accuphase have never been cheap items but they are damn good in the main (I had the baby E211 version some years ago which was not one of their best). The A/B amps - specifically the 408 is another stunner and their monoblocks ...... I think you can find a used 530 for a lot less than that - I would guess something around the money the pCat is. Not saying it is a better option by any means - but a realistic alternative at least. Recently I was at an ACA meeting with an all Accuphase electronics line up - from the SACD player through to the pre-amp and amp. Good stuff (but the vinyl rig was better [] of course....

Sorry Mark - no idea what they go for over there - but Accuphase is not a cheap make....anywhere.

Here is the best SS way of driving Heritage with all Class A that I know of: http://www.accuphase.com/model/e-550.html To be honest I have never heard this version - the all new 550 - but the 530 impressed the hell out of me when I heard it and I cannot imagine this is worse..... Someone on the forum has a 530 - maybe they can chime in.

Dynavector seems like a good choice here too. Never heard a disappointed owner - must mean something. Come across a number of their models recently - all good.

Just to continue this jolly romp through testing I dont think there is a type or genre or music that can specifically test an amp per-say. What you can do is to attempt to evaluate how 2 amps in an otherwise similar system perform on similar pieces of music but even there would one piece be more of a giveaway than another? It is not impossible, of course. Certain pieces of music do appear to provide more of a pp to FF, fast to slow, single instrument to whole orchestra, cressendo to soaring single sring etc etc than others. Generally - if you really want to test out a whole system - source to room - my limited experience suggests you can do worse than Rimsky's Sheherezade - Reiner / Chicago / Living Stereo 4th movement. Any system that can come through that unscathed is, IMHO, a goodun! Assuming you do get a result and decide, as in this case, that one amp is better than the other I would further suggest that such a result would only be appropriate for the system under test. In another system the result might be quite different.

Which is why we are so fortunate to have you with us Robert.....[]

"Many folks like the Denon which can be had new for under $300. I had one at one time also. It's a fantastic value and sounds great but don't believe anyone who tells you it can rival the higher priced LOMCs like the Temper and others. However, if I was looking to spend $300 on a cart, it's what I would buy." Where you are dealing with normal gymbaled arms then I would agree with you - assuming medium mass and nothing too esoteric. Where other factors come into play I would be a little more circumspect. Synergy between arm and cartridge is the key to the sound. I have run $1500 cartridges and $130 cartridges and found the latter the better merely due to the match with the arm. The Denon 103 is, in simple terms, the best audio bargain in the market today - IF IT MATCHES WELL WITH YOUR ARM. IMHO the VPI arms are actually not such a great match here - they are not bad by any means - just not a eureka moment. I am the first to admit my own setup is insane on the face of it. But I cannot tell you how many audiophiles have left scratching their heads and trying to figure out why it sounds so good. There is, it seems, a little science (maths actually) in the matching of arm and cartridge and I got my sums just about right. Would it sound better with a ZYX Airy 3? Might do - everyone wants me to try it over here - but at $2,300 it is quite a jump and sadly I cannot talk the distributor into letting me try it out (he does not think it will sound better - a decent reason I suppose). The math does pan out for it though. One interesting cartridge that does not get a lot of mention on this fora (or any that I know of) is the Denon 304. This was the Denon high end cart. It was ludicrously low output (.18 mV) so you need a heck of a lot of gain with it - but on the one ocasion I heard it I was VERY impressed (but on a $100,000 rig....)

" "Your individual taste and preference will dictate which better suits you." BTW, Ain't that about what I said?" Yup! That is how I read it too. I cannot make any comment as sadly I have never heard either - but I think it is fantastic we have 2 choices of amps from right here on the forum to choose from, both of which are held in extremely high regard by owners and admirers alike, Maybe we should get Fremer to do a shoot-out in a BIG BIG test in his rag on KHorns - and then one on Jubs and we can really get the juices flowing. I have a funny feeling the ultimate decision on which to go for - were you facing a choice - might not be for sonic reasons at all. It seems clear to me that both do a fine job. I adore the look of Mark's new pCats but the sheer physical size of the things would be very problematic.

What a terrible nightmare that was. I dreamed Meagain eventually did call in an Electrician who promptly fixed all the electrical issues including the lack of earth on the power point she uses for the system. At that point she noticed a dull hum coming from the system and wrote about it on the forum. 423 people responded saying it was a ground loop hum but she argued it couldnt be because her oven doesnt hum and promptly changed the bananas on her speakers, then the interconnects, 3 preamps and a CD player. In desperation she sent the amp back to Craig again - who actually did find a fault this time - but decided to cover the evidence up by eating it. He was doing fine till it got to the iron where he choked. Dean attempted the Heinlick manoevre but it failed as he insisted on doing it with a Xover in each hand. Mark brought out a new amp in Craig's honour - a simple 2A3 set amp which, as he felt it was the prefect reproducer of sound - he called the Ostby Parrot. Thebes wrote about it on the forum explaining how this had all been planned by Klipsch in the first place to increase the market for their secret tube stash whereupon he disappeared somewhat mysteriously. Several jokes were made about this and then Fini, Anarchist and 2 new guys also disappeared. Sheltie ordered 6 of Mark's new amps and triamped his speakers - Meagain asked how this was done - in a 22 page saga of a thread and then everyone else disappeared. Dont know what happened after that as I woke up.....

Really??? Good grief - where does it say that? Fooled me completely...

Good price - but I have seen Cornwalls for sale on Amazon for $1750 or thereabouts - brand new. I seem to recall they have Scala's too but I cannot remember the price. Who knows what is going on there - I thought Klipsch didnt sell Heritage new, on-line. Edit - Just hunted it down http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Cornwall-Black-Loaded-Loudspeaker/dp/B000FOMZ4U/ref=sr_1_28/102-1324173-3924115?ie=UTF8&s=audio-video&qid=1177069243&sr=1-28 I was a buck and a bit out. Also on there: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-KLIPSCHORN-Horn-Loaded-Floorstanding-Loudspeaker/dp/B000JQM14S/ref=sr_1_30/102-1324173-3924115?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1177657286&sr=1-30 KHorns for $3,750 - new but not the latest version. Heresy 3's for $750!! And scalas indeed: http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-SCALA-Heritage-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B000OCVKV2/ref=sr_1_54/102-1324173-3924115?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1177657418&sr=1-54 For $2,750. Something is going on here!!

This is one of the most important rules we have managed to establish in our house. If SWMBO has a problem and wants to find a solution she talks to me and I will suggest one or more. If she just wants someone to listen to her problem without offering a solution she calls one of her friends. We did try it with me being the listener but because I can nod off under these "I see" conversations I was also half watching a football match (soccer) and just as she got to the heart rending bit United scored and I was leaping around the room with joy - call it bad timing if you will. Still - on the bright side - she has started watching soccer with me now - but only because she fancies United's new golden boy Ronaldo.....

"She promised more womanly effection after were married" [][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][] Oh my aching ribs.......no stop it......please.......that was such a good one. As someone who has been married for 23 years (well living together for 8 so married for 15 I guess) I will say this. You will still get "Oral" - its definition changes a little though - it becomes discussing why you are not getting any....

This is not your run of the mill tubes Vs SS debate. This is an Accuphase E530 and that - let me tell you is probably the best integrated amp for use with higher sensitivity speakers there is. You'll be fine with this amp - tubes will just change to a different flavour.

If t'were me I think I might call in a qualified electrician rather than the forum members. Get one with some monitoring equipment and he can probably tell you exactly what is going on with your power and whether or not this is the cause of you endless problems. For all we know you have the amps sitting on a nylon carpet and every time you switch it on or off you are zapping it.....or any one of a hundred other possibilities - my wife once knocked out an amp with a mohair sweater - but thankfully those are no longer in fashion....

This is Craig we are talking about - it would have to be Sayant - he is a martyr to the English Language.

Too funny!!! Nice one Dave - I think it is the damsel in distress thing. Never seen anyone with this number of intractable problems it must be said....

232!!! What do I win?

I dont know how your circuits work in the US for homes. Over here we have a main box with circuit breakers in. These are rated usually at 10 amps for lights and 16 for power plugs. It is very easy to switch one circuit off to see what is on the same circuit. I did this when choosing the power point for the stereo as I did not want it on the same circuit as the refridgerator! I would imagine your pond equipment swtiches on and off much like the fridge this does cause spikes in the mains and should be avoided. Worth checking I would say - zero investment. As a "for what it is worth" - when I ran tube amps I used to bias every 3 months or so - I have never heard of anyone biasing twice a day!! Something is definitely wrong there and the power circuit would be a good guess. Also remember that instantaneous sruges may not show up on your meter - especially if this is a once or twice a day thing. Its also worth noting that checking the bias does not mean adjusting it - adjustment was required only one in every 2 or 3 checks.

"So, I'm hoping I get some free time to listen to music, or do whatever, sometime in mid 2009!! " Sounds wildly optimistic to me. I am working on 2015.

This is what is known as a win win situation. WB Dodge!!

Nice one Kev. Think we are staying mono but I am sure stereo is twice the fun!!!!! Cheers

Lets see: Tony got a pair of perfectly good VIFA 8 inch woofers to replace the perfectly good woofers I already had (Spicom - chinese apparently and this bothered Tony). Holes didn't line up properly - had to drill a new set with 6 holes in these as opposed to 4 on the old ones. These are lighter so I guess the magnet isnt as strong but they work fine - hardly a night and day difference. Then SWMBO wanted her car fixing. There is a problem with the back window on the cabrio - she said. Well problem about covers it - the window is hanging off and the car is open to the elements even when it is closed. Half raised the roof - supported it with a 2 by 4 and glued the whole thing down. Waited 2 hours - lowered the roof - glue gave up the ghost just as I was fixing to finish. Cleaned off all the glue (nail varnish remover - gotta love it) - got another 2 part glue this time - threatened the car with duct tape. Fixed the whole thing good and proper - waited 4 hours - lowered the roof - holds kindof - broke out the duct tape - holds good now but doesn't look all that great - will have another run at it next weekend. In the meantime (during the waiting period) planted couple of dozen shrubs in various pots SWMBO chose - spent a happy 2 hours moving each 3 inches to the left and then back again with the ocasional swap till it looked just as she wanted it - which was it is was originally but what do I know? Daughter helped by emptying 10 pound bag of manure on the patio. I shouted, she ran into the house, having, of course, trod massively in it. Spent happy hour cleaning carpets and then went to buy her ice-cream. Got back - wife had re-re-arranged shrubs. Gave daughter ice-cream, walked dogs, washed my car, washed her car - tape and glue held (yippee!!) watered plants missed the football match I had wanted to see on TV - watched a "romantic" movie instead with SWMBO - got rewarded, fell asleep. Woken at 4 am by sobbing daughter. "What's wrong?" "Sorry I trod poo-poo into the house Daddy." "S'ok - go back to sleep." She did. I didn't. Left for work at 6:30.