ryanc

I'm fortunate enough to live an area with several Record Stores to choose from. As for those that carry new vinyl, I did get by Easy Street Records this morning and pick up the one thing that I absolutel HAD to have, an LP of covers by the Deftones: http://www.deftones.com/news/2011/02/25/covers-exclusive-record-store-day-vinyl It was extremely packed and now that I know what is available, I plan on going to other stores in town tomorrow. Here is the entire list: http://www.recordstoreday.com/SpecialReleases I also plan to hit up the used store in my neighborhood, Jive Time Records, tomorrow.

I read through this thread, but what I found more interesting was the following link to another thread that someone posted: http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?p=2226929#post2226929 The interesting bits that I got out of it were these. 1) While some discs are cited as "same as retail", "BMG uses Sonopress USA and Cinram USA (former WEA Mfg) for WEA titles." which don't claim to be. 2) "They take a digital master to the plant and press a run of CDs unaltered. The contract presses have the Dxxxxxx in the matrix for the BMG club number, the rest have the standard cat no. or DIDX/DIDP/DIDC no. (for Sony releases)." 3) "When the CD is mastered for production, the plant may adjust the peak levels down a tad or may not. These are the differences." The disc in question is a 2006 pressing of Deftones: Saturday Night Wrist, under the Maverick label (which is part of Warner Bros.). It also has a DXXXXXX number as mentioned in the above thread. It seems likely that my disc was manufactured by Cinram. It sounds like in most cases there are virtually no differences, but in my case, it does indeed sound flatter than the retail copy I have. That may be explained by the adjusting down of the peak levels that this particular plant performed...but who knows. Cheers.

Clearly not, hence the reason I originally posted. Just to make sure I'm not crazy, I did another test with a different pair of CDs. One retail, one BMG-made from a friend. At least on my setup (it's in my profile), they sound noticeably different.

So I'm still going through all of my vinyl and CDs since purchasing my H3s, and I ran across something unexpected tonight. I happen to have two copies of a particular album, both on CD. On of them has the 'Mfg for BMG Direct' sticker on the back and HOLY CRAP DOES IT SOUND HORRIBLE! The difference between it and the other copy is night and day -- muffled and the levels are off. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it normal for those cheapo BMG discs you get from their club? It almost sounds as if it's gone through some sort of compression or downmixing before being pressed. Full disclosure; I was a BMG member back in the early 90s. Of course, I didn't have the equipment to tell the difference.

Ah, cool to know...that means mine were made the same week that I ordered 'em

For what it's worth, the pair of Heresy IIIs that I just received, ordered on 13 Jan 2011 are numbered: H3WLSRB11020017 & H3WLSRB11020018. If we followed the theorized formula, that would put mine as #17 and #18 on the 110th day of 2002...so I'm going to guess that that is impossible. I do think there is something with the first two digits after the SRB, seems year of production isn't too much of a stretch.

While I was in Hawthorne Stereo in Seattle the other day, I spotted an absolutely beautiful pair of Heresy I loudspeakers. They are SEQUENTIALLY numbered, with stands, and have been recently refinished. Black grills, new speaker plates, and the finish is somewhere between Cherry and Walnut. Other than those details, the guy I spoke with didn't have any more details on the refinishing. $698 for the pair.

Why yes, they are pine...southern pine to be more specific (not sure the exact species; shortleaf, et al). I was quite surprised and pleased when I first came to see the place. Pine is not something you get a lot of up here, but it is *everywhere* in Arkansas -- I always had a heck of a time keeping my parents yard green, growing up, because of the pine needles. I will admit that the floors helped me make the decision to buy the place As for keeping it un-dinged, I have a strict "Shoes off at the door" policy and generally am a careful person.

4th of July, on Superunknown by Soundgarden. An unlikely source but has a very low bass line that persists throughout and can be quite heavy at times -- a good test of whether your setup gets muddy. By the time the song peaks you have a 4 octave difference between the bass and Chris Cornell wailing up high, plus the percussion. Generally a good test of the range of your speakers.

I received my H3s early and have this thread where I'm talking about my impressions. thanks.

My state too, I just don't live there at the moment So, what am I using the power them and what are my initial thoughts? I'm going to combine this thread with another one that I started before I received the H3s. I ended up going over to Hawthorne Stereo and picking up that NAD C320BEE. While I was there, I also picked up a Rotel RCD-951 CD transport. The fella I spoke with also confirmed that the C320BEE would act as a fine pre-amp once I finish my tube amp. So, first impression? WOW. Knowing that things will only get better with time as they break in, I can't begin to explain how happy I am. Even local FM radio has a richness and liveliness that is immediately noticeable. My other surround system (RB-61 Mk. IIs pushed by Denon) sounds great, but this is a whole other level. Playing CDs with the RCD-951 is an experience, not to mention the things I'm hearing out of my vinyl now. I'm now spending every hour not at work or asleep going back through and rediscovering everything I own. There seems to be a general consensus that the Heritage spearkers are a bit bass-shy, but I can only suppose that I got lucky with my room and placement (new-to-me home, late 70s all wood construction, wood floors). I have thrown several recordings at the H3s that I know have some really low frequencies in them and they have handled them all very well. I don't realistically see myself getting a subwoofer for this setup. That is it for now. I'll report back once I have a few weeks on them. Thanks everyone for their recommendations and comments.

No kidding, I ordered 'em 8 days ago.

twu, I want to see what everyone has to say about Hawthorne's current selection, but if that 2220b is in decent shape, I'd be glad to take it off of your hands.

My pre-amp is the Grado PH-1, but it is coupled with my turntable. I didn't occur to me, but I reckon I'll need an integrated amp if I was to hook anything else into it. thanks. ryanc

Grettings all. Like the subject line says, I'm new here but have probably been lurking for a good year. I just ordered my pair of Heresy III in walnet and am absolutely impatient at this point. I initially was going to wait a while to order them, but perhaps and am glad that I already did since we have no idea what the Audiovox thing will affect. Anyway, I am currently building a tube amp to drive the H3s, but in the mean time I was looking for advice on a amplifier that y'all think might do well. Luckily, I have the guys at Hawthorne Stereo nearby and they have a good collection of used stuff. Take a look at their list and let me know if anything stands out. http://hawthornestereo.com/used/ thanks. ryanc