ChipByrd

Thanks for the nice comments; however, apparently I wasn't very clear. The A-S1000 is a new model. What I was trying to convey is that it has the look and feel of the vintage stuff. The other point I wanted to make is that pristine sound--simply awesome.

Hey, You may want to check out the Yamaha A-S500. It has received incredible reviews. Yesterday I picked up a Yamaha A-S1000 and it works wonders with Fortes and Chorus. Anyway... it is the end of their production cycle and good deals aren't hard to find. http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/531253798/yamaha-as500 Chip

I graduated from high school in 1980. I used to lust after the great receivers of the day, but simply couldn’t afford them at 18. Today, I bought a Yamaha A-S1000. It was for sale locally at a great price and I figured if it flopped I could sell it for what I paid. When I opened the box, I found myself wondering if this is how it would have been to buy one of those 1970’s beasts; because this thing is a beast—and heavy—and built like a tank. It even has wooden sides. How cool is that? But the true delight came when I hooked it up to my Fortes. I was simply amazed at how good it sounds. I have been using Cambridge Audio separates (840w & 840e), which I love and sound awesome with the Fortes. I have no intention of living without the CA’s, but this yammy really rocks. I can’t say it is better than the CA, it just has a slightly different sound. Soundstage, dynamics, detail, are all there… I think. Actually, I don’t really know all of the audiophile terms, but to my ears—this yammy made music sound sweet—and right—and engaging—and just like music is supposed to sound. Pardon my gushing, but I really was not expecting it to be this good. I have heard that the A-S2000 is even better. I also read that next year Yamaha will be offering an A-S3000. I hope this is a sign that they are reentering the higher end two channel market. Anyway, my neighbor brought me a bottle of homebrewed beer that’s been setting in the refrigerator for about a week. I am going to grab that and head back downstairs for some more musical bliss. Chip

Congrats! The B & W's look awesome--like they were made for your living room . BTW, my wife and I haven't had cable for about four or five years. Actually, we haven't had a tv for about three years. Great set up.

Last week I was in Cincinatti and I saw a pair of Forte 2's for sale at $350. I paid $300 for my Forte 1's. These are awesome speakers and I have to admit I have become something of a Forte fanboy. If you find a pair, you can also do some easy mods with BEC stuff, as time and money allow.

Hey, I realize this is an old post, but did you go with he Yammy? If so, how did it match with the Cornscalas? There's one local for a good price and was thinking about snatching it. Appreciate your thoughts. Chip

Anyone used one of these. There's one for sale locally and I was thinking about giving it a whirl. Any opinions on the MD-308?

Looking forward to the reviews and potentially hearing one of these: http://www.svsound.com/subwoofers/sealed-box/sb13-ultra#.UEdVG2t5mK0 Chip

I had an SW 310 and definitely wasn't impressed. I am currently looking for a good musical sub (or perhaps a pair). The Rythmic F15hp has caught my eye as well as the HSU - ULS 15.

I was wondering how many of you replaced the mids on you Fortes. I did the BEC ti tweeter and crossover upgrade. What I've read is that the mods on the mids require some change in the band pass. So here are my questions: 1) How much improvement did this upgrade render? 2) Is it something that a technologically challenged person can do?

I was wondering if anyone uses a pair of sw's with heritage speakers and tubes? If so, how does it sound. If it is bad idea, why? Chip

Chip, Looking at the room dimensions and averaging them out at say 22 x 18.5, the square footage is definitely not 225 but more like 400+ with volume being around 2950 cu. ft. In that case, two 18 inch subwoofers would not be overkill. Keep in mind, I am considering the whole room not just from your listening position forward where I think you may have used for your 225 sq ft. Bill Yes, this is my problem. With the way my room is laid out, do I consider the actual listening area, or the entire space? Another thing that makes this a tad difficult is that I will likely buy one sub at a time. Ideally, I am looking for something like a pair of HGS 12's or 15's. It's just that the 18 popped up for sale and I want to make sure it won't overpower my room?

I have a small listening area. It is only about 225 sq ft with a 7.25' ceiling. Below is a sketch of the layout. I have taken some time to treat the room well and it sounds good--super chunks in the corners, absorption at first reflection points, and am building a diffusor for the wall behind by listening area. I have been wanting to add a couple subs, although my Fortes are now slouch in the bass department. I am exclusively two channel. Eventually, I will have questions about positioning and all the tweaks that maximize the use of two subs, but for now, size is the issue. Since I will be buying used, it may take a while to get a match. (I have read that it is far easier to integrate two of the same subs.) There's a Velodyne HGS-18 for sale and looks like a great deal. Would a pair of those overwhelm my room? What kinds of used subs and what size would you recommend? Thanks for the help, Chip

Since I am curious, too, I thought I would bump it back to the top . Actually, I am curious about the entire Optimum line.

If you can find one, try to pick up a Rel Strata III. It will work your setup and integrates wonderfully with Fortes. The cn be had for about $500.

I don't know how much you want to spend, but this might be an option: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAMBRIDGE-AUDIO-Azur-740C-Upsampling-CD-player-Silver-/130739034996?_trksid=p5197.m1997&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D16%26meid%3D1075965341864077394%26pid%3D100016%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

It looks like a nice unit, but I would buy a Mac mini and start downloading your music.

The Rega and Young are both in that price range. I will let you know.

FWIW, I had an SW-310 and I wasn't impressed.

I have iTunes Match which basically does the same thing. I really like it.

Hey Tranny, Thought I would let you know, I found a screaming deal on an M2Tech Young dac. This weekend I am going to do a side-by-side comparison with the Rega. I will let you know my thoughts. Did you settle on a digital chain for your system?

Haha! It is. It is "masking" as damping tape. Chip

Thanks Guys, As I said, I am still shifting the absorption panels and they need to be upholstered, but the sound is truly amazing. Then comes diffusers... BTW, about a month ago I asked about stands for the Fortes. I spent many hours moving them back and forth--closer to the wall farther from the wall--up tight in the corners--flat on the ground without the risers and up to about 6" higher than my current set up--I ended up building stands that are 14" off the ground. They are 26" from the side wall and 25" from the rear wall. The soundstage is awesome. Again, thanks. Chip

Last one.

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