ChrisK

Jeff, That is a very cool amp indeed. Manley Labs products are first rate. I narrowed my choices down to a Stingray and a Cary 300SEI. Went with the Cary because of it's single ended design and there was a mint used one available for under $1,800. But, I'm sure the Stingray would have been a good choice too. Chris

tbabb, You da man! Thank you very much for the tip. I talked to an EE friend of mine and he said the "Demagnetizer" most likely performs the same process (for a fee). Something about "reversing the polarity to remove the charge"? At least I believe that's what he said. Anyway, it worked perfectly. Thanks Again, Chris Hmmmm...just how many records will I get for $200.00?

I was offered $2,500 for my CW"s. You'd probably have to spend $4,000+ in today's dollars to get a new pair if they are ever reissued. Some of the prices, while they may seem high, are still a bargain. Regards, Chris

Thanks Kelly. The refinish job ($60.00 for both) was done by "The Strip Joint" in Redondo Beach L.A. ...all over La Jolla, at Weimea Bay, everybody's gone surfin, surfin USA... Apologies to the Beach Boys

Oops, I see Kelly's was replying as I was typing. Damn he's fast! PS Did anyone here the one about the new wrestling hold? There's the Half-Nelson... ...the Full-Nelson... ...and now the Father Nelson PSS 12 years of Jesuit Catholic School allows me to tell that joke without repercussions....I hope

My CW's did not come with a grill. They were, I believe it was called, the "Designer Series". Originally they were special order and arrived totally unfinished. Perhaps Builder could explain better. I'll be looking for another pair this coming year that I can have redone the same color for a HT rig. There will be 2 sets of speaker wire behind the fronts and I'll simply plug in the appropriate amp. Regards, Chris

Same as Alan for me...rewired with silver wire and gold spades. Not to mention, Cardas binding posts added. BTW, I've attached a photo of one of them since being refinished. Regards, Chris

A local audio store let me take home an Aesthetix Cartridge Demagnetizer last month. Unfortunately, I was only able to use it for a week before returning it. Before using it I listened to a few records to get a base point. After letting it do it's thing (it does have flashing lights and seems to be going through some sort of process), there did seem to be an audible difference. More clarity, smoother sound, less "fuzziness"?, and a quieter sound floor. I tried it a couple of other times but didn't notice much difference. The salesman told me things need to build up in the cartridge before the difference is noticeable. Anyone have any experience with these things? Is this an example of "Audio Voodoo"? Here is a link to the demagnetizer - http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/aesthx3.html BTW, I attached a photo of my TT Regards, Chris

I've been listening to the following: on vinyl - John Fahey, "The New Possibility" Emmylou Harris, "Light In The Stable" Manheim Steamroller, both Christmas records Eugene Ormandy, "Christmas Spectacular" Tchaikovsky, "The Nutcracker" (BPO on DG) on cd - Hear Music, Christmas Album Diana Krall, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" Not to mention, KKJZ (Used to be KLON - Los Angeles based jazz radio) plays some great jazz Christmas music this time of year. Cheers, Chris

I'm still shaking my head over this article I read this morning - http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-et-vinyl18dec18011425.story Regards, Chris

An audiophile (also jazz critic for our metropolitan newspaper) friend of mine (far more knowledgeable than myself - which, come to think of it, doesn't say much) once advised me to spend no more than 10% of the value of a component on it's wire/cabling. Any more than that he said, and you are probably buying tone control. Not to mention one of the more respected analog/tube salesman in my area said to me, "Remember, it's not a cables job to add to the signal, only to transmit and stay out of the way. And didn't PWK often use lamp cord in demos...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I think the wire/cable debate can be argued logically from any prospective. But I believe, in twisted 1970's parlance, "If it sounds good, do it!

Don't get me wrong, I think the Zen is a very cool little amp, but why would somebody spend $700.00 on speaker wire/cable for a $500.00 amp? Honestly, I'm not trying to be sarcastic.

When I looked at the auction @ 12:15pm PST, it was at $177.50. Am I missing something about the $576.00 bid? I don't see it. Are we talking Canadian dollars or am I just blind? Thanks, Chris

Call Kirk at Cary. Most likely, he'll answer any questions you might have.

The Decware Zen SE84C (not "Select") was my first tube amp. Needless to say, I don't think I'll ever go back (to SS). It was a real ear opener. While I have since moved on to a more powerful 300B based amp (Cary SEI300), I'm considering getting another Decware for a second system. Maybe if I had bought a "Select" instead of the standard Zen, I wouldn't have felt the need for more power. Chris

Mike Z. is working on a Fisher X-100 I picked up at a garage sale last month. He had it for about a week before it got on the bench. He has also "tuned up" a couple of tuners (Accuphase T-101, Sony 5000FW) for me. Great guy, easy to talk to, very reasonable prices. There may be one caveat (for some), not a big believer in "Audio Voodoo". I think he would have loved to have one of PWK's "Bull**it" pins. Pretty much likes to bring things up to original spec, with little or no modification. He has given me the impression that he finds some peoples obsession with "tweaking" comical. He once told me there was no way anyone in a blind test could possible identify some of the mods/tweaks that seem so popular today. Highly recommended.

When I listen to my system... ... I am 8 feet away from the speakers. ... there is a nothing behind my head (or in it for that matter) ... I sit, lay, recline (depends on mood, time, music, wife) ... I am addicted to caffeine (just kidding, drink wine sometimes)

Congratulations! Those babies look very nice indeed. Please let us know how they compare to your RF-7's I had my eye on them as a possible pair o' Klipsch in a system for my warehouse employees. However, it was obvious they were going to fetch serious jack, and were waaay too nice, condition wise, for a cold, damp warehouse. If anyone sees or hears of a beat up, old pair of Heresy's, Forte's, Quartet's or anything else that may work, please let me know. Regards, Chris

I have a Cary SEI300 integrated amp. I bought it used for $2,000 off Audiogon. It drives my '78 Cornwalls fabulously. They come up for sale every month or 2 in the $1,800-2,400 range. There are many tweaks and upgrades possible along with NOS tube rolling. While anyone should definitely consider Manley, VTL, Wellborne, and the like, don't forget Cary. I think the thing that has impressed me the most (besides the sound) is their service. I have had many lengthy (and very forthright I might add) conversations with Kirk (their service tech person). Not to mention once when forgetting the time difference (It was after 6:00pm there.), Dennis Had answered the phone and spent about 30-40 minutes on the phone with me. He was very helpful and honest sounding. Little things like that can make someone a customer for life.

I own and operate a small gourmet foods shipping company (8 employees). In the warehouse my employees have a cheap boom-box playing music. They listen to mostly Mexican Ranchero music which, btw, is growing on me. Anyway, I'd like to put a cheap, durable system together to improve the sound. Maybe a vintage receiver, some type of speaker that doesn't mind a dusty, cold and damp enviroment, and a cd changer. I have a line on a Marantz 2240b receiver. Is this a good choice? What speakers and cd changer might work best? Thanks in advance, Chris

Try this link... http://www.bluenote.com/downloads.asp One of the cooler screensavers around IMHO. Regards, Chris

kjohnsonhp, Started out just like you. Had an all Klipsch HT system. Got a free pair of Cornwalls from a friend. Listening to 2 channel music was, at best, uninspiring. Now thanks to Kelly et al, I feel like Bebe Rebozo or one of the guys at Enron with slush funds and offshore accounts for the purpose of hiding audio expenses from the boss. All kidding aside, their "get tubes" advice was spot on for me. I began with a Decware Zen. Wow, what a difference from my HT receiver for 2 channel. Now I have a Cary 300SEI amp with a vinyl front end that simply sounds fantastic. BTW, wish I had kept the Decware. I'll probably be buying another one for a second system in my....er....our bedroom. Regards, Chris ------------------ click below to see my rig http://cgi.AudioAsylum.com/systems/2235.html

If it walks like a duck...And to think he's from Santa Cruz, California...the last place I would think a scammer would be from...Oh well, maybe it's the tech bubble burst that's rearing it's head ------------------ click below to see my rig http://cgi.AudioAsylum.com/systems/2235.html

Guys, can I ask a question here? I have an EAR 834P MC phono stage. I've read a few places the designer has stated that tube rolling will have very little or no postitive effect on this amp. What are your opinions? I too have been thinking about changing out the stock (I'm not even sure what they are.) tubes for something NOS. Any suggestions? The most "desireable" 12ax7 prices seem to be in orbit. Which ones are the best bang for the buck? What about interconnects? I'm using Monster M550i's. Are they a major weakspot? Thanks, Chris ------------------ click below to see my rig http://cgi.AudioAsylum.com/systems/2235.html

Dan, I have had the good fortune of being at Dr. Edgar's shop a few times. He even helped me replace the diaphragms in my Cornwalls. His speakers are as fantastic as he is a wonderful guy. His basshorn is not to be believed. The Slimlines compete well with any Klipsch speaker I've heard. I hope to have a pair of his Titans in my next home. Highly recommended. Regards, Chris ------------------ click below to see my rig http://cgi.AudioAsylum.com/systems/2235.html