Curmudgeon

A friend of mine has two pairs of the big Revels: Studio's and Salon's along with Levinson gear driving them. The Salon's are definitely nice speakers with the appropriate front end, but they are rather large and tend to look like the robot maid from The Jetsons. They are a very neutral sounding speaker and can reproduce a tom or kick drum whack better than anything else I have heard. Somewhat on the pricy side but a very good sounding speaker if you can deal with the styling. If I didn't already have Khorns and a Linn HT system I would strongly consider the Salons. I've seen the speakers gutted - Revel uses top-notch drivers, crossovers, and cabinets. I do happen to own a pair of Revel's but they're the smaller ones: M20 speakers and stands paired up with Nakamichi separates in my computer room. I used to have floorstanders in there but couldn't tame the boomy bass, the M20's do much better in this size room. Like their bigger brethren, they don't seem to have a sound of their own and come across as neutral with great mids and upper bass response. You would need a sub for the last degree of bass but they respond within 1 dB at 46 Hz, -3 dB @ 44 Hz, -6 dB @ 38 Hz, and -10 dB @ 33 Hz which does well for most music. They aren't very efficient (87 dB) so they like lots of power to sound best - the Nak PA-7 amp drives them with no problem.

One of the guys on AudioKarma spotted this auction and posted it on their site. I about fell out of my chair while reading it and thought y'all would like it too. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3719029514&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1

I like it! It kind of reminds me of this image:

If you do anything in MS Word or Wordpad that involves much formatting, such as italics, bold, bullets, etc. it must be saved as a .rtf or .doc file. A .txt file is very basic and doesn't allow much formatting other than a font change. When creating a document that has to have a .txt extension it's usually easier to create it in Notepad, which won't let you do any fancy formatting that a .txt extension file can't handle. Hope this helps!

---------------- On 4/2/2004 9:22:16 PM ygmn wrote: Amish rock and roll...hehehehehe ---------------- Even worse: Amish Rap ................ it leads to Amish drive-by shootings

Either system has it's strengths depending on what you're listening to: System 1: Preamp: McIntosh C2200 Amp: Pass Labs Aleph 30 TT: VPI Scout, SME IV tonearm, Shelter 501 cartridge Phono stage: Aragon 47K CD: Rega Jupiter 2000 Speakers: 1979 Klipschorn KC-BR (stock) IC's: Madrigal CZ-Gel balanced from pre to amp, StraightWire Encore II from CD to pre, Linn Silver from phono stage to pre Speaker cables: Canare 4S11 System 2: Preamp: Linn Klimax Kontrol (I think Linn missed the connotation on that name!) Amps: Linn AV5105 (x3) in Aktiv mode TT: Linn LP12, Lingo PS, Ittok LVII tonearm, Klyde cartridge CD/SACD/DVD/DVD-A: Esoteric DV-50 CD: Nakamichi Dragon CD & DAC Cassette: Nakamichi Dragon Speakers: Linn Espek in tri-amped Aktiv mode IC's: Madrigal CZ-Gel balanced from DV-50 to pre, Linn Silver (all others) Speaker cables: Linn K20

---------------- On 3/21/2004 11:33:38 AM TBrennan wrote: Nat---Thanks for the insight into your character. I now know how much credence to give anything you have to say. Once again, thank you. ---------------- I find it interesting that everyone has ignored this remark, since it's highly insulting and elitist. Someone states that they might happen to like Rush Limbaugh and automatically it's inferred that their opinion is not worth hearing. Gee, I wonder how the flames get started with such an outpouring of understanding and good will. Nice way to encourage newbies to participate.

Yep ...... this country is heading in the right direction: Rosie getting illegally married in reaction to President Bush's statement - just as much thinking put into that one as her anti-gun proclamations and magazine venture. What a beautiful human being and outstanding citizen - we should all strive to be more like her and her ad agency. Those who most loudly proclaim tolerance are usually the ones who are the least tolerant of opinions other than their own. An onslaught of "offended" citizens who think that any religious reference should be removed from anything that ever had public funds remotely invested. So what if a historical item has been there for hundreds of years - let's misinterpret the meaning of "separation of church & state" and knock those semi-religious references down. Especially if they're Christian. Boo-hoo, I'm so offended by the "In God We Trust" phrase on U.S. currency that I must sue someone soon. Anyone have Johnny Cochran's number? One particular political party caterwauling about a certain year elections vote counting process while failing to mention how hard that same party tried to screw military folks out of the absentee votes. Get over it, Chad. Illegal aliens are insulted by being called illegal aliens and even more put off by suggestions that they adhere to the same immigrations standards that naturalized citizens followed. Go figure. Caligula would be right at home in today's social atmosphere: perhaps doing programming for MTV? Speaking of which, a review of ancient Roman history wouldn't hurt the myopic as it's starting to look less like history and more like a portent.

If you are pursuing vintage (collectible) notions the C22 original currently holds it value better than the reissue model. However, the original has some outdated features (level matching, tape EQ, low freq trim, etc.) on it that few people have any real use for and has single-ended amp outputs only, tube compliment is 6 12AX7's. If you listen to very old vinyl the original C22 has a RIAA vs. LP compensator switch. The reissue has balanced amp outputs, an additional tape monitor loop, and uses 3 12AT7 and 4 12AX7 tubes. If you check out this link http://www.roger-russell.com/preamps.htm#C22r it has features and specs listed, and this link http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm has images and .pdf's of the manuals for both models. If you're not worried about having a vintage McIntosh system you may want to consider their latest design: the C2200 http://66.216.98.167/mcprod/products/McIntoshProduct.jsp?product_id=10 . All the benefits of the C22's original circuit with modern features, superior switching, balanced outputs/inputs, and remote control. Having owned both an original 60's vintage C22 and my current C2200 in my opinion the C2200 is a better sounding preamp and doesn't require the maintenance (pot cleaning) of the older units. It does cost a little more than the C22's but used can be had via Audiogon. Both model C22's run about $2k used and a C2200 averages around $3k used.

There is a growing anti-intellectuallism in this country. I was in a Waffle House - I'm not proud of that - but I was hungry... I'm all alone, eating my food, and reading a book - when this waitress comes by and says, "Whut are you readin' fer?" "You know, I've never been asked that question before. God dang it, you stumped me!" Not "What am I reading?" "What am I reading for?" Well, I guess I read for a lot of reasons. One of the big ones is so I don't have to be a Waffle Waitress. Then this truck driver comes over and says, "Looks like we got us a reader here" Am I stepping out of some intellectual closet on this one or something? I'm a reader. There, I've said it... and I feel better. ~ Bill Hicks

Here's another one: http://www.musicstack.com/ This site is good for locating rare LP's and works similar to eBay or Half.com. There are sellers on it from all around the planet so if you're looking for hard to find or overseas issued LP's/CD's this site just might have them. I've made of couple of buys so far and have been happy with the overall service.

Here's a few sites to get you started. I have purchased from Elusive Disc, Music Direct, & Classic Records and gotten first class service. Elusive Disc Acoustic Sounds Audiophile International Classic Records Music Direct Red Trumpet

I'm a Suzanne Vega fan, she's very unique and writes clever songs. The production values and recording quality on her albums are first class, many songs make good "demo's" for higher end systems. If you like S.Z. you may also want to check out Aimee Mann who's also quite talented and often overlooked.

Sony may not have the best selection of vinyl right not but if you see something you do like: BUY IT! Their pricing is competitive and they have a free shipping offer this month. I recently bought a couple of Pearl Jam LP's and the Audioslave LP from the Sony Music Store. They're even giving a free Audioslave poster with the purchase, something I can roll up and put in the closet with my other posters. Their current prices are lower than any of the other on-line sellers like Elusive Disc, Red Trumpet, or Music Direct (on those particular titles). If enough people actually buy the vinyl format Sony (and others) just might increase their offerings but if no one buys anything the bean counters will eventually phase it out. Also, support your local stores that do carry vinyl and pester the crap out of the ones that don't. Voting on political issues is free to citizens but if you want the corporations to listen to you it involves letting the moths out of the wallet once in a while. Besides, you need more LP's - getting your butt out of the chair every 15 minutes or so to flip sides is good for the cardiovascular system.

I've got the Led Zeppelin catalog in 180/200 gram versions from Classic and also a few other groups. They really are nice sounding LP's plus the jackets and sleeves are reproduced like the original release, so you get original type art work and features. Check out Elusive Disc, they are a good company and run specials fairly regulary on their e-mail list. http://www.elusivedisc.com You may also want to check out http://www.redtrumpet.com and http://www.amusicdirect.com/ for vinyl.

---------------- On 10/10/2003 8:36:36 PM reel 2 reel wrote: Then there's the other one from the 70's....."Smokey and the bandit"!!!!...The first one ...not the sequels either..... ---------------- My favorite Gleason quote from SATB: "There is no way, no way that you came from my loins. The first thing I'm gonna do when I get home is punch your momma in the mouth."

Warning: Counting the "if's" in the next paragraph could prove taxing If the cartridges were stored in a dark, cool, dry and ozone-free environment they may be in a good enough condition to still use. If they have been stored in an attic or right next to your Sharper Image Ionic Breeze air purifier they're probably toast. Depending on what materials the maker used and how the cantilever is mounted the suspension may have hardened or completely deteriorated. If you have a good magnifying glass look closely and see if the cantilever is straight and if it's bushing/grommet/elastomer looks dry-rotted or melted. Using your fingernail carefully touch the stylus and move the cantilever up and down. If it moves very stiffly or extremely loose the suspension is probably shot, but different cartridge manufacturers damp them as needed so the stiffness will vary. If they survive inspection this far the next thing is to look at the stylus under a microscope to determine wear. Some audio dealers still keep microscopes around or a mediochre quality scientific type borrowed from your neighbor's budding Carl Sagan-wannabe kid will also do. If the stylus looks good just clean it and set it up but first try it on LP's you're not in love with to be on the safe side. If in doubt do not use a questionable condition cartridge, if the suspension has hardened/loosened or the stylus is shot it will sound like crap and ruin your LP's as a bonus. A cartridge's elastomer, rubber, or whatever the maker used definitely ages so the damping will also change, directly altering the sonic characteristics of that particular cartridge. It may sound decent but chances are that it doesn't sound as good as it did when fresh. I've got two cartridges around that I've had since the 80's and both still sound reasonably good. I only use them in secondary systems with worn or thrift store vinyl and play the good stuff on recently manufactured cartridges in my main systems.

Anyone ever eat minced barbecue or Slim Jim's while watching "Motel Hell"? Or have ribs while watching "Night Of The Living Dead"? Chilled monkey brains, anyone?

---------------- On 10/9/2003 8:57:25 PM fini wrote: "Beaver Cheese" fini ---------------- the musical?

BTW The "Make Cheese not War" would sell in France like hot cakes. Have a website made by Kelly and you'll get rich from this idea! Especially if you can get Jerry Lewis to do the ad campaign.

....they still amaze me with their sonic quality. I have been driving these with a Carver 4000 pre-amp and a Carver 15 TFM 120 Watt Amplifier combo and it is more than enough to get incredibly loud yet acoustically accurate, distortion free volume. Klipsch recommends a 100 watts for these. I found the Carver pair above to match these very well and would recommend this combination if you are in the market for electronics also.... No wonder he's selling them - look what he's been driving them with! And to think that he would recommend that combo to someone else - my ears are hemorrhaging just imagining how shrill that would sound. All you need is a mid-1980's CD player to create a match made for tinnitus. Can you say ssssssssssssibilance?

Just a few off the top of my head: Gladiator X-Files Donnie Darko Dead Man Walking The Green Mile Lost Highway Batman From Dusk Till Dawn Pirates Of The Caribbean

The large flat space on the motor plinth is where you bang your head when either listening to 80's metal or when you realize how much you overspent for this rig!

---------------- On 10/9/2003 7:17:44 AM fini wrote: Am I the only one here who has never seen a "Terminator" movie? I'm sure there is no way they could be as good as "Cannibal! The Musical." Am I the only one here who has seen "Cannibal! The Musical?" fini ---------------- Nope, I'll admit to seeing Cannibal! The Musical. It was rather uneven but the scenes with the Nihongin tribe ("Nihongin" is Japanese for "Japanese) almost made me fall out of my chair laughing! "Look at all these teepees we have. Because...we are...Indians."

---------------- On 10/9/2003 10:09:23 AM sunnysal wrote: my hovercraft is full of eels. love long and prosper. rain on my parade will ya? neat attics make for busy hands. tony ---------------- Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya! Do you waaaaant ... do you waaaaaant ... to come back to my place, bouncy-bouncy? If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me? I ... I am no longer infected. My nipples explode with delight! Judge: "Get on with it, get on with it." Bailiff: "That's fine. On the 28th of May, you published this phrase book." Publisher: "I did." Bailiff: "I quote an example. The Hungarian phrase meaning 'Can you direct me to the station?' is translated by the English phrase, 'Please fondle my bum.'" Publisher: "I wish to plead incompetence."