steve

Thanx for the post Joe..someday, I'd like to make it there too! Nice to know it was such a great experience! Regards Steve

see posts above you. Craig, for one did! And very well received to boot! Many forum members own his amps, and have nothing but good things to say about them. Steve

Joe it DO make a difference..although I have berber carpeting in the music room, I had to throw up a few tapestries to tame the reflections on hard drywall. I was used to paneling that would absorb the sound, not reflect it. Made a huge difference. The room is the biggest factor in my opinion.. Steve

We'll keep our fingers crossed for ya Michael..we have 3 cats ourselves..they're our "kids" (along with 3 dogs) Steve

I got 80.6..and was kind of disappointed with that score..may have to take it again..at least to check for consistency..

Erik I love both of mine! That's why I asked Lee for a comparison. I actually sold my first Assemblage, tried a few other amps, and bought the Assemblage back from the guy I sold it to! Then bought the second one! That's why I would like to hear my next "replacement" or "new" component before purchasing it. I'm happy with the Assemblage amps, but like most (not all) I always think there's something "better" out there. Steve

Lee Let me know your thoughts on the sonic differences between Craig's VRDs and the 300B..I have two of the Assemblage SET300Bs, and really like them! The midrange is excellent. I've often thought about the VRDs, but I'd like to hear them first..and being way up here, no one close has a pair to audition. Not that I don't already know Craig's excellent reputation..I'd just like to hear a set! Thanx, Steve

Max my internet has been down since Friday due my satellite modem went south..just got a new one today..anyway.. The show and pix of all the equipment was outstanding! That stuff is way over my budget..but that said, it was refreshing to see you say that multi thousand dollar pieces of equipment sounded "thin". I don't feel so bad now, thinking some of the high dollar stuff I auditioned didn't live up to the hype! Also, thanx for the insight on the cable differences! I, for one, think I can hear some cabling differences, but I can relate to your story! Too bad he didn't start with the 4K pair, and work backwards in increments ending up with the cheap cables. Think anyone would have thought the difference in sound was worth the money?? Steve

Duke! That was 40 years ago, not 20. More like Born in the USA wasn't it?

Tom B I actually owned a Scott 130..it was Craig's personal unit..I absolutely loved it..although my ONE complaint was that I heard a lot of white noise when no music was playing thru it. Craig said it was the nature of the beast, and Klipschorns just magnified the "flaw" due to their efficiency. I sold it, and I sometimes regret it. If this unit you are looking at is mint, the price isn't out of line, in my opinion. Just my 2 cents. And the phono section is phenomenal! Steve

well.I appreciated that Fini!

Uhmm Michael Ozzy short for Osbourne? Steve

I have the "Reunion" CD as well..and as much as I hate to see Ozzy replaced (I'm a tried and true ORIGINAL Sabbath fan) I can see why he would be..again. Watching the reunion tour, Ozzy isn't what he used to be..bless him. The rest of the gang certainly made it past their druggie days, and actually look rather up to the challenge. Allan, to each their own. We all have different tastes in "music"..no doubt. But I must admit, it's cool that Bill Ward is your neighbor!! Steve

Michael I'd say "The Deepest End" would be the best choice, as you get 2 cds and one 3 hour DVD for a decent price. Personally, I like all their releases, but this one would definitely showcase them. Forgot about the Dead thing Mark.thanx. I know they say Warren is one of the hardest working musicians in the business. He's everywhere!!

10 years ago, I was in Seattle looking for some hard to find Grand Funk CDs, and I stopped by a little hole in the wall CD import shop called "Soundwaves" and the guy behind the counter said, "if you're into that music, you should try some Gov't Mule". And, of course,being 1996, I said "who??!" So he gives me a demo copy, called "A Dose of the Mule" which was in fact a sampler from their second album, "Dose". Needless to say, I was hooked. I've collected everything the band has done to date. I turned on as many people as I could to the Mule, and a couple of months ago, a couple I enlightened said they were going to a Gov't Mule concert in Seattle..would like it if my wife and I went. I had to think about it..as admittedly, I don't like crowds. But seeing how the theatre only held 1400 people..and I was about to turn 50, I figured it'd be a helluva birthday present. So we jumped on the jet last Thursday, as the concert was on Friday. We stayed downtown Seattle, at the Moore hotel, as the concert was right next door, at the Moore theatre. We lined up about 45 minutes early, and this was a good move. We ended up in the 5th row, dead center. Donovan Frankenreiter opened up for the Mule, and he was really good..my only complaint was the bass player (as good as he was) overpowered the vocals and guitar..but the crowd seemed to like the artist, as did we. Anyway, the Mule came on an hour later..they played new and old..from the new "Mr. High and Mighty" as one of the openers, with the older "Blind Man in the Dark", "Bad Little Doggie", "Tastes LIke Wine", Left Coast Groovies" etc. closing with the classic "Mule" and giving an encore with the new cut "So Weak So Strong". In between they did covers of the Beatles songs "She Said" (from the Dose album) "Tomorrow Never Knows" and believe it or not, "Love Me Do". They also covered Led Zep's "No Quarter" and did one unbelievable copy of it! Some folks like variation, but I liked the fact they didn't really stray from the original! Matt Abts certainly didn't disappoint, being an original member, and his drumming abilities are unbelievable. Being an ex drummer from long ago, my jaw was agape. How that much sound could come from a person who made it look so simple was astounding. Bassist Andy Hess and keyboardist Danny Louis were no less than excellent, rounding out the sound that is Gov't Mule. And of course there is Warren Haynes. This guy just commandeers the stage. He plays the guitar like a man possessed, and his vocals are so powerful, it's no wonder they don't have any other vocalists in the group! They really don't need it! Anyway, they played for about 2 1/2 hours, every song was a treat! At times, I'm sure the sound levels reached 120-130 dbs! It actually shook my very being! Not sure I could take this on a daily basis, but now I see what others on this forum enjoy in their all solid state set ups! How in the hell do you guys still hear?? I have to admit, this was the ONLY concert I have ever been to..and like I stated before, I just turned 50 on the 12th of this month. But hey..it was worth the wait! Now when I play the DVD that came with the 2CD/1DVD release "The Deepest End", I re-live the experience. For those that haven't heard of the Mule..a brief history. Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody helped revive the Allman Brothers, at the end of the 80's/early 90's with the ABB release "Seven Turns". They played on following releases too, but ventured out on their own as Gov't Mule in 1995, recruiting drummer Matt Abts. Allen Woody died suddenly after the release of their third studio album "Life Before Insanity" and the band decided to carry on, filling Allen's slot with guest bass players on their next three albums, the "Deep End" trilogy. They settled on the aforementioned bass player/keyboardist with their release "Deja Voodoo" a couple of years ago. Anyway..it's my job to get you folks that don't know anything about the Mule to give them a listen. If you don't like rock and roll, well..you probably won't like them. But if you like straight forward, guitar/bass/drums combos, straight up R+R, this is for you. Mostly original, some covers. Any of their selection will do...but if you have a DVD player, get the "Deepest End" with 2 live CDs and the live DVD. You'll be a believer! I had a ball! If you get the chance to see Gov't Mule, get after it!! Steve

Gil That was my thought when posting the question..after all, the CD racks are only 6 inches deep..they don't come out that far from the wall..and the KHorn bass bin is still "vented" (for a lack of a better word at the moment) through the side grill. As for moving the CD racks back and forth..it's not the rack that's hard to move..it's unloading the 2,000+ CDs from the racks and reloading them..careful not to mix 'em up out of alphabetical order.. Anyway, thanx all for the input. Will have to mull this over.. When will I learn to leave things alone??!!

Ha! Actually, I think it helps..that's why I better leave everything alone..but nice try OB!

yeah, they sound pretty good right now..best not screw it up! Thanx!

as always, I'm interested in rearranging the music room..I'm in a dilemma right now, as if I move my CD racks to the front of the room, they'll be within 3-4 inches of the edge of the Klipschorns. I thought I read that KHorns need 48 inches on each wall from the corner to "breathe". Is this correct? Would I muddle the bass bin sound by putting the racks this close? It's a PITA to rearrange if I'm gonna have to put 'em right back. Anyone tried this, or currently have something close to the KHorn? Thanx Steve

Hey Dave why not ask the "8 ball" that's in the garage?? It'll tell you what you should do! What a bunch of stuff! Wonder what the "fair price" is??

I just picked up one of the AG-1000 preamps..will post my findings afetr I listen for awhile (maybe after weekend) Great looking little unit! Steve

do 6SN7 and 6SL7 tubers interchange? Steve

My litle joke about the genie was just a reply to Colter's "don't know what women want"..a little levity.. Bruce, I have been fortunate to have known my wife for 33 years, and have been married to her for 21..like you, I am very lucky, it's a team effort, and we are definitely soul mates. No disrespect was meant, and I hope none taken. I count myself very fortunate, and if I haven't said it before, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine what you have been through. My best to you. Regards Steve

yeh, you know..like the joke about the guy in California who finds the genie in the bottle, and gets one wish, and asks the genie to build a freeway to Hawaii... the genie says, "no way, too hard to build, too many materials, logistics, etc etc" and "what's your next wish?" and the guy says "I want you to explain how women think".. and the genie says.. "was that two lane or four lane?"

t's not an option with me, owning Klipschorns, but I do remember my Heresys sounding less muffled with the grilles off! But I hear differences in speaker cables too..so..