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michaelwjones

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Posts posted by michaelwjones

  1. It may not be a joke, but I laughed out loud when I read this description in a US Audio Mart ad:   Really have to listen to know how awesome these speakers are.

     

    Really?

    • Like 2
  2. Hold the presses: I just received an email from Upscale saying their price increase is now on hold. Good news if new loudspeakers are in your future.

     

    You don't need to watch Uncle Kevie's video...

     

    Klipsch Heritage September 1 Price Increase On Hold

    From Heresy to K-Horn, though costs are going up, Klipsch has made the difficult decision to keep retail prices the same. For now. Watch the video to hear more from Kevin.

    • Like 1
  3. On 8/22/2021 at 12:15 PM, Jeff Matthews said:

     

     

    On 8/22/2021 at 12:15 PM, Jeff Matthews said:

    I've always pondered whether the best and richest life could be had by going into as much debt as possible.  Why live your life in a box when you could have enjoyed a palace on someone else's nickel?

    I remember many years ago hearing the statement if you default on a $10,00 note to a bank, you have a problem. But if it's a $100,000 note, the bank has a problem. Today its called leverage and seems to work for many people. I believe you just need the right measure of audacity to pull it off.

    • Like 1
  4. This is a matched pair of Cary Audio Design 300B tubes which were purchased as backups for my Cary amp. They are NOS and are unused; I did plug them in to verify they worked and then placed them in storage. Only selling as I bought new WE tubes and these are now extras. Please note they will not be in individual boxes but packed appropriately for safe arrival. "Blowout" to Forum members: $200 including lower 48 shipping. Please email any questions.  Thanks.

     

    Mike

    Cary 300b tubes - 1.jpeg

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    • Like 1
  5. The closet cleaning continues...  This pre is dead silent and adds, to my ears, no coloration whatsoever. That can be good or bad depending on your ears & system. Its perfect for Klipsch speakers as there is seldom an issue with the output voltage from our front ends to drive speakers without the need of additional gain. I never found a DAC or CD that could not drive my amps.

     

    The Tortuga LDRx is an audiophile grade passive preamp which comes standard with Cardas GRFA-L RCA jacks: 3 inputs and dual (parallel) outputs. Internal wiring is high quality Milspec teflon coated 26AWG silver coated copper wire. 

     

    Simple 7-button Apple Remote provides remote control, along with a rotary encoder with integral push-button located on the front panel. Volume level and status information are provided via a pair of digital displays that are invisible when the unit is off.

     

    Specifications

    • Preamplifier Type: Passive unity gain without buffer | attenuation via light dependent resistors (LDRs) in an LPad configuration
    • Attenuation Range: –60 dB  to 0 dB in a 70 step attenuation schedule
    • Nominal Input Impedance: 20k ohms 
    • Control System: Software based (updateable) 8 bit digital microcontroller driving 12 bit digital-to-analog volume control
    • Software :  Updateable via download from website and upload via USB cable from PC
    • Auto Calibration:  User enabled/disabled self-contained auto calibration of LDRs to correct for drift/aging
    • Display:  Dual numerical displays (blue) providing volume and status information

     

    https://tortugaaudio.com/products/archive/ldrx-passive-preamp/

     

    $700 plus insurance and shipping to you. The unit has no issues either cosmetically or sonically. Includes factory packing, power cable, Apple remote & photocopy of operating instructions.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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    • Like 1
  6. 42 minutes ago, RandyH said:

    what about AC  and an external  pump   , how many months per year does that run in Florida 

     

    I never had the heat on unless my parents visited for a week or two in the winter. Otherwise, my a/c was always on. Too much humidity as you point out. Went through two systems and had I stayed, a third. But the buyer got that pleasure.

  7. My nephew in Maine just purchased a turn key 27Kw Generac system for very slightly under $10,000 with dealer install & licensed electrician. He runs off two- two hundred LP tanks. Going up to that capacity from 23Kw was a whopping $500...  There was also a four month wait for the equipment.

     

    BTW, having lived in Florida for twenty years, there is a reason its called Florida Flicker & Light. When it gets cold, everyone turns on their electric heat. Rolling brownouts are a treat during the holidays. Generators come in hand for storms down there, too.

     

    Mike

    • Like 5
  8. On 8/7/2021 at 10:30 AM, JohnW said:

     

    No one warns you about the tube-rolling rabbit hole. :)

     

     

    You've now been warned twice... 😱. The worst part are backups for the "just in case" moments. You only need two, but you get three; you need a quad, but just in case, you buy that matched sextet...

     

     

    I, too, prefer the tone of EL34s to KT88, 120s, etc. Conrad Johnson has supplied [relatively] inexpensive, new Mullard EL34's in some equipment. They are very sweet in the midrange and don't give up bass. A matched quad should run about $120 or so. I am running Svetlana EL34 in my Cary right now; I think they are terrific. If you go the route of a new set of tubes, stop until you decide which family of tubes you prefer and that will take a while. Then you can start rolling. Just my thoughts...

     

    Have fun!

     

     

    Tubes - 1.jpeg

  9.  

     

    After reading Mz. Kitty’s post, I decided to replace my KR Audio 300b tubes with my new WE300b tubes. After frittering the morning away, I completely agree with her assessment. A fine vail has been removed and the sound is clear and precise. I especially note it on strings; fascinating to hear the bow or fingers move. No flab in the bass, either. A serious & worthwhile improvement.

     

    BTW, they glow in daylight, too.

     

     

    Mike

    WE 300B - 1.jpeg

    • Like 1
  10.  

     

    The 170i Transport extracts digital audio data from the iPod directly, deliberately bypassing the iPod’s analog audio electronics. In this way, the digital audio data can be routed to the digital inputs of a pre or to an outboard DAC Either way, the resulting sound quality is light years ahead of what you’d normally hear through the iPod itself. On the video side of the equation, the 170i Transport makes no attempt to bypass the iPod’s electronics but rather presents pass-through video signals via S-Video or component video outputs—the highest quality output formats the iPod can support.

     

    With the help of the Wadia 170i Transport and a good DAC , the iPod becomes a high-capacity, low-cost, portable “music server” that can hold its own in comparison to comparatively expensive and very well-regarded high end audio components.

     

    Milled aluminum construction; works exactly as designed and in very good cosmetics with no issues sonically. I had this as a 3d backup and decided that is way too much redundancy. Includes Wadia remote, power adapter/cable, worn box & photocopy of operating instructions.

     

    $125 plus insurance & shipping to you. PayPal is fine. Please email any questions. Thanks.

     

    Mike

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  11.  

    Like one or two on the forum, I have too much stuff. Time to move a few redundant pieces (how many DACs does anyone need?) But with a translucent front panel this one looks the best at night...

     

    The MHDT Steeplechase DAC is capable of up to 24bits/192kHz digital signal inputs. This DAC does not operate in NOS mode. The tube buffer may be in line to “color” the sound, but also to change output impedance more easily. The USB input section is in asynchronous operation. Three independent digital inputs; USB, BNC/RCA and Toslink. The digital inputs are independent to each other; only one will be active and is controlled by the tact switches located on front panel.

     

    Specifications:

    Digital Receiver: CS8416

    D/A converter: AK4396

    Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (± 2dB)

    Output impedance:  32 ohms

    Output level:  2.8 Vrms

    All inputs support 16/24 bits/ 32 kHz up to 192 kHz

    Dimensions (W x D X H): 276 x 150 x 60 mm

    Weight: 2 kg.

     

    Currently running a Western Electric 396A tube with a silicone damping ring. The original JAN GE 5670W will be included. No power cord - just as MHDT sells its DACs. The only issue is one of screws to hold the top plate in place is missing.

     

    $300 plus shipping & insurance to you. PayPal is fine. Please email any questions. Thanks.

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  12. 5 hours ago, moray james said:

    Best keep a ball lock in that hitch if you want to keep your camper.

    :emotion-21:  Done, thanks. Right now it's in a fenced back yard with the other car blocking the locked gate.

    • Like 1
  13. I have a group of small signal tubes from when a friend re-tubed his Mac. There are 5 Brimar 12AX7s, 5 Mac12AX7As, 4 Mac 12AT7s  & one Mullard 12AT7. These are used and probably have some life left in them, but I have no way of testing since all my tubed equipment uses 6s. But to sweeten the pot, I'll include a matched pair of unused NOS Mullard 12AT7WAs from the Tube Store. Take the whole lot - 17 tubes - for $62.50 including shipping in the lower 48. Please email any questions. Thanks.

     

    Mike

    Tubes - 2.jpeg

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  14. I'm moving and really don't want to move these (I also want to replace them with Horns). Purchased new from an authorized dealer as B stock in 2019. They have the usual B stock minor finish issues:several dark sports on the top from filling and orange peel on the lower sides that disappears with furniture polish. Other than that, they are perfect and have no issues. They will look grand in a living or listening room.I have the boxes and will help you pack, but I will not ship them. Please feel free to arrange an audition and please email any questions. I am south of Nashville. Thanks.

     

    Mike

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    LaScala issue - 1.jpeg

    • Like 1
  15. I rolled my tile saw over to my neighbor & told him I didn't need it any more. An hour later he comes by and hands me a box and says he didn't need it any more. Now each of us is saying "I got the better end of that swap."

    Anthony's junk box - 1.jpeg

    • Like 6
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