michaelwjones

Don’t forget Fox, Brietbart, Hannity, Limbaugh, Inghram, Drudge, 4Chan, 8Chan & Beck…

In his Thursday-evening White House coronavirus press briefing, President Donald Trump mused that bringing "light" inside the body or even injecting people's lungs with disinfectants should be investigated as coronavirus treatments. Trump made the comments after Bill Bryan, the head of the science and technology directorate at the Department of Homeland Security, discussed some research about how COVID-19 reacted to sunlight. "So I asked Bill a question some of you are thinking of if you're into that world, which I find to be pretty interesting. So, supposing we hit the body with a tremendous, whether its ultraviolet or just very powerful light, and I think you said, that hasn't been checked but you're gonna test it. And then I said, supposing it brought the light inside the body, which you can either do either through the skin or some other way, and I think you said you're gonna test that too, sounds interesting. And I then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in one minute, and is there a way you can do something like that by injection inside, or almost a cleaning. Because you see it gets in the lungs, and it does a tremendous number on the lungs. So it'd be interesting to check that. So you're going to have to use medical doctors, but it sounds interesting to me, so we'll see. But the whole concept of the light, the way it goes in one minute, that's pretty powerful."

Ozium Used in labs, vets, etc. Will eradicate nearly any odor.

I have a neighbor who works at a smokeless tobacco plant; they are an essential industry here and he is working 12 hour shifts, minimum of 6 days per week. Go figure...

USA Audio Mart & the Canuck Audio Mart have been good sites. You'd also be surprised how many times "things" just pop up by doing a Bing search of KR Audio or whatever you are looking for. As I mentioned earlier, this can be exhausting (or at least time consuming). Good luck. Mike

The grab bag is moving to North Carolina! Thanks. Mike

Bump. mj

Jim: I believe so. The 300BXLS will operate just fine in your amp, it just will not offer the increased output the tube is capable of delivering. I discovered something else that may be unique to a set of KR 300BXLS tubes I own: the base is almost the exact size as the Cary chassis cut out and I have to force the tubes down to seat. Conversely I have to exert significant up-force to remove them. I decided to relegate them to tube closet for now. Your results may vary. IMHO, the question to be asked is are they NOS or used? I don't think Cary has offered KR tubes for about 20 years or so. That said I have a pair of used KR 300B tubes form 2009 I am listening to right now. By the way, I am using Brimar NOS tubes for my rectifier and input tubes. I came across them from a fellow who once had a Melos pre & amp which was quite high end in its day so I thought I'd give them a shot. I think they work well. For my other Cary, I am using to try new JJ Tesla tubes. I'll let you know how they sound. Chasing reputable NOS tubes can be exhausting... :-) Good luck. Mike

I was at a dealers last fall and he demo'd an interesting spin for added depth. He had one of these free standing tweeters at the top rear of each speaker directed at the wall for reflectance. I A/B'd it and felt it made a noticeable and satisfying change to the sound, adding significant depth. Facing forward did not have the same impact or interest. Amazingly, they are named "Taket Batpro2." They are all over Fleabay at about $450/pair. They are about the size of a pack of cards, have 100dB effeciency and a 5 step attenuator. I thought in the right circumstance I might try a pair, but with La Scalas and my current room acoustics, it would less than satisfactory. Just throwing it our for what its worth. Mike

mostly Three Dog Night, but sometimes Cat Stevens ...

Since we've still in virtual lock down and planted in front of the hifi, Benny decided he wants a pair of 'horns. I told him we needed to sell his La Scala IIs first, so here they are. Purchased in mid-2019 from a Heritage dealer, there are B-stock in cherry finish. There is a 1/4" scratch on the rear top (exaggerated in the photo) and one on top of the box (hidden) from clumsy mounting of the horns. On the inner side of each speaker, the clear coat shows as white until I dab lemon oil on them (last photo). Once that is done, they are as new. I assume that is why there are B-stock, but there is nothing B-stock in their audio performance. Other than that, they are as new from a cat-free, child-free and smoke-free home with no issues: $4000. I am south of Nashville Tennessee and while I cannot ship them, I do have the boxes and packing to make transport easier. Please feel free to arrange an audition before buying. Thanks and please email any questions. Mike

I'm more curious where they sit to listen.

Even more interesting is Dennis Had designed both units... Thanks. Mike

Sorry for the typo; my Cary SLI-80 specifies the CV729/5U4 rectifier. My Cary CAD-300SE specifies the CV378. I listen through a pair of La Scalas primarily to jazz & vocals (although I played U2's Joshua Tree at appropriate levels yesterday...) Thanks to all. Mike

First: The opinions below when coupled with 69 cents will get you a small coffee at MacDonalds (or laughed at in Starbucks). I have purchased and auditioned several 300B tubes with my Cary amps/integrateds: Western Electric, Shuguang, KR Audio, current Cary OEM and Sophias Using my 1999 Western Electrics as the baseline, my thoughts are the KR Audio 300B tubes are just as sonically pleasing as the WE. No veil in the mid or high end and controlled “non-boomy” bass. Both provide a sense the musicians are in the room with you. To me, the best part is no Western Electric premium on KR tube pricing. Next in line are the Cary OEM followed closely by the Shuguang 300B. Since the Cary OEM tubes are now Chinese and physically look the same as my Shuguang, I suspect the Carys are cherry picked and rebranded Shuguang 300Bs. They are pleasant tubes, a bit more forward in the mid-range than the WE or KR. Non- boomy bass as well.Their value is good: the complete re-tube kit from Cary for my integrated amp (all 5 tubes) is $600. Most Shuguang 300Bs are available for less than $400 a matched pair. Finally, the Sophia are inferior in my opinion. They are rebranded from another supplier and did not sound as clean nor have the controlled bottom end of any of the other tubes. When one blew (spectacularly, I might add) after less than 200 hours, I pull them all and threw them away. Currently I am happily running KRs and have no real motivation to swap them. The Cary with KRs is a good match with my La Scalas. As another thought to consider is depending on the amp, at the millennium Cary offered both Western Electrics and KR 300B tubes and now they have a house brand. I considered adding a pair of EMLs, but I’d rather listen to the KRs than roll tubes. I may be alive long enough to see if the KRs last as long as the WEs (20 years!). That may be a consideration, but in the long run assuming no inherent tube manufacturing failure, any 300B tubes based on the WE 300B design should for “ages” without failure. So when figuring a tube cost, spreading over 10 to 20 years, even vintage WE are not that expensive. A final thought: I considered using a 300BXL, but my reading indicated the XLs need a higher voltage to sing and that 300Bs like to run at their specified voltages (300v for the 300B and 450v for the XL I believe), so I dropped that idea. I recall the Cary amps at the millennium offering the XL tubes have different output transformers and two small tube drivers differing from than non-300BXL tubed amps. Have fun and stay healthy. Mike

Great advice; it's just what I was hoping to read! Thanks and see you in Hope next time. Mike

I have one amp which came with (and is specified to use) a CV378 rectifier. I have another amp which came with (and is specified to use) a 5UG4 rectifier. Neither instruction manual discusses or says not to use a different rectifier, but as noted, specifies the respective tube. It’s time to retube. Depending upon what you read (God bless the internet), these tubes are interchangeable or cannot interchange or are bested by a 5R4GYS. It’s time to retube. May I please have some advice and thoughts from our tube experts ? Thanks in advance. Mike

An assortment of quality cables: 1 1 meter Esoteric Audio RCA interconnect 2 I meter RCA interconnects with Cardas cable 1 2 meter Monster video cable 1 I meter Monster video interconnect with f connectors 1 4 meter Monster video interconnect with f connectors 1 4 meter Audioquest Evergreen 3.5mm male to 3.5mm male cable 1 2 meter 3.5mm make to 3.5mm male cable All are in good condition as work as expected. I may uncover other things to be included. Better in your audio drawer than mine :-) $17.95 shipped to you in the lower 48. Thanks. Mike

I sold the amp which was wheeled around on the stand. Yes, its used, but in my case, the wood block on which the amp sat covered everything... The photos make it look worse than reality. Measures approximately 18" w by 23" long and stands 9" on its wheels. The back crossbar is adjustable to accommodate shorter amps. $100 plus shipping to you. Shipping could be costly give the size. If you are attending the Pilgrimage, I'll bring it to you. Or come pick it up. I'm south of Nashville TN. Please email any questions. Thanks. Mike

Outstanding hybrid integrated amplifier made in Italy with 50 watts per channel. Minimalist brushed aluminum faceplate. The unit has two pair of speaker connectors which run simultaneously allowing you to use the second pair for a subwoofer. This unit includes the optional phono section which is switchable for MM or MC. Most importantly, this unit has the level 2 upgrades from Underwood HiFi. The mods include SOUNDCOAT chassis damping material cut & applied to the inner chassi, two MULTICAP PPFXS polypropylene film and tin foil inter-stage coupling capacitors, two 1uf AURICAP metallized polypropylene preamp input coupling capacitors, twenty Japanese RIKEN ½ and 1 watt "signal path" carbon resistors (gold-plated leads), two feet of DH LABS “Revelation series” pure 99.999% silver solid core input signal wire with teflon tape-wrap dielectric, a pair of premium VAMPIRE “direct gold plated over copper body” RCA female jacks replacing the original CD input, four WBT 0763 single output binding posts, Vishay-Telefunken SF4007 ultra-fast soft recovery diodes (to re-build existing bridge rectifiers), six upgraded electrolytic capacitors are added to the power supply, two custom made Burr-Brown OPA627 op amp based pc boards dramatically upgrade the amp driver stage, TRT WonderSolder is used throughout, and four EAR large sorbothane isolation feet further dampen the chassis. The result is dead silence, great sound stage and dynamics. The bass is even tighter with no flab. It has a great grip on the bottom end of my La Scalas and Heresy, as well as a clear and layered midrange. Look for the 6 Moons Audio review and Sam Tellig’s review at Stereophile. Works perfectly. This amplifier shows a minimal flaws or scratches. Includes power cord, remote, manual & original packing. $1000. Weighs almost 30 pounds, so don’t be surprised at the cost of shipping. Or come audition and take it home with you. I’m south of Nashville. Please email any questions.

While wandering through my record store, I found two sealed copies of a Quadrophonic disc from 1973: Bonnie Koloc on the Ovation label. I have no earthly idea who this woman is, but she is still recording and performing. I'll sell one & keep the other. I have a whopping $8.69 in this; how about $8.70 plus shipping to you? Its the holiday season after all... Please email any questions., Thanks. Mike

Probably, but I'm sure several of us will be there as well... Interesting that Rene Auberjonois, who portrayed Father Mulcahy in the movie, died last week. Mike

Silicone tube dampers

South of Nashville TN. Mike