Cicerogue

At first glance, they appear to be a pair of Minimus 7s sitting on the rail.

Actually arrived Friday but it was a busy weekend.

TJman, that was my point all along. I admit that I was a bit clumsy in the way I went about it. If you have a lacquer finish, it is as good as you are going to get because there is not much you can do to make it better. Any scratches will show more in the lacquer because it is a flatter, smoother, harder finish. The "harder" part is what makes it more durable but also makes it show scratches. Anything that will penetrate lacquer will more easily go through an oil based varnish. It just shows more in the lacquer. I would not recommend "touching up" lacquer with anything but it seems I am fighting a losing battle here. Look at it this way, the lacquer on your speakers is very similar in the way it behaves as the finish on your car. Do not apply anything to it that you would not apply to the paint on your car. I know furniture makers who sometimes use automotive polishes and glazes after their final finish. I do not because I do not like that look on the pieces I make.

Then why do you not apply oil to your lacquered speakers?

Scratches in the finish or scratches in the wood?

More susceptible than what? No finish you can apply will be as durable as the factory applied lacquer. Do not place items on your speakers. Do not subject your speakers to the ravages of the vacuum cleaner, children, pets, wives, etc. and you will be fine.

No.

What is it you believe you should be hearing that the McIntosh is not delivering? We are all chasing something. Before you move from one product to another, it is probably a good idea to know what you are chasing.

Keep in mind that you cannot operate a traditional tube amp with no load, ie speakers connected. I do not claim to know the physics behind it but from what I have read, it creates a black hole and will transport your dog into another dimension.

Lacquer, shellac and polyurethane are film finishes. They sit atop the wood. Anything with "oil" in the name is a penetrating finish and is meant to soak into the wood. There are oil based lacquers and water based lacquers. Same with polyurethanes. There is shellac and dewaxed shellac. There are natural oils and oils with the polymer additives. Applying one type of finish over a different type of finish will likely produce less than desirable results. I have Fortes from 1989 in oiled walnut that have never been altered and they look brand new. My recommendation would be to not place objects on them, occasionally dust them with a microfiber cloth and enjoy. In 30 years, they will look magnificent.

This is normal. Unless a UV inhibitor is applied, cherry will darken with exposure to sunlight. Walnut fades and becomes a bit washed out. The effect on walnut is less dramatic, thankfully.

Starlink is coming. Soon, you will get all the internet you need without leaving your country paradise.

I am not a fan of headphones for critical listening because when I move my head and the image does not change, the illusion of soundstage collapses.

Easy repair on an oil finish. If no one has messed with it and this is the original finish, I could make these look brand new.

Unbelievable this has not sold.

Cambridge Audio does not offer an all in one unit. Their streamer is another box.

My input was based on the idea that Fasthenk65 was looking for streamer, dac and amp in one box. AC power and wifi or ethernet in - speaker cables out and job done.

I have not heard this unit and, generally, I would be cautious about class d and Klipsch speakers. However, John Darko did a review of the M33 on Youtube and had it paired with Forte IIIs. I give him a certain amount of credibility. But that is just my opinion. I was once a system synergy skeptic until I had it slap me right in the face. Now I am a firm believer in the idea that amp / speaker pairing is crucial. It is difficult to find reviewers who are matching exactly the same gear you are interested in. It is even more difficult to know how much credence to give to a particular reviewer - never mind random goobers like me. Naim, Cambridge and NAD all have excellent reputations. I wish you the best in your search.

It is a good bit more money but if you can swing it, put the NAD M33 on your list of candidates. If I were looking for a one box or one box plus turntable solution, this would be the one.

Almost three years ago, I found a nice pair of nearly perfect Fortes and brought them home. I matched them to a pair of Quicksilver mono blocks I have had for some time. I would characterize the Quickies as laid back and it is a nice compliment to the forward presentation of the Fortes. About a year ago, I lucked upon a McIntosh MC 2105 and matching C-26 that left the store together in 1975, so the story goes. I must say that, after fiddling around a bit with the variable loudness control on the C-26, I really like what I am getting from this combination. It is punchy, when it should be and sweet when it should be. It seems to give me exactly what I like from whatever music I put through it. For the price of a well sorted vintage Mac setup, I think you could do quite well to consider it. I know...I am only complicating things by adding more options. But the great thing about buying and trying vintage McIntosh is you get back most or all or more than your investment, if you decide it didn't work for you.

One of the highlights for me during the Florida Audio Expo last year was exchanging a few words with Nelson Pass. There were many rooms using Pass Labs and First Watt gear.

Charles, congratulations on making it in the Audiophiliacs latest video.