AndyKubicki

---------------- On 2/22/2005 1:40:04 AM J.4knee wrote: The other thing that has been rolling around in my mind was a comment Nick made about listening to different type of music on different sources and speakers in another post. I too heard a reduction in the high-end detail on the selections he spoke of and a difference in SS vs. tubes for that detail. I got to thinking we were listening to Andys ALKs on 5/2 so I swapped mine from the 4/X to 5/2 and did not notice much loss of crispness but I have a solid state amp (receiver actually) , my source is different source and the only thing I tested that I could compare to the session we had was the Craig Chaquico/ Russ Freeman disk. OK here is what I see when listened to my system. The highs are crisper on SS than they were on the tubes. Now having said that I digress back to my earlier comment about matching up a SS preamp with Tomss VRDs. The soundstage was noticeably smaller. However when I listen to SS across the board I dont notice it. Now what I lack is the depth of bass provided by the K-horns, man I really wish I bought a pair when I had the chance when I was in the Navy and of course Toms Peach/VRDs to make a really valid comparison. Maybe this whole exercise is just a weak attempt at validation of my system in my own head but I do believe there is some merit to matching tube on tube and SS on SS. Dean also brought to light the difference of Titanium tweeter in RF 7s vs. the K77s. I definitely believe there is merit to that as well, didnt PWK like the result of adding the K76 to the HIIs better than the K77s in the original Heresys? The extended range fills in better even though it is out of reach of mine if not most of our hearing. For dynamic presentation and sound envelopment I believe the Tube combo does a nicer job and SS does off some high end detail enhancement by being a more accurate reproduction albeit perhaps a less musical one. ---------------- I would like some day to get the Audire amp to match the preamp and listen to that combo, though I am very happy with tubes. The synergy might not exist for that pre with tube amps. In theory, what we like with tubes is the coloration (aka distortion). SS is probably more acurate in terms of the input signal/output signal comparison.

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Craig laments: Andy, The end bells on Tom's VRD's were suppose to be replaced by Tom with some chromed versions he had done in LA. The End Bells that are on his amps were beat up ones I had around here I took a dremmel too the bottom so they could be removed without completely disassembling the amps. But Old Tom has procrastinated on replacing the end bells. I knew that! I had to give you a hard time about something . I was ready for a stronger reaction...Tom must have warned you! Despite my telling Tom they should cool down for about a week, he took them with him...darn! So I would not mind any production rejects if you have any with any ugly parts! Just send 'em over! Dean, If I do this again, and I would like to, it's just a matter of time permitting, I'll let you know early enough to send over any X-overs you would like to have listened to.

Wow...all these posts to read and react...my ISP went down last night just as I was posting...I hate when that happens! Reacting first to Nick's colorful language (very nice writing!): And the first thing I noticed, the first thing that hit me like a slug to the chest, was not the striking interior decoration. It was not Andy's fine selection of equipment gleaming atop his Cherry finished cabinet like fake teeth. It wasn't even the evil Grin Tom shot over at me that almost had me crying for Mommy. It was The Mighty Klipsch Horns. I've never before seen these things in real life. My freaking God, these things are big! And here I thought my RF7's were monoliths! Oh no siree, I beg to differ, Andy had them sitting in each corner of his expansive wall, flanking his rack of drool-worthy gear. Utterly pristine in their condition, cloth grills as soft and fluffy as a baby rabbit, they were a stunning sight to behold. That, and the Belvedere sitting on top. Calling my name... (thank you though, Andy, for providing the much appreciated libations). My poor KHorns do need either refinnishing or veneering, but I can understand not noticing those shortcomings...the sound makes up for looks! This is a very interesting reaction after having read the other post here a few days ago about the RF7 vs KHorns. Nick, I though I did offer you a shot of the Belvedere, my apologies if I did not...I would have joined you in a drink! There is a story behind this fine Polish Vodka. Pictured on the bottle is the Belvedere Palace, which was built by my great great great uncle, Jakub Kubicki. http://www.poland.net/castles/mazovia/warsaw.shtml (That would sure make a nice home for my KHorns!) I wish my great uncle would have passed down some of his talents....I would not have been driving a truck for a living today! At least I can enjoy the architecture as I feel good drinking this fine Vodka!

Ah yes, here it is! http://www.garage-a-records.com/spin.html I will soon order my own! At one point, I wanted to hear the Audire Difet 3 (SS) preamp with the VRDs. Now this is a quality SS preamp, but, as I heard someone say as we listened, the soundstage shrank! I don't know if it's just not good synergistically with a tube amp or what, but there was a loss. Both the Peach and the VTL sounded much better!

The Scott has a two pronged plug, no ground plug. There were a couple minds convinced today. Tom was convinced he's getting KHorns, Nick was convinced he likes tubes and horns, I was convinced I need the disk cleaner Wayne has. I also need a new source, though the DVDs we played later sounded pretty darn good!

Hey Dude! I've been wondering about where you've been! How are ya? When can I help you with MIDI? Or did ya give up on that? The sound card will be getting more of a workout soon as I get an upgraded processor and memory...

Wayne what was the name of your record cleaner??? I've got to get one!! I cleaned a record on there that was noisy after many pad cleanings and when I heard it, my jaw hit the floor!! It worked sooooo much better!!! BTW, I don't think the VRDs had that much of a workout considering how little we had to turn up the volume. I'll bet we barely got up to a couple watts, which was a breeze for the VRDs!

There was something else that was made apparent to me today. Some of you may remember that I often complained of a hum and noise from my 222D, particularly in the evening. Well, all the equipment had some amount of the same noise, which tells me my house wiring SUCKS! I need to move to a newer house with better wiring and a higher cieling for my KHorns to breathe...

And thanks to all of you for carrying all that heavy equipment to bring it over! Wayne, that shot must have been after Tiger (my cat) ran out of that enclosure! He likes to sit in it, though at the volume we were listening at, I was surprized to find him in there!

One of the first things I noticed with the Peach/VRD combo was that the sweet spot widened! That was not something I expected. I would have thought the separation in the Scott was great, but it was much better with the P/V combo. Stravinsky's Firebird with all its glorious transients was handled flawlessly, the bass drum's vibrations could almost be counted, if one can count that fast. After the initial music, we started swapping things out and that's where the focus was more on sources, but more later...

Oh boy! This was fun! My head and ears are spinning. before I say anything, I must hook my Scott back up and give it a listen again, just for a frame of referrence. We did not have the Scott hooked up earlier. Tom and Jim had the good cameras, so I'm sure the pics will be uploaded soon as they get time. It's great to actually meet the faces and personalities behind the posts and avitars...Tom, Wayne, Jim & the Mrs, Nick...all very nice people with an appreciation for music as our common bond. It's too bad we can't just have a giant Klipsch party and meet more faces and personalities.. My total compliments to Craig and Mark for superbly designed equipment (except for those terrible looking transformers on the VRDs, sheesh! Those are UGLY! They're so ugly that they affected the sound! ). But Tom tells me that the new ones are nicer

Nick and all, bring vinyl if you wish...I have a B&O 4002...see ya'll in a couple hours!

Yes Nick, 1-ish. Just rented Yes-Acoustic DVD. Man, those guys can play! I will have to get that one! The neighbors did not complain, (though I live in a townhome, we are only connected at the garage) so I'm sure we'll be OK for more volume Sunday. I had it up quite loud last night Did everyone get my addy and phone #?

Wow! My head is spinning already, and we haven't even started yet! I am looking forward to meeting you all and to the sounds we will be treated to. It should be interesting. Don't worry about the interconnects...I've got plenty of zip chords to go around...

OK Tom, I just completed the loading dock I had put in (replaced the garage) so the U-Haul can just back in... I would think that the first thing we want to hear is the Peach/VRD combo, possibly rolling a couple CDPs. The suggestion for everyone to bring your favorite music is definately important if you want to compare this to what you know. Maybe even a better way to go is to pick 3-4 different recordings and play those on each piece of equip we a re comparing. Rolling CDPs is not as difficult as rolling amps & preamps... Anyone who's done this, does this sound workable?

What! You're taking it back! We can go till our ears get tired, or till the neighbors run us out!

The people living in Yorba Linda, Anaheim and Placentia would kill us!

Nick, Go ahead and bring the CDP if you don't mind. Tom is mainly interested in hearing the amps through KHorns, I'm interested in the amps and the Sony CDPs, but if I can check yours out as well why not?

That sounds good! Leave the anvill at home though....

Tom, Bring anything you wish. I would love to hear the Sony sources you have, especially with the mods. I just don't want to overburden you with all that equipment...maybe someone else wants to bring a CD player?

Do I understand you to say you had to bribe her with a new car???

No. 1 was no loss... No. 2 is a keeper for sure!

I've been reading this like a new post...when I saw my replies I had to look at the date...didn't realize this is over a year old! Sorry to hear about your nasty divorce...my K-Horns survived my divorce as well..they were in storage in my parents' garage for some time, but they've been out 'n' singing for a few years now. I'm remarries and wife knows she married the KHorns with me, though she wants me to downsize, I think she realizes that won't happen . They're mine for life!

Nick, You've got mail! Actually, I'm doing the easy part. Tom is the one bringing in the heavy equipment, so he deserves the credit here...