kjohnsonhp

Craig built this so he knows more than I but it's a restored unit that I found sounded better than my stock restored ST-70. This unit has a Triodelectronics driver board, all new parts on the board selected by Craig, and upgraded tubes to National Electronics 6CA7. The speaker connectors are banana plugs, and a few popular mods have been made. It's tough to let this one go as stock ST-70's aren't cheap and this restoration would be costly in parts and labor. Buying it has a bundle already done is a great value. Price $595 plus $40 towards packing and shipping (I'll cover the balance). email: kjohnsonhp@comcast.net

The following 21 lp lot is for sale at $42 Delivered. I will also take offers in singles if I don't get a lot buyer. The lps are typical good used store condition. VG+ & NrMt (depending how critical you are in grading) except for the Jim Croce which is VG. If there are one of interest I can examine closer. Van Morrison -Wavelenght VAn Morrison - A Sense of Wonder Erasure - Circus A-ha - Stay on these Roads A-ha - Bunting High and Low A-ha - Scoundrel Days Bronski Beat - Truthdare doubledare Scrawl - He's Drunk Scrawl - Smallmouth Scandal Andy Summers (of Police) - XYZ M&M - Mystery Walk Martha and the Muffins - Trance and Dance Woodentops - Giant Spandau Ballet - True Spandau Ballet - Parade Crhirs & Cosey - Exotika That Petrol emotion - Chemicrazy That Petrol Emotion - End the Millennium Psychosis blues Jim Croce - Photographs & Memoreis (Greatest Hits) - VG Mark - Almond '73 NrMt

"Mercury Morris outside, Larry Czonka inside" I remember the 'phins and their perfect season with those two. How do you think my NOSValve vintage gear would compare to this "value" internet direct integrated EL34 unit w/6SN7, etc. pre-amps tubes but NO Phono? http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=processors&product=13.1 ...not that I'm interested in a 2-channel integrated....just curious.

The other idea I have been kicking around is using a pre-amp w/HT-pass-through and keeping the ST-70 you built. I could then use something a like Denon 3803 for all the movies, switching, and MC music.

I have a 5.1 multipurpose system and with the addition of an HTPC and HDTV Comcast box I have struggled to easily connect and switch between all the gear with a two channel amp and pre-amp. It also complicates my family using the system. I think I would be happier with the tube gear in just pure 2-channel mode, but having two systems isn't in my future. I'm looking at a pre/pro and MC amp setup like Parasound HALO, Onix Emotiva, B&K Ref 50, Anthem AVM20, etc. The HALO and Emotiva seem the most interesting. Most of my auditions have actually been with a Krell Showcase setup but they are more expensive. I want HDTV component switching (could use a $300 box), 5.1 movie and MC music, phono, and CD. I have only one 1080i component connection on my Mitsu and I have a HDTV box and HTPC w/component. My audio sources are Denon 2900 and MMF-5. I can't afford to keep the 2-channel gear and buy the moder HT electronics. I figure I got to make compromises with this multi-purpose system. One day I'll build a 2-channel only system.

Scott 355 pre-amp w/phono and tuner with wood case. The excellent condition unit has new signal caps installed by Craig of NOSvalves. Dynaco ST-70 amp. This EL-34 tube amp has been fully restored by Craig with a new modified driver board and audiophile components. The price is $1195 for the pair plus shipping. I'll add pictures shortly. Buying stock units and then having them upgraded is more expensive and I certainly have more invested. They are fully functional. Email kjohnsonhp@comcast.net

email kjohnsonhp@comcast.net if interested. Fallen - $7 Being john Malkovich - $7 Hannibal - $5 Spy Game - $5 Almost famous - $7.50 The Jackal - $5 The Others - $6 Bourne Identity - $7.50 Docktor Who - the five doctors - $16 Basic Instinct - $5 Licence to Kill - $4 The World is not enough - $8 Golden Eye - $8 Tomorrow Never Dies - $6.50 The Spy who loved me - $6 (spine has tear is clear plastic at top0 dr. No - $8 Diamonds are forever - $16 From Russia With Love - $16 Gold Finger - $7 Shipping is $2.00 or actual postage if you purchase more than one.

Look at bluejean cable, rhino cable, better cables (more expensive), and the revelation cables sold at av123.com. http://www.av123.com/products_category_brand.php?section=cables&brand=27 Radio Shack has some nice new cables at different price points if you want to shop at a store. I bought some of their best cables because they seemed to be in the class of those above and I was in a hurry and the Shack is near my house. These internet direct cables should give you better value than monster and not cost kilobucks like the cables you read about in TAS.

I have been listening to Jazz since the mp3's were posted and all the recommended artist links went up. I thought it might be like hearing Elvis, Beatles, Led Zepplin, U2, REM, Nirvana, etc. all at once for the first time because I'm not familiar with jazz and for many jazz is as enjoyable with as many legends as rock from my perspective. Here's my current perspective. 1. I thought the Ken Burns - JAZZ 10 DVD set was the best way for me to appreciate Jazz and it has been my most recent exposure. I read books, reviews and listened to Jazz for a few months prior to viewing this series. You can probably write a lot about the negatives of this series but I thought the positives were: * I heard and saw jazz evolve through the years with commentary on the breakthrough sounds making it easier to appreciate the landmark recordings. * a few different perspectives: black, white, critic, musician, bandmates, etc. on what they like and why. * insight on the artist and the times they lived in along with video/photo and samples of songs. I was well prepared for this intro to jazz video series having listened to the box set and familiarized myself with the key artists so the names and many of the sounds weren't new. 2. There are a few ingrediants that facilitate enjoyment of new musical styles: * interest in something new and especially if you are a bit tired of your more familiar sounds (ie pop & rock music). If you aren't really hungry for new sounds and open to new sounds and really expecting more of the same ingrediants found in your current music then the taste will probably not be enjoyed. For example, a person fond of home cooking looking for another favorite home cooking dish probably isn't going to like Chinese food. * It helped to hear and read about why others were so excited about the new sounds because it made me more interested in having the same excitement. 3. Music varies in accessibility and the less accessible music requires a matured taste and understanding. Pop music has always been easy to appreciate on the first few listens...usually simple and catchy. With classical music I found starting with popular favorites like Mozart and Beethoven's 9th helped suck me into more spicier recordings. With Jazz I found catchy swing tracks from the 30's with a dance beat were easy to enjoy and as I became more accustomed to swing I was more able to evolve into bop although I can understand how swing was "pop" music and many failed to transition to bop and especially Coltrane. coltrane's "Love Supreme" has not been a great starting point for me. Sonny Rollins has been better and Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong have been better. I have enjoyed the swing bands a lot more than I thought I would as well as the big names from around that era like Louis Armstrong (I have the Hot 5 and Hot 7 recordings) and Duke Ellington (I just have a hits CD). I like the KC Jazz (featuring Charlie Parker & Dizzie) that spun off from swing and some of the bop but start to get lost once the hard boppers get into long jams on a theme that goes on forever. Some Coltrane and Rollins gets too expreme for me although I really like "St.Thomas" and other signature tracks. I have found Billie Holiday enjoyable but also difficult at times with such a unique voice. I have three CDs of her "best" songs. The Turkish time influence on the "Take 5" landmark lp by Brubeck is exciting and the Ken Burns DVD helped me better appreciate that... I don't remember everything and sometimes get some names wrong but I'm starting to at least become familiar with the legends. I've been able to hear a lot at the library and I downloaded about 50 tracks off the emusic.com site during a trial subscription. THe Allmusic.com site has helped me select the landmark lps and recommended cuts. I saw the Miles Davis "Kind of Blue" thread. Someone said that if you buy one Jazz CD...this would be the one to own...I wouldn't say that but I think many have done that because it's sophisticated and romantic. I have it on SACD MC. I would say the Ken Burns JAZZ box set does a good job of hitting some highlights in chronical logical order...although heavy on Louis. I have heared some of the single artist Ken Burns CDs which dig deeper into the hits of the artist...they are good rentals from the library.

I likeJ: CASH Unearthed box set...TAS voted this best box set of 2003 (all styles) Some George Jones - "the race is on" "Good year for the Roses" Hank Williams Sr. O'Brother-like Blue Grass and traditional Grahm Parsons and other country rock Emmylou Harris cowpunk and all kinds of country influenced rock like COWBOY MOUTH or JASON AND THE NASHVILLE SCORCHERS.

Just curious about which brands had employees/representatives posting on this forum. I assume I can talk about other brands but those resellers and manufactureres need to identify themselves.

Last call on the Klipsch forum. I'll start preparing for audiogon and ebay this week. Thanks for looking.

I have vintage tubes with HT. I run a pure 2-channel tubes and vinyl system--no compromises (I've connected a CD player, too). I then have a center and surrounds driven by an AVR whose pre-amp out goes into the Scott 355 pre-amp's EXTRA input and out to the Dynaco Amp for the 2 mains. I set the pre-amp at 12:00 for unity gain and run the remote for my AVR. This allows me to have tubes for music and an AVR (w/DTS/etc.) for movies. The tubes sound great in HT mode, too. I don't worry about the center and surrounds being SS.

YOu can take his H/K and my Heresys (either pair $375 or $425) and you would be under budget. With the H/K and your CD/DVD player you could probably afford Cornwalls if they are local. If not you could afford a vintage repaired integrated tube amp and the Heresys.

I enjoy my analog Pioneer 50" for regular TV. When I got my Mitsu ws55819 I didn't watch regular tv on it--my Sony 17" tube and Pioneer were preferred. I do like DVD's (not of TV shows but of movies). HDTV only looks great when it's shot in full HDTV. Some HDTV broadcasts are sharper but have digital issues that are more disturbing that a soft analog picture (in my mind). My older interlaced DVD player isn't great but my PC plays a fantastic picture....especially with HD material like the CORAL REEF ADVENTURE on DVD-ROM for PC at 1080p...this is great eye candy. I have a Comcast HDTV box but I haven't watche TV since the superbowl. I mostly listen to music, watch DVDs and do my forum reading/writing on my RPTV....although tonight I viewed photos on the RPTV of my kids in the big Dallas snow yesterday. It's interesting that I got HDTV for the first time just before the Superbowl and other than surfing TV the first day I got the box I haven't watched an HDTV show (or any TV) since the SUPERBOWL. In fact I disconnected the box so I could hook my PC back up (I need a switch). When Comcast adds HDTV PVR and march madness and baseball season heats up I'll start getting my money's worth from HDTV. I would have watched the NBA all-star game but I forgot to record it (in SD on the PC) and wasn't available to watch it live.

Looks great! Thanks for sharing.

They are hard to find and for those that feel the Academy is the final piece to their system the price probably could be justified--although at around $500 someone could custom make a center. $300-$400 is a more reasonable price for the Academy. The past 6 months or so has seen the prices really jump up. For my Cornwalls I went with a Heresy center and I'm eager to hear Jeff's vertical Cornwall center which should blow the Academy away (as stated above)

I also posted this on the 2-channel forum but the Heresys are a great for HT, too (center channel, surrounds and even as mains). Attached is a link to the photos I took. http://adobe.shutterfly.com/os.jsp?i=67b0de21b34a10a065c0&open=1 1) I have two pair of Heresys and one pair of custom stands. I would like $800 for all 4 speakers and 2 stands. Both Heresys are metal squaker and based on serial numbers I's saying 1976--but I'm not an expert. a. Walnut Oil Heresys $425 87T003 & 4 b. HBR Heresy $375 w/stands P26002 and P26005.... 1976? Shipping is extra--actual out of pocket expense. I have one pair of boxes with foam corners that was used to send the WO's to me which I can contribute free. I live in TX at 75028 CONDITION: Everything sounds great and has no functional flaws I can find. * WO are very nice...only scratches are on bottom--not in photos...not bad on bottom bu noticable....if you look underneath. They do seem to be slightly different shades as the photos show...I didn't noticed that until I placed them side by side. The serial numbers are P26002 and P26005. * HBR's could use a new finish/stain. I was going to put a golden oak on them but never got to it. They look ok as is. There were two holes in frame on top from hanging == I filled them as you can see in the photo. There is a little scratching (3 light) on one side. I think there are two small chips on the edge of the vaneer. one on the bottom side and another small on a corner--1/4"...you probably can't see if photo. * I can do more photos and more desription if you like. 2) Scott 355 ($595)- nice working tuner/pre-amp when I bought it and then NOSValves put new signal caps in it. I have about $750 in the unit. I would sell for $595. Works great! Ask Craig at NOS Valves...he did the work about 6 mos ago. 3) Dynaco ST-70 w/Triode Electronics board and lot's of restoration/minor mods. Craig built this for himself but then sold when he bought the Dynas Mk. I like this one's sound better than a well restored stock unit. He can tell you more about than than I. I need to sell the Scott before I can let the Dynaco go. $1190 for BOTH total. 4) Carver C-500 Magnetic Field Amplifier - 250w/ch. I bought this new in the early 80's. Works like new. $495 Please email kjohnsonhp@comcast.net

" I am telling you all again on the board, this is the ultimate center channel." See the HT forum for eq_shalimar (Jeff's) mounted veritcal center above a 65" Mitsu....can't wait to hear it!

Klipsch--especially heritage--seems to be a love it or hate sound. Many fans of modern non-horn speakers seem to get very emotionally engaged when debating Klipsch. Being a Hornhead is not for those who want to be part of the mainstream audiophile world.. Mention the $10k VMPS RMx speakers (previous CES Best of Show)--or even their new sub $4k/pr rm30 on the Polk forum and I bet you will get a very different response. You will probably hear more respect in their positioning of the two as some brands are "IN" with the heard and others our "OUT".

Attached is a link to the photos I took. http://adobe.shutterfly.com/os.jsp?i=67b0de21b34a10a065c0&open=1 1) I have two pair of Heresys and one pair of custom stands. I would like $800 for all 4 speakers and 2 stands. Both Heresys are metal squaker and based on serial numbers I's saying 1976--but I'm not an expert. a. Walnut Oil Heresys $425 87T003 & 4 b. HBR Heresy $375 w/stands P26002 and P26005.... 1976? Shipping is extra--actual out of pocket expense. I have one pair of boxes with foam corners that was used to send the WO's to me which I can contribute free. I live in TX at 75028 CONDITION: Everything sounds great and has no functional flaws I can find. * WO are very nice...only scratches are on bottom--not in photos...not bad on bottom bu noticable....if you look underneath. They do seem to be slightly different shades as the photos show...I didn't noticed that until I placed them side by side. The serial numbers are P26002 and P26005. * HBR's could use a new finish/stain. I was going to put a golden oak on them but never got to it. They look ok as is. There were two holes in frame on top from hanging == I filled them as you can see in the photo. There is a little scratching (3 light) on one side. I think there are two small chips on the edge of the vaneer. one on the bottom side and another small on a corner--1/4"...you probably can't see if photo. * I can do more photos and more desription if you like. 2) Scott 355 ($595)- nice working tuner/pre-amp when I bought it and then NOSValves put new signal caps in it. I have about $750 in the unit. I would sell for $595. Works great! Ask Craig at NOS Valves...he did the work about 6 mos ago. 3) Dynaco ST-70 w/Triode Electronics board and lot's of restoration/minor mods. Craig built this for himself but then sold when he bought the Dynas Mk. I like this one's sound better than a well restored stock unit. He can tell you more about than than I. I need to sell the Scott before I can let the Dynaco go. $1190 for BOTH total. My one room system is very multi-function (HTPC for movies, HDTV, SACD, etc.) so I'm moving towards something that is a nice pre/pro w/HDTV component switching OR a 2-channel rig w/HT passthrough...remote, etc. 4) Carver C-500 Magnetic Field Amplifier - 250w/ch. I bought this new in the early 80's. Works like new. $495 Please email kjohnsonhp@comcast.net

I a/b'ed a mod on my older low end SONY SACD/CD player and it improved the detail, 3d image, fullness, and smoothed the attack. The difference wasn't dramatically noticable at first listen but as I compared them closure and tuned into the delta I better understood why I was enjoying the mod better. The really big jumps I've heard were moving from a 1980's SS cheapie receiver to my vintage tube gear and replacing my old consumer TT w/worn out stylus. Note I'm not a veteran audiophile... What do you think of the Music Hall players...maybe the $1500 Maverick?

The review was part of a cover story on monitors picking three at very different price points. I read a review of the RF7's in SOund & Vision about 2 years ago. They reviewer didin't like the horn tweeter...hasn't this always been the case? What did you think of the TAS "Product of the Year" award to a $699 Rotel CD player? It was a surprise to me as I don't see the revolution of this product...but then I haven't heard it.

I think I want to go with something more multi-purpose (or a pre-amp with HT pass-through). My family is using the system and we switch from 2-channel to HT to SACD MC to PS2 gaming to HTPC, etc. At the moment I have the preamp out of my AVR running into the Scott pre-amp so my SACD/CD player is flowing through the AVR and into the tube gear out to the speakers. Only the vinyl solution is pure tubes. My current setup requires I set the Scott at say 12:00 and then use the AVR for remote and unity gain. This works pretty well but I'm compromising my CD/SACD playback with the AVR in the loop. My family also forgets to turn it on...set the selection to EXTRA...set the volume, etc. I know having a multi-purpose system...especially one where the family has access to it is my problem but it's the best room for making noise and I where I have all my gear....plus it's hard to justify the expense if it's selfishly used by just me.

If you go vintage remember that just like old cars they need restoration of some degree or you risk getting sound that has the balance out of spec, noise, poor MTBF, etc. Like old cars sometimes it's a better value to buy a unit that someone else has invested all the upgrade resources into. Many times the ebay purchase price plus restoration fee (especially if you pay for this) is higher than the resale...although you can build the product the way you want it. While you are shopping check out Dodd Audio (new) Or you could buy my Scott 355 w/case & NOSValves pre-amp/tuner for $600 which is less than what I have invested. You don't need the tuner or the great phono but they come along for the ride...the tuner adds to the cool looks.