jt1stcav

Listen for yourself...the phonautograph recording from 1860 of "Au Clair de la Lune": http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/27/arts/27soun.html?em&ex=1206763200&en=fe155ca1d4c4f90f&ei=5087

It's both frighteningly eerie and magically amusing all at the same time. To think that just for 10 seconds we can go back in time and hear the voice of a woman or child singing an excerpt of a folk tune in a time that predates our American Civil War by a year! Imagine if there was an phonautogram made by President Lincoln and we could hear his voice today...it truely boggles the mind!

Well, if Dave recommends this label, then that's all the proof I need! I'll be scoping out their organ inventory for aural goodies (my subwoofers require fresh excitement). Thanks for the heads-up, Coytee.

And you know it sounds even better than it looks...even if the rack's not centered in front of the window![] I'm curious if this new room is bigger than the old room, and if this room sounds better (minus the issue with the existing carpet)? Enjoy your new home, Luther.[Y]

Better safe than sorry, I always say. And that's the reason why I no longer live in Poughkeepsie, NY. It's beautiful to look at, but hell to get around in! I don't miss it anymore.

What a great site...thanks for posting![Y]

Prounounced "sfawrt-sahn-doh", it's Italian for a tone or chord that's strongly accented or played with force...in the case with pipe organs, at full organ (virtually every stop or register on the organ is used), and that's where the term "pulling out all the stops" comes from. Magneplanars are outstanding loudspeakers IMHO, but I don't think I could ever refer to them as neat toys (and Tympanis certainly were not...that was a virtual wall of sound)! But we all have our opinions on these thin mylar panels, and I'm glad even my inexpensive MGLR1s had that spectacular life-like sound that was quite effortless when the power was there to push 'em! I'd never classify them as being "too spectacular", but then again our preferences (and our ears) differ. The fact that you drove your Maggies triamped with mid-power amplification is amazing to me, but as you've said you didn't blast yours like I did mine (and their sonics never fell apart on me...I don't ever recall hearing them distort). Oh, if only I was loaded and had multiple systems in various rooms of a large house...one room with mucho high-current SS power and huge Magnepans, another room for my flea-powered SET amp and SD Tektons, Lowthers, or Omegas, and a pair of new La Scala IIs and pCATs in yet another dedicated room...I'd never leave the house (except to buy more music)!

I'd love to audition a pair of new La Scala IIs with my 300B amp, only because I've never heard any La Scalas before and think I'd really enjoy them with my organ recordings (and with my dual subs). I have an SACD hybrid of Pink Floyd's DSOTM and a high quality CD of The Final Cut that both sound terrific fairly loud thru my SET amp (no clipping that I recall). My one brother also has a pair of mint DCM Time Windows (or some-such) from ca. '86 that really sound transparent and image like crazy. They're inefficient (86dB?), so I'm reluctant to try 'em out on my 6.5Wpc setup 'cause I know they'll probably be as bad as your DIY monitors with the Moth.

I do too, even more so than Peter Green and company from their blues period (and I liked those early albums as much as their later stuff with Mick's present band). Christine definately added something extra to the FM sound, and as much as I'm for Sheryl Crow signing on with the band, I don't know if I'm too keen yet on her doing any or all of Christine's music...I'll have to reserve judgement after I hear 'em all together. In any case, I'm still excited about a SC venture with this classic band.

I feel like crying like a li'l school girl now.[:'(] I guess someday down the road when I'm financially secure to once again live on my own, I'll get that second stereo system and create a dedicated listening room for it to play my favorite music without fear of blowing something up! And have my SET rig and SD loudspeakers in another dedicated room for all other genres of music that don't require more earth-shattering power (like Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Sarah McLachlan, et al). Thanks for the explaination, Erik.

The Maggies I had came pretty darn close, actually. Of course I couldn't blast 'em at 120dB levels (who'd want to?), but with the big Mac pushin' out up to 300 watts in my small room (and with the addition of my DIY 15" powered sub), they sounded pretty convincing with both pipe organ music at full sforzondo, large orchestral masterpieces, and with Norah Jones, Diana Krall, Sarah McLachlan, Fleetwood Mac, The Stones, Allman Bro's, U2, Genesis, et al. Hell, my present system will never "do it all" until I can afford a JuicyMusic Tercel...only then will it be complete!

I hear ya, Bruce. My 300B amp did a fantastic job with the Cornwalls (and I'd love to hear my amp through a pair of new La Scalas[]). If I was able to relocate my system to my large living room, I'd still own the CWs today. With my folks retired and living down here now, plus with my brothers (we all really need to get married and move away), there's just no room left in this small house for rearranging stereo systems. Believe me, Bruce, if I know I'm ever making a trip up your way, I'll contact you in advance for a visit. I'd love to hear what superb 2A3 monoblocks and La Scalas can do![Y]

Erik, Don't know if you read the thread concerning the Tekton 4.5 SD monitors, and I had asked the same question to Mark and Daddy Dee. Mark's response was the following: ******************************* Jim-- I don't think I saw your original question about beaming at high volumes. My Tektons have a baffle step corrector and that is all. The Butterworth alignment is the box. I listen in the near field, and not really all that loud. I have no beaming issues at all, BUT - I am not using SET amps, I am using PP. Now, with a SET amp, they may sound brighter, because SET amps often have a brighter tilt to them. I know that recently C&S built a couple SET amps and he more or less indicated they were too bright with some of his speakers which include an SD from Nirvana which is a bit like the Fostex. Now aside from all that, these are not going to be satisfactory for organ music. The bass doesn't go low enough. It has really sweet musical balance on regular music though, and that includes the bass. I seriously doubt this is the speaker for you, because of all those reasons. ******************************* So I'm assuming that for all practical purposes, pipe organ music isn't the best genre for these types of loudspeakers, especially for people like me who tend to crank up the volume control from time to time. Guess I'm really not the best representative for the SET class since I'm not all into jazz, folk or blues as much as I am with large orchestral works and compositions for the pipe organ (I should really own a more powerful KT88/6550 PP power amp I suppose).

Yeah, Mark...figured as much.[] The Cornwalls were perfect for the job, but way too massive for my small listening room. And the RB-75s with my dual Dayton subs does get the job done. But I miss the sweet, smooth sounds from single-drivers like the Loth-X...guess I can't have it both ways; listening to my favorite organ music louder than 90dB and powering SDers with flea-powered amps. Seems I was better off with my Magneplanars and a 300Wpc McIntosh amp.

I'm sorry, Dee...guess I got this statement from their website ("warm and rich bass response that is produced by a textbook Quasi third-order ported Butterworth alignment") confused with the circuit you mentioned, which obviously ain't the same. And this circuit is what yourself and Mark was talking about that used a resistor and another component to reduce or eliminate any beaming effects in the treble region?

Want to play pipe organ compositions at 90dB SPL? Wrong speaker...I suppose.[:'(]

They're nice, Erik, no doubt about that! And I bet they sound sweet with SET amplification as most crossoverless single-drivers do. But I'm so afraid to step back up to the plate with another pair of Fostex-driven single-drivers due to them beaming and sounding too forward in the treble region at higher volume levels like my Loth-X Audio Amaze did! From what I've read, a lot of drivers from Fostex and others with whizzer cones have a beaming effect in the highest frequencies when played at higher gain levels...that's the only reason why I sold my Loth-X monitors with the Stefan Stamm-custom designed Fostex tri-coned drivers; other than that, they were perfect in every way! Even with aluminum alloy phase plugs, those Loth-X drivers did tend to get bright...I suppose it's the nature of the beast, eh?

From what I've read online so far, it seems Stevie Nicks no longer wants to tour if Christine McVie won't be there (and McVie lives in England now and is officially retired from the band). Seems to me the only way Mick can keep Nicks from leaving FM is to enlist another female singer/musician. Since Stevie is great friends with Sheryl and they worked together on Nicks' last solo album, I guess it only seems fitting for Crow to join up in some capacity. Don't know who's idea it initially was, but I suppose the entire band feels good about SC signing on. Bubble gum music? Maybe this union is what SC needs...FM doesn't need to resort to bubble gum to continue. They've proved their worth years ago...I dunno.

I believe this Sheryl Crow venture with Fleetwood Mac at whatever capacity the band decides on is definately a good thing...for one, new material between the band and SC's own efforts, and a tour in the near future! I'd also like to believe that since Crow and Lindsey Buckingham both have writing/producing/engineering chops they may share their own unique experiences into a collective whole that'll benefit the band's new music (if SC is allowed to put her many talents to good use). Whether SC is to become a full fledged member of FM or just be a contributing artist, a collaboration between her and LB could yield some of their best material yet (since Tusk IMO). I would hope there wouldn't be a lot of head-butting between the two...I'm sure before any contract is signed there will be much negotiating as to what role SC will play in the creative end of things. Since Ms. Crow already reported to the press that talks are underway (while on tour with her latest album), I imagine that Lindsey is in full agreement of accepting her into the band in some fashion (and not as a Christine replacement, for nobody can ever replace her or all her contributions she's made since '70)! Whatever happens, as long as a new album is released and favorably accepted and a new world tour is generated, then I see this union as a win-win situation for SC, the band and all its fans (I'm sure the big-wigs will also benefit financially along with the bandmates, especially with a few more award-winning hits to add to their roster). Just my opinion, natch.

Sheryl Crow says she'll be joining Fleetwood Mac The Canadian Press, March 13, 2008: LOS ANGELES — Sheryl Crow says she will soon be singing with Fleetwood Mac, a move sure to give new life to the classic rock band which has not toured in several years. "I don't want to make any official announcements, but I will say that we definitely have plans for collaborating in the future, and we'll see what happens," Crow told the AOL music website Spinner.com in a story posted Thursday. Crow did not give a date but said it could happen next year. She is already thinking about what she'd like to perform. "I'd love to do 'The Chain,' I'd love to do 'Second Hand News,"' Crow said. Crow said she looks forward to working with close friend Stevie Nicks. "I think the person I learned the most hands-on from is Stevie Nicks because she allowed me not only to co-write with her but also to produce her and she's a true artist," said Crow. Crow would give the band and Nicks a boost. Spinner.com said Nicks had said she wouldn't continue with Fleetwood Mac without keyboardist Christine McVie, who retired from touring in 1998. McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 shortly after marrying the band's bass guitarist John McVie. Fleetwood Mac last toured in 2004. Crow is currently touring after the release of her newest album, "Detours." Phone and e-mail messages left with representatives for Fleetwood Mac and Crow were not immediately returned.

Craig, has your taste in music really branched off in different directions? If you've heard this album, then I'd really be impressed...

I grew up on classical music as a kid, but mostly towards compositions written for the pipe organ (since my dad worked for organ manufacturers/service firms for most of my life), that's what I grew to appreciate even with my very first stereo system as an 11 year old! Even with many system upgrades throughout the years, classical organ music is still pretty much my number one standard that's only improved with better equipment. I also still dig classic rock from the late '60s thru the early '80s, but I have noticed I don't listen to it quite as much as I used to...don't know why, really, I'm not tired of it in the least (just finished listening to Dave Mason's '70 album "Alone Together" if that means anything). I listen to classic jazz, blues and ambient/space music (synthesizers) off and on...always have since I can remember... Actually, my musical tastes really haven't changed at all since aquiring better components over the course of 33+ years. I've enjoyed all these genres of music ever since I was 11, and in the same capacity.

The only thing that scares me about going back to a crossoverless single-driver is the beaming some of them have in the upper registers at higher volume. My Loth-X Amaze had midrange clarity to die for and for that alone I thought they were keepers. They mated so well with my 6.5Wpc 300B SET amp and my single Dayton Audio subwoofer that as far as I could tell sounded seamless in their presentation. Even the highs were clean and articulate and not overly bright...that is until I turned the volume up a bit! I'm afraid even the Tekton 6.5s with the Fostex FE167E will beam at higher SPLs and be forward in the highs, thus I'll end up selling them like I did the Loth-X, no matter how great they'll sound otherwise. Does anyone here know if the Fostex drivers used in your own Tekton loudspeakers also get forward sounding highs at higher volume levels? Is this just a matter of fact and the nature of the beast with fullrange single-drivers with whizzer cones (and no phase plugs)?

Bump... Eric has a pair on eBay...the 6" version with the Fostex FE167E drivers. I'd bid on these if they weren't textured black satin (I like real wood veneers): http://cgi.ebay.com/Tekton-Design-Fostex-6-Inch-Full-Range-Monitor-Speakers_W0QQitemZ250225873764QQihZ015QQcategoryZ14991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.com/Tekton-Design-Fostex-6-Inch-Full-Range-Monitor-Speakers_W0QQitemZ250225873764QQihZ015QQcategoryZ14991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem'>

If you need some pointers, PM Greg Roberts (greg928gts). He's one of a few here who restore Klipsch cabinets to better-than-new condition IMHO.