jtice

Mike, I have a $85 Toshiba DVD that I can use just to make noise to come out of the speakers. Actually, for what it is it doesn't sound but so horrible. Just ends up not being worth the effort to get up and change the CD. Really make me appreciate the old Planet. J.

I didn't see much fuss about reliabilitymost complaints were the clicking which I doubt would bother me unless it was really loud. One guy said a firmware update cured his. Of the people who didn't like the sound, most were comparing it to very expensive players or trying to fit it into their "five digit systems." I'm just not that critical and my system is, well a 299B and Klipsch. If it's full-bodied and dynamic without being bright I'll probably be happy. I'd even buy another Rega if I could find a deal on one that I knew had been babied or was virtually new. But that probably won't happen and I can't stand having all these tubes and horns and not listening to any music! I looked at Barnes & Noble for SACD music today and they didn't have any. Is this format not in the mainstream retail market yet? Are big music stores stocking it or is it all internet sales? J.

Danny, I hate to hear about you or anyone having that much trouble and keeping that much money tied up for so long. Seems like Rega would have just sent you a new unitwouldn't cost them that much to keep a customer smiling. I was actually considering trading for a 2000 before I became aware of your experience, since he was offering trade-in value for the older one. I agree that the 2000 sounds great, but as prone as these gadgets (in general) seem to be to problems, as hard as they are to fix, and as fast as they grow obsolete, it seems prudent to try and keep the investment low. I spent some time browsing various forums to see what folks are saying about the Philips 963sa. From what I can gather it's looking like a lot of value for $379 (best price I found). That's just a bit more than what I would spend repairing the Rega and quite a bit less risky I think. Would love to hear one...doubt if there are any aound here. J.

dodger, I never considered turning it into a legal thing--that would be way over the top, imho. I was just curious as to what the consensus would be on whether the guy had any ethical responsibility. A negotiation point maybe. Now with regard to the 299B... Craigster the streetcorner amp guy had this thing, you see. He gets innocent young folks such as myself started by answering questions, giving some helpful advice, tweaking something for them, making it sound real sweet and next thing you know, mint quality stuff ready to shooI mean plug-in and play. Seems to have timing figured out tooknows when the wife is out of the country Seriously though, it's mint, prime, sweet and makes the Chorus IIs sound so fine. I was indeed fortunate that it chose me. John PS: So how's the sig now Craig you know the 'ek-s(&-)l&nt won't let me delete it.

---------------- On 8/18/2003 7:26:17 AM NOSValves wrote: What is this behind you 299B 'ek-s(&-)l&nt ?? Put what belongs there !! http://forums.klipsch.com/idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif"> ---------------- OK Craig... first you swear me to total secrecy, then you goad me for not adding the 299B to my sig, then you tease me asking how does it sound, how does it sound. So I acknowledge that this thing chose me as it's owner and that it sounds alright for a 40 year old antiqueand now you want me to tell the long version of how it came to me and why I'm sitting on two old tube amps, three pair of Klipsch, some 400 CDs and still can't listen to music because my CDP went belly up and I can't afford to replace it? Are you really ready for me to tell that story?

---------------- On 8/17/2003 7:05:53 PM mobile homeless wrote: If there is other damage or wear in that player, than the added expense of a new laser might not be the brightest solution. IT all depends on the condition. Still, I hesitate to put ANYTHING over $100 into a CD player, regardless. LEt the tech see the player and see what he says. ---------------- Mobile, Working through the logic in reverse it seems like you're saying you'd be more likely to bet on another used Planet than to spend a similar or even lesser amount on a repair, assuming the tech says it's in good condition otherwise? If that's not correct please clarify. I can see some logic the other waythat the repair would likely hold for a long time because that main portion of the unit would be new, whereas on a used unit the same thing could happen again soon. And a repair will come with some warranty and anything else that might go wrong would likely be small potatoes after the laser mechanism is replaced. It's interesting that Lessard and yourself prefer the older Planet. I was perfectly happy with mine and felt I had that part of the system stabilized permanently. In fact, even though this one pooped I still probably prefer to fix it or replace it to the other options, considering the costs. But now that I've been burned once reliability issues are magnified.

I appreciate the input from everyone. Dean & Tom, I had pretty much decided to let it go for the reasons you gave. No positive outcome to be had. Plus he was trying to helpas well as sell a new player. He's offering $150 against a $500 NAD or $200 against a $700 Revox or $250 against a $950 Rega 2000. We AB'd my Planet against the 2000 when I dropped it off and it was amazing how much resolution the newer player had and still without the brightness of the less expensive players. I'd love to get the new Rega but it's a chunk of change on the heels of other recent purchases. When I spoke with the tech guy at the US service center he made the point that I would essentially have a new player if I installed the new laser mechanism since that's about the only thing he believes is likely to fail. This option holds my interestequivalent of a new Rega Planet with no history and cost less than any of the trade-in options. I would end up with about the same money in the Rega as if I had bought it new retail. I don't feel the other players would be much of an improvementmore detail but with more brightness. Do you all see major downside to installing a new mechanism in the Rega? J.

---------------- On 8/17/2003 9:49:04 AM DeanG wrote: Definitely looks like you've landed yourself into Scott or Eico territory. You will need to factor in some additional money to have your choice gone over to make sure it is safe to use. Some parts will probably need to be replaced. Figure on $200 to bring it back to spec -- bringing with it an excellent, harmonically rich sound. ---------------- Wolk1, I've got a factory built Eico HF-81 that I think I'm ready to let go. Rebuilt by Craig a few months ago. Email if interested. John

My luck on used gear finally ran out as my Rega Planet (original) has gone belly up. I bought it about six months ago. It played well for about 4 months and then I noticed an infrequent skip or stutter. Finally it started dropping the sound out for a second or so a bit more often. I contacted an authorized repair facility and was told to expect an expensive repair ($300) if it turned out to be the laser mechanism as they would suspect. Then I called a small local audio retailer that sells Rega. He offered to take a look at it and hopefully identify the problemmaybe even fix it. A few days later he called for me to pick it up and said he couldn't do anything with it but would offer a couple hundred as a trade-in, depending on cost of the new one. So, I took it home, plugged it in and it wouldn't work at all. The display flashes and the whole unit goes haywire. I took it back to him. I'm sure he knows that he damaged it further but denies responsibility and chooses to be slippery. Says it went haywire right after I walked out the dooryea, right. I decided to stay cool and think it over, but really didn't like his response. Questions... Does anybody think this guy should accept some degree of responsibility for the condition of the player or should I just let it go? Should I spend the bucks to fix the Rega or put it on a new player? I really like the sound of the Rega but quite a bit less thrilled about reliability. The options are a)repair it for about the same money I already have in it b)buy a new unit for about the same money c)trade it (with you know who) on something like a NAD or Revox but for considerably more cash out of pocket d)take a chance on another used Rega. Recommendations on new CD or DVD players in the $300+ range? What about the Denon DVD-910 with dual Burr-Brown DACs? It would be used only for 2 channel audio. Any thoughts appreciated, John

Here are a few links that will probably be good for an hour of suspense filled reading follow the links, have fun. John asylum Tube Section Asylum FAQ Decware Lotsa Links

Here are a few links that will probably be good for an hour of suspense filled readingenjoy. John asylum Tube Section Asylum FAQ Decware Lotsa Links

So as not to leave it hanging... I have been reassured that there is no need for inverse buyers remorse. Yea, I got'em cheap but there is a heck of a lot to do, maybe more money to spend before they'll be up to speed. Can anyone tell me about sanding and refinishing? How much sanding can I do before I get too far into the veneer layer? Is there anything I can apply to the wood that will do it any good or should I just sand it? Looks like the only thing that was applied previously was an oil of some typeno surface buildup to remove. J.

---------------- On 7/31/2003 8:29:42 AM garymd wrote: Were they hitchhiking? What road were you on? I wouldn't mind something like that following me home. Yes, lots of sanding to do. That's the problem with lascalas. So much wood! They look great from the pics. I hope you got a good deal too. ---------------- Gary, Yesthey were hitchhiking. Yea, I got a dealproblem is, I got such a deal that I'm feeling guilty over it. When I found out the tweeter was blown I countered and he accepted. I don't think he was selling because he didn't like the speakers, if you get my drift. Never had problems with conscience over tradin' stuff before. My wife says to do what it takes to feel right about it. Anybody ever get themselves into a pickle like this one? John

Took a little road trip yesterday and somehow this pair of '82 La Scalas followed me home. Turns out that one of the tweeters was blown but everything else works fine. They're full of dust and dirt. I took the tweeter outit's not missing. Found a diaphragm on ebay. The color of the cabinets looks better in the picture than they actually dosome kind of oil or furniture polish turned them an uneven dull brownish color. Otherwise the wood is in good shapefew chips or nicks. But anyway, looks like I have project... If anyone has AA networks that you have replaced I'd be interested. Also would like to hear of any other ideas on network upgrades (these are AL). I'm aware of ALK but hesitant to spend the bucks. Maybe if I actually heard them I'd change my mind? Any other options recommended? Also, any suggestions on refinishing the cabinets would be appreciated. I'm assuming I'll need to do quite a bit of sandinghopefully will get down to clear wood if that stuff didn't penetrate too far. Would like them to turn out kind of golden-on the yellow side with a nice glossy finish. My wife is a sweetheartshe just smiled an rolled her eyes. John

---------------- On 7/13/2003 9:21:46 PM BigBusa wrote: I love the beemers. I especially like the older k100rs in pearl white. I already have a V1 but it just doesnt work against instant on radar ...I got nailed for 126 in a 55 mph zone while using it. I was only in 3rd gear! I knew the exact moment when they zapped me but still nothing I could do. ---------------- Ouch! Around here Virginiathat would get you weekends for awhile. I'm three for three with the judgetwo thrown out altogether and one reduced to "seatbelt violation." I'm trying real hard to be good, or less of a target anyway. Seems to be working (knocking on wood). J.

---------------- On 7/13/2003 8:54:00 PM BigBusa wrote: You got it! I sold the busa because I got too many speeding tickets. ---------------- Ah hah! You're trying to compensate for the loss of the Busa. What you really need is a K12RS with about 15-20 watts of vintage tubes. And a V-1. K12RS PilotBBG

Big, I don't suppose that's Busa as in Hayabusa? Just looking for a pattern...

---------------- On 7/8/2003 10:43:55 AM Allan Songer wrote: Joe Henderson's solo on "Song For My Father" is one of my all-time favorite passages in the HISTORY of recorded music. ---------------- Wownow that's what I call a compliment. I'm kinda nuts about it tooin fact, the whole album is so good and so easy to listen to. I've been playing it daily. It's taken awhile to not hear that other song in the melody. So what do you all think about the borrowing of the barswas it honorable imitation, as in a tribute? John

Horace SilverSong for My Father Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers w/ Thelonious Monk David Fathead NewmanMr Gentle, Mr Cool Michael BreckerThe Nearness of You Keith JarrettSilence Les McCann & Eddie HarrisSwiss Movement Michel PetruccianiBoth Worlds Anybody who likes Steely Dan need to hear "Song for My Father." John

---------------- On 7/1/2003 9:04:55 AM NOSValves wrote: Jtice where is the Sig update ---------------- Craig, You must be referring to my revival of the old Monster Interconnectsdidn't know you were so into wire! LMAO! There is that better? John

I've noticed that some sellers toss the term "excellent" into an ad like sprinkles on a cupcake. If I was serious about buying I'd pin him down on exactly what that term means by asking specific questions... like "no scratches on the front that can be seen from 2 feet." If he side steps the question you know you've got a generic excellent which doesn't mean much of anythingabove average, maybe. Language is just not sufficient to describe gear in 50 words unless the terms are defined elsewhere. There is no standard definition of terms on ebay. Then consider that you're talking about vintage gear the term seems to change to "excellent considering age." Or "excellent considering that it's been abused and stored in a damp basement for three decades." There is no substitute for a detailed description, IMHO. John

Tony, A good snipe is a thing of beauty! Check this one... one penny, seven seconds There are services that will place the bids automatically such as esnipe, hammersnipe, bidnapper, amherst. Or place it manually if you like the adrenaline rush. John

Yessir, I'd prefer to buy from other forum members any day of the week. And picking up in person is, no doubt, the way to go on large speakers. Never really had a horrible outcome from ebay or audiogon, but on the speaker deal it was pure luck. Being from the boonies (southwest Virginia) makes it difficult to even listen to similar gear before buying, so the long distance transactions provide access things that don't exist in the area. Seems like about half the Klipsch listed on ebay is Dallas, Houston or souther CA. Never tried escrow. It would prevent an out and out deception where the seller just walks away, but wouldn't protect from more subtile forms of deception such as items not workig exactly right or not being exactly as described.

I can relate to the anxiety of paying out a grand (in my case, less) to a total stranger and then just hoping that you aren't being victimized by a scamor even worse, an amateur with no grasp of reality. I have grown tired of ebay just because of the uncertainty of not knowing what sort of person you're deaing with. I bought a pair of Chorus II's from a software engineer that works for Sun Microsystems whose name is... (it's tempting). I thoroughly checked the details to confirm identity and residence before I sent funds. Everything looked good and we discussed packaging details and insurance requirements at length. Well, the speakers arrived and the boxes contained no friggin padding! He just stuck'em in boxes no more than a half inch larger than the speakers, wrote fradgile on the side, pushed a little piece of bubble wrap in one box and a thin piece of cardboard in the othernot even corrugate. He completely disregarded everything we had discussedhe had his money and he didn't give a flip what happened after that. Luckily they arrived okcredit goes to Yellow Freight for extremely gentle handling. Just because someone holds a position where you would assume they'd have to have some common sense, don't assume they actually have any. If the speakers had been trashsed in transit the insurance would not have paid a dime. John

Geo1, My point of view is a bit different. If the seller has said all "packaging and shipping costs" that would be different. Packaging is not shipping, imho. True, it would have been preferable to work all this out prior to close, but in the absence of any written statement in the auction info stating that the buyer would be responsible for packaging costs (and preferably specifying the amount), I would say it's the responsibility of the seller. I would negotiate pretty tough on this, depending on just how badly I wanted the deal to go through. This is an additional 12.5% of the totalnot exactly incidental. I've bought and sold on ebay and have never paid or charged additional for packaging, even for an amp that was heavy and very well packaged. I think you have grounds to just tell him no way and let the chips fall where they may, although you may decide it's not in your best interest to do that. John