boomac

I'll keep you in mind. I'm around Milwaukee but might be willing to drive a bit, (if there's a quality golf course in the area). BTW, the Forte IIs mixed quite well with the Quartets in the HT set-up. Like I mentioned, I used an Academy, (could be available too) for the center and an RSW 10 sub. I'm not sure it wasn't close to par with Cornwalls that I use in HT now. The Forte IIs are walnut, no dents and 90% condition.

Yeah, that's a dandy system. I'm curious as to how long you've had the Shanling. I listened to a Shanling at a Forum get-together about 12 years a go and was impressed. Of course the system was first class. K-horns with a Belle center

Quartets were my first Klipsch Speakers. Enjoyed them until I joined the Forum and found a pair of Forte IIs. Used the Forte's in two channel and both speakers in an HT set-up along with an Academy. The Forte IIs sound better to me. Smoother with more base and a better sound stage. When a Forum member made a pair of Cornwalls available to me I sold the Quartets. They're both great speakers but I have to give a sizable edge to the Forte IIs. I currently use a pair in my main 2 channel system. I'm thinking you'll pay more for the Forte IIs. Probably a two or three hundred more. $350 - $400 for Quartets and $500 to $700 for the Forte IIs depending on condition. Too bad you're a long way from the Midwest. I may be selling my Forte IIs within the next month or so. Sweet as they are, I have too many Cornwalls and something has to go. I think I read, (on the Forum) that Paul Klipsch had a thing for the Forte II.

Nice Jeff. Vinnie's great! Just in case any of you haven't seen this:

The KG2.5 is a fantastic speaker. I got a pair from my father many years ago and gave them to my daughter just last year. They're very open, have excellent base and always seemed extremely accurate. $40 ea. would be a great deal.

Grew up driving Chevys on my Grandfather's farm but I have to say that the F150 is one great truck. Best looking, IMO and Ford's commercials aren't bad either. I always take notice what the cowboys are driving out in Wyoming and Montana when I'm out there and I have to say that I've seen a lot of Ram Trucks over the past couple years. Still, the F150 seems to be top choice and the resale value is probably the best of the pickups. Over the years I've been up and down some hellacious snowy/muddy hills in Ford trucks.

I miss Paul Harvey as well and that was a great commercial. Not enough to make me want to trade in my F 150 tho'!

Here's Herbie with Wayne Shorter, Stanley Clarke and my favorite drummer, Omar Hakim.

Check this out! Then check out Lee Morgan's solo on "The Way You Look Tonight", (Tina Brooks - Minor Move)

Kind of Blue is a great recording but it's not without faults. Coltrane is loud compared to the other players so in my opinion, sound wise, it's not the best recording when compared to the many other options. If you like horns, here's a short list of great stuff. Blue Tran - John Coltrane Cool Struttin' / Sidewinder - Lee Morgan Detroit - New York Junction - Thad Jones Play Boys / Chet Baker Big Band - Chet Baker & Art Pepper Song For My Father - Horace Silver Minor Move - Tina Brooks (check out "The Way You Look Tonight" featuring Lee Morgan) One Night With Bluenote - The historic all-star reunion concert (1985) - This will give you a great taste for many of the great jazz musicians. (Freddie Hubbard & Joe Henderson blow the house down)

I recently picked up a pair of Audioquest Nighthawks and low and behold I noticed my BAT Pre AMP does not have a headphone jack. Called the shop and was told i need to check out a Moon Neo Series 230 HAD or their 430 HA. I was told the 230 HAD goes for around $1500 so I expect the 420 HA is getting up there in price. Wondering if you previewed both headphone amps and if so, what made you opt for the big dog?

Ha! A new titanium knee put an end to any serious singles play for me but at least I can move around without pain. It's a hard adjustment because I always played singles a level or so above doubles. Perhaps we should have concentrated on tennis in our younger days and gone to golf in the later years. And yes, golf is a darn frustrating game. I went to assemble the Salamander Amp Stand and darn if they forgot to include the bolts. Should have by Friday so I guess it'll be the weekend before I start spinnin' vinyl. Wasn't iy you that turned me on to the Rega CD players?

I have a Pro-Ject PerspeX Turntable with a Sumiko Black Bird Cartridge. I don't think it's totally broken in yet but what I've heard so far is impressive. I'm in the process of setting up a two channel system in an up-stairs room that has become available, (kids gone) and look forward to spinning more vinyl on the Pro-Ject.

Good to hear from you Josh. Why the heck did I think you were in California? Didn't notice the new avatar look until you mentioned it but I strongly agree. I retired from coaching this year but I still play a little and continue to work with a few of the young kids. Trying to play a bit more golf these days. It's about time I got this 2 channel system set-up where I'll actually listen more. Too many LPs, (including Playboys) have been sitting on the shelf for too long. I've had the Pro-Ject PerspeX for several years and I doubt it's close to being broken in.

Don't you know where you are in Wisconsin but I bought the Aquarius from Audio Emporium. I like them and trust their opinion. Dave and his staff were never impressed with conditioners, (at any cost) until the IsoTek Aquarius came along. I hope the impact on my 2 channel system is as significant as noted at the shop. I figure we're lucky here in WI. to have several quality high end stereo shops staffed with knowledgeable music enthusiasts.

You probably have the same power company I do. Actually, I never thought such a device could make a difference. I've had some difficulty noticing a difference with speaker wire and have wondered if I just wanted it to sound better to justify the added expense. Anyway, I listened to the same CD with and without the Aquarius on two different systems and I honestly believe the sound was enhanced. Granted, I haven't auditioned it with my system but felt strongly enough about it to fork over the fair amount of money it cost.

I settled on a Salamander Archetype 5 position stand and a Archetype Amp stand. They're quite sturdy and good looking, (my opinion) and they'll give me the flexibility to move things around if necessary. Started putting the stand together and will get the amp stand on Thursday so by that evening I should be set to go. http://www.salamanderdesigns.com/products/itemtype/87e7031f-5419-be6a-e00b-506f5791364 I also picked up an IsoTek Aquarius conditioner. For me, it's the first such device that actually provided a sincere improvement in sound quality. A local dealer gave me some AudioQuest Rocket 33 speaker wire to try. Should be interesting.

I'm liking one of those Pro-Ject wall mounts that Gil supplied the link to. I think a couple of them would do the trick.

Rainy day here so I decided to get out of the house and visit a couple audio stores. I found a few options and it will all depend on how I want to set the room up and how much I want to spend. I did learn a few things tho'. Both guys I talked to have been in the business a long time. The first shop I visited is where I bought my first stereo set-up back in 1970 and they were in business 50 years before that. I've know the salesman for the 25 years. My second visit was to a newer business, at least at it's current location. The top dog there really knows stereo. I actually met the guy when Larry recommended I visit a high end seller just outside of Chicago many years ago. (BTW Larry, he loves the Basis Tables but wishes the owner were more accessible.) Anyway, their gear is top shelf. Audio Research, Cambridge Audio, Audioquest, Pro-Ject, Linn, SME, Vandersteen, etc. I bought a Pro-Ject 6Perspex SB there quite a few years ago. Both pros agreed isolation is very important. Bruce - I asked about placing equipment between the speakers and neither one ever heard anything negative about it and actually thought it could be counter productive. In fact, both suggested placing, (at least) the power amp between the speakers so as to keep the speaker wire as short as possible. Evidently, shorter speaker wire is more critical than component cable connects. At this point I figure to pick-up the equipment in Larry's link for the TT and CD Player. At the second shop I went to I saw couple amp stands that he's willing to sell me. They're low to the ground, isolated, solid and I like the wood color. The company is currently out of business so they'd like to get some current production stands under the massive Audion Research Amps they have on display. Last we talked about speaker wire. I've read quite a bit and figure good wire is expensive but I wasn't quite prepared when the last guy told me he has more in his speaker wire than in his speakers. I know what speakers he has so good Lord! I asked if they were made of gold and he said no but lots of silver! Anyway, it's always fun to see and hear how some will spare no expense to achieving better sound! BTW, I did walk out of the second shop with a new set of AudioQuest KnightHawk headphones. They sound good!

VG - Thanks all for the input.

Larry - When and where did you buy your wall mount?

Marty - Does Target Audio have a web-site? Where did you buy yours?

I plan to move my tube amp, pre-amp, CD player and turn table to a spare room we have. I need a stand, (or two) to house the equipment between a pair of Forte IIs. I've been wanting to do this for quite some time and now that all adult children have "moved on", the space is mine! I have nice gear that deserves a solid foundation, especially the TT. Keep in mind that my amp creates a fair amount of heat. It will be necessary to create a reasonable distance between it and the TT, I think! Any helpful recommendations appreciated. I've always either used built ins or modified antiques to house gear but in this case, space is an issue.

Tom, You didn't buy that from me did you? I sold a Scott, (on the Forum) that Craig rebuilt several years ago. If so, I might be interested. It was a dandy performing amp with a nice phono section. Scott

You're right Oldtimer! Ya know, whether you loved or hated them, the old original Monday Night Football Crew was great. Now it's like the nitwits have to describe and analyze every stinkin' play and they usually include some kiss-hiney comment about one of the players. It seems the color guys have all contacted diarrhea of the mouth. Typically, I either DVR or pause the games that I want ot watch and then catch up without the commercials and psyco-babble. Troy Aikman and Joe Buck aren't bad. Fortunatley, they did several Packer games this year. Still - Dierdorf set the precedent. Too bad because he was actually a pretty darn good football player.