boomac

I'm listening to my fathers day gift as I write. Sonny Clark's Cool Struttin. Wow! This is exceptional stuff. The kids went out with the "Recommended List" and tried to get two of the CDs with 5 stars next to them. They couldn't find any of the others but got this and ordered the Getz/Gilberto CD. Even they have remarked that this is pretty cool music. Pretty good fathers day here also.

The Quartets are very similar to the Forte IIs. Both share the K-61 midrange and 90X40 Tractrix Horn. The crossovers are the same and the tweeters are very close. Forte IIs have a bit higher sensitivity rating. Woofers on the Quartet 10" with 12" passive, Forte II has 12" with a 1" passive. I really think, if $$$ is an issue, the Quarters would be a great choice. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3030065386&category=14993 Go to the Klipsch Homepage - click on Classic Product - then Heritage. You can compare the Forte, Forte II, Quartet and Heresy.

I have heard Quartets described as Heresy's with base. A Quartet is a little larger than a Heresy but not close to the size of a La Scala. I have heard both side by side and I own and prefer the Quartets. The bass is there. Six months ago I bought a pair of Forte IIs. If you have the room, I would recommend you take a hard look at them. They will cost a bit more than the Quartets or Heresys but that cost is justified in my opinion. A lot of people are using the Heresy for surrounds in their HT set-ups and I suspect that has driven the price up. Quartets may be the best deal out there. Look for either a pair of Fortes, Forte IIs or Quartets in your area. Save on the shipping and lower the risk of damage.

Today was a good day. I found out that my Scott 299 is on the table at NOSValves and will be ready early next week. Then, today's mail came an I opened up a very nice Stanton 681EEE Cartridge to be used on the TT that my neighbor gave me. Thanks Gary, I really appreciate it and will give it a go this weekend. It's too late tonight. I have to get up in 4 hours to head down to Olympia Fields for the day. This will be my first trip to The Open. I tried to qualify many, many years ago but never came close. Now I'll get to see some of the guys that always seem to skip the GMO. I hope to have the TT ready for the 299 audition. Me and the Forte IIs are getting anxious.

Shape, I just read where Sunday at the Village Vangard was quickly released as "a tribute" to the late bassist. I guess Scott Lafaro's picture was featured on the front cover. One of those things we will never know for sure!

Not aware that both were from the same date. I will have to check out "Sunday at the Village Vangard". My wife likes this music and it's great for the cocktail and dinner hours. I read something about an accident but don't know the specifics. Shape, how about "the rest of the story"?

From acousticsounds.com: Waltz for Debby - Original Jazz Clasics LP - $10 Waltz for Debby - Analogue Productions Test Pressing - $25 They also have: Lee Morgan - Candy ( Classic Records, (Blue Note) LP 200 gram ) for $29.99 Other than the OJC $10 LP are these quality records or should I be looking in the $50 - $100 for keepers?

Can anyone give me some advice on the quality and price of the LP listed below. Thanks http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2535453515

This was the post that started it all. What jazz do you recommend for someone new to tubes,who wants to enjoy the detail of an exemplary recording? SSH I think any form of jazz that sounds great on Klipsch Speakers is fair game. It's amazing how much I have learned from this thread.

I'm checking Alan's list and guess what I happen to have playing? Dexter Gordon's Go. It's already on the list and I give it 5 stars. Exceptional music.

John, On Friday I picked up 14 LPs at a local yard sale. Several were sealed and I didn't even take a close look at them. All 14 for $5.00. I'm reading your post and I realize one of the new records featured the artist Yo-Yo-Ma. I must admit, I didn't know anything about Yo-Yo-Ma and only grabbed it because it was sealed and said Bach on the cover. Upon futher inspection, it is not the same recordings you were referring to. I will give it a listen, however, and if enjoyable, I'll go looking for Suite 1 in G. Maybe we should add Duke Pearson's Tender Feelins to the list. I've seen it mentioned in a couple other threads including a post by Allan. Probably a worthy selection.

Steve, I'm in the same boat. I've bid on a couple Academy's but it's tough to get one. The guys are right though. It would be the best match. Other options: I have a pair of Quartets that share many parts with the Forte IIs. I have read on this forum that it's the mid that is critical and the Quartet and Forte II share the same K61 K1.5" mid and the same Tractrix horne. Crossovers are also the same and the tweeters are close. I'm looking into having someone re-do the front of a Quartet so that 1. It can be placed horizontal 2. Remove 10" woofer and replace with 2 8" ers to get the efficiency up closer to the Forte II. My RC3 II is not up to speed with the Forte IIs

"Recommended list" titles that I have listened to. 5 stars - Exceptional 4 stars - Excellent 3 stars - Very Good 2 stars - Good 1 star - ok Lee Morgan - Sidewinder ***** Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby ***** Chet Baker - Chet Baker Sings ***** Dave Holland (Big Band) - What Goes Around **** Desmound & Mulligan - Two of a Mind ***** Great stuff! I had Waltz for Debby & Chet Baker Sings on last night and for the first time in many years, my wife asked "who is that on the stereo". She and a couple visiting really enjoyed the music. Now I'm really anxious for the Scott 299 to arrive. Anxious to listen to more of the recommendations as well!

In anticipation of the arrival of the Scott 299, what should I consider listening to first. I'm starting to get into vinyl but I may or may not have a quality TT by then. I'm much more in tune with how CDs sound and that format would seem offer the best chance to correctly evaluate the differences. Many of you have been through this process so, what might you suggest?

Allan, Just ordered from Classic Records: Coltrain's - Blue Train Morgan'S - Candy Clak's - Cool Struttin Thanks

After some thought! Because the original was mono, the process to convert to stereo loses something. That's not a statement of fact but rather a question. If I were to purchace Cool Struttin from Classic Records, should I get it in mono or sstereo?

Allan, classic records has Cool Struttin in both mono and stereo. I hope this isn't too stupid a question but why would one buy the mono for the same $ as the stereo?

Ya know, old Joe Morello was a pretty talented man with the brushes and sticks. Great left hand independence. Desmond gave us Take Five but old Joe made it swing. If a guy was going to buy LPs of some of the recommended titles, what should he look for? Are "re-pressings" (or whatever they are called)as good, equal or better than originals? I suppose the orininals have a higher collector value but sound would be my main concern.

I'll have to check out Frank Butler. Two persent time drummers that could easily fit in with the likes of Krupa, Webb and the Jones' would be Steve Gadd and Omar Hakim. Both can play anything and have plenty of feel. Hakim's father played, (trombone, I think) with Ellington and Basie.

I will continue to work on a solution for the recommended list database. Thanks ShapeShifter. Although I am a fan of the late Buddy Rich, the comments made by Allan Songer are right on the money. Buddy was amazing to watch but guys like Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones, Chick Webb and Elvin Jones were drummers "to listen to". Pyrotechnical was a perfect adjective to describe Buddy. Krupa, Webb and the Jones' were like, ah, loose and slightly off the beat. They had a better feel for rhythm than Buddy did. When Allan Songer recommended Chet Baker sings, I bought the CD. I listened and wondered if Allan really knew what he was talking about. Since, I have listened to Chet two more times and damn, it does grow on you. A tip of the hat to you Allan - You do, infact, know your stuff. BTW, Didn't Sinatra deck Buddy Rich one time? Maybe it was somebody else but I thought I heard it was Frank.

I was out in the yard talking to the neighbor about things and mentioned I was looking for a turntable. He said "I have one that's just taking up space and you can have it." He gave me an Akai Ap-B20. Anybody know anything about one of these? I'm still considering either a MMF-5 or a Rega Planar P2 but for a second location, will this be ok? Also, I looked at the stylus and it doesn't look like much.

I have tried to upload the file that has the recommended titles database. It will not upload. If any of you are interested in viewing it, let me know and I will e-mail it to you. The database has most every title that was recommended in this thread. If any of you have any suggestions for uploading, let me know as well.

Craig said: "Not sure if this is true or not but someone told me open rafters are actual good for the acoustics ?? Something about sound diffusion. but concrete floors and walls are not the greatest from what I understand." What if the concrete/cinderblock walls are insulated then covered and the floor is carpeted? J-Malotky has a set up in his basement, (which is completely finished), and I didn't notice any negative sound characteristics in either 2 channel or HT. I would assume his walls are either block or poured concrete. His ceiling is drywalled. And, as Gary asked, does the carpet thickness (inc pad) affect the performance of the sub?

Allan, I took a couple newer LPs over to my friends house and gave them a spin on the turntable. Much better and I did enjoy the sound. Had not heard Grover Washington Jr's "Masterpiece" (13+ minutes) in many years. (not on any CD) There was an occasional tic but otherwise pretty clean and that record has never really been cleaned. I guess his record was either damaged, or a dog because the difference was day and night. With the 299A coming, I've been checking out the turntables.

Gary, How about an update on the 299 and new cartridge?