sheltie dave

I'll go ahead and say it...my chip amp was sent to the floor, where it is still mopping and moping. A little too sterile.

The 1 is the amp, the 2 is the preamp, Mike.

The preamp is the high maintenance bitcx. The amp is both as straight forward and simple as the pre is complex. I bought mine new in 1980, and was fighting one channel for the next twenty years on the preamp. The amp had new output transistors installed five years ago. Almost all SS amps need to have their bias checked to verify proper operation. Who can do it? - well, where are you? There are a number of good techs around the country. Boston is the epicenter for Apt/Holman.

Because of its complexity, it is a ***** to repair. Make sure you buy one that has been competently maintained and has a warranty, if buying from a dealer. If a private sale, get all the maintenance records. If it comes with neither, plan on having it in the shop within a year due to it being 30 years old and needing repairs. Again I stress that this is as complex a preamp as you can find. Don't expect years of trouble free use unless it is in tip top shape. It is a very good pre, and the amp is even better.

Between Vintage Vinyl, the Record Exchange, and Euclid Records, you can burn an entire day in vinyl in St. Louis.

Iain, want you to know you have an open invite to stop in for a visit, and spend the day listening to a Fairchild setup, with a 245 preamp, 255 amp, and 412 turntable. With all the work you have done, come to St. Louis and listen to one of these swank retro systems! Dave

Analog is right. The rectifier always gets replaced by a like number. The 6dj8 has variants, and is also known as a 6922, 7308, ECC88, and a few other European cousins. Just be careful you don't get taken, and if you do switch, you have done enough research so it is an upgrade, and not a foolish downgrade.

The Cary 805s are a darn good set of monoblocs. If the amps are almost brand new, then the owner should have no problem showing you the receipt for the purchase.

Erik, I'll talk to Bob in the morning. He is feeling pretty good these days, but he is hearing footsteps and knows his days are distinctly numbered. When he came to the gathering, it was his first time out of the house in three months. He would be very happy to see his DecWare going to a good home. [}]

and Ski Bum, you never trespassed into the Snark zone. No worries at all with factual posts without attitude.[H]

...and Bob's that needs a new home..

Here is Michael's new to him Decware that he positively stole from me, let me tell you![] Sawweeet!

Erik, they are still here, and they get the solid plurality of playing time on the KHorns in the main den downstairs. It is fun to see some folks' paradigms come crashing down when they hear your amps for the first time. They have a hard time grasping that a two or three watt amplifier can get them to Point A in happiness if they have the right speakers. The only problem is having a group over with more than two people, because then they want to talk, rather than listen. After all, the only thing better than listening to music with friends is talking amongst friends! The best thing about Michael buying the DecWare is it has gotten him to Point A within his budget, having a built in Alps attenuator so he can avoid getting a preamp, using common tubes that don't kill on pricing, and styling quite nicely, as well as providing him with a great looking and sounding mid-century aesthetic. BTW everyone, another friend here in Collinsville across the river has a very similar DecWare ST84 he needs to sell at $300 plus shipping. Normally I don't shill, but Bob has GI cancer and needs to sell, sell, sell, so his wife doesn't, if you catch my drift. PM with any interest.

Erik, he has heard your amps as well, but like all things, the truth really hits you when you hear something in your house on your gear. He is still babbling uncontrollably about how happy they are making him. [H] When I heard them on the Altec 604s put Eva into the room, I knew they would be a great starting point!

Tube Fanatic, in case you didn't notice, Michael twice made note of his financial constraints in his original post, so it is a significant factor in his decision making process. Secondly, this is a thread about his joy in finally getting a tube amp, after close to a year of assisted searching for just the right tube amp for him, and as such is a joy/congratulatory thread. He certainly has already heard some of the best mono tube amps, including SET amps, and they aren't even a possible purchase consideration. It serves little purpose to talk about greener pastures. The other thread you grouse about was much more a "What do I do?" thread, and even then economics is a considered factor when you consider tube purchases. When a preamp/driver tube can vary between $10 and $400, it is always good to discuss costs with a novice or newbie. Unquantified advice can often be poor advice. Like many people on the Klipsch forums(including PWK,) frugal decisions are viewed in a positive light...even if the most frugal decision turns out to iniitially be the most expensive. I'm sure Michael will be asking about EL 84 options in the coming months for the DecWare. Let's try to keep the snark out, and give Michael some good advice as he needs it.

Tube Fanatic, I would politely suggest you hold your horses, and advice, for someone who can afford said advice. Michael is experiencing the best he can within his means, and has experienced monoblocs at my house. There isn't worlds of difference if you can be satisfied with what you have. Tube amps also don't do too well with the higher side of things. They get the wider and deeper quite well, but please save the higher for a forum more susceptible to wafflemammer.

Thanks for the kind words, Bob. Seems like all the people who come want to sell, and too few want to buy. We will add a wrinkle to the next one...

I tried to get a set of Cornwalls with sheep wool in the house, but our sheltie kept herding them outside.

Last call for any more Klipsch attendees...we are looking at around forty people right now. The 1963 Khorns will be rocking!

Denton ALWAYS rocks! [] These will be rocking the 50 year old Altec 604 coaxes..

You can drive home with this set of KHorns.

They will be driven by this AARP member.

Here are the 50 year old KHorns..

This is gear that will be available at the gathering, most from a buddy that has Stage 4 colorectal cancer. While he is intent on selling everything he can, he has tremendous bills, low energy, and is not really up to any hardcore haggling whatsoever. There will be plenty of other folks that will show up eager to bargain til the moon rises, if need be, so pm, email or post if you plan on coming up. We will be having some fun and spinning some tunes.[H]

What is not to like about a Decware ST84 in a walnut cubby?