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1: Vinyl Asylum, RE: arm lifter (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2022-03-18, 06:26:31 (74.83.33.248)
I used the Q-up for quite a while. It worked ok for the entire time I used it, but I changed tables to a Technics 1200G. The Q-up wouldn't fit between the platter and the tonearm mount so I bit the .......
2: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Future of this Hobby (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2021-05-10, 10:09:49 (66.42.240.111)
Multi-generational interest in vinyl becoming not so rare. I have a nephew in his mid thirties who has a young teenage daughter. Both have their own systems anchored by good budget turntables. They ar .......
3: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Sach's Custom Phono Stage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2021-03-11, 09:55:55 (66.42.240.111)
I've had mine now for a couple of years. It was exactly what I was looking for. I opted for upgraded parts and a nice cherry wood case, exposing the tubes. Don also helped me select the right switch s .......
4: Speaker Asylum, RE: outdoor speakers for backyard home theater (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2021-01-22, 14:07:27 (66.42.240.111)
I have no experience with this model, but Klipsch has been doing outdoor speakers for many years. .......
5: Speaker Asylum, RE: outdoor speakers for backyard home theater (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2021-01-20, 14:34:24 (66.42.240.111)
Larger speaker companies with a broad range of speakers are the most likely to also offer outdoor and/or architectural options. I still have (packed away) bracket mount speakers from Klipsch that soun .......
6: Vinyl Asylum, RE: move up from K&K phono, any suggestion? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-09-16, 06:23:25 (66.42.240.111)
+1 for Don Sachs phono stage. I use one of Bob's Sky SUTs in front of Don's phono stage, and I probably won't change this setup. Very satisfied. .......
7: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: What's a $2500 Bang for the Buck Tube Preamp? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-08-09, 04:05:11 (66.42.240.111)
If you already have the phono stage covered (as I do) check out Linear Tube Audio's MZ2. If you configure with all the upgrades including their linear power supply it comes in under your budget. I rep .......
8: Vinyl Asylum, RE: The new SL-1200G plays 78 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-08-01, 08:19:50 (66.42.240.111)
Yes, my 1200G does specify hitting the 45 and 33 at the same time gives 78. I don't have any 78s any more but it does work. Kind of clever. I got a chuckle also when I added 45 and 33. Do the math. :: .......
9: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Speakers Determine Amplification Or A Tale of Two Amplifiers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-07-18, 08:56:03 (66.42.240.111)
I'm glad you have found a good speaker/amp pairing. That is a critical decision and sometimes the best answer isn't obvious based on specs or initial assumptions. You are right also that the room sets .......
10: Vinyl Asylum, RE: What should I buy? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-06-20, 18:06:07 (66.42.240.111)
I sort of agree with John in that getting a nice SUT is a foundation purchase. I have one of the SKY SUTs from Bob's and I'm super happy. Understand however that you need to know ahead of time what ou .......
11: Vinyl Asylum, RE: New Turntable (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-04-28, 16:08:07 (66.42.240.111)
bob24, the 1200g is fully manual. The arm only raises or lowers if I do so manually or operate the arm lift. .......
12: Speaker Asylum, RE: Sub placement/wiring questions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-04-27, 13:09:32 (66.42.240.111)
For a single sub placing it between the speakers could work but I found that on any wall facing down the wall can also work. Single subs are bit tricky in this regard. Experiment. I've been using twin .......
13: Vinyl Asylum, RE: New Turntable (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-04-26, 15:19:25 (66.42.240.111)
One of the comments that really caught my attention was your age and potentially wanting a "last" table. I'm a few years older and have been retired for a couple of years. As a retirement present to .......
14: Digital Drive, RE: I've heard at least two of the four.... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-04-26, 01:25:15 (66.42.240.111)
+1 for the Ares as well. I've had the Ares II for a couple of months now and it was well worth the money. I can't comment on the others in the OP's list. .......
15: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Entry to vinyl ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-04-09, 13:32:12 (66.42.240.111)
I like this idea for testing the waters of interest in vinyl. This or something similar would be easy to use as a first system, especially for young listeners. I'm hoping my music loving granddaughter .......
16: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Tube amp or tube preamp? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-02-19, 14:21:09 (66.42.240.111)
Like you and many others I assume, I took the tube plunge after decades of SS gear. I'm all tube gear today and won't go back to SS. To your question, a preamp IMO has more influence on the sound than .......
17: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Light Weight Record Clamps...... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-02-12, 10:35:11 (66.42.240.111)
My prior table shipped with the Clearaudio Clever Clamp. It is very lightweight plastic and it worked great. You just press down as much as you want and it pulls off easily. .......
18: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ordered one of these from Tubes 4 HiFi (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2020-01-27, 15:04:17 (66.42.240.111)
I have had this design for a couple of years now, built and upgraded by Don Sachs. Prior to ordering from Don I had already bought a nice SUT from Bobs Devices, so I was happy to find this MM design. .......
19: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: My scenario was similar . . . (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-30, 07:11:44 (66.42.240.111)
As to Ethernet vs WiFi, I have Ethernet wired to three locations in the house, but when I had the house built I wasn't thinking of digital at that point. Missed that one I guess. My listening room in .......
20: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Ethernet vs WiFi/Bluetooth (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-27, 18:15:02 (66.42.240.111)
Thanks for everyone's input into this new journey into digital. After researching on my own, looking at these forums, contacting friends with systems, and lastly visiting the two Audiophile shops in t .......
21: Hi-Rez Highway, Restating my intentions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-26, 05:46:44 (66.42.240.111)
I'm sorry I was beating around the bush with regard to my intentions. My primary goal is to add a streaming service to give me access to content I'm unfamiliar with. I really want to learn about and e .......
22: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Ethernet vs WiFi/Bluetooth (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-25, 19:24:41 (66.42.240.111)
Thanks. Gives me more to research. .......
23: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Ethernet vs WiFi/Bluetooth (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-25, 16:59:17 (66.42.240.111)
Ah, good question. Often during my evening listening my wife might be on the PC doing internet things. Those activities will draw against the Wifi bandwidth. .......
24: Hi-Rez Highway, RE: Ethernet vs WiFi/Bluetooth (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-25, 16:26:22 (66.42.240.111)
I used to use Ethernet cable to my PC but I had to move it and now use my WiFi for connectivity. I get about 26 Megabyes/sec from that WiFi connection. Is that good enough to consider a WiFi based ser .......
25: Hi-Rez Highway, Ethernet vs WiFi/Bluetooth (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-25, 12:23:00 (66.42.240.111)
I've been old school vinyl for my entire life, but I'd like to add streaming to my system. A friend has recommended the following products from Small Green Computer: Sonictransporter I5 for the server .......
26: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Pretty but ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-21, 06:43:59 (66.42.240.111)
At 104dB amazing headroom can be achieved with 20 watts. .......
27: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Pretty but ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-12-18, 07:50:10 (66.42.240.111)
I just about broke my back moving my Mac gear in and out of racks during the 20 years I owned their gear. I loved the looks but I know now the sound was only ok. My current LTA tube amp weighs just a .......
28: General Asylum, Capital Audio Fest (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-10-31, 12:34:34 (66.42.240.111)
Looking forward to attending this weekend in Rockville MD. It's been two years since going, but I remember the show as wonderful, if not the largest. Being a bit smaller allowed attendees to mingle wi .......
29: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Yes! And it's 12SN7 bro (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-10-08, 13:55:14 (66.42.240.111)
Another great option that supports both the 126N7 or 6SN7 (switchable) is the Linear Tube Audio MZ2. The unit also is an excellent headphone amp as well as integrated amp (speaker outputs) if you have .......
30: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Spirit - "Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus." (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-09-12, 08:26:00 (66.42.240.111)
Loved this record. I probably played it hundreds of times back in the day. Somewhere I lost my original print, but found it again (same Epic label as shown) a few years back in a local shop. I gave it .......
31: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Wall of vinyl (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-08-18, 05:36:55 (66.42.240.111)
I watched this show. The records were found in a crawl space beneath the house. Many were so affected by the elements they crumbled like cookies. All the records seemed to be in pretty bad shape. Obvi .......
32: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Passing the torch. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-08-14, 09:19:55 (66.42.240.111)
My intentions exactly for my granddaughter. I have a table boxed up just waiting for her to get a bit older. It doesn't hurt to encourage the young. .......
33: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Budget TT Recommendations? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-07-05, 13:32:31 (66.42.240.111)
I can't do any better pointing you in the right table direction, but as to auto lift at the end of the record I highly recommend the simple and affordable Q Up arm lifter. Only $50 from Music Direct. .......
34: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Get the SP-15, it is a better table and does 78s. Though with the 15, you will need to supply an arm; mine ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-07-04, 13:08:19 (66.42.240.111)
Thanks, Andy. Yes, by pressing both the 33 and 45 at the same time you get 78 speed. 33 + 45 = 78. That simple math had never occurred to me before getting this table. .......
35: Vinyl Asylum, RE: REVIEW: Technics by Panasonic SL-1200G Turntables (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-07-04, 04:46:11 (66.42.240.111)
Right. Money and better sound is not always a linear relationship. My ART9 costs 1/2 of what my Delos goes for, but I prefer the ART9 for everyday listening. Also, I do believe this table can support .......
36: Vinyl Asylum, REVIEW: Technics by Panasonic SL-1200G Turntables (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-07-03, 10:57:39 (66.42.240.111)
Model: SL-1200G Category: Turntables Suggested Retail Price: $4,000 Description: Direct Drive turntable Manufacturer URL: Technics by Panasonic Model Picture: View Review by jsm71 on .......
37: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Wow, surprised (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-27, 12:51:46 (66.42.240.111)
"Surely, there's some new $1000 phono stage that may not beat the EAR but is better in other ways and more of a lateral move." I was in a similar situation lately when I sold off a preamp with a MM ph .......
38: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Depends (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-23, 16:02:03 (66.42.240.111)
"I like a pre-amp that has gain controls for left and right channels, and then a Master Volume Control." My prior preamp had those controls and I saw the value in that approach. However, I also eventu .......
39: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Won't somebody please invent a re-shelving machine?!? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-23, 03:53:04 (66.42.240.111)
If returning records to the appropriate slot is considered a problem, I'd say your life if blessed. I also just leave the record next to the original slot pulled out a bit so I can see where it needs .......
40: Vinyl Asylum, RE: EAT B-Sharp turntable (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-22, 10:36:30 (66.42.240.111)
I believe the Marantz and the EAT models are similar in quality, both very good value choices. My decision to jump to the Technics SL-1200G was not dissatisfaction with the Marantz. The 1200G ($4K) w .......
41: Vinyl Asylum, RE: EAT B-Sharp turntable (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-22, 06:39:16 (66.42.240.111)
I expect the EAT table is fine. Just food for thought. Another option at the same price is the Marantz TT 15S1. It is made for Marantz by Clearaudio and ships with a Clearaudio Vituoso cart. I think t .......
42: Cable Asylum, RE: Unfortunately, that's true. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-15, 08:50:41 (66.42.240.111)
Great speaker cables can make a big difference. Since online research seems to be easier than traveling to demo sites for you, take a look at Cerious Technologies graphine treated cables. Bob Grost o .......
43: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Okki Nokki vs Project RCM (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-15, 08:10:49 (66.42.240.111)
I also have had the Okki Nokki for a number of years. I felt it was pretty effective, until I recently had a friend clean a couple of really bad records of mine that the Okki Nokki showed limitations. .......
44: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Way too much work for me... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-06-15, 07:57:50 (66.42.240.111)
Like many on this thread I've graduated step by step to better cleaning. My journey: Spin Clean - easy and fast, barely helpful Okki Nokki - Similar to most vacuum cleaners. Better, with more rigor, .......
45: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Linear Tube Audio and microZOTL amps? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-05-24, 08:14:45 (50.5.230.46)
I believe the wattage ratings are indeed worst case ratings. I was led to believe from conversations with LTA staff that the 40 watts was really higher, going into the 50s depending on the impedance. .......
46: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Linear Tube Audio and microZOTL amps? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2019-05-23, 06:06:05 (50.5.230.46)
I own both the LTA ZOTL40 amp and MZ2. I'm a huge fan. The ZOTL40 was the fourth and final amp I tried to get the best sound from my JansZen Valentina ESL speakers. I have lusted after Berning's amp d .......
47: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Who's had experience with D. Berning's ZOTL a;mps? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-12-07, 15:57:12 (50.5.230.46)
D. Bernings's ZOTL amps come from David himself (at prices that reflect his personnal touch) as well as from Linear Tube Audio. David allows LTA to use his patented ZOTL design in their amps. They are .......
48: Vinyl Asylum, RE: SUT vs new Phonostage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-11-26, 06:22:11 (50.5.230.46)
+1 for simply adding a SUT. I use Bob's like many others and am very happy. The advice on contacting Bob with the cart(s) you intend to use is exactly what I did. .......
49: Vinyl Asylum, RE: my 2 cents.... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-10-24, 17:12:57 (74.83.238.112)
"queue level" Wow, you caught me with a mental hiccup. I meant a queue control. Having to manually drop and raise an arm has caused me, even when much younger, to scratch a few records. .......
50: Vinyl Asylum, RE: my 2 cents.... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-10-24, 12:08:10 (74.83.238.112)
I agree that it should be kept as simple as possible. The Q-up was the best accessory I've ever used and I'm bummed that my newer table can't accommodate it. Just make sure the table has a queue level .......
51: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Here's a question for you all... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-08-31, 10:29:08 (74.83.38.160)
I'm told many trends skip a generation when/if they return. I'm 99% vinyl in my listening as well and my son has zero interest in audio at all, let alone all the gear. His daughter (age 3) seems to lo .......
52: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Paypal dispute pending (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-08-21, 15:10:35 (74.83.38.160)
I tried one last time to reach these folks but ended up disputing the charge from my Mastercard, which should get approved and credited. I am sorry these people are out of business. I have ordered qui .......
53: Vinyl Asylum, Soundstage Direct? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-08-20, 10:55:20 (74.83.38.160)
Has anyone dealt with Soundstage Direct lately for LP purchases? I have ordered from them successfully for years and have an outstanding order but it hasn't shipped and I can't make contact with the c .......
54: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Technics SL1200G (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-08-10, 10:53:22 (74.83.38.160)
I use a record weight that is close to 1 pound. I find it has no sonic value, but I sit a bit below the table and find it easier to know when I'm on the last cut based on proximity to the weight. With .......
55: Cable Asylum, RE: Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme Snake River Audio Boomslang Coaxial Digital Cables. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-05-30, 14:17:27 (74.83.38.160)
I agree. The CT cables were exactly what I was looking and hoping for. Synergy has been reached. I'm done with cables. BTW, all my low voltage cables in front of the preamp are Morrow, mid level. I li .......
56: Cable Asylum, RE: Cerious Technologies Graphene Extreme Snake River Audio Boomslang Coaxial Digital Cables. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2018-05-29, 10:41:57 (74.83.38.160)
I don't have the need for a digital cable in my rig, but I have a number of Cerious Technologies cables, including their latest Matrix speaker cables. These and their power cables are wonderful. How .......
57: Vinyl Asylum, RE: New phono pre. Sutherland, Whest, Tom Evans, RSA, Graham Slee (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-10-03, 09:45:19 (50.5.177.23)
+1 for the Don Sachs phono stage. It is based on the Tubes4HiFi SP16 design, and Don upgrades some of the important parts. I also opted for a nice cherry base with the tubes sticking out on top. Note, .......
58: General Asylum, Trombone for me too. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-08-20, 05:57:11 (50.5.177.23)
Thanks for passing that along. Back in 1970 our very progressive high school music director (trombone guy as well) put on a concert with a choir of 50 trombones, gathered from the best players from al .......
59: Vinyl Asylum, RE: A great MM phono stage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-28, 05:48:30 (50.5.177.23)
John, Don wasn't specific with exact part types. He notes Mundorf caps as an upgrade on his web site, but he seems to have altered his stock build. He mentioned to me "The basic version I am building .......
60: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Isolation Pads (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-25, 06:29:11 (50.5.177.23)
Many people do indeed use Iso Blocks, available from many suppliers, and they are not expensive. Don't buy them from audio companies as they will rob you on the price. The link below is just one optio .......
61: Vinyl Asylum, RE: A great MM phono stage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-24, 19:47:12 (174.233.128.162)
Oops! I transposed the first two numbers. I'll go back and edit the post with the wrong number. I in fact paid a bit over $1,200. Sorry if I scared anyone away. .......
62: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Is it just parts upgrades, or... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-22, 16:26:10 (50.5.177.23)
Lew, I'm not aware of any design changes offered/needed other than parts upgrades. He can tailor the unit for MC support. Each sale is basically custom. You can certainly ask Don. He was good returnin .......
63: Vinyl Asylum, RE: A great MM phono stage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-22, 13:19:28 (50.5.177.23)
Thanks Louie. I believe we traded emails before I pulled the trigger to buy Don's unit. You were right, I am not the least bit disappointed. Frankly, I'm a bit more impressed than I was hoping for. :: .......
64: Vinyl Asylum, RE: A great MM phono stage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-22, 13:16:46 (174.233.128.162)
John, I assume at your price you did the building. I'm a combination of incompetent and lazy so I had Don do the building along with all his recommended parts upgrades and nice wooden case. My price w .......
65: Vinyl Asylum, A great MM phono stage (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-06-22, 08:22:48 (50.5.177.23)
I recently purchased a custom built phono stage from Don Sachs, who is mostly known for his work in restoring vingtage HK, Scott, etc tube electronics. Don advises on upgraded parts if desired as part .......
66: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary synergy -explain this (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-02-19, 20:13:10 (74.83.35.140)
In the line stage I'm using Slyvania 6SN7GT - VT-231 JAN RCA, blackplate greyglass. These are really nice tube tubes and helped with a more clear but more full sound. Just quality sound. In the phono .......
67: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary synergy -explain this (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-02-18, 09:17:06 (74.83.35.140)
tim, I also have the Cary SLP98P. When I first bought it I was running wih an older McIntosh SS amp. The age of the amp notwithstanding, all Mac SS amps have in input impedance of 20k, so you are in a .......
68: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: just to be clear (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-02-04, 08:30:07 (74.83.35.140)
My intent with this review wasn't to spark a pissing contest between design approaches. If I stated a design feature that was untrue or perpetuated an already open wound I'm sorry. I am however thrill .......
69: Amp/Preamp Asylum, REVIEW: Linear Tube Audio ZOTL40 MK II Amplifier (Tube) (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2017-01-28, 10:31:36 (74.83.35.140)
Model: ZOTL40 MK II Category: Amplifier (Tube) Suggested Retail Price: $5,800 Description: Tube amplifier Manufacturer URL: Linear Tube Audio Model Picture: View Review by jsm71 on J .......
70: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Sanders Magtech Amp (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2016-10-09, 07:47:45 (50.5.229.178)
Matching amp with speakers is always important to get right. Most Magtech owners likely run Maggies, Martin Logans, or other difficult to drive speakers. I had a Magtech when I used Maggie 1.7s. I tho .......
71: Speaker Asylum, Need a new center channel speaker (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2016-06-27, 07:41:19 (70.208.216.177)
I'm moving and I've decided not to rip out my current HT center speaker from the wall because I believe to repair the wall is not cost effective and repainting might not match well enough, increasing .......
72: Tweakers' Asylum, Stillpoints Aperture Acoustic Panels (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2016-04-11, 14:45:01 (71.67.135.213)
I'm thinking ahead to a new music room that will be carved out of available space in a finished basement. I have never toyed with room treatments in my current room because I knew this new space wasn' .......
73: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Guess what's coming... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-12-26, 06:43:40 (71.67.135.213)
How many of us remember signing up and getting 10 records for a penny or something ridiculous like that? I also remember belonging to more than one of the record clubs and how hard it was to cancel. T .......
74: General Asylum, RE: Best hifi purchase ever..Roon and Tidal (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-12-25, 06:45:34 (71.67.135.213)
I read about this combination on a past Tone Audio review. The review was glowing and pretty much mirrored your feelings about the superiority of the Roon interface. I'm still a 95% analog guy and I a .......
75: Vinyl Asylum, RE: REVIEW: Phoenix Engineering Eagle/Roadrunner Power Conditioner/Surge Protector (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-12-07, 13:01:02 (71.67.135.213)
Nice review. Many have reported that speed is kept quite stable and the speed itself is right on the required number, but your review speaks to the "so what"? When all this is correct how does that ma .......
76: General Asylum, What was your first jump to audiophile class gear? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-11-29, 07:28:56 (71.67.135.213)
For me it was in the 80's after my wife and I had finally started to get ahead money wise. She green lighted the idea because she knew I wanted to and it was "my turn" to spend. Old (but listenable) g .......
77: Speaker Asylum, 29 years and counting (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-10-18, 08:01:26 (71.67.135.213)
I bought my Thiel CS3s back in 1986 when they were the flagship model and were my first step into what I felt was high end back then. They were bought for 2 channel but the system morphed into HT. I s .......
78: Vinyl Asylum, RE: NEW Technics DD Turntable; Photos & Video (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-09-15, 11:39:43 (216.82.182.34)
I hope however that the shown plinth is like a concept car and not meant for production. Something a little more understated and classy would suit me better. Jeff Rowland customers would likely disagr .......
79: Vinyl Asylum, RE: NEW Technics DD Turntable; Photos & Video (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-09-15, 10:59:21 (216.82.182.35)
This certainly has my attention. Luckily, I have about 3 years before I'll be ready to buy my retirement (last) turntable. This may well be in the list for consideration. By that time they should be o .......
80: Vinyl Asylum, RE: An honest admission (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-09-11, 14:23:30 (71.67.135.213)
I only have a a few of these, but my big one is a complete Beethoven collection on Deutsche Grammophon. The sound quality is only fair. I have listened to the symphonies quite a bit and some of the s .......
81: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: What is the purpose of the rear wave in dipole speakers? Can you just put planars in a box? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-24, 10:14:27 (216.82.182.33)
Putting larger full range planars in a box would clearly have some challenges. Smaller panels can be done that way. My JansZen zA2.1s use twin ESL panels in an enclosure where the backwave is managed. .......
82: Speaker Asylum, RE: What would be best tube amp for 100db supravox full range (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-21, 07:31:24 (216.82.182.35)
Talk to Steve Deckert at Decware. He lives in the world of high efficiency gear. .......
83: Vinyl Asylum, RE: OKKI - good price if quality issues resolved (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-20, 11:58:21 (216.82.182.33)
I've never had any failure with mine now for close to three years. I also like the dual direction capability. The transformer hum is real. I keep the cord pulled from mine as well when not in use. ::: .......
84: General Asylum, RE: The guy is amazing... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-20, 05:01:20 (216.82.182.33)
I saw him live from great seats a couple of years ago when he was in town. He was touring with Frank Vignola and the two of them played about a third of the show as a duet. That remains one of the mos .......
85: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Volume vs Gain (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-12, 05:35:13 (216.82.182.34)
Gain is usually a term applied to amplifiers. Gain limits the current such that the amp doesn't have its full potential available. Many stand-alone amps don't have gain controls, which means the full .......
86: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Marantz TT 15S1 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-03, 11:35:39 (216.82.182.34)
Clearaudio did indeed make this table. Marantz wanted a few changes over their Emotion SE table otherwise they are nearly identical, except the Marantz is a much better value. I'll check out their wei .......
87: Speaker Asylum, RE: the best speakers you've owned (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-03, 11:31:05 (216.82.182.34)
The speakers that had the biggest impact on my emotions were my first really good pair, Thiel CS3s in the late 80s. They were such a jump in quality they made an immediate and long lasting love affair .......
88: Vinyl Asylum, Marantz TT 15S1 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-08-03, 10:32:19 (216.82.182.35)
This is a two part question for other owners of this table. First, the spindle on mine seems a bit oversized (thick). No records are sloppy with this spindle and quite a few need a slight to heavy pus .......
89: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: 5 channel amp - Emotiva XPA-5 vs Marantz MM7705? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-25, 14:07:13 (71.67.135.213)
My son has the XPA-5 for his all-Emo setup. It is a great amp for HT. I'll never get another receiver. That amp with a separate processor or just using the line outs from your existing receiver, assum .......
90: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Emotiva Power Amps (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-17, 08:21:01 (216.82.182.32)
Ok, calm down dude. I actually think highly of Emo gear in their price range, but wow I couldn't watch that video. .......
91: General Asylum, RE: Newbie here on the site wanting to introduce myself (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-15, 13:05:07 (216.82.182.32)
Hi freemand. Congrats on "graduating" from home theatre to 2ch listening. That was my path. I still have the HT as well and use it about as much as you. I just needed to wait till a room opened up to .......
92: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: I'm angry as hell at Cary!... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-13, 12:10:38 (216.82.182.35)
Without Dennis Had Cary just isn't the same. His leaving wasn't as damaging as say, Jim Thiel being basically the entire company before his demise. Post Mr. Had, Cary the company seems all solid state .......
93: General Asylum, RE: How good is good enough? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-09, 07:01:29 (216.82.182.35)
For me good enough is when you have made all the swaps and tweaks you can reasonably make within your budget and you like the sound. Like wealth there is always another level, but satisfaction is more .......
94: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: MagTech or Bryston 4BSST2 for Magnepan 1.7 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-08, 07:03:36 (216.82.182.32)
My change of direction was in no way an indictment on either Maggies or the Magtech. I still recommend both as great products whenever asked, but I now have a setup that doesn't dominate the room or r .......
95: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: MagTech or Bryston 4BSST2 for Magnepan 1.7 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-08, 05:14:38 (216.82.182.32)
I had the 1.7s with the Magtech. That proved to be a wonderful match. I was running an older McIntosh amp before getting the Magtech. That proved to be an upgrade in every way. The Magtech runs much c .......
96: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Maggies with the Sanders Magtech (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-03, 11:32:57 (216.82.182.35)
I think the combo of Maggie speakers with the Sanders Magtech amp has gotten almost universal agreement as being well mated, at least by many over in the planar forum. I had Maggie 1.7s with the Magte .......
97: Vinyl Asylum, RE: DEFACING LPs (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-03, 05:46:23 (216.82.182.34)
Back in the late 60's and early 70's when getting people together for an evening of music and "mood enhancers" it was not uncommon for having records from a variety of people laying around. I put my n .......
98: Vinyl Asylum, RE: VPI Nomad and AudioEngine A5 speakers. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-03, 05:35:57 (216.82.182.34)
Many at work sit at their desks with earbuds listing to whatever on their device of choice. A few have pedistrian level headphones. It would be a gas to bring in the Nomad and set it up on my desk nex .......
99: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Looking for opinions on possible amp change (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-01, 13:22:16 (216.82.182.35)
I have the SLP-98P with NOS tubes that really improved the character and have a Bob's SUT in front for my TT. I am quite happy with this setup. The Epifania must be a quantum leap to the better. That .......
100: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: A/V Preamp For Stereo Music (Long rant) (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-07-01, 04:06:43 (216.82.182.33)
I have little to offer in the way of recommendations. It seems you have tackled the majority of issues in a pretty good manner. Doing great HT or great 2ch is not hard to figure out, but doing both in .......
101: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: A/V Preamp For Stereo Music (Long rant) (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-30, 13:32:50 (216.82.182.33)
I have little to offer in the way of recommendations. It seems you have tackled the majority of issues in a pretty good manner. Doing great HT or great 2ch is not hard to figure out, but doing both in .......
102: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Going from glass to maple... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-26, 09:45:05 (216.82.182.34)
I also agree. I like my VTI glass shelf rack because it was one of the few I found where the glass could support over 100lbs. I have everything isolated however off the glass and it helped greatly. Th .......
103: Vinyl Asylum, I will keep looking however (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-24, 07:51:02 (216.82.182.34)
Despite this year's zero yield, I will keep going back every year. I doubt the vast majority of the homes who participated will do it again next year. It's too much work to hold the sale and do it wel .......
104: Vinyl Asylum, I hate all the vinyl comeback stories (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-23, 04:55:27 (216.82.182.34)
People who have given up on vinyl long ago are now holding on to their records because vinyl is "coming back". My large (>500 homes) development had their annual rummage sale a week ago where they org .......
105: General Asylum, Stitchers episode (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-18, 12:14:08 (216.82.182.35)
What vintage amp were they putting 16 tubes into and enjoying on this week's episode? .......
106: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Turntable stand, Myrtle and Walnut for VPI Super Scoutmaster (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-16, 12:50:48 (216.82.182.34)
In the end what we like is what's important. More power to you and enjoy the system. Maintenance is clearly less expensive this way. .......
107: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Turntable stand, Myrtle and Walnut for VPI Super Scoutmaster (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-16, 10:16:12 (216.82.182.34)
I very much like your TT stand and support block. Very nice looking. The VPI Super Scout is also a nice table, but why mate it with such a budget cartidge? I'll assume the Marantz wants a MM cartridge .......
108: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Tag Sale Luck .... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-14, 06:35:07 (71.67.135.213)
Great find and great luck. I just spent Friday and Saturday hitting our development's annual rummage sale hoping to find good LPs. Nothing on display anywhere, but I did ask the right questions and to .......
109: General Asylum, RE: What is going on? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-09, 09:42:23 (216.82.182.35)
I don't think the prices per se are the point of everyone who comments on such products. I believe the deep seated disgust is more around how could such a product be worth that much money and why woul .......
110: High Efficiency Speaker Asylum, RE: Recommended amp for Voice of the Theater (VOTT) Speakers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-09, 08:47:37 (216.82.182.34)
There are plenty of options in the flea-watt SET tube amp world that likely will sound best with those speakers. Make sure the amp has 16 ohm taps to connect to. Take a look at Decware and Bottlehead .......
111: Vinyl Asylum, RE: My First Soundsmith on its way to Peter (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-06, 14:06:27 (71.67.135.213)
I did the level 2 upgrade as well. You will likely find the sound will be better than new, like an upgraded model. One thing to consider that I found was that VTA needed to be adjusted. The cartridge .......
112: General Asylum, RE: Elmination of inherent distortions through good design and materials (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-02, 05:34:59 (216.82.182.32)
Wow, you have certainly been exposed to many grand speakers and know what honest sounds like. The JansZens while not as grand as some of the models you mentioned, do have the sound one can anchor a sy .......
113: General Asylum, RE: Elmination of inherent distortions through good design and materials (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-06-01, 08:48:18 (216.82.182.33)
"The best tone and timbre (i.e. harmonics closest to right) I have heard from a system is from the likes of Apogee or electrostatic speakers with very good tube or hybrid electronics without negative .......
114: Speaker Asylum, RE: New speakers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-05-28, 05:15:01 (216.82.182.35)
Your room will likely be the biggest challenge being smaller. I have a small room as well. Consider the JansZen stand mount zA1.1 ESLs. You have plenty of power to drive these, and with their frequenc .......
115: General Asylum, RE: REVIEW: ttweights Eliminator Turntable Turntables (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-05-24, 05:57:30 (71.67.135.213)
First off, this review could have been posted in the Vinyl asylum for better focused interest. Regardless, I have been watching this company for awhile and like the heft of their designs. I don't see .......
116: General Asylum, RE: Please post your experiences with music stored on a hard drive (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-05-21, 08:35:37 (216.82.182.33)
I ripped all my CDs into iTunes awhile back and put new purchases and download options in there as well periodically. That's as far as it goes but that provides me with tollerable listening when I'm i .......
117: Speaker Asylum, Arthur A. Janszen - ESL wizard (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-05-17, 06:11:03 (71.67.135.213)
For his contribution to the KLH Nines and other speakers. Also his son David who is producing great speakers today. .......
118: General Asylum, Does design longevity impress you? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-05-16, 06:26:59 (71.67.135.213)
Are you impressed when a manufacturer keeps a model in its lineup for over a decade, or are you more impressed with rapid development? All my gear was designed in the last five years with one exceptio .......
119: Vinyl Asylum, Goggles and a lab coat ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-05-03, 07:48:23 (71.67.135.213)
With Doc Brown from Back to the Future operating it. It also needs a bunch of dials. .......
120: Vinyl Asylum, RE: My first online vinyl buying experience (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-22, 12:53:13 (216.82.182.33)
+1 Soundstagedirect.com. I always try them first. Just never buy a pre-release. You will wait forever. I always check their stated stock. I've been burned a few times here and there where they couldn' .......
121: General Asylum, RE: Emotiva is OK with me. . . (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-22, 06:01:51 (216.82.182.35)
I like their "Control Freak" which is nothing more than a rather large and heavy weight volume knob. I use it to control volume on my powered Emotiva PC speakers. Look for it on their Pro line of prod .......
122: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Isn't it a shame that even today vinyl is so marginal ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-20, 08:19:23 (216.82.182.34)
All the automation I need is the Qup device. Works like a champ. Since I have to get up to change records anyway I can return the arm and lower the arm on the next record. Auto lifting at the end of t .......
123: General Asylum, RE: From a differrent perspective … (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-19, 07:35:56 (71.67.135.213)
I'm with you on this perspective. I almost never drink anymore unless I'm listening to music alone, but sometimes with an audio friend. Also, all things in moderation. Too much and it just puts me to .......
124: Vinyl Asylum, RE: cart height (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-18, 08:26:44 (71.67.135.213)
Yes, it makes a difference. With the taller height after the re-tip you will need to raise the back of the tonearm in equal amounts. Your VTA is off. I noticed a similar effect after re-tipping a cart .......
125: Vinyl Asylum, What he said. nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-13, 16:03:11 (71.67.135.213)
- .......
126: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Speed control vs. direct drive (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-10, 05:43:01 (70.208.205.31)
Thanks to all who offered their opinion on this topic. As I start to consider what my retirement table might be I'm trying to decide if the approach to speed control is important enough to trump othe .......
127: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Additional BD/DD perspective (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-10, 05:36:26 (70.208.205.31)
I did read the interview with Harry Weisfeld. I enjoyed it alot but it was no surprise that he raved about his own product. At $30K it better be special. .......
128: Vinyl Asylum, What are the differences? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-09, 05:04:26 (216.82.182.33)
Lew, you used the words "...essential elements that make the two types sound "different". What differences are you referring to? If BD and DD both spin a platter at a controlled speed, what is there t .......
129: Vinyl Asylum, Speed control vs. direct drive (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-08, 13:28:13 (216.82.182.34)
Do various manufacturer's speed control devices give the same audible benefits as direct drive setups? I know there are tons of other factors with table and arm quality but on the topic of speed contr .......
130: Vinyl Asylum, Pretty? Not in my book (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-04-02, 09:53:58 (216.82.182.33)
High quality? You bet. Pretty is the AMG Viella 12. .......
131: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Three way selector box (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-28, 07:39:14 (71.67.135.213)
Sometimes simple is all you need if its well made. Check out the link for a selector box. Graham Slee makes a couple of well reviewed MM phono preamps in your range. .......
132: Speaker Asylum, RE: How to get the midrange right ? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-27, 05:09:23 (216.82.182.33)
I agree getting the midrange right is where you start. I really enjoyed the video. Those look like some nice speakers and it seems he had all the right objectives considered in his design. You probabl .......
133: Speaker Asylum, B & W (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-25, 05:30:39 (216.82.182.34)
Bowers and Wilkins has been selling architectural speakers for a great many years. Lots of options. You likely will need to resize the holes. Having the wire already there is what is key. Most archit .......
134: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: electrostatic waf cure? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-22, 13:53:53 (71.67.135.213)
The fact that the JansZens don't have to be 4 feet out into the room was in fact an other consideration for buying them. They sound better than the Maggies I had and they are considerably more practic .......
135: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: electrostatic waf cure? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-22, 08:03:13 (71.67.135.213)
I bought these for the great audio quality. The fact that they have high WAF is just a bonus, although my wife never complained about the looks of our Maggies. .......
136: General Asylum, Why not post a build list (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-19, 05:14:03 (216.82.182.33)
When I bought my Decware (much smaller company) amp I tracked my build wait (about 12 weeks) from a posted build list made available on their web site. The actual names were not supplied, only somethi .......
137: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: FWIW... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-13, 05:23:42 (216.82.182.34)
You made me go to their site to check this out. I use Emo powered speakers with a Dragonfly DAC for my PC. I adjust volume with tiny buttons on the top row of my keyboard, which works but.... I'll be .......
138: General Asylum, RE: Regenerate Cochlear Hair Cells? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-13, 05:10:24 (216.82.182.34)
Thanks for sharing. After crossing the 60 barrier I crudely tested my hearing and I know I can't hear above 8-9k Hz any longer and it will continue to dip further with age. If many years from now this .......
139: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Best cure for WAF problems? Get a different wife. n/t (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-08, 09:58:43 (71.67.135.213)
Not the most economical option, but a common solution. .......
140: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: electrostatic waf cure? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-08, 08:45:02 (71.67.135.213)
Or you can forget gimmicks and just get a high quality ESL with high WAF and easy placement options. .......
141: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Shine (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-08, 08:13:21 (71.67.135.213)
You might get a better response on the tubes forum. Also state what brands you have now and what sound you might be looking for. .......
142: Vinyl Asylum, Linear tracking arms and other budget choices (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-07, 09:50:38 (71.67.135.213)
I've never owned a table with a linear arm but I've drooled looking at them. I can see the advantages if done well. At what price point do good linear arms start? At what price point does someone of .......
143: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: The Parasound integrated is here - and sold out. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-06, 05:09:29 (216.82.182.33)
If I ever wanted to simplify this would be a contender. .......
144: General Asylum, RE: You won the lottery! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-06, 04:46:15 (216.82.182.33)
Ok, I'll play, but I won't name any gear. My wife and I have always enjoyed picking our next house. We're on #5 currently and built 3 of them so we would definately build again. The budget would be di .......
145: Cable Asylum, RE: Morrow MA-3s (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-04, 13:01:13 (71.67.135.213)
+1 on Morrow's used cables. My first Morrow was a new MA4 interconnect between my preamp (tube) and amp (tube). Once I learned I liked their ICs I've bought used PH4 and another MA4 (used). Morrow cus .......
146: General Asylum, RE: The struggles we went through, today's kids will never know (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-03, 05:25:30 (216.82.182.32)
The comment about timing radio broadcasts in order to tape the song really hit home with me. I had a run of reel to reel recorders back in the day (nothing really high end) and enjoyed trying to make .......
147: Speaker Asylum, RE: Need a receiver for Polk LSi25s (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-03-02, 05:44:38 (216.82.182.33)
I have a NAD 765 running 4 ohm Thiel speakers in my HT. NAD receivers are better than average for music listening if you need to stay with a receiver. The NAD 758 also has all the audio preamp outputs .......
148: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Emotiva has one.... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-28, 07:46:47 (71.67.135.213)
If you are trying to stay budget but are worried about how it sounds get something you can return easily, like the Emotiva suggestion. Return shipping would be small I'm guessing. Emotiva gear is clea .......
149: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: What has been your amplifier (s) journey? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-23, 13:02:56 (216.82.182.32)
1987 McIntosh MC7270 - Thiel CS3 speakers - first shot at hi end 2010 McIntosh MC7270 - Maggie 1.7 speakers - first planars and dedicated room 2011 Sanders Magtech - Maggie 1.7 speakers - THE a .......
150: Vinyl Asylum, Stay with the Morrows (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-20, 05:41:42 (216.82.182.35)
You don't need shielded cable going to your amp unless your area has tons of interference in the air. Morrow recently opened up a sale on their used cables, which is still going on for a few more days .......
151: Tubes Asylum, RE: What's your opinion on newly built tube gear? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-18, 12:44:21 (216.82.182.34)
Add Decware to the list of well built point-to-point designs. Steve Deckert also picks quality parts and assumes no failures since they are warranted for life. I'm sure he has to work on a unit occasi .......
152: Speaker Asylum, RE: JBL L-100 SPEAKERS (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-17, 10:07:42 (216.82.182.34)
The wife and I had a pair driven off a very nice Harmon Kardon receiver back in the day. We played mostly rock back than. One fine day we were robbed. They took the HK (damn) a few other trinkets, but .......
153: General Asylum, Maybe she's just a music lover (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-11, 05:46:01 (216.82.182.33)
"This is nothing more than a tablet and a pair of cans" Maybe she saw the cans and simply feels they are more comfortable than earbuds, and also happens to enjoy the better sound. She won't become an .......
154: General Asylum, The Three Bells (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-10, 05:26:43 (216.82.182.33)
I can't remember the singing group that performed this but it was on a 78 record my parents owned. I used to listen to it lying on the floor below the record console, kind of a headphone effect as I r .......
155: Vinyl Asylum, B&O for sure (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-02-07, 08:36:47 (71.67.135.213)
My prior table was the Beogram 5000 and I had that for close to 25 years in service. Soundsmith provided a super cartridge replacement when one was needed. The motor after all those years finally lost .......
156: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Sanders Magtech Amp and Tube Pre (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-31, 06:40:50 (71.67.135.213)
I had Maggie 1.7s driven by a Magtech. That was a great combination. I have since sold both of those to move into another direction, but I still have the Cary SLP-98P preamp that was in that setup. .......
157: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Not listening to LP's (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-27, 07:26:50 (216.82.182.32)
I have had LPs and gear for decades but my listening habits were aways on and off until about 5 years ago. I attribute this to not having a dedicated room. My wife encouraged me (now regrets) to turn .......
158: General Asylum, Beat me to it. -nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-24, 07:19:16 (71.67.135.213)
- .......
159: Speaker Asylum, RE: speakers in around the $8k -) $10k range to better what I currently use? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-21, 05:05:49 (216.82.182.34)
I have had the JansZens now for over two years. That is long enough to know that I'm not changing them out, unless I get swayed by another JansZen design some day. They play every type of music well. .......
160: General Asylum, RE: the end of an era possibly on the horizon (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-15, 05:06:52 (216.82.182.32)
There have been articles of store closings for quite awhile. Apparently the nail in the coffin was their big push to offer phone service for all the major providers. Customers felt more comfortable go .......
161: Vinyl Asylum, RE: What were your previous cartridges? nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-09, 13:42:39 (216.82.182.32)
Clearaudio Virtuoso upgraded with level 3 retip from Soundsmith. Also have a Ortofon 2M Red which I bought to hold me over during the retip. The Red was surprisingly ok and I didn't suffer too much du .......
162: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Why have I waited this long? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-09, 13:40:09 (216.82.182.32)
I did that jump about 5 years ago. Haven't looked back. .......
163: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Why have I waited this long? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-09, 13:37:14 (216.82.182.32)
I didn't have a quality shielded cable to use so I just stuck a spare Anti-cable IC I had "in the box" between the SUT and my preamp. The AC cable is not shielded and I am only getting a very minor hu .......
164: Vinyl Asylum, Why have I waited this long? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-09, 08:07:13 (216.82.182.32)
I've been buying and playing my own records since the mid 60s, listening to them earlier than that. I just bought my first MC cartridge, a gently used and low milage Lyra Delos off of A'gon. I needed .......
165: Vinyl Asylum, My experience as well - nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-09, 07:49:42 (216.82.182.32)
- .......
166: Speaker Asylum, RE: Shopping for speakers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-09, 05:36:29 (216.82.182.33)
I recommend you wait till April and attend the Axpona show since you live near Chicago. You will be overwhelmed if you have never attended a show before but you will also get to hear many brands of sp .......
167: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Were 78s Better ? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-02, 11:27:54 (216.82.182.34)
78s for me don't conjure up thoughts of quality, simply nostalgia. I was a young boy listening to radio programs and listening to my parent's 78s. Those sessions were the beginning for me. I can't rec .......
168: General Asylum, RE: Biggest audio mistake you've ever made? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2015-01-02, 06:04:25 (216.82.182.33)
My biggest mistake was almost getting out of vinyl. It was during the time when everyone including myself was building the biggest baddest HT. I was distracted from music listening in favor of surroun .......
169: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Decware Rachel-Coincident Dynamo (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-27, 08:20:34 (71.67.135.213)
These are both great amps if you have HE speakers. I have only heard the Rachael briefly at a Decware customer fest, but I think highly of their products. All Decware amps sound wonderful and they all .......
170: Vinyl Asylum, RE: A Charlie Brown Christmas (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-24, 07:08:12 (71.67.135.213)
My copy was a promotional pressing on green vinyl from the Fantasy label. I'm sorry to say it is average in audio quality. I agree the music is sublime. .......
171: Cable Asylum, RE: First time ever: speaker cable not working!! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-17, 13:32:59 (216.82.182.35)
Removing the coating at the ends is indeed a good guess. I bought bulk wire from them and did my own banana connections as the cheapest option. Once stripped and screwed to the connectors I found thes .......
172: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Beogram 8000 update. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-15, 10:33:51 (71.67.135.213)
That's a great find. I had a Beogram 5000 as my primary table for over 20 years. I upgraded the cartridge to the Soundsmith SMMC2 during the last few years of its operation. It finally lost speed stab .......
173: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Sound bleed (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-15, 07:00:24 (216.82.182.32)
You may have multiple hookup issues. What make and model of equipment are you using? That will help. I don't know what is going on with your CD player, but a turntable cannot be plugged directly into .......
174: Vinyl Asylum, Not sure this thread is still timely (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-09, 10:09:03 (216.82.182.32)
The OP logged this 6 years ago. I've had the Marantz TT 15S1 for about 4 years as well and speed is still good. I agree that piano is where you will hear any motor imperfections. When I first bought t .......
175: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary vs Mcintosh vs Aesthetix. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-09, 07:42:24 (216.82.182.35)
"My preference is for smooth non fatiguing versus analytical" The Cary 05 and 98 models use 6SN7GT tubes which are famous for the sound you say you are looking for. The Cary 05 model is clearly their .......
176: General Asylum, RE: Are we nuts? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-08, 07:27:14 (216.82.182.32)
I'm not worried about billionaires. If you're worried about billionaires in society, consider that this level of wealth disparity has been around for centuries. Nothing new here and they will always b .......
177: General Asylum, RE: Are we nuts? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-08, 04:52:37 (216.82.182.32)
Audiophiles represent a very small percentage of the overall population. I'm sure withing the population of billionaires the percentage of audiophiles is about the same. Not many of them have 2 channe .......
178: Vinyl Asylum, RE: I currently have both.. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-06, 08:14:17 (71.67.135.213)
I can't believe your choice came down to which one took the Qup. Dude, I totally agree!!!! I love mine and it has become a must-support requirement for me as I dream about future retirement tables. Al .......
179: Amp/Preamp Asylum, An alternate keep it simple approach (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-12-04, 05:59:30 (216.82.182.34)
This approach might sound goofy, but it would work fine and not cost alot. Get the Pyle iPod dock from Amazon $22. Get the cheapest but good brand name used HT receiver you can find on Craigslist. All .......
180: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Audiophilia = Vinyl. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-26, 11:20:19 (71.67.135.213)
Go ahead and switch. I would be interested to see if the number leaving vinyl is greater than those starting or coming back. I never left and won't although I also have a SACD/CD player for music I ca .......
181: General Asylum, RE: Tone Controls (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-26, 07:45:16 (216.82.182.35)
I believe that all speaker designers strive for good tonal balance in their products. In the ideal world then, tone controls would not be needed. Room issues and personal preferences however live in t .......
182: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: What would be your box speaker if you did not own stats or planars? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-25, 05:55:54 (216.82.182.33)
My JansZen zA2.1s are now priced at $8,750, Luckily I didn't have to spend that being an early adaptor but I can't think of any box speaker at that price that interests me. The JansZens are a unique a .......
183: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Anyone else get the Music Direct catalog today? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-21, 11:46:44 (71.67.135.213)
Yup, I got the catalog a couple of days ago. I love this company. I have routinely purchased all my vinyl gadgets from them (sleeves, tip cleaners, stylus force gauge, static gun, brushes, Qup) and I .......
184: High Efficiency Speaker Asylum, RE: Speaker Debates (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-21, 05:29:44 (216.82.182.33)
The term professional only denotes that you are getting paid for your efforts. No opinion here qualifies including mine, but we're not influenced to praise something either just because we are getting .......
185: Speaker Asylum, I would only worry about ice forming (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-21, 04:57:26 (216.82.182.34)
The absolute cold should not damage gear, but if the air has any humitity ice can form and that could be trouble. .......
186: Tubes Asylum, RE: Coincident Dynamo SE vs Decware "Rachael" - help me obsess some more... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-18, 05:13:29 (216.82.182.33)
No experience with Coincident amps but I've owned two Decware models, first the Torii IV, and currently the ZMA. I have 87dB speakers so my power to efficiency ratio is similar to what you are looking .......
187: General Asylum, RE: Can We Get Past 1982, Please?! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-15, 06:26:08 (71.67.135.213)
You can't avoid the majority of advertising on the web, but you can have a fast PC. Build it yourself from the shell up with only what you need. A good place to do this is MicroCenter. I have less tha .......
188: General Asylum, RE: An interesting read (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-14, 05:11:40 (216.82.182.34)
Well, I read the chapter headings and read some of the beginning comments and quickly realized that this entire paper could have been boiled down to a page or two at best. The reason for its length a .......
189: Amp/Preamp Asylum, With your efficient speakers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-12, 04:52:36 (216.82.182.33)
I would check out Decware's SET amps. Decware lives in the HE realm. .......
190: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Is High Rez The End T Analogue? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-11-03, 05:26:13 (216.82.182.33)
Hi rez is a never ending target and for that reason alone I have avoided it like the plague. I have a nice SACD/CD player and a small rack of disks that I could not get on vinyl, but I play them less .......
191: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: I've read many times that 6SN7's are "big tone" tubes, but........ (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-29, 11:08:19 (216.82.182.35)
I've read the same comments about 6SN7s being great sounding tubes, but I only have one point of comparison. I've had my Cary SLP 98P (with phono) for a number of years and really like the sound. When .......
192: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Here's the ARC VSI-60 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-29, 10:37:47 (216.82.182.35)
The assembly looks well thought out and neat. I like how the tube sockets are raised above the boards. I'm not sure if most tube gear builders protect the boards that way, but heat is the big knock ag .......
193: General Asylum, Yet another interesting use of 3D printing (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-28, 07:14:01 (216.82.182.35)
This video shows a band using all 3D printed intruments, including guitars, drums, and keyboards. The electronics are of course standard but all the rest is printed. .......
194: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Primaluna owners - speak up (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-24, 06:46:33 (216.82.182.34)
Well a lot has transpired since my original post on this topic. I did not opt for a Primaluna amp but rather a Decware ZMA. The ZMA has less rated wattage actually than the Primaluna but has a great p .......
195: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Q up lift reviews? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-22, 05:04:36 (216.82.182.33)
Mine works great and I can't imagine not having it. It did take some fiddling to get it positioned in the right place, to set the height just right, and to get the spring tension proper. Once set I've .......
196: General Asylum, RE: Before You Buy a SimAudio Product (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-21, 08:27:10 (216.82.182.33)
If you want to go down the path of anyone other than the manufacturer working on your property, you are not being stopped. If the manufacturer won't give away their intellictual design propery I have .......
197: General Asylum, RE: Returned from manufacturer with a 'clean bill of health' ? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-21, 08:11:38 (216.82.182.33)
If I was interested in the piece I would reach out to the seller to discover the nature of the maintenance. It may be resonable and desired. I had for many years a McIntosh SS preamp that functioned .......
198: General Asylum, RE: Before You Buy a SimAudio Product (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-21, 08:03:10 (216.82.182.33)
My thoughts exactly. The fact that authorized service is still available after 17 years is not a given across the industry. .......
199: Speaker Asylum, RE: looking for speakers under $1000 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-10-09, 04:43:53 (216.82.182.32)
Most stand mount speakers are mid to low range effecient and 35 watts would not push them much. High efficient speaker are what you likely need. Check out Decware. They live in this space. ::: TOPIC:: .......
200: General Asylum, RE: Cables used by manufacturers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-09-26, 05:15:49 (216.82.182.34)
I'm not sure that it matters what associated components a designer uses. Both my speaker and amp manufacturer are small companies and the designer in both cases make and sell their own cables. I bough .......
201: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: CD player level control & preamp gain (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-09-16, 05:17:11 (216.82.182.33)
Given the high sensitivity of your speakers you could bypass an active preamp all together. IF CD listening is your only source, you could use a tube buffer stage that has a volume control, maybe some .......
202: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Don't forget the interconnects (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-09-15, 12:35:59 (216.82.182.34)
If you have a box of RCA interconnects laying around you can ignore this, but EMO sells a very handy and well made 7 channel cable harness for about $50. Each connection is nicely labled for HT. ::: T .......
203: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Best five channel (for HT, obviously) power amp for two grand? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-09-15, 05:10:43 (216.82.182.35)
If you would rather have a good class A/B amp and spend half that, try the Emotiva XPA-5. It's a large beast but it is super for HT applications. My son has one and it has been ideal. .......
204: General Asylum, My time in this hobby has produced a lot (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-09-15, 04:58:33 (216.82.182.35)
My time spent in this hobby has produced incredible joy, the ability to play music at a high degree of quality, learning, companionship with other like-minded hobbiests, and has provided an activity a .......
205: Vinyl Asylum, Get the Q UP (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-09-10, 07:14:22 (71.67.135.213)
Best $60 I ever spent. .......
206: Vinyl Asylum, RE: How to get the lowest price on vinyl. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-29, 06:36:38 (216.82.182.33)
On rare occasions I have found a few worth buying at thrift stores but in my neck of the woods the records that make it to these places are simply bad. I find that the better collectors who are willin .......
207: General Asylum, RE: magnepan MMG and NAD T748? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-26, 05:02:42 (216.82.182.34)
Many have used MMGs as home theater speakers to good effect. If you are looking at traditional receivers NAD is good because they handle 4 ohm loads well but you will need more power and that takes yo .......
208: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Simple but good pre-amp---? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-19, 05:20:00 (216.82.182.34)
Your wish list completely describes the Decware CSP3 $1,249 - Simple, all tubes, USA hand built, zero negative feedback, 2 inputs, main volume, separate channel gain for balance, lifetime warranty, 30 .......
209: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Whats a good HT preamp, 5.1, all the usual stuff (dolby dts, etc) for ( $1500? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-19, 05:00:31 (216.82.182.34)
My son has the Emotiva UMC-200 and it is quite good, and their 5 channel amp as well. He had an Onkyo traditional receiver with separate pre-outputs before the Emotiva and the Emo was a jump up in qua .......
210: Vinyl Asylum, Cartridge options for Marantz TT 15S1 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-14, 07:50:13 (216.82.182.32)
I have enjoyed this table for a number of years and until retirement it will remain. It is one of the better value tables out there and comes with a Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony wood cart, the piece that .......
211: Speaker Asylum, RE: Which instruments or sounds do your speakers reproduce best? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-14, 05:46:39 (216.82.182.32)
I am going to assume we are only talking about accuracy and not volume levels or soundstage aspects. My JansZen zA2.1s reproduce all acoustic musical instruments and voices nearly perfectly. Nothing i .......
212: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Anyone heard the Audible Illusions L3 line stage? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-13, 10:06:02 (216.82.182.32)
"Their preamps are very musical and it's doubtful you will find another full featured tube preamp with a great phono section and a very generous amount of inputs and outputs for anywhere near their 39 .......
213: General Asylum, Finally, a response that I agree with. -nt- (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-06, 09:41:11 (216.82.182.34)
- .......
214: Speaker Asylum, RE: Speaker Quest (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-03, 09:52:52 (184.57.197.197)
Are you just listening as you travel or do you have an objective? If the later, what are your buying parameters? .......
215: Speaker Asylum, Had to look those up (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-03, 09:44:50 (184.57.197.197)
Very pretty. I can see why you might want another go with these. Good luck on your quest. .......
216: General Asylum, RE: 1980's Classic HIFI Video (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-02, 09:31:17 (184.57.197.197)
Wow, that sure took me back. I was just starting to gain some buying power in those days. Fun reliving that time slice. .......
217: General Asylum, What input and process drives your buying decisions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-02, 08:00:38 (184.57.197.197)
I came to choose the components I have today by various means. All were new purchases. JansZen zA2.1 speakers - long story, hooked up with David Janszen in person. Loved my Maggies but now they're hi .......
218: General Asylum, RE: For me, it's always been a love of music. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-08-02, 07:19:14 (184.57.197.197)
Ditto for me. My oldest memories as a child have me lying on my back, head centered and less than a foot away from my parents upright radio console. I remember it being a daily event and it remains to .......
219: General Asylum, Vinyl in every room - awesome! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-30, 04:40:26 (216.82.182.32)
I checked out their web site and indeed, the room pictures show turntables and vinyl racks in the rooms. Amazing. Thanks for the travel tip. .......
220: General Asylum, RE: Horns and kit SET amps (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-28, 09:48:40 (216.82.182.35)
Oh, I think we are already pretty devout believers in the gear we select. Making a radical jump is more akin to changing our faith rather than acquiring it. Personnally I fully jumped to the light of .......
221: General Asylum, You are suffering from boredom (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-28, 05:33:33 (216.82.182.35)
Just my opinion. You have certainly sweated out all the other details and I'm sure your setup sounds great. Take on a new challenge. Get into vinyl. Or build a music server that has to be rebuilt eve .......
222: Tubes Asylum, SRPP? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-28, 04:31:21 (216.82.182.35)
Sorry, I can't figure that one out. .......
223: Planar Speaker Asylum, Show conditions are a nightmare for exhibitors (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-27, 05:55:23 (184.57.197.197)
I'm not sure why but I agree that I heard very little sounding at their best at Axpona. M3 Lover and I will attest that setting these up in the right setting takes some time but once dialed in they ar .......
224: Tubes Asylum, RE: Cary SLP 98P question (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-27, 05:00:53 (184.57.197.197)
Seems like opinions vary here. I'll proceed with swapping in some better tubes and see for myself. The EH tubes are working fine but where I have upgraded elsewhere it really was noticable. ::: TOPIC: .......
225: Tubes Asylum, Cary SLP 98P question (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-26, 15:13:24 (184.57.197.197)
The phono section of this preamp uses 12AU7s as buffer tubes and 12AX7s as driver tubes. I've put some nice NOS Telefunkens in for the 12AX7s based on a friend's recommendation and that was a great im .......
226: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Congrats on finding SS that you like (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-24, 08:40:09 (216.82.182.32)
I'm all tubes today but I can see a time when I will want to put all that behind me. I think most of us ignore brands like Sony, but I used to have one of their traditional 2 channel receivers (model .......
227: General Asylum, RE: Speakers, absolutely ^ (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-24, 08:22:41 (216.82.182.32)
I have the JansZens so I'm set there. I'll take the top-of-the-line VPI turntable with 3D arm please. .......
228: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Setting the gain of Jeff Rowland Model One (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-23, 07:02:17 (216.82.182.35)
Have you tried contacting the company directly? They should be able to provide your best guidance. .......
229: General Asylum, 6th recommendation of Ikea Poang chair (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-21, 05:03:29 (216.82.182.34)
I have two black ones in my room. The sweet spot chair gets the foot stool. Extremely comfortable and easy to move around. .......
230: General Asylum, RE: Netflix Tesla Flick (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-16, 10:38:12 (216.82.182.35)
Thanks. Just put it in my queue. Looking forward to it. .......
231: Speaker Asylum, RE: Wish I started with powered monitors. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-11, 09:13:25 (216.82.182.32)
Congrats on getting a setup that pleases you. I really like the sound KEF is getting these days with their smaller speakers. Digital speakers aren't really for me because I would want to be able to su .......
232: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Volume control settings (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-11, 06:47:04 (216.82.182.33)
"What most of us may not consider is when we advance the volume control we are not truly adding gain, we are reducing gain attenuation." That is absolutely correct. You have the same dynamic at home w .......
233: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: always a pleasure meeting with the planar group here in San Diego (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-11, 05:18:44 (216.82.182.33)
Thanks for verifying that these speakers work well in a large room. I have the JansZens but I'm "contained" in a spare bedroom (12' x 13') as my listening cave. I anticipate putting them in a bigger r .......
234: General Asylum, RE: !#! PC static Issues (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-03, 06:27:45 (184.57.197.197)
You may want to try taking the headphone amp out of the loop if you are trying to isolate the issue. Go from the EQ to the line in if you can. Also, tell us more about the radio. Are you coming out of .......
235: General Asylum, If you treat something as indestructible it will fail (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-02, 06:40:19 (184.57.197.197)
I'm amazed at the condition many Netflix DVDs are in when I get them. I have had my share that won't play through without issues. Do people use them as frisbees? My oldest CDs don't have marks on them .......
236: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Emotiva Report (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-07-01, 07:53:20 (184.57.197.197)
Congrats on what sounds like a very enjoyable setup. I helped my son pick out and set up his Emotiva HT gear. Originally he used an Onkyo receiver which had preamp outputs and got the XPA-5 amp. He al .......
237: Amp/Preamp Asylum, +1 for the Cary SLP-98 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-30, 06:54:06 (184.57.197.197)
I have the 98P model with phono stage. It was my first dip into the land of tubes. I had the Cary mated to a McIntosh and Sanders Magtech SS amps. Both amps were improved with the Cary. I'm all tubes .......
238: Planar Speaker Asylum, JansZen offers two models today (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-20, 12:27:04 (216.82.182.34)
I believe more are on the drawing board. I have the zA2.1s. Fabulous. .......
239: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Market for KLH-9s? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-20, 12:23:41 (216.82.182.34)
You might try giving David Janszen a call. His father was of course the engineer and ESL pioneer who was behind these speakers. David may be able to suggest a value. I know he still offers service on .......
240: Vinyl Asylum, RE: it must be understood that... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-16, 10:44:49 (216.82.182.34)
Agreed, but I've heard sibilance increase when I went the wrong way with some setup changes. I'm trying to find out if certain cartridge design characteristics (things we can't change) help or hurt in .......
241: Vinyl Asylum, minimizing sibilance (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-16, 10:19:32 (216.82.182.34)
I'll concede that proper setup needs to be a given starting point. Beyond that are there certain cartridge characteristics such as compliance, VTF, or stylus geometry that do a better job of minimizin .......
242: Speaker Asylum, RE: Separation (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-12, 07:25:06 (216.82.182.33)
Getting good soundstage/separation is a function of placement and room issues. Experiment with distance from the front wall in addition to the spread. The equilateral triangle setup is a good starting .......
243: General Asylum, RE: Don't sell anything you once liked ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-12, 07:12:06 (216.82.182.33)
I agree, and good advice. There was a time about 5 years ago that I felt the need to dump LPs that I didn't listen to thinking that my listening habits had receded. Of the couple hundred LPs that I le .......
244: General Asylum, RE: Laptop and power amp (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-12, 06:59:34 (216.82.182.33)
I use the DragonFly DAC and powered speakers with my PC. The DragaonFly of course doesn't have a volume control on it, but luckily my wireless keyboard has + and - volume buttons on the top row; very .......
245: General Asylum, RE: Laptop and power amp (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-11, 09:21:30 (216.82.182.33)
The question is from where will you make the connection? Laptops will likely have two options, the headphone output and USB connections. Coming directly from the headphone output will work technically .......
246: Vinyl Asylum, RE: I use one for my turntable light... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-11, 04:51:08 (216.82.182.34)
Me too. I like to bend it down so that the light shines through my acrylic platter. Kind of a nice effect with the lights off the the tubes glowing. .......
247: Vinyl Asylum, A few Expedit units left (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-06-02, 11:39:24 (184.57.197.197)
I was in the Cincinnati Ikea today looking at the new Kallax brand and saw a 2x2 unit of the Expedit still on the floor. They had about 20 left out in the middle of the stock floor to be exhausted. Th .......
248: General Asylum, RE: source for maple blocks (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-29, 10:20:58 (216.82.182.34)
The link to Boos Block has already been provided. I went that route after seeing Mapleshade's prices. The approach is great however. I did it for my turntable. You may also wish to use the Isoblock's .......
249: Speaker Asylum, RE: Best speakers or sound bar for an office? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-27, 05:34:40 (216.82.182.33)
I am sure noway meant powered speakers. As to the Audioengine choice, they have been in the powered speaker business for quite awhile and make a fine product. Both products are in the same price range .......
250: Speaker Asylum, RE: Best speakers or sound bar for an office? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-24, 10:24:13 (184.57.197.197)
There are lots of speaker options for flanking a monitor. I use a DragonFly DAC mated to Emotiva Airmotiv 5 powered monitors. Great sound. Powered speakers simplifies the setup. Get a decent DAC howev .......
251: Speaker Asylum, RE: Need comparative review... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-15, 08:42:16 (216.82.182.34)
Yes, watch for the sales. They have them at different times during the year. I got mine during the year end sale. .......
252: Speaker Asylum, RE: Need comparative review... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-15, 05:11:23 (216.82.182.34)
I have the DragonFly DAC with Emotiva Airmotiv 5s at my PC. They sound quite good. Twin 50 watt amps in each cabinet. Nice design features. 30 day trial. .......
253: General Asylum, RE: For fun and giggles: Format Wars (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-14, 05:08:11 (216.82.182.32)
As an IT professional with 40 years in the trade I've seen a great deal of computer technology come and go. Incompatibilities in IT are a PITA. As a computer consumer I simply won't play that game as .......
254: General Asylum, RE: Yes, brass ripeness is hard to capture. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-05-11, 07:40:01 (184.57.197.197)
I agree this recording is killer for a quality check. It's just too bad that Willie had to be on it. LOL. I like Willie a lot, but he was really off/drunk/whatever on this. .......
255: Speaker Asylum, RE: Recomendations for PC Speakers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-04-30, 08:03:10 (216.82.182.32)
I have the Airmotiv 5s and love them. The price has been pushed up to $499/pair but they have a new design. .......
256: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-04-22, 06:10:16 (216.82.182.34)
I have the Marantz table and indeed, the value of this package is the Virtuoso cart. I am very satistifed for $1,500. Other packages near this price don't come close to this level of cart quality. Unt .......
257: General Asylum, RE: Baroque anyone? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-04-18, 10:12:21 (216.82.182.33)
I have a mix of baroque music but I rarely listen to it. I find it too fundamentally simplistic to hold my attention for any length of time. I might even like it less than rap or folk music. Give me a .......
258: General Asylum, RE: High-end audio: a lost cause? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-04-18, 04:59:57 (216.82.182.34)
High-end audio will always be in demand as long as there are music enthusiasts who choose to listen as a focused activity, not just having music in the background. I don't see that demand ever disappe .......
259: General Asylum, RE: R.I.P. Wayne Henderson. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-04-13, 05:12:52 (184.57.197.197)
Sorry to see this. I love the Crusaders. Chain Reaction is a staple in my listening tour. .......
260: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: What is impedance and how does it work (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-04-09, 10:08:10 (216.82.182.32)
With regard to the relationship of preamps and amps, this is one area where Stereophile measurements are pretty useful. For almost every preamp they review there is a view of frequency response curves .......
261: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Alternative to Planars (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-21, 06:02:13 (216.82.182.34)
If you are really open to alternatives and want to consider something with high WAF you need to hear the JansZen hybrid ESL zA2.1s. I wasn't in the 20.7 category, but I was considering them as future .......
262: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Most of Emo's products are really good (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-19, 10:51:26 (216.82.182.35)
Congrats on the new preamp. It sounds like you have a winner on your hands. Emo products are mostly very good values and the company is great to work with, at least in my experience. My son has an all .......
263: General Asylum, A complete non event for me - vinyl rules! nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-18, 12:50:42 (216.82.182.35)
- .......
264: General Asylum, RE: Need ideas for temporary setup in unfinished basement please (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-17, 05:33:04 (216.82.182.34)
Without walls, the bare floor, and exposed (I assume) ceiling joists, this will be an odd space for the sound to travel. I recommend finding a remnant piece of carpet to absorb the sound off the floor .......
265: Speaker Asylum, RE: Janszen has a bookshelf speaker ! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-16, 17:07:36 (184.57.197.197)
ML bookshelf speakers seem to share almost nothing with their bigger models. These JansZen speakers use the same drivers shared in the bigger model. Don't lump David's designs in with ML's weak attemp .......
266: Speaker Asylum, RE: Janszen has a bookshelf speaker ! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-16, 06:58:41 (184.57.197.197)
Per the website, these new speakers will be at the Chicago Axpona show this spring. .......
267: Speaker Asylum, RE: Janszen has a bookshelf speaker ! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-15, 15:52:05 (184.57.197.197)
I haven't heard these yet but I'm sure they will impress. When I bought my zA2.1s David Janszen was great to work with and was very particular about everything related to the sound and overall quality .......
268: Vinyl Asylum, Avoid the problem entirely (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-12, 05:12:53 (216.82.182.34)
My Q UP arm lifter works every time. Most useful accessory I ever bought. .......
269: Speaker Asylum, RE: Goldenear (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-05, 12:14:13 (216.82.182.35)
I have heard both the Goldenear and Emotiva Stealths. You do know that the Emos are powered speakers? This approach is a great option if your A/V processor (receiver) has line outs for all channels. I .......
270: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Ouch, that's harsh (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-05, 10:02:33 (216.82.182.35)
The OP however is shopping in an entirely different realm of quality, just like potential Bryston buyers likely aren't looking at Emotiva. All three tiers can give you 300 w/ch but there are significa .......
271: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Strange (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-04, 08:57:39 (216.82.182.35)
Wow, I read right past the OP's notation of a 10k input impedance. Forget the Cary SLP. It really needs more than that, and it runs best in tube amp territory, 100K or higher or you suffer roll off wi .......
272: General Asylum, RE: p.s.: Had an Innersound ESL-300 and it was one heck of an amp! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-04, 08:39:17 (216.82.182.35)
I can't argue your direction. I still have my Sanders Magtech but following a speaker change I was able to drop way down in power needs and am now also all tubes. As great as Roger's SS amps are, good .......
273: General Asylum, RE: Are you certain that Roger left and Innersound folded? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-04, 08:35:22 (216.82.182.35)
Roger Sanders was President of Innersound but Gary Leeds was the CEO of the LLC, likely the driver of the venture capital. I think there were some disagreements on general business decisions and Roger .......
274: Amp/Preamp Asylum, +1 for Decware (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-04, 07:58:40 (216.82.182.35)
Either Torii (mini) or regular Torii MK IV are a roller's paradise. The tubes are all modestly affordable. My MK IV supports five different output tubes, plus input tubes, rectifiers, and two differen .......
275: General Asylum, RE: CODA built Innersound amps. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-04, 07:42:28 (216.82.182.35)
I think CODA ran the manufacturing for Innersound. Roger Sanders was the key designer. Roger left to form his own company and Innersound went under, not just because he left necessarily. When Roger ne .......
276: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Got my minis today and I just don't get it (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-03, 07:56:08 (216.82.182.34)
Just because Maggie panels sound great doesn't mean they are a good solution for all applications. Your experience is exactly what I thought would happen to me if I tried these. I had 1.7s and loved t .......
277: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Just checked Audiogon (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-03, 05:40:48 (216.82.182.34)
There is a SLP-98P posted asking $2,300. It has the phono stage but that would also make it easier to resell some day. It seems the seller also has added NOS tubes. .......
278: Amp/Preamp Asylum, +1 on the Decware ZP3 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-03, 05:34:03 (216.82.182.34)
Hand made in the USA. Wired point to point. No circuit boards. Fabulous design. .......
279: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Just Ordered My Retirement Turntable (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-02, 09:35:51 (184.57.197.197)
I'm jealous. I've got close to five more years before I can pull the retirement trigger. I love your choices however. I'm already thinking ahead and if I were to do it today the Classic II might in fa .......
280: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Tubed preamp suggestions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-02, 09:09:33 (184.57.197.197)
I recommend a Cary SLP 98. I have the same model but with the phono support, which you said you didn't need. They sell it with and without the phono front end. It is the classic tube preamp you said .......
281: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: No remote (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-03-02, 08:56:13 (184.57.197.197)
I couldn't disagree more. I use my remote for volume adjustments quite often, but my situation is a little different. I usually cannot settle down to listening until late at night and people are sleep .......
282: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Please report back on your Q UP (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-18, 10:40:50 (216.82.182.35)
I love mine, but it was a PITA to get both the height and lift pressure set just right. Once set, I can't imagine not having it. Best gadget ever. I don't nod off so much as I just get comfortable and .......
283: General Asylum, RE: Give the JansZen zA2.1 speakers a try... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-18, 10:11:15 (216.82.182.35)
I have the JansZens and the controls are great. They not only allow you to adjust things based on your placement or effects from the room, but also to match your preferences. I can't imagine not havin .......
284: General Asylum, RE: Jack English (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-18, 09:57:29 (216.82.182.35)
I've been reading about the death of high end audio for a number of decades it seems. Amazingly, new and more expensive gear keeps hitting the marketplace. I can't remember a time when as many new tur .......
285: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Record Clamp/stabiler (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-17, 10:15:30 (184.57.197.197)
I use the Souther Clever Clamp ($30). It is plastic but it has worked perfectly for a few years now and doesn't create any weight issues on the platter or the suspension. Now if you must have gleaming .......
286: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Amp/Preamp Relative volumes (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-16, 07:06:58 (184.57.197.197)
As some have said it doesn't matter where the volume is attenuated if you have controls at both the amp and the preamp. For me I like to set the controls where I can have adequate swing with the pream .......
287: Speaker Asylum, RE: The Beats Pill is exactly what you are speaking about..... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-12, 07:02:46 (216.82.182.32)
Thanks for highlighting the Beats Pill. I agree it is significant. The whole world of smaller speakers is getting pretty exciting. Much of the world has to accomodate smaller rooms than many of us in .......
288: Speaker Asylum, RE: Last Five Years? None (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-12, 06:54:36 (216.82.182.32)
I wasn't asking for people to identify breakthroughs, just which models have been the most significant either because of unique design or buzz in the industry. New designs are often not breakthroughs. .......
289: Speaker Asylum, RE: Most significant new speakers in the last 5 years (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-12, 06:37:16 (216.82.182.32)
Thanks for providing the background. I wasn't aware of the radical change on the Harbeth. I agree the LS50 has gotten tons of great press and certainly massive play on this forum. .......
290: Speaker Asylum, RE: Most significant new speakers in the last 5 years (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-11, 10:21:00 (216.82.182.33)
Ok, what makes them significant? They may be new, but tons of speakers are new every year. .......
291: Speaker Asylum, RE: 5 years, or 10? Vivid Giya Series. And Wilson Alexia. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-11, 10:04:07 (216.82.182.33)
The Giya argument resonates with me. Nothing me-too about THAT design. I'm not real familiar with the Alexia. Other than being a fine and well reviewed speaker, what is significant about the Wilson? .......
292: Speaker Asylum, Most significant new speakers in the last 5 years (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-11, 07:46:01 (216.82.182.32)
Reading the recent post on significant speakers of all time is certainly fun to reflect on as a trip down memory lane. If one was looking to purchase something new today, looking at NEW significant sp .......
293: Speaker Asylum, Kathy did all she could (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-10, 10:00:59 (216.82.182.32)
Tom, I was happy to read Kathy's feelings about the workers and the company spirit. She wasn't going to keep her role and she was smart to leave before not having that option. It was good to see she l .......
294: Speaker Asylum, RE: Easier said than done (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-10, 09:48:17 (216.82.182.32)
John, I couldn't agree more with your reasons why companies don't form succession plans or groom protoges. I wasn't faulting Thiel for not doing so, rather pointing out why the end result was inevitab .......
295: Speaker Asylum, The outcome was certain (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-10, 06:03:33 (216.82.182.35)
Kathy Gornik left the company in as classy a manner as can be expected, but the need to find new blood was due to Jim Thiel not grooming someone to take over from the engineering side. I have a number .......
296: Speaker Asylum, RE: Receiver/Speaker System setup question/advice (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-05, 09:53:26 (216.82.182.35)
Louder is always easy and can usually be done affordably, better takes some planning and usually more money. For starters unless you have a top-of-the-line audio card in your PC, you are going to need .......
297: Speaker Asylum, RE: How do I make my Definitive BI-Polar speakers sound better? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-05, 08:18:05 (216.82.182.33)
Your speakers probably can sound fine with just music in a two channel set up with that in mind. What you have done is design a HT surround setup and you say it is ok for that. I'm sure it is. You app .......
298: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Class D amplifiers paired with Goldenear. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-04, 08:15:43 (216.82.182.33)
The Aon 3s look like interesting speakers. The D Sonic 400 watt model is overkill for those however. The Aons are rated to 250 watts and at 90 dB sensitivity they could easily be driven with 100 watts .......
299: General Asylum, RE: Wide Awake! (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-04, 06:18:05 (216.82.182.34)
I have had similar experiences many times. I contend that you have gotten past listening to the gear and are focusing on the music. My system has put me in that mode and I'm no longer critically liste .......
300: General Asylum, RE: That's why people hate Opera (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-02-03, 12:27:40 (216.82.182.35)
Our national anthem is an extremely difficult piece to sing. I have no issue whatsoever with individualality thrown in. Where I gag is when the performer makes the opportunity into a career and the so .......
301: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Burson/Parasound or Rogue? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-31, 06:21:31 (216.82.182.34)
At some point you are going to have to try something to see if you like it. You've posted about the Burson a couple of times. Buy it through Audio Advisor and leverage the 30 day return policy if you .......
302: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: I haven't thought about a preamp in years ... where do I start? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-30, 05:10:31 (216.82.182.34)
I'll throw one more option in the ring, a Cary SLP-98P. I've owned one for four years and I'm quite happy with it. The phono section (MM only) is great, better than a McIntosh SS preamp I had for year .......
303: Speaker Asylum, RE: M.L. Electromotion ESl's (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-27, 06:45:22 (216.82.182.35)
I've heard them more than once at the local dealer. Rated at 91dB sensitivity your Mac tube amp should be plenty. To my ears they were a little thin sounding and not as well integrated with the bass a .......
304: General Asylum, RE: Building a Sound System opinions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-27, 05:53:18 (216.82.182.35)
Is this setup intended for listening (near field) while at your PC, or will your PC be feeding a system intended for music filling a modest sized room? If the later, what is the room size? ::: TOPIC:: .......
305: General Asylum, RE: What are the two weakest links in your system? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-26, 06:21:27 (184.57.197.197)
Hey brother, I could have written that post. I don't have tinnitus but I do have advancing age. I think about 10K Hz is my top end these days, maybe less. I'm pretty happy with my system core (preamp, .......
306: General Asylum, RE: Building a Sound System opinions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-26, 06:09:15 (184.57.197.197)
I'm not sure using a receiver to power your speakers is doing it "right", but it will work. The amps used in (affordable) receivers are are not very high quality compared to a separate integrated amp. .......
307: General Asylum, Good suggestion (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-25, 06:24:10 (184.57.197.197)
I'll have to look into that. .......
308: General Asylum, Question for you frequent sellers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-24, 08:02:17 (216.82.182.34)
I will soon be putting an amp up for sale, but I no longer have the outter box that it came shipped in, just the stout inner box which has been well kept along with all the foam packing and other insi .......
309: Speaker Asylum, RE: Thiel making a substantial departure (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-18, 06:05:25 (184.57.197.197)
I still have and enjoy my Thiel CS3s that I bought in 1986. They are doing HT duty these days but they have kept their looks. Nice to own a piece of history. .......
310: Vinyl Asylum, I'm not sure I have a pont to make here, but ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-14, 10:08:34 (216.82.182.35)
I can see a day in the future when some relative of this cable's last owner finds it in a box in the basement and throws it away. I know I have some cables where that is likely the next step someday. .......
311: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Best 2-channel system for around $3500? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-12, 06:16:35 (184.57.197.197)
I agree with G Squared on this one. I have a NAD receiver and use it for many purposes. Not all receivers have good quality amplification but NAD is better than most, and the amps can support 4 ohm sp .......
312: Speaker Asylum, RE: New music only stereo setup for under 3K (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-08, 10:27:57 (216.82.182.34)
Larry, all setups contain compromises. The OP stated "Most music will be streamed via an Airport Express from iTunes (192/320kbps) running on a desktop in the basement. Rest will be CDs." This plus th .......
313: Speaker Asylum, RE: New music only stereo setup for under 3K (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-08, 06:16:56 (216.82.182.33)
Sounding better than your current setup is possible for $3k or less. If you are rebuilding however from the ground up, and primarily for digital feeds, the digital streaming support and DAC will be a .......
314: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: My amp is ugly huh? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-05, 06:51:25 (184.57.197.197)
An example of better assembly technique. Point to point. No circuit boards. Shortest possible wire paths. Use of lead connections only where possible. Mirror image dual mono design. .......
315: Speaker Asylum, RE: A little silly question - a good speaker must be good with everything ? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-01, 07:14:49 (184.57.197.197)
Your idea of bringing favorite music to listen to is very smart. Try to get around and hear as many different brands of speakers that you can. Don't worry about setup issues in demo rooms. Listen for .......
316: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Think backwards (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2014-01-01, 07:05:04 (184.57.197.197)
I agree with John, the choice of speaker makes the most difference. If running a vinyl setup then cartridge would also be important, but it is the beginning of the chain, not the end. The speaker choi .......
317: General Asylum, RE: 8th, 10th(I don't remember) Annual "Whadya Get Fer Xmas?" (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-26, 06:51:09 (184.57.197.197)
Very nice. Love the red caps. What model is that? I don't recognize it. For me, I got a rat shack sound meter and some LPs. I do have an amp upgrade on order but I don't consider my gear as Xmas prese .......
318: Vinyl Asylum, Fix the open back (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-16, 16:57:38 (184.57.197.197)
The simple fix that I did to mine was to use a 1" x 2" strip of wood the width of the opening and attach it to the bottom of each section with a couple of L brackets. The style piece is mounted on edg .......
319: Vinyl Asylum, Thanks, that helped. nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-06, 07:41:05 (216.82.182.33)
- .......
320: Vinyl Asylum, The retipped cart is fussy (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-06, 07:36:58 (216.82.182.33)
I agree that the retipped setup is both different from original and extra fussy, but worth it. In my setup the VTA was way different because the cantilever angle changed. My arm was barely able to acc .......
321: Speaker Asylum, RE: Need budget? Nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-06, 07:02:53 (216.82.182.33)
Since you are looking for "small" and to stay in your budget, bookshelf speakers are the logical choice. The only downside to smaller speakers is often bass limitations which are easily corrected with .......
322: General Asylum, You can shop here (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-06, 05:53:38 (216.82.182.35)
This site has lots to choose from. .......
323: Vinyl Asylum, +1 on leveling as the first fix. +1 on the Qup next (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-05, 05:45:23 (216.82.182.32)
I have the Qup and it prevents just what you are describing. It takes some fiddling to get it set just right, but it works great. .......
324: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Why Should't I Buy an Emotiva XSP-1 Preamp? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-05, 05:18:14 (216.82.182.32)
If you like the look, the price, and the features, you should try it in your system to see how it sounds. Assuming you don't know anyone who has the unit and is willing to bring it over, buying one is .......
325: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Is it cold in your listening room, cartidges like your car tires change in the cold. . . (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-04, 17:07:21 (184.57.197.197)
My room isn't cold, but I have read reviewers who comment that a slight variation on the VTF either way of the recommended setting may sound better. I'll experiment some with that. .......
326: Vinyl Asylum, Soundsmith level 3 upgrade (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-04, 12:44:25 (216.82.182.32)
I've had the Soundsmith level 3 upgrade (ruby cantilever and contact line stylus) on a Clearaudio Virtuoso close to a year now. For those who have had this upgrade for some time, how long or how many .......
327: Speaker Asylum, RE: Speakers to help mom (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-04, 04:57:46 (216.82.182.33)
The wireless headphone approach may be the better option than trying to use remote speakers. Most are Infrared so line of site is needed to the transmitter. A few more expensive ones use RF. Amazon ha .......
328: General Asylum, My system (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-03, 09:57:41 (216.82.182.35)
I have always aimed at quality of sound vs. quantity. It took me stepping from cones to quasi-ribbons to finally ESL panels to get the timbre realism and transparency I wanted in speakers. Likewise it .......
329: General Asylum, Good service should be the norm (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-12-03, 09:38:46 (216.82.182.35)
Good service has always been a requirement for me when selecting gear. It is sad that there are so many bad stories out there that you feel compeled to highlight the proper way to conduct business. Gl .......
330: Tubes Asylum, RE: Tube Purchasing Advice (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-26, 07:04:25 (216.82.182.35)
Regarding your #2, I'm busted. Just yesterday I took delivery AT WORK of some new NOS 6922 Tele's. My wife has no idea of what I have in the gear and she really wouldn't care if I spent the money but .......
331: Planar Speaker Asylum, Watching your kids grow up (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-25, 10:43:44 (216.82.182.35)
I remember listening to every hour during break in with my 1.7s. I very much enjoyed hearing changes, often in the middle of a listening session. I fully understand wanting to get to the great sound q .......
332: Inmate Central, RE: Only great minds can read this (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-25, 10:27:09 (216.82.182.35)
The mind executes predictive analytics capabilities when reading something like this. Your mind goes far beyond simple spell correction. It goes into predictive mode while also putting the words into .......
333: General Asylum, Great story (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-22, 13:03:09 (216.82.182.32)
I have told a number of people my setup is a drug free sleep aid. Regardless of how much stress the day brings, my listening session wipes the slate clean. Whether I do or don't doze off during listen .......
334: General Asylum, RE: Say it ain't so (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-22, 11:16:00 (216.82.182.33)
Only if you want to encourage being put to sleep by wonderful music. .......
335: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Pioneer Elite - Advice needed (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-22, 08:46:17 (216.82.182.35)
Your plan makes sense. The biggest challenge with receivers is that the front end technology keeps changing with advances in HDMI, DAC, and new streaming sources. Given the speed of these changes it m .......
336: General Asylum, RE: I never anticipated having this problem (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-22, 08:28:25 (216.82.182.35)
It wasn't age I don't think as much as switching to a tube amp. My SS amp was no slouch but the tubes seem to be the change that triggered this. The new amp is not at all syrupy either, but it did imp .......
337: General Asylum, I never anticipated having this problem (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-22, 06:04:33 (216.82.182.34)
I am so satistifed with my setup that there is nothing drawing my attention. I'm not focusing on a gimmick sound stage effect that is in and of itself entertaining. There is no section or bumps in the .......
338: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: need help with power amp replacement (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-22, 05:14:07 (216.82.182.35)
Emotiva is best known for their amps. My son has their gear and the amps sound amazing for their price. They have the expected 30 day return policy that direct sellers should have and long warranties. .......
339: Speaker Asylum, RE: Naturally, my opinion is biased, but... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-21, 05:20:43 (216.82.182.35)
I agree, ESLs sound good at low levels because there is very low mass involved with ESL panels. If mated with one or more woofers the woofer would also have to be very quick on its feet. The design of .......
340: General Asylum, It depends on how far someone travels (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-21, 04:51:13 (216.82.182.35)
If someone is local I likely wouldn't feel like a demo is needed. They can easily return the item or I could help in setup. I sold two items at my house where the buyer traveled in excess of 4 hours b .......
341: General Asylum, RE: because most music doesn't contain any 'heavy bass' nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-20, 08:31:21 (216.82.182.33)
I totally agree with this. I really like Stanley Clarke's music and naturaly the bass is highlighted, but it isn't overly heavy. Playing music in a system with flat frequency response is preferred for .......
342: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Should I pull the trigger? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-13, 06:56:06 (216.82.182.35)
I had the 1.7s for two years and I still believe there is nothing that comes close to the sound you can get from those for their price. They can and will sound great in your room and will also work i .......
343: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Just how important is to have an lp cleaner? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-13, 06:28:25 (216.82.182.35)
I started out using the Spin Clean manual system like I suspect many have. It seemed to clean the record ok but getting the fluid off the record without wiping the reside back into the grooves proved .......
344: Speaker Asylum, The Model One (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-10, 05:24:51 (184.57.197.197)
David JansZen offered the Model one some years ago when he officially launched his current company. The speaker received good reviews but it was his only speaker at the time. As a flagship model that .......
345: Vinyl Asylum, I have an HVAC system too. LOL nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-08, 07:06:50 (184.57.197.197)
- .......
346: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Why Choose Solid State? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-07, 08:56:08 (216.82.182.35)
If you like the organic sound that tubes are known for, achieving that with solid state is not easy or affordable. If it were, tubes really would have died off, but like vinyl, tube amps persist. Peop .......
347: General Asylum, RE: Has anyone noticed what this really is? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-06, 05:04:11 (216.82.182.32)
I did notice how many Crosleys were on the chart, but it is still an interesting walk down memory lane. I have owned a few of the models on the chart. Still have the iPod. .......
348: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Update on this model (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-05, 05:15:59 (216.82.182.34)
Out of curiosity I looked at the current build list posted on the web site. Of the approximate 60 orders pending in various stages, 28 were for this new model. Admittedly some of those are from curren .......
349: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: The latest Torii amp from Decware (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-04, 13:19:17 (216.82.182.34)
To hear one I recommend you register on the Decware forum and ask if anyone lives near you. Decware customers are eager to show off gear that few get to listen to. I think because the "industry" doesn .......
350: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: The latest Torii amp from Decware (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-03, 13:18:59 (184.57.197.197)
I'm glad you were amused, and I can't prove or disprove any of the comments used to describe the design. I'm not an engineer. Steve Deckert does promote his products with energy but I do like what I h .......
351: Speaker Asylum, It varies (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-03, 06:49:26 (184.57.197.197)
Many models prior to getting serious Thiel CS3 - 25 years and counting - HT Magnepan 1.7s - 2 years JansZen zA2.1 - 1 year and counting - these are keepers .......
352: Amp/Preamp Asylum, The latest Torii amp from Decware (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-11-03, 06:29:25 (184.57.197.197)
I've had the Torii MK IV amp ($3,499) from Decware now for about 6 weeks. This is my first tube amp and I must say I am enjoying it. For those unfamiliar with this model it is a PP Pentode amp that .......
353: Speaker Asylum, RE: D'Appolito scheme - what do you think ? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-31, 10:43:48 (216.82.182.35)
This approach has some good benefits for floorstanding speakers, especially when the two woofers are split some distance apart. It gives the bass a nice line array presentation and helps to fight f .......
354: Speaker Asylum, In a small room powered monitors make a lot of sense (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-31, 09:50:36 (216.82.182.34)
Powered speakers remove the need for other electronics. Assuming you have a CD player with volume control (usually remote controlled) all you have to do is run connect cables from the CD player straig .......
355: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Another use for separate channel gain controls (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-31, 09:30:09 (216.82.182.34)
I also enjoy having separate gain controls for each channel, in addition to a master gain. The separated controls do allow for variances in balance in your room. Few have perfectly symetric rooms due .......
356: General Asylum, RE: The "Intro. To Sweet Jane"... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-28, 09:57:14 (216.82.182.35)
+1 on the intro. Nothing beats it. Gotta be played loud. No disrespect to "Sweet Home Alabama" but TURN IT UP. Once I got past that (over and over) and actually listened to the rest of the LP I got a .......
357: General Asylum, I have critical listening covered (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-28, 09:37:28 (216.82.182.35)
If this was a gift and I wanted to have some fun for kick ass rock and roll, I'd get a pair of powered Emotiva Stealth 8s. Impressive SPL and basically flat to 30Hz. 400 watts in each cabinet. Rock on .......
358: Speaker Asylum, I also downsized from Maggies (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-24, 10:09:41 (216.82.182.32)
I moved off of 1.7s. I also went smaller but more upscale to JansZen zA2.1 hybid electrostatics. These also follow the D'Apolito design approach with twin 7" woofers over and under dual smallish ESL p .......
359: General Asylum, RE: Emotiva's Home Theater 101 Series (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-24, 07:43:25 (216.82.182.35)
Sorry if I had too much coffee this morning. I have read many posts here and elsewhere where China marketing is the work of the devil, and sarcasm is not the intent. I also am an Emo customer and am g .......
360: General Asylum, RE: Emotiva's Home Theater 101 Series (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-24, 06:20:18 (216.82.182.34)
Quality is a function of design, attention to assembly detail, parts selection, and relative within the marketplace. There are just as many examples of low cost products that are deemed to be high qua .......
361: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Emotiva to Bob Carver: Drop dead (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-18, 07:02:03 (216.82.182.33)
I don't think the threat of the Chinese copying Carver's products played out here. All anyone has to do is simply buy one and take it apart. I suspect impasses in profit sharing and product/price desi .......
362: General Asylum, RE: RMAF impressions (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-15, 10:44:23 (216.82.182.32)
I equate drooling over gear I can't afford to attending auto shows for the same reason. When I was younger I dreamed while sitting in cars I would never own. Nothing wrong with dreaming. It does show .......
363: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary owners -- tube replacement frequency on SLP-05 and 98 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-08, 09:15:04 (216.82.182.35)
When looking at the posted output impedances of the two preamps I would agree, but the output impedance from most tube preamps starts to rise quickly as the frequency drops which makes the amp's input .......
364: Vinyl Asylum, Me too - Level 3 retip - nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-08, 06:20:04 (216.82.182.34)
- .......
365: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Cary owners -- tube replacement frequency on SLP-05 and 98 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-08, 05:43:22 (216.82.182.34)
I have the SLP-98P and love it. I have had it going on four years also with no tube replacements. I also use the supplied EH 6SN7GTs. They sound great and I expect to get 10 years out of them. I wante .......
366: Speaker Asylum, RE: Speakers / Tube Amp A Good Match (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-04, 06:28:11 (216.82.182.34)
If you are looking for a bookshelf design take a look at Decware's DM945. These are 94dB sensitivity rated and can be had for just under $1k. Decware specializes in SET amps and high efficiency speake .......
367: Vinyl Asylum, As much as one can on paper (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-03, 13:45:43 (216.82.182.33)
I am also forming my opinion based on their respective maturity levels in the TT marketplace and my feelings about their looks. The new Mac is geared to be a plug and play setup for those who can pay. .......
368: Vinyl Asylum, RE: New McIntosh Table (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-03, 08:37:40 (216.82.182.34)
Even though I was once swayed into buying Mac gear based on the magic meters, I have never liked the looks of their tables. A little too much of that color I think. In it's price range I'd rather have .......
369: General Asylum, Walk behind access wall (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-10-03, 08:06:40 (216.82.182.34)
I had a setup like Abe was suggesting in my last house. We were able to design the interior walls in the basement. Almost no visible wires and outlets where we needed them. The front wall was setup .......
370: General Asylum, RE: You mean this one? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-30, 10:40:13 (216.82.182.32)
Yes, that's the one. I highly recommend getting the full score to hear all the recognizable parts. That was just a taste. The cartoon industry during those years, with Fantasia being the granddaddy ex .......
371: General Asylum, The ultimate Saturday morning classical piece (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-30, 07:19:35 (216.82.182.34)
I call it Bugs Bunny music. Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2. It is chock full of memorable cartoon themes. Didn't learn where it was from for years. I'm also all about jazz after finally "getting .......
372: Planar Speaker Asylum, Waiting is web browsing and dreaming time (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-27, 09:50:15 (216.82.182.32)
I'm guessing that both you and your son will have Maggies on the mind until they arrive after your taste. Waiting sucks but somehow sweetens reality when they finally arrive. I just suffered through a .......
373: General Asylum, RE: This used to be a high end website: depressing (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-27, 06:49:13 (216.82.182.32)
I've been around here a few years but I never considered this site just about the high end. I have always felt the site supported those who care about getting a good sounding system and/or enjoyed swa .......
374: Speaker Asylum, RE: Stereo subwooferes - any advantages (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-23, 08:16:05 (216.82.182.32)
A single subwoofer is sufficient to supply the sound unless the room is quite large. The reasons people feel the need to add a second all come from untreated room issues. Properly trapped bass in the .......
375: General Asylum, RE: Ever buy some new, expensive, component and it: broke, failed, wrong, sucked... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-18, 11:49:01 (216.82.182.40)
Largely, I've been pretty lucky or have done my homework with major components. I have been disappointed once however by overhyped product advertising: Pangea AC-9 power cord. Over-thick, heavy, and d .......
376: General Asylum, RE: The Most Interesting Audiophile In The World --- Episode 1 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-17, 08:17:00 (216.82.182.37)
After showing Peter Ledermann a new stylus he hand carved from a used toothpick he offered a suggestion that a cactus needle might also work. His braiding technique using stock Radio Shack wire exceed .......
377: General Asylum, My cables don't come with commas in the price tag. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-16, 06:18:44 (216.82.182.37)
I do believe a good cable makes a difference, but dimishing returns is a steep cliff beyond just a couple hundred dollars for me. A $3k cable is in the same ballpark as $80k amps. Crazy town. ::: TOPI .......
378: Speaker Asylum, You made me look (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-16, 05:06:20 (216.82.182.39)
Whenever I see someone give a convincing review for something I am not familiar with I often seek it out, if for no other reason than curiosity. These do look nice. Enjoy. .......
379: General Asylum, High end in Cincinnati (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-14, 06:29:57 (184.57.197.197)
Audible Elegance. They are have done well by me. I have bought a few items from them and also had custom installation for my HT. .......
380: General Asylum, +1 on Hanson (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-13, 12:20:25 (216.82.182.40)
One of the best high end stores, period. They not only have lots of great gear to demo, but are highly helpful. .......
381: Speaker Asylum, RE: Golden Ear Triton 7 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-13, 07:39:32 (216.82.182.38)
My local dealer has these on the floor and has been driving them with a Primaluna integrated. Very easy on the ears. It does nothing outstanding but everything well, which makes them a great deal at t .......
382: General Asylum, RE: Kevin Hayes, VAC (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-10, 10:58:06 (216.82.182.40)
This is what I'm talking about. Committment to customers and a buying experience that matters and makes you feel good about spending with this person. I have no problem checking a box on an online sit .......
383: General Asylum, RE: Joys of direct relationships (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-10, 04:41:12 (216.82.182.38)
Rogue Audio and Tekton Design are two companies that I have heard about quite often. Customers seem quite loyal to these products. I strongly considered Rogue for a tube amp. I haven't run across Sign .......
384: General Asylum, Joys of direct relationships (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-09, 06:24:08 (216.82.182.37)
I really like having the ability to buy from companies where I can work directly with the designer/owner. For us Americans this usually means dealing with a US firm as well which I prefer to give my b .......
385: Vinyl Asylum, RE: soundproofing and vibration options (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-06, 12:59:24 (216.82.182.38)
I bought their 2" square Isoblocks as "feet" for my platform. The total solution was about 1/2 of what MapleShade was selling. I saved on both the wood block and the Isoblock pads. Because they were s .......
386: Planar Speaker Asylum, Three Maggie panels is really asking too much for the Rotel (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-06, 10:02:49 (216.82.182.39)
With your setup the Emotiva XPA-3 might be a good solution. It is a three channel amp that would provide better and consistent sound than matching a different amp up with your Rotel. I would also solv .......
387: General Asylum, RE: Seems you understand neither the Nyquist Frequency nor ... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-06, 09:02:01 (216.82.182.39)
Right on both counts. Confusing me with facts won't alter my love and preference for vinyl. .......
388: Vinyl Asylum, soundproofing and vibration options (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-06, 05:56:06 (216.82.182.38)
I applaud your DIY spirit. My platform started out as a 2 1/4" thick Boos Block cutting board. Cheaper than audiophile platforms and just as effective. I found this company when I build my platform. T .......
389: General Asylum, RE: digital can never top analog (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-05, 13:15:06 (216.82.182.39)
I also have some CDs that sound better than LPs and vice versa, but the best CDs aren't as enjoyable as the best LPs. As a media class I'll still vote for vinyl. .......
390: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Have a shot at a Plinius SA103 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-05, 10:45:22 (216.82.182.37)
This is a sweet amp and if you have a line on one at a good price, take it. If I recall this is all class A, right? The reviews I read some time back were pretty favorable. Pass and Krell amps seem li .......
391: General Asylum, digital can never top analog (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-05, 10:26:05 (216.82.182.37)
It you look at Sony's hi-res site you will see a series of graphics-for-dummies that shows the original sound track as a smooth curve, CD sound looking like a city skyline, and hi-res with a less chop .......
392: General Asylum, +1 on the Emo powered speakers and DragonFly (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-05, 08:30:21 (216.82.182.40)
This is exactly what I use in my PC setup. I went with the Airmotiv 5s as the biggest model that would fit nicely on my desk. Great sound, especially with the DragonFly DAC. I was at Emofest last week .......
393: General Asylum, RE: This is Customer Service: Music Direct (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-04, 04:59:51 (216.82.182.32)
I use MD all the time for accessories, music, as well as a couple of pieces of gear. I love that they are very fast with orders and use FedEx Ground. If the item is in stock, I live close enough that .......
394: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Burn in should not make much difference (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-03, 05:44:27 (216.82.182.32)
If they are both new units, simply play both and compare. Give both equal time. If you can't tell any difference that won't likely change after a lot of time, and you can make a monetary or feature ba .......
395: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Tube Preamps (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-03, 05:28:58 (216.82.182.32)
I went down this path a couple of years ago to bring a more musical layer to my Maggie 1.7s. All solid state was just too sterile. My final two were a Cary SLP-98P and a Conrad Johnson that was in .......
396: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: New pre amp? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-09-03, 05:20:48 (216.82.182.32)
The Cary tube preamps may get you there. They use 6SN7GT output tubes which are about as musical and "tube-like" as you can get. If you don't need phono support the SLP 98 can often be had under $2K u .......
397: Speaker Asylum, RE: If I wanted to try electrostatics for the first time (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-28, 07:16:11 (216.82.182.32)
I also wanted to get away from the the dipole room domination thing, having had Maggies. I didn't want to give up anything in resolution however and in fact wanted to get into ESLs. The JansZen zA2.1 .......
398: Speaker Asylum, RE: Tube Amp Speakers (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-28, 06:55:51 (216.82.182.32)
You probably need to be looking into highly efficient speakers. There are plenty out there. Do some searching over in the Hi-eff forum. A few that seem to come up frequently are Klipsch, Zu Audio, and .......
399: General Asylum, RE: My three favorite dealers for doing business with mail order (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-28, 06:38:36 (216.82.182.32)
I generally don't solicit buying advice from online dealers. I do buy a fair amount from some however who have good 30 day trial offers and excellent customer service. Music Direct and Audio Advisor a .......
400: Speaker Asylum, RE: If I wanted to try electrostatics for the first time (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-25, 13:32:52 (184.57.197.197)
Martin Logan speakers are resold all the time because they change their models in the lower price ranges frequently. The upper cost models have to a greater extent remained mainstays. They are also so .......
401: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: The college option (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-23, 23:36:58 (184.57.197.197)
You are going to need a USB cable to hook your laptop to the DAC. You will also need standard RCA interconnect cables to connect the DAC to the Sony's CD or aux input jacks. Go visit Radio Shack. Good .......
402: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: The college option (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-23, 11:31:53 (216.82.182.32)
A line booster is not what you need. You need basic amplifier power. .......
403: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: The college option (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-23, 11:28:13 (216.82.182.32)
Yes, that is what I have. HRT, AudioEngine, and Nuforce are other companies that have been in this game for awhile and would work fine. They could get the price down nearer $150. I would not jump into .......
404: Amp/Preamp Asylum, The college option (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-23, 10:53:11 (216.82.182.32)
If your music source will be limited to your phone and/or a laptop you could get by with just an amp but the sound won't thrill anyone and you won't think your speakers are all that great. Here are yo .......
405: General Asylum, My PC sound setup is not a problem. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-22, 12:51:55 (216.82.182.32)
I'm not sure that most on this site have $20 plastic speakers on their PC. I use an AudioQuest DragonFly DAC ($250) feeding into Emotiva Airmotiv 5 speakers ($450). The upper frequency driver is a fol .......
406: Amp/Preamp Asylum, +1 on the Emotiva smaller amps (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-22, 10:22:09 (216.82.182.34)
Hard to beat the value if you are on a budget. Their amps may be their best products. Great customer service, 30 day trials, and good warranties. The last two points go out the window buying used howe .......
407: General Asylum, RE: Yoko Ono albums will be silent (nt) (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-20, 16:24:42 (184.57.197.197)
So it's not all that negative of an outlook after all. LOL. .......
408: General Asylum, RE: What am I missing? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-20, 16:23:43 (184.57.197.197)
That may explain why I still feel ok with what I'm hearing. Actually, if something is falling outside of my hearing I guess I won't know that so ignorance can still be bliss. Maybe I'll focus on bass .......
409: General Asylum, What am I missing? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-20, 11:18:38 (216.82.182.32)
I turn the big six-oh this week and while I have no issue with listening volumes I was curious about frequency range. I feel that I'm hearing music with as much precision as when I was a teenager and .......
410: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Please recommend a good MM cart (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-20, 05:07:03 (216.82.182.34)
I use the Clearaudio Virtuoso. I think it retails at about $900 these days. I listen to almost all styles of music. It was a very good cartridge for me until I used up the stylus. I then had Soundsmit .......
411: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Ortofon 2M Red (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-19, 10:23:04 (216.82.182.35)
Did the same thing as you when I thought I could tough it out and go without vinyl during a Soundsmith retip (upgrade #3) on my everyday cart. Toughing it out lasted about a week. The 2M Red surprised .......
412: Cable Asylum, RE: cable length and recommendations (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-19, 06:46:33 (216.82.182.33)
I agree with the recommendation of 1 meter lengths for the reasons mentioned. They may create a tad more clutter than you are looking for, but IME you simply can't eliminate the look of wires easily. .......
413: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Decware Zen Torii Mono amps (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-17, 09:53:57 (184.57.197.197)
So nobody yet has said they have heard these, but everyone is willing to aim you in another direction. I haven't heard the big monos either, but I have heard the Zen Torii MK3 and have it on order. Co .......
414: Speaker Asylum, Have not heard them - nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-16, 13:11:11 (216.82.182.32)
- .......
415: Speaker Asylum, RE: Roger Gordon sure seems technically savvy. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-16, 08:19:52 (216.82.182.34)
The sweetspot is quite generous with the JansZens, perhaps 3 feet wide. The monopole delivery however also allows for excellent stereo imaging completely off axis. I have two chairs in my listening ro .......
416: Speaker Asylum, RE: Manufacture specs mean little (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-16, 06:22:46 (216.82.182.32)
Nice woodworking on those speakers. I don't recognize them. What are they? With all those drivers I don't doubt they give some amazing impact. .......
417: Speaker Asylum, RE: Roger Gordon sure seems technically savvy. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-16, 05:37:07 (216.82.182.32)
My ears are the only measuring device I own. My prior speakers were Maggie 1.7s. Those and the JansZens are both rated down to 40Hz on paper. There is where the similarities in bass production stop. I .......
418: Speaker Asylum, RE: Janszen zA2.1 new review (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-14, 06:44:36 (184.57.197.197)
The zA2.1s are not light in bass support. I can attest that different amps have a great affect in bass output as well as the setup of course. Suffering bass suck out in show rooms doesn't help at all. .......
419: Speaker Asylum, RE: Janszen zA2.1 new review (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-13, 19:20:32 (184.57.197.197)
As another happy customer of these speakers I am thrilled to see this review. It has stressed the most important design elements of this speaker, the most notable for me being the perfect flow between .......
420: Planar Speaker Asylum, A clarification (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-11, 06:24:05 (184.57.197.197)
The ESL the OP is referring to is a second Sanders amp, not an ESL speaker. It just happens to be called the ESL model. The ESL model was developed before the Magtech and was however designed to drive .......
421: Vinyl Asylum, +1 on the the IKEA - works great nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-08, 07:31:41 (184.57.197.197)
- .......
422: Vinyl Asylum, I've got 8 on the list but my favorite of them (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-08, 07:26:37 (184.57.197.197)
Dan Hicks & His Hot Licks - Where's the Money. Every song is different and each grows on you. I have others from him, but this one is the best. .......
423: Speaker Asylum, RE: 30 day update (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-08, 07:15:00 (184.57.197.197)
I can't speak to active crossovers but I know both David Janszen and his father designed powered models off and on. During the last year David have been doing audio shows with Bryston powerpac amps at .......
424: General Asylum, RE: Everybody's making these now (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-06, 07:22:37 (216.82.182.35)
It would be interesting to hear how it sounds. I suspect for general TV or even movie watching having tubes in the signal path may be more a gimmack than anything else. Cool thought though. I got a fu .......
425: General Asylum, Huh? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-06, 04:58:59 (216.82.182.35)
I'm not even sure if that makes sense, but regardless.... Sherbourn gear has gotten its share of good reviews albeit in the value/budget category. I don't see why jumping on an attractive price doesn' .......
426: General Asylum, Everybody's making these now (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-06, 04:47:50 (216.82.182.35)
Most consumer manufacturers who play in the HT space have sound bars available. It's been the rage for a few years now. I noticed not too long ago that Martin Logan has one, only $1,500. I bet you did .......
427: Speaker Asylum, The subwoofer killed the need. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-02, 06:21:58 (216.82.182.35)
Granted, matching up a subwoofer takes some patience but putting the big driver in each box created complex crossover challenges as well. In the affordable range of speakers, designs with smaller driv .......
428: General Asylum, RE: B&O ... opinions? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-02, 05:57:03 (216.82.182.35)
I bought a Beogram 5000 TT and a Beogram CDX cd player back in the 80s. Both lasted about 25 years. The TT was a suspended plater in a very slim design. I replaced the cartridge with a Soundsmith alte .......
429: Vinyl Asylum, RE: EXACT is a moving magnet cartridge... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-08-01, 05:05:36 (216.82.182.35)
It looks like that model has two phono inputs. Have you tried both? I had the C37 preamp for many years and the phono front end was pretty good. .......
430: High Efficiency Speaker Asylum, RE: SET friendly speakers under $5k (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-31, 08:36:44 (216.82.182.34)
Decware speakers may be something to consider. They have circled their entire history around high efficiency speakers and SET amps, only recently offering somewhat higher powered amps. The website is .......
431: Planar Speaker Asylum, Let's do the math (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-30, 15:54:06 (184.57.197.197)
Let's assume that you pushed the Magtech (900 w/ch at 4 ohmss) too hard and that blew your ribbons. Let's assume you were trying to urge just 3 more db of volume when the amp was fully consumed. That .......
432: SET Asylum, RE: SET friendly speakers under $5k (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-29, 10:56:09 (216.82.182.33)
Another option would be speakers from Decware. The entire company's history has circled around low power SET amps and high efficiency speakers. Only recently have they offered slightly higher powered .......
433: Amp/Preamp Asylum, You sound like me not that long ago (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-28, 07:52:05 (184.57.197.197)
I have a Sanders Magtech SS amp, the most powerful, clean, clear, neutral, and efficient (via power regulation) amp I have ever owned. I was always curious about tube amps because I love having a tube .......
434: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Off topic: A bit perturbed (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-28, 06:28:06 (184.57.197.197)
My S2000 is a 2007. The tonneau cover was put on for the picture and hasn't been used since. Truth be told it is a PIA to put on. I do have speakers in the headrests but with the top down and volum .......
435: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Off topic: A bit perturbed (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-27, 11:36:35 (184.57.197.197)
Driving the S2000 can get a little intense in bad weather, but I like that you have to DRIVE the car. The OP was grousing about the system in his Corvette. I'm amazed at how many Vet owners drive with .......
436: General Asylum, RE: A thought provaking article by the audio philospher, Herb Reichert, in Enjoy the Music (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-26, 17:34:33 (184.57.197.197)
About three years ago I set up a dedicated listening room in an unused bedroom. Got me some big planar speakers that stuck out in an obtrusive way. I lived with this for awhile perfecting the "sound" .......
437: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: New Survey: how much power (watts) does the amp you use with your Magnepans have? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-26, 13:38:54 (216.82.182.33)
If you really are interested in his design approach I would send him an email. I traded quite a few with him before buying the amp and each time I got timely, lengthy, and very well written replies. H .......
438: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: diffusion panel freq and Maggies (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-26, 08:30:01 (216.82.182.33)
Sorry for jumping in here after much has already been posted. I have been spending time on the Decware web site forums because I have one of their tube amps on order. Steve Deckert has a number of int .......
439: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: what's your pinciple signal source? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-26, 06:35:59 (216.82.182.33)
90% vinyl on a Marantz TT 15S1 with Clearaudio Virtuoso/Soundsmith level 3 upgrade. 10% CD/SACD on a Marantz SA8004 .......
440: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: New Survey: how much power (watts) does the amp you use with your Magnepans have? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-25, 04:57:13 (216.82.182.35)
It's not that complicated, but it is in very rare company using a regulated approach for the power. It you read his white paper on his web site he explains why regulating the power eliminates waste wh .......
441: Planar Speaker Asylum, Speakers - nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-24, 17:46:06 (184.57.197.197)
nt .......
442: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Do Planar type speakers need to have a more accurate sensitivity rating method? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-24, 17:31:57 (184.57.197.197)
Wow, this thread sure went sideways. To get back to the OP's question, I see nothing wrong with HOW sensitivity is measured, but how it is reported. The standard method seems to be to measure the outp .......
443: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: We base decisions on the information at hand... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-24, 12:32:15 (216.82.182.33)
Information and specificatins are indeed a useful starting point and it helps to put us in the ballpark. You simply wouldn't pair a 1000 watt amp with horns. I also agree that those on a budget can do .......
444: Planar Speaker Asylum, We often have a preferrence or are willing to compromise (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-24, 12:04:32 (216.82.182.33)
If the Maggies in your example were the preference between the two speakers and the amp drove them at acceptable volumes, the user may be ok with that pairing. If it didn't the user would have to deci .......
445: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: The speaker always completes the circuit with the amp (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-24, 10:02:27 (216.82.182.33)
I had a MC7270 rated at 270 w/ch across all taps. I liked this amp ok until I swapped in a tube preamp that needed an amp with a much higher input impedance. All Mac SS amps are set to 20k ohms on the .......
446: Planar Speaker Asylum, The speaker always completes the circuit with the amp (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-24, 05:28:21 (216.82.182.32)
I can't say how much of the power is used but the Maggies drink from it with glee. There seems to be a real good mating between this amp and Maggies as well as with most ESLs. The power regulation con .......
447: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: New Survey: how much power (watts) does the amp you use with your Magnepans have? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-23, 15:50:16 (184.57.197.197)
Maggie 1.7s with a Sanders Magtech. 500 w/ch @8 ohms, 900 w/ch @4ohms. Regulated power supply. .......
448: Speaker Asylum, RE: Read your post too fast (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-21, 19:14:01 (184.57.197.197)
Glad everything worked out. Both of those selections have gotten pretty wide-spread positive comments. .......
449: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Tubed preamps - what is the advantage? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-20, 05:44:08 (184.57.197.197)
My Cary SLP-98P was my first tube component taking me away from all SS. I comes with a remote, but just for volume and mute. Changing sources still requires getting up but I have to anyway to switch r .......
450: General Asylum, RE: Who says we're away from our music? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-20, 05:32:11 (184.57.197.197)
My PC system is smaller scale and cost than my listening room but that doesn't mean I'm away from music. .......
451: General Asylum, RE: *Audio WAF* (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-20, 05:22:03 (184.57.197.197)
Most women have better hearing than men and are actually better tuned in to what sounds "right". The more you drive toward a hi-fi sound the less women approve. I have turned 180 degrees over the last .......
452: Planar Speaker Asylum, JansZen zA2.1 ESL (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-16, 11:47:15 (216.82.182.35)
Planar ESL panels, but they are not run as dipoles. Dual woofers in WTW line array. Ex-maggie owner. .......
453: Vinyl Asylum, Jimi Hendrix - Are you experienced? nt (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-15, 04:45:45 (216.82.182.33)
nt .......
454: Speaker Asylum, RE: Read your post too fast (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-14, 12:36:06 (184.57.197.197)
I can't say if the older receiver is still up to snuff. If it still works well and sounds good to you I would use it and look for some bookshelf speakers. The Pioneer model mentioned might be a good p .......
455: Speaker Asylum, RE: Read your post too fast (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-14, 07:57:28 (184.57.197.197)
Frank, Ok, we're getting closer. It sounds like you are indeed streaming the music starting from the laptop. In that case you will want to improve the sound coming from the laptop before deciding h .......
456: Speaker Asylum, Read your post too fast (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-13, 15:07:25 (184.57.197.197)
Sorry for any confusion. I read too fast sometimes. I read desktop and streaming and my mind went straight to thinking PC source. If you are using the Phillips receiver for power you won't need either .......
457: Vinyl Asylum, +1 for the Qup (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-12, 05:14:49 (216.82.182.35)
I've never left the stylus in the runout groove for long periods, but I have some records with badly applied labels and I didn't want the stylus scraping along the paper. The Qup rocks! .......
458: Speaker Asylum, RE: Powered or un-powered speakers for desktop (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-12, 04:59:33 (216.82.182.35)
Frank, how will you be streaming your music? If through the PC, using powered speakers and a decent DAC is your best bet. There are lots of options here. I researched this quite a bit as well. I bo .......
459: General Asylum, What is the recording supposed to sound like? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-11, 07:54:05 (216.82.182.35)
All recordings are subject to either venue (if live) conditions or the engineer's wishes (studio). At some point the recording is deemed ready for production and whatever the master sounds like is all .......
460: General Asylum, +1 on the Airmotivs (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-11, 05:42:33 (216.82.182.33)
I have the Airmotiv 5s with the AudioQuest Dragonfly DAC for my PC. The speakers exceeded my expectations and the Dragonfly makes using a PC actually sound good. The 5s might be better sized for the O .......
461: General Asylum, RE: Robin Willams on golf (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-10, 11:52:55 (216.82.182.34)
One of my all time bits. Pee'd my pants the first time I heard it. The audiophile version would take some thought but it would be worth hearing it, likely just as funny. .......
462: General Asylum, I really do agree with you (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-10, 11:47:50 (216.82.182.34)
On most of your points, but I do look to be done. I know I can't "beat it" because unlike golf there is no par score posted. I also don't frequently change equipment. The new amp I have on order will .......
463: General Asylum, An audiophile is like a golfer (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-10, 11:12:50 (216.82.182.34)
You can play the game but you can't beat it. I saw that comment sometime back with regard to golf and knew immediately it also applied to this hobby. There is no beating the game. To get better is the .......
464: Speaker Asylum, Channel matching? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-10, 09:47:27 (216.82.182.35)
Are you referring to matching the ESL panel to other drivers like a bass woofer, or some other concept altogether? .......
465: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: recommendations? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-10, 06:27:01 (216.82.182.33)
I am quite familiar with both Marantz and NAD. I own two Marantz units and an NAD HT receiver, and think highly of both companies. If you looking to maximize the preamp's sound by considering a tube .......
466: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Second system is used how? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-09, 07:46:33 (216.82.182.34)
I see from your system listing that this amp in question is for a second system. What is the use for this setup and how important is it to you to improve the sound? Adding the preamp you specified wou .......
467: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Yes. But. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-08, 17:05:50 (184.57.197.197)
"From my own experience, as I've improved my system, I've progressively LOWERED my average listening level." I've only recently discovered that this is possible, sadly late in the game. The key seems .......
468: General Asylum, RE: So be honest, anyone wear gloves when you move or adjust your audio gear?... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-07, 07:49:21 (184.57.197.197)
Gloves came with my preamp for the tubes to keep finger oils off the glass and to avoid smudges on the chassis finish, and with my turntable to keep finger oils off the belt. I quickly found I couldn' .......
469: General Asylum, RE: I'm new here.... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-04, 07:45:48 (184.57.197.197)
Ken, welcome. Don't be afraid to be an unabashed fanboy of Emotiva. Most of their customers are so happy to have found good quality at super prices. There are fanboys for lots of product families. Jus .......
470: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Best ~$2000 Amplifier - ATI, ParaSound, Emotiva, Outlaw, Theta (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-03, 06:00:50 (216.82.182.34)
If your primary usage mode is movies you will need both video processing and amplification. A HT receiver in your price range would serve the purpose but going with better amplification is a good obje .......
471: General Asylum, RE: Nice guitar duo from Croatia and Australia (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-01, 09:53:59 (216.82.182.32)
Tommy Emmanuel is one of my favorite artists. I just wish he put his material on vinyl. I saw him here in town a while back and he was very entertaining as usual. He had Frank Vignola with him which i .......
472: General Asylum, I can hear my net worth receding with each new audio purchase. nt. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-07-01, 09:20:37 (216.82.182.32)
nt .......
473: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Wondering if there are measurements indicating its better to have preamp power supplies in separate box. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-28, 12:10:51 (216.82.182.32)
My Cary SLP 98P pre is a two chassis layout. The music chassis has the tubes and is all hand wired point to point. I have no basis of proof but it just seems to make sense to isolate the PS in its own .......
474: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: EL84 SOUND (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-26, 07:24:46 (216.82.182.33)
I recently have been on a quest to add a tube amp that has a sound that "does it" for me. I also have a powerful SS amp that I will keep as an alternative. The EL84 and EL34 tubes were the finalists f .......
475: Amp/Preamp Asylum, Point to point wiring (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-26, 06:41:56 (216.82.182.33)
I agree that tube gear benefits from no circuit boards. My Cary preamp is wired that way. I also just put in an order for a Decware Zen Torii amp as an alternative to my heavy muscle SS amp. Outside o .......
476: General Asylum, RE: Good thing our cat isn't very heavy, (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-23, 08:45:30 (184.57.197.197)
I have the same CD player and a Cary piece as well. My rack may have enough room for the cats to fit on top but they have never shown any interest. They will sit in the room for awhile but only for .......
477: Speaker Asylum, RE: 30 day update (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-22, 07:15:14 (184.57.197.197)
By musical, if you mean sounding like music more than sounding like a recording of music, then yes. I get lost in the music listening to these and marvel at how realistic good ESLs are with acoustic g .......
478: General Asylum, I don't intend to sell my amps (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-22, 06:54:56 (184.57.197.197)
When I bought a McIntosh amp many years ago I didn't intend to ever sell it, until I bought a Sanders Magtech. I was very glad I was able to get good prices on my Mac gear. The Magtech has a lifetime .......
479: Planar Speaker Asylum, Breaking in the zA2.1s (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-11, 10:03:52 (216.82.182.34)
I've had mine now for about 8 months. One month is about right for most of the break in although it continued in smaller doses for about 6 months. It is the bass woofers that need to loosen up. As thi .......
480: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Soundsmith rebuilds (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-11, 09:05:10 (216.82.182.34)
I had the $350 treatment done to my Clearaudio Virtuoso a few months back and agree the improvements are not subtle. The Virtuoso when I bought it was about $800. If you add $350, is the end result as .......
481: SET Asylum, RE: How many SET watts to drive a 93db Tannoy Turnberry ? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-10, 05:37:26 (216.82.182.34)
I have 90db sensitive speakers and recently tried and liked very much a Decware Zen Torii III. It is a 25 watt/ch push pull design running EL34s that sounds like a SET. You really need to read how the .......
482: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Full range? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-09, 08:52:26 (174.101.132.179)
David has not gone to market with a full range model to date. The coherency of the zA2.1 model won me over where nothing I could afford from say Martin Logan sounded together. I also prefer the tonal .......
483: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: Full range? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-09, 07:32:45 (184.57.197.197)
The Janszen Model One and the newer zA2.1 are both hybrids. I own the later and can only guess how good the bigger model must be. His father of course was the engineer and provider of the ESLs on the .......
484: Planar Speaker Asylum, Setup with a sub may be easier (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-06-08, 13:03:15 (184.57.197.197)
Panels of this size range usually need a sub to be "full range". By not having a crossover in the panel itself it can be run full and it should have no cohesion issues. The sub can fill in the rest. T .......
485: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Because there was a store named Heathkit (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-28, 07:13:27 (216.82.182.35)
I grew up in the Cleveland area and we had a Heathkit store that I loved spending time in. I built a portable AM/FM radio as the only kit that my paper route income could afford, but I drooled over .......
486: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: 450 watts per channel into 2-4-8 ohms American made 7500.00 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-28, 05:30:08 (216.82.182.32)
"No other U.S. made or European manufacturer offer this kind of power for 7500.00" Wow, that does seem overly expensive doesn't it? The Sanders Magtech is American made and generates 500 watts @8 ohms .......
487: General Asylum, RE: When did Binding posts become standard? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-26, 16:57:02 (184.57.197.197)
I have those Cardas posts on my latest Janszen speakers. I like them quite a bit for spades. Working with bare wires is tough to get them both to hold still while you tighten the knob, and bananas are .......
488: General Asylum, RE: When did Binding posts become standard? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-26, 16:51:35 (184.57.197.197)
McIntosh may have stopped (temporarily) building tube amps in 1968 but they carried those awful barrier strips on to their solid state amps. My MC7270 amp from the late 80's still had them. I hated th .......
489: Speaker Asylum, RE: Not quite browsing, not quite shopping...subwoofers with built in amps and crossovers... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-22, 10:05:08 (216.82.182.32)
You haven't narrowed the sub marketplace very much. The vast majority of subwoofers do what you are looking for. What are your main speakers? How big is your room? What is your budget? Those factors w .......
490: Planar Speaker Asylum, RE: AC transformer for Janszen I-30 (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-22, 06:24:39 (216.82.182.33)
I use his current speakers (love them) and David is very approachable. I recommend you email him directly with your questions. Contact details are on his web site. If anybody is qualified to service t .......
491: Whiner's Woad, RE: Never buy toys on time (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-20, 13:52:23 (216.82.182.34)
"If I save up that will take years! And I ain't waiting years." Wow, somebody isn't listening. If it would indeed take 5 years to save for what you want, buying it now on credit with compound interest .......
492: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Having had about a dozen various Mac units... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-20, 10:01:57 (216.82.182.32)
Your feedback is pretty damning. Why would you own a dozen units if you feel this way? .......
493: Whiner's Woad, Never buy toys on time (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-20, 07:59:06 (216.82.182.35)
Credit (paying the balance over time with accrued interest) should only be used for necessities: your home and primary car. Effective money management includes not using credit for discretionary items .......
494: General Asylum, RE: It has nothing to do with the sound (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-17, 08:27:37 (216.82.182.32)
You have described my listening habits and feelings exactly. .......
495: Amp/Preamp Asylum, RE: Where Are All of the Pre-Amps? (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-12, 07:21:29 (184.57.197.197)
"I still think the preamp is the most important link in the chain" I happen to agree. I expect the amp to only drive the speakers and not add any sonic character at all. The preamp "cooks" the sound t .......
496: Cable Asylum, RE: a product with 288 customer reviews.... (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-11, 07:27:53 (184.57.197.197)
People are tired of the hype in this hobby. The A-C cables are nothing more than a single strand of quality wire that sounds good, at an affordable price. You may not like something about them, but yo .......
497: General Asylum, RE: Equipment Rack (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-07, 05:49:50 (216.82.182.33)
You need to understand your needs with regard to number of pieces, weight requirements, and dimensions. After that consider style. A great place to do comparitive shopping is Stands and Mounts. I was .......
498: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Price balance between table and cartridge (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-07, 05:39:09 (216.82.182.33)
"I have a DL-S1 cartridge on a $15,000 turntable with a $4000 phono stage" Wow, that's 20 large just on the analog front end. I would hope you are happy with that, and I am just a little envious. I ha .......
499: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Per record cartridge cost? And playing beyond 1,000 hours. (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-06, 13:47:48 (216.82.182.34)
I decided to act when my cartridge started to expose a little sibilance in vocals. I probably waited a little too long. My cartridge was originally about $800, the new version now costs $900. Rather t .......
500: Vinyl Asylum, RE: Price balance between table and cartridge (0.00)
Posted by jsm71 on 2013-05-06, 13:10:58 (216.82.182.34)
I'm not starting from scratch. I have a Marantz TT 15S1 with a ClearAudio Virtuso that I just got back from a level 3 retipping at The Soundsmith. My preemp has a very nice MM input. I like the cartri .......
Found total of 500 records, Query: , Author: jsm71 in All Forums, Time: 2 sec.