Archive through February 17, 2005

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 588
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 09:30 pm:

Kegman: Yep, I've got the Parts Express catalog, and am toying with the idea of putting new speakers in the old RS cabinet. Sounds like they have some pretty good speakers! Later, perhaps a set of speakers/cabinets for my den. . .

Watched Master and Commander again today (while Mer was away teaching people how to create what some say is art. . .) and thought that my "modded" surrounds did themselves proud. Much better than before - especially for surround effects. Thanks, Kegger, for the help!

I've given up trying to find the Monitor speakers again on eBay. Just don't understand. . .

More anon. . .

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 589
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 10:21 pm:

To all: Wellll - finally learned tonight that, if you use a manufacturer's official picture with your ad - eBay will pull it off the web. Not my ad, but others I was trying to find. Interesting, I guess the copyright issue comes in here.

New CDs from Amazon today - just great! Will review on "Discoveries" in "Music" forum tomorrow.

G-nite and good music!

Ben James

Silver Member

Username: Black_math

Post Number: 210
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 08:58 am:

John,

It was only the sencond best movie of 2004...now available on DVD. Sideways is #1, of course.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 590
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 10:59 am:

FINALLY! To all: The B & Ws came this morning, and although the box was scraped up, the speakers inside were in good shape. Although one tweeter cover had been knocked off, I replaced it with no damage. The cabinets are in perfect shape.

Right now, they're being "run in" with some of my favorite chamber music. Cellos sound like cellos,pianos like pianos - and that upper range "harshness" that I felt with the other speakers is not there.

I'll be interested to see how the speakers "run in" after a day or so. I e-mailed the seller to ask him how much use the speakers had - and await his reply on that. From what I understand, these speakers need at least 100 hours of run-in time before they "settle down." Any comments?

Meanwhile, the Polks have met my reserve (minimum) amount on eBay - and we'll see what the final days of the auction bring.

Mer is happy with the B & Ws - WHEW! - although she says the cabinets are sorta "weird." Well, they ARE odd-shaped, but I love them dearly! Thanks to all forum-members for putting up with my whining and wistfulness, etc., whilst the speakers were on their way! (grin)

Ghia - you were very right in that the B & Ws make a perfect match with the NAD! As though the two were made for each other. Strange, but I hear none of the "boxiness" now that I heard with them in the showroom. Probably a major difference in room acoustics? Hmmm. . . I can see why you like your B & Ws!!!

More anon. . . ah, sweet, clear music. . . . .

Asimo

Bronze Member

Username: Asimo

Post Number: 49
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 02:57 pm:

Larry R

Congratulations for the new B&W speakers. I think that NAD is well matched with many other British speakers. My NAD is going better with my British Mission 751 speakers then my Italian aristocrats Sonus Faber Concertino�s speakers.
The question to ask is what did the Polk Audio search at an audiophile and operas enthusiast house.
Enjoy the new speakers and send us comments

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 61
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 04:01 pm:

Congrats, Larry! It's nice to hear you are happy with the B&W's, so far. Your description of the B&W's sounding 'boxy' from your past audition was the most surprising comment to me at the time because they have always seemed very open to me. My B&W's are in my office paired with the NAD c350 and c541i.

Asimo,

I have not heard the NAD 7000 or the Mac 1700 so I can only say that I prefer the MAC MA6200 to the NAD T763 and c350. I'm very interested in hearing your opinion once you get a chance to do the audition.

Yes, the Spendor model I have is S5e. Due to being out of town and having a busy schedule the past few days I haven't gotten to listen to them closely since Friday night.

Asimo, did you receive the email I sent a week or so ago?

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1378
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 04:33 pm:

Larry,

All's well that ends well! I thought something smelled a little fishy there for a while and was anticipating some bad news. Anyway, congrats on the speakers. I'm sure Mer and yourself will have many years of musical pleasure ahead.

John A.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2792
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Wednesday, February 09, 2005 - 05:08 pm:

Larry,

I thought the same as My Rantz, and it is good to learn you have the speakers at last. I would leave the tweeters in....!

Ben,

Thanks for the recommendation. Will remember that.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 591
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:15 am:

John A. - tweeters in - and here are the B&Ws, at home with the NAD and Yammie. A-OK, folks!

Upload

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 592
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:17 am:

And one more shot from the "proud papa." (blush)

Upload

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 593
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 11:08 am:

John A. et al - the speaker stands, by the way, are British - Alphason AD50s - Just started US distribution, and the chap in Texas said I was the first "Yank" to purchase them. Sorta expensive, but very solid.
There's a tempered glass bass with spikes thru-carpet, and a vertical steel tube in which is poured some sort of aggregate supplied by the company. A second channel snakes the speaker wire up inside. They're 20-inches tall. and heavy. . .
In case anybody's interested. . .

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 62
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 11:24 am:

That's a sharp looking setup there, Larry! Probably sounds like crap, though....just kidding! It's neat how the speaker cabinets coordinate so well with your a/v cabinet. The only suggestion I would make is to replace the TV with a flat panel HDTV in a finish to coordinate with the speaker stands. <wink>

KEGGER

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2189
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 12:22 pm:

SM I agree with that setup it screems plasma, would look very nice!

Larry nice setup now get those babies broke in would yu! wink wink nudge nudge!

Oh yes, ask SM about how she feels concerning the smaller speaker and a sub!

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 806
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 12:23 pm:

Larry and Mer,

A simple wish. May you both listen in good health.

Cheers!

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 594
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 01:14 pm:

SM, Kegger and Rick B. - (SOB SOB SOB-sniffle) Oh, how I'd LOVE a flat-screen TV! But do you have any idea what my checking account looks like about now? (grin) Sad, sad tale.

OK - this one's for all of you. It's from a "this absolutely can't work, but does," OK?

The B & Ws are wunnerful - BUT. The high frequencies still seemed a bit on the shrill side. Sum-ting's wrong, I said. Then I remembered what some of y'all - and others - had written about those metal jumpers between woofer and tweeter posts.

I'd e-mailed B&W - and actually got a very nice, polite and helpful return! Nobody else returns my e-mails out there in manufacturer-land!

After all the input - here's what I did. I took the cabinets apart, and took out the tweeters. . .
NO, NO, NO, NO! JUST KIDDING, GUYZ-N-GAL!!

Here's what I DID DO. First, took out the metal bridge-plates - set them aside. Then I cut pieces of the Blue Jeans cable 10AWG wire so that they just fit between the posts. Stripped off about a half-inch either end, and coated it with my wunnerful Silver Glop Grease. Carefully aligned the wire, using needlenose pliers, then tightened down the gold binding posts. So far, so good.

Then I cleaned off the banana plugs at the end of the Blue Jeans Cable speaker wire, applied a tiny amount of the silver glop, and plugged them in. My, the "mod" looked great! (blush)

Turned on the receiver and player and let both warm up for a few minutes (they'd been playing for hours earlier this morning)

Well, I'll be durned! The sound - I swear - was sweeter and smoother. I was playing an older Beethoven violin concerto, which was sorta strident to begin with, and the difference in sound was very pleasing to me.

OK - have I been tilting too many single-malt scotch glasses? Is my hearing totally gone? Am I delusional? All of the above?

Answers - comments - criticisms - all welcome about now. Please. . .

And Ghia - if this has worked as well for me as I THINK it has, may I humbly suggest you do the same with your B & Ws? Worth a try.

Looking forward to bricks and comments. . .

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 63
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 01:43 pm:

Larry,

I'm not dissatisfied with my B&W's. <winkie,>

Just kidding. I'm planning on doing some tweaks. For the living room system, I'm ordering Mapleshade Golden Helix speaker cable. The Spendors already have a wire type humper instead of the brass plate but I may replace that with a Mapleshade jumper. Or, I may biwire them. For the B&W's, I'll stick with the speaker cables I have but will replace the brass plate.

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 01:49 pm:

Uh, Larry, um, uh, ... where's the center channel speaker? I thought you were buying a real nice stereo this time.

My suggestion would be to explore speaker set up for those times when Mer's not at home. You can seldom get the type of response out of a speaker like the B&W when it is backed up against the wall. By pulling the speakers out into about the first 1/3 of the room, you should get an obvious difference in the soundstaging and the smoothness of the sound. If you haven't put any PlastiTak between the speakers and the stand, that would be my first move.

Here's an article to get you started:

http://www.immediasound.com/Speaker_set-up.htm

I would suggest you put "speaker set up" into a search engine and read a bit before you make your final decision. The sepakers do not have to remain in this position, but I would think you'll find enough improvement that it will be worth moving the speakers occasionally.

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 808
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 01:56 pm:

Larry,

Replacing the supplied jumper plates is a standard tweak that will give immediate sonic improvement. If it sounds good to you, who cares what anyone thinks. We're all slightly off center anyway.......LOL!

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 64
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 04:19 pm:

Jan,

Thanks for that link. Interesting information. Based on first reading, my current setup would appear to "violate" most of the suggestions starting with the fact the speakers are placed along the short wall instead of the long wall. I need to rethink my room/furniture/audio layout and try to come up with an alternative configuration.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 595
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 04:30 pm:

Jan V. - sorry, old chap, but no center speaker for me. Tried it, and thought it was of little value to me - personally.

Thanks for the info and the link - I'm trying to move speakers around a bit - but so far I pretty much like them where they are - plus, I don't have a lot of extra cable!

Kegger - I've been working the speakers all day, with everything from jazz to opera - loud, soft, in-between, etc. So far I don't see much improvement or change - but then these puppies are apparently nearly brand-new. When even the B&W company says "up to a month" to break in the Kevlar woofers, well, I gotta believe 'em.

I't kinda nice to know that, for once, I have a quality stereo setup. My last one, which I sold so we could "go boating," was Kef 104/2 speakers with Carver amp, pre-amp and tuner, and a kinda sub, called a "Kef Kube." Still miss that Carver, but the NAD takes its place very nicely!

Thanks all for the comments and info. . .

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 811
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 04:59 pm:

SimplyMcIntosh,

I will be very interested in your opinion of the Mapleshade Golden Helix cable. I went with the Mapleshade a few years ago, and think it's great.
What are you using now?

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 65
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 05:09 pm:

Rick,

I'm using 14ga speaker cable from Parts Express. Bought a 100' roll of it when I was setting up the surround system last summer. It is very cumbersome to use with the spring clips of the MA6200. I think the Mapleshade will be a better quality cable and will "play nice" with the spring clips too. :-)

This will be another of my infamous "read about it, haven't heard it, will try it anyway" experiments.

I haven't ordered it yet but will probably do so this weekend.

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 812
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 05:17 pm:

Trust me, your Spendors are in for a real treat. So are your ears. It is going to look like nothing you have seen before in speaker wire, but the sound will be a night and day improvement.

Cheers!

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 66
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 08:50 pm:

Couple of observations about the speaker placement recommendations from Jan's link;

1. In my current configuation, I have a 12'x19' room and the speakers are on the short wall.

2. My current layout distances are as follows:

Speakers from back wall = 2'
Speakers from sidewalls = 2' (on left side....right speaker is in front of door opening leading into hall)
Distance between speakers = 8'
Speakers to listening position = 12'
Ears to wall = 5.5'

3. If I draw the room map per the recommendations and place the speakers per the short wall recommendation, the distances change to this:

Speakers from back wall = 9.5'
Speakers from sidewalls = 3' (on left side....right speaker is in front of door opening)
Distance between speakers = 6'
Speakers to listening position = 7'
Ears to wall = 5.5'

Does that sound right? Even if I've done this right on paper, I have to figure out that pesky little problem of furniture being right where the optimal location for the speakers is. Hmmm....

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 67
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 08:58 pm:

BTW, the above is following the recommendation of having listening position at line 2 and the speakers at B1 and B3. I'm investigating some of the other positions right now.

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1387
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 09:18 pm:

Sim,
I'm no expert but #3 looks okay to me as it is close to an equilateral triangle configuration, but I don't believe there is really any hard and fast rule. Room acoustics come into play, wall and floor materials, furnishings, number of boyfriends etc etc. What do YOU like! That's what matters.

"I'm investigating some of the other positions right now."

You could have a priest come and bless your speakers - you know what position that would be don't you?

:-)

http://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/waspe.html

http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/speakerplacement.html

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 596
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 09:39 pm:

SM - good luck with the expensive speaker wire. When Mer and I did our exhaustive testing, we really could not hear the difference between the $300-a-yard wire and the 10-gauge Blue Jeans Cable wire.

Rick probably has more acute hearing than I do, but all I can say is that I hope you DO hear a major improvement with the Mapleshade wire. If so, give me a shout, and I might have to re-consider my sit-in-the-mud position on mega-buck wire! You may remember that I took some forum-folks' advice and bought heavy brass cones to put under the CD player. All they did - in my opinion - was to raise it up off the shelf! Hmm. . .sonic improvement? Nope. IMHO

Even the chap at B & W urged me to remove what he called the "alloy" jumpers on the 705s. He said the 10AWG wire should make for a nearly-bi-wire situation there. I "think" there is a difference, but I'm so skeptical that I hate to admit that my tweaks work! How's that for confidence!

My speakers are set up along a "long" wall - they're just under 2 feet out from the wall - and spaced 8 feet apart. I sit on the couch to listen, and am 11 feet from the speakers. That seems to work for me - and I guess I really have little desire to do a "speaker waltz" around the room.

More anon. . .

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:13 pm:

http://www.mhsoft.nl/SpeakerPlacing.asp

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:20 pm:

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, February 10, 2005 - 10:27 pm:

http://www.goodwinshighend.com/roomdesi.htm

Asimo

Bronze Member

Username: Asimo

Post Number: 50
Registered: Apr-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 02:01 am:

Larry R

Saw the picture of your new B&W, they are beautiful. I am sure your wife loves them and I hope she likes the music too. My wife loves my Italian style Sonus Faber concertino�s speakers but not the music. Anyhow I have my private music room for me alone.
High shrill of modern speakers is a common phenomena. The manufacturers want their speakers and amplifiers to be revealing and to give exact sound spectrum from 20hz to 20000hz, you end with bright or even shrill high�s
I have some recommendation to reduce this effect:
Improve the room acoustic, fill it with more items, furniture, rugs, wall carpets, curtains, books. Cover or close curtains of large glass windows or glass doors.
Try different location of the speaker. Move them closer to the side walls, up to 50 cm from the side wall. We tend to think that speakers must be 1.5 m -2.5 m apart but from my experience you get a better sound and stereo effect from small, two way speakers when they are closer to the side wall.
Check your source. Many of the new DVD players are not musical. They were created for movies and bombs. Try a musical CD player like NAD C542 or Arcam 72 or other and listen to the high�s
Hope this will be of some aid. What model is your Yamaha DVD Player ?

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 597
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 08:04 am:

Asimo: Thanks for the tips and other information, sir! My wife actually thinks the B&Ws are "funky," and calls them "R-1 D-1" in reference to the Star Wars robot R-2 D-2, which she says they resemble. Hmmm. . .

As to the Yamaha - it is model 5770, same as the S1500, only silver, not black. Yamaha said it had designed this player with sound in mind first, a video second. I find it quite musical - especially after my disastrous JVC unit, which a British reviewer called "wince-worthy." Ouch!

I'm told that both my tweeter and woofer will "settle down" after 50 hours or more of playing, and so I try to run-in the speakers by playing them most of the day. My listening area is not so much "live" as it is "large." Big, open area that goes living room-kitchen-front hall, and has very high, sloped ceiling. It's a tough room for stereo - but I continually change wall hangings and other things to dampen the liveness.

Lucky you that you have your own music room! My dear wife is, unfortunately, a TV addict in the evenings, and thus on most nights the music stops about dinner time. If I could only get those six numbers right on the Lottery! (grin)

SM - been reading up on the Mapleshade wire. My Goodness! They make it sound like a maiden's answer to her call for a Prince on a White Horse! (grin) I hope that you find a difference to your liking. Forgive me, though, if I'm skeptical. I've e-mailed a friend out West, asking him to return some of the hi-end wire he originally sent to us for a test last year. The test was with "old" equipment, and I'll be interested to see any differences - if any - using all of my new-and-better gear. I know he's got Kimber, but I can't remember Mapleshade. So, Ghia, I count on you for an accurate review once you get the Mapleshade stuff.

More anon. . .

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 68
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 08:05 am:

Larry,

I'll reread your post once I'm fully awake. But, if I understand the basic gist, you are under the impression this is an outrageously expensive wire. It's not. It's $85 for two 8ft runs. That works out to $5.31 per foot or $15.93 a yard to stay consistent with your example. Still more expensive than the Blue Jeans cable and the Parts Express cable but not as expensive as your impression and probably slightly less than MR's Kimber Kable.

Got to get caffeine.......

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 598
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 09:29 am:

SM - no, what I meant to convey was that the cables - to some - seem to be a great gift of sound, "answer to a person's prayer," that sort of thing. I already knew the cost, and did not mean to imply that you or anyone else was getting gouged by the Mapleshade folk.

In fact, if you hear "marked" improvement in sound, I might even consider the wires myself.

Well, Mer got up on wrong side of the bed this ayem, and when I started talking about cables, she pointedly asked if I could really hear any difference in the "mod" that I did on the B&Ws yesterday. Sigh.

Well, says I, have you got about 10 minutes? Sure, she said, but then you've got to shoot some digital pics for me to enter in a Monday art show take-in. Ok, says I. Here we go.

As the tweak involved my replacing the "alloy" straps with straight sections of Blue Jeans wire, it was very easy to switch them out - which I did.

Using the same chamber music CD that we play often, I sat her down in the sofa, and then as quickly as I could, switched back and forth. At least a dozen times.

End of test and Mer said - "so, you did something? I couldn't tell any difference." End of test, and I let her return to her studio. Sigh. With her super-ears, I thought sure she might tell a difference. I "thought" I heard a difference. Maybe not. Probably not. Surely not. Nope. Guess not. Double sigh.

this shows to go you that all things stereo are not as they may seem! (grin)

. . .and have a nice day, OK??? (grrrrrrr)(grin)

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 814
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 11:58 am:

JFTWC

Author/playwright Arthur Miller passed away today at age 89.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 599
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 12:17 pm:

Rick: Thank you - yes, a sad day. He was certainly a creative force, wasn't he? so many of our "giants" are going or have gone recently. Starting to feel lonely. . .

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1389
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 01:16 pm:

Larry,

Maybe the "no difference" when alternating the jumpers for cable was due to (a) the music (b) the inductance quality of the jumpers, or (c) a recognition blocking process brought on by a bad mood :-)

The difference I noticed was not as much as the cable change, but it was perceivable and the bi-wiring was about the same again. So switching the jumpers with cable, exchanging the old 10g wire for Kimber, and bi-wiring all added to a marked improvement across the frequencies. About the best way I could descibe the difference would be thus:

Let's say the the sound quality was originally represented by 100

Switching cable + 6
Switching jumper + 2
Bi-wiring + 2

The Kimber 8pr cable cost $15 AUD per meter. 10g oxy free clear skinned cable ranged from around $7 to $17 AUD per meter. I don't think one could say I went overboard on exotic cables, but the exercise does make me wonder about even better performance using Kimber's (or another brand) more expensive cable as the $15 per metre was well spent in my opinion.

BTW - if those 705's sound as good as they look you're a lucky guy.

Just one other thing Larry - apart from the lower and mid frequency improvements, the top end now sounds extremely accurate and clean. Cymbals sound like cymbals i.e. like sticks hitting REAL brass with the resulting timbre making the instuments sound like they are in the room. Trumpets and saxes crackle and resonate with astounding realism. Some may call this 'bright' or 'too forward' - me, I call it real. But, everyone is different in what appeals to them - many people prefer a 'muted' top end. If you (or Mer) find the metal dome tweeters "too forward" then the 705's won't be your audio nirvana after all. I hope this is not the case.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 600
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 04:24 pm:

My Rantz: A coupl-ah points, please. First, regarding this morning's Mer-test. For the first time, I had to disagree with her - gently, natch! I thought the change in jumpers did make a difference - a tad smoother sound, if you will.

Now - as to the metal dome tweeters. Yep - they're taking some getting-used-to, for sure. Let me see if I can explain - they do sound very "sharp," and sometimes I get the feeling they are over-balancing the woofer. BUT - the highs that come out of those tweeters are so clear that, unlike my last speakers, they are not "fatiguing" to the ears. Yes, they are forward - no, they are not such a problem that they "ruin" my listening.

I have been told - or read reports - by many people that these metal-dome tweeters will often "mellow-out" after some 75 to 100 hours. If that's so, then I'll be happy.

The woofer is another story. Even the B & W guy kindly said not to be concerned about some "rough edges" with the new speakers. He advised that about 300 hours would work them in so they would be smoother, and that the low frequencies would "show through" better then. Hmmm. . .

As to cable - I'm hoping that my comments to SimplyMcIntosh this morning were not taken as criticsm of her spending money on cables! Wasn't meant that way at all - so sorry if I came across that way.

My personal history with cables has been that I really can't tell much difference. Except that I did hear quite a difference between 16awg store-brand wire and the Blue Jeans 10AWG that I have. If others - including you, MR - hear a sonic difference then I envy you. At my age (68) people tell me I'm lucky to be hearing any high frequencies at all! But I do. . .(grin)

So MR and SM - nope, I'm not saying either one of you went "overboard" on cable expense. OK?

I think Kegger was quite correct in urging me to keep working to "burn in" the speakers. And Kegger, I'm really trying! (I know - very trying somedays - grin) I switch on the stereo about 8 a.m. and it runs pretty continuously until dinner hour - roughly 6:30 p.m. I try to boost the volume when Mer's not around - loudness makes her crazy. We'll see what happens after, oh say another week.

SM - I believe you and I are in the same boat here, with the speaker run-ins? How's your experience with the Spendors coming? do you notice any difference yet? Or is it simply too soon to tell? Curious, that's me. . .

MR - as to looks - well, I think the B & Ws are utterly wonderful. However. . .Mer thinks they're sorta strange and as I posted earlier, she calls them "R-1 D-1" robots. Sigh. WAF - huh? What's dat? That's what I get for marrying a gal who grew up on farms - if stuff isn't simple and functional she thinks it's over-the-top. Maybe speakers disguised as a milking machine? Hmmm. . .now there's a thought! (grin)

Enough jabber by me - I'm going in to put my new Paul Desmond CD on the player - and zone out awhile. (yes, with Scotch in hand!)

Latr, folks. . .

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1390
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 05:24 pm:

Larry,

Didn't take it that you were accusing us of going overboard on the wire - just stating there was no need.

I find also that while our speakers are crisp and accurate in the top end they are not the least bit fatiguing also. At least with the tweaks you have either implemented already or may do soon, they are reversible if they cause unwanted prescence and they won't cost you the earth (only a little of Mer's ire maybe):-)

I believe you have much listening pleasure to look forward to. Cheers.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 601
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 06:15 pm:

My Rantz: Mer is forgiving, in her own way. (grin) She is so happy that I'm doing the stereo upgrades and enjoying the music that any and all disagreements take a very, very "back seat" in our relationship. No fights. No shouting. No nasty jibes. Just occasional "disagreements."

Thanks for the Cheers and the support. I would so dearly love to come and visit your fascinating country. And when - not IF - I win the lottery, I intend to do so. One of my many dreams. . .

OK - on to a simple dinner of fresh salmon baked with a hint of tarragon, lemon and mixed pepper, and some fine fresh asparagus - with sliced tomatoes under a very thin veil of blue cheese dressing. And on to a bit of vanilla bean ice cream topped with just a hint of blackberry liquor. Simple, but good. . .

More anon. . .

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 602
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 06:19 pm:

PS - the "mixed pepper" referenced above is a mix of white, rose, green and black peppercorns - and not a bunch of fresh peppers. FYI

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1391
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, February 11, 2005 - 06:34 pm:

I was only kidding about Mer and I know you both have a great relationship - we are both very fortunate in that respect. You and Mer 'down under' great stuff! We hope our 'lotto' win takes us to Florida and many other parts of North America.

Good food, good music and great company - Larry, you have it all my friend!

I will be sampling some of your food tips - so keep 'em coming (ah the aroma!) please.