Archive through March 06, 2005

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1460
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 05:41 pm:

Larry,

"systems that finally sound as good as we might hope for, given the level of our financial investment."

Yes, exactly, but add lots of time for research (mag reviews, forums, listening) etc. The thing I have really noticed (obviously) is the value of the surrounds: the better the quality/sound, the better the overall impression of movies and, in particular, the music. I cannot stress enough the difference I am hearing with the B&W rears. I know you and Mer have your own thoughts on this issue - I am only adding my two bob's worth because I think the importance should not be understated. So I hope you win those Orbs. Nuff said!

Oh! I'll yell a happy 'Hi' to Mrs Rantz later when she's home - thanks guys.

Relevant Product Info

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 701
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Wednesday, March 02, 2005 - 10:53 pm:

My Rantz - and a happy day to you, sir! I agree that surround speakers should be as good as possible for the best effects - but there is also the WAF and overall room decor to consider, especially if your listening area must share space with the overall "living room" and its furnishings. Sigh. I once had a dedicated music room - didn't know how fortunate I was until we moved. Never had another one - but am hopeful for the future - maybe!

Well, the Yamaha finally got to Los Angeles - and may be delivered to Yamaha DVD exchange place tomorrow. Then - we just wait. And wait. And wait.

The Orbs may - or may not - be the answer to my dilemma: get fairly good surround and keep Mer happy with very small speakers. Can it be done? Well, I've e-mailed the chaps at Orb, and of course they claim that their liddle wonders sound as good as speakers many times their size. As I'm one who has bought both good sales lines and bad merchandise - I have guarded optimism. If I win the pair, I'll post the results of listening. If not, I may just "slop along" with the Rad-Shacks for awhile.

Just thinking that it's been more than ten years now since Kathleen Battle was fired from the Met for being an utter witch. She's given concerts and made recordings - but has never set foot on an opera stage since. She's considered "poison." But it's her own fault - and very sad, as she has a wonderful voice behind that B itch exterior.

Carry on. . .

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 12:23 pm:

1959: Lou Costello comedian, dies at 52.

Thus providing the correct order for those still confused by who died first, what died second and I don't know about third.

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 12:25 pm:

http://www.cob.ohio-state.edu/~tomassini_1/whotext.html

Well worth a read in honor of Lou.

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1461
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 05:31 pm:

Stereo is good!

Yesterday I loaded the old Yammie 5 disc Cd player, switched the new 602's to 'B' speakers for stand alone "stereo" playback to begin the 'running in' process. I intended to simply enjoy the music while I worked.

Though the Yammie is not as open and refined as the DVD-2900 (especially) via analogue connections, after a short time the sound enticed me from my workroom and into the lounge where I plonked myself on the edge of the coffee table (with coffee mug in hand) and proceeded to listen to this wonderful 'stereo' sound. This is basically the 'sweet spot' facing back to the toed-in 602 rears.

A couple of hours later (after changing to the Denon for cd playback) I was firmly entrenched in this terrific stereo sound coming from the 602's and I was almost beginning to nudge towards Jan's stand that stereo rules - did I really say that? Anyway, I was enjoying the sound that much. A very open soundstage, decent bass, clean, crisp highs, accurate imaging and an all round wonderful sound that just got better and better as the day went on while my work was being ignored.

This was a great experience and I had to take stock of what was happening. Work be darned - after a bite to eat for lunch, the 602's were relegated back to their rear surround duties and the sacd's and dvd-a's were given an equal opprtunity to impress; after all, stereo had really caught my attention (it has been quite a while since critically listening to stereo as it is usually for background) and I was getting worried that I might have to soon eat humble pie.

I need not have been concerned. The hi-res surround was just - well - absolutely magic. Words cannot convey the experience - and almost the same goes for my thoughts on the terrific 602's.

Now I muat catch up on work - darn it!

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2855
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 07:47 pm:

Quad ESL 63. The dream becomes reality. Amazing. Something else. Wonderful. It was the right thing to do. They exceed all expectation. More later.

2c,

Thanks for comments. Will write something more at weekend.

Ghia,

Everything you wrote about Magnepans applies. Wonder how they compare.

MR,

Good to hear the B&Ws make you waver on the stereo question, too. If I had to choose my new speakers in stereo only, or anything else I have ever heard for surround, it would be no contest. How the Quads work as mains, I will investigate eventually. But it seems like a small question, now; strangely irrelevant. Strewth, the detail, the clarity. Etc. etc. Etc. etc. They are indeed in a different league from any other speaker I have heard, except possibly the Quad ESL 57, and the memory fades after 25 years. "Just as good" at least. Surely.

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1463
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 09:11 pm:

John

So pleased about your Quads - exceeding expectations is a real bonus - I can imagine the big grin on your face. Look forward to your more detailed review. The 602's did not make me waver - really - the stereo sounds great admittedly, but the good surround discs are way in front. Simply Marvellous!

And it can only get better!

Later.

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1464
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 09:26 pm:

John, I don't know if you have read this - I briefly scanned the first few paragraphs - no time. But might interest you.

http://www.stereophile.com/loudspeakerreviews/416/

Bronze Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 100
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 09:39 pm:

JohnA

Congrats on the Quads! Like 2C, I like the retro look of them. I bet they sound great too!

Everything you wrote about Magnepans applies. Wonder how they compare.

I'm afraid that discovery would have to be made on your dime! lol. I'm through with speaker buying - at least until I sell the MA's and Spendors - which are slowly becoming an albatross. ;-)

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 702
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Thursday, March 03, 2005 - 10:23 pm:

John A. - good show! I'm sure you'll get years of wonderful sound from the Quads! Looking forward to the day when you get your final music setup finished in your "new" house, wherever that might be. Hopefully, with a dedicated music room?

SM - Mournful news from you, my friend! I thought you had buyers for your speakers? guess not - but we're all pulling for you to finalize the deals and get on with your Maggie-life!

My Yammie is in the - uh - Yammie shop out in the LA area - was delivered this ayem. They say they'll ship out whatever they return to me within five days. Hope it's a new deck - but we'll just have to wait. Sigh.

You guyz-n-gal will love this! My nutzy friend in LA found the package of speaker wires that he swore he sent to me. Found them under the front seat of his car. Sigh. Offered to send them on to me for testing, but I told him that really I wasn't in the mood. So maybe he'll just keep them. In his car? Where they do a lot of good! (grin)

More anon. . .

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2856
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 02:25 am:

Thanks for the congrats, MR, GC/SM, Larry.

It is a new world.

Thanks for the link to the review, MR. Yes, I had already read that, twice. It is very good and was part of my decision, once I had cut through the journalism. No offence, Larry, but I think you are one of the good ones. For example, that "Stereophile" review kicks off with distinction which I do not recognise, and comes close to a central part of the topic of this thread:

Quad equipment is not designed primarily for audiophiles, but for serious-music (call that "classical") listeners who play records more for musical enjoyment than for the sound

Now - what, please, is an "Audiophile" in this sense?! What is he/she looking for in HiFi?

I wrote to Jan, whom I thank for input on this, on-line and off.

"I have a new copy of the original manual - it is clear on these issues. It is clear on everything. Stands may be good; it says so. I shall take it a step at a time. They sound awesome and I propose just to listen to music for a while, suspending compulsive dissatisfaction. It will not be difficult!

"The manual is clear that the amp must be capable of surviving a short circuit at the output stage. Also about the volume issue.

"I must say, Jan, I had not thought about getting used ESL 63s until you pointed out the [advantages]. I am so glad I did. I have the real thing, not an "update". They really are wonderful. It really is as if you are listening to the programme itself- instruments, voices, even the radio news is transformed..."

The manual also has things to say about positioning, rooms, and speaker cables.

I just plugged them in and bingo; the startling impression of hearing the original sound. I will get around to moving them around a bit, and trying stands, eventually. And, just as Ghia said about Magenpans, this legendary stringent requirement for one small "sweet spot" is a load of tosh - they sound brilliant anywhere in the room. Even from the nest room you can hear the difference.

It would be impossible to recommend these speakers too highly. Their considerable reputation is entirely justified, in my estimation. BTW I got a good deal from a very professional audio trading company; one-year warranty; replacement manual; they even delivered. I do not mind paying such middle-men; they do a good job.

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2857
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 02:28 am:

A few typos there, sorry. Friends, you catch my drift!

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1465
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 02:44 am:

John A

Excellent stuff my friend. You seem as satisfied as I - and that is saying something. Although we may have entirely different sound to suit our listening needs, the joy that come from knowing one has made the right decisions -especially when they are costly ones - cannot be overstated.

Enjoy the music - Oh, and what does Mrs A think of the Quads?

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2257
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 02:45 am:

Good stuff John and I'm very very glad you now have the speakers you love!

I think I've heard that somewhere before!
"get the speakers you really really want then the electronics to accompany them"

I recently sold my harman kardon reciever and those speakers that larry
was looking at "the jmlabs" to finance my latest purchase an antique sound labs
300b 8watt a channel amp and it's georgous sounding not to mention looking!
(at least I think so)

Upload

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2258
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 02:47 am:

Congrats to yourself there mr rantz as well!

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1466
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 04:51 am:

And to you to Kegger my friend.

You sure are building quite a collection there. I can't imagine all the different sounds but I would surely like to hear them. Keep on keeping on!

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 887
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 05:39 am:

Enjoy the music John! My best regards to you and the family. Cheers!

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 101
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 07:34 am:

LR,

SM - Mournful news from you, my friend! I thought you had buyers for your speakers? guess not - but we're all pulling for you to finalize the deals and get on with your Maggie-life!

Well, as I mentioned, the MA center speaker did sell to a legitimate buyer. The GR10 buyer turned out to be someone trying to scam me by sending me a $5800 check instead of $800 and then I could Western Union him the excess. As for the Spendors, well, the guy I thought was going to buy them backed out because his wife wouldn't let him get a black finish.

What's worse? Women who can't get past the WAF or the men too spineless to make their own decisions? :-)

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 102
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 07:53 am:

JohnA,

Great news from you! Very interesting. It is pretty amazing to get that level of satisfaction - the kind where you know your listening experience has been transformed in a way you imagined but had yet to experience. As I mentioned to Larry in email, I rearranged my weekend to shorten an out of town trip into a day trip instead of an overnighter. Then, on Sunday, I listened to the music, non-stop, for over 12 hours. The Maggies have more hours on them from a weekend of listening than the Spendors had in the 3 weeks or so that I had them. You didn't hear about me re-arranging travel plans to accommodate them, did you? ;-)

The MMG's clearly offer a listening experience I didn't get from the MA, Spendors or B&W's - despite those speakers costing 2-3 times more. Will these be the last speakers I ever buy? There's a strong possibility of that. But, I know that my listening experience doesn't have the breadth or depth of many here on this forum so maybe curiosity will get the best of me down the road. But, I'm pretty sure I don't think I'll ever go back to the standard box speaker. Might look into either the bigger Maggies or seeing what the Quads are about.

Well, good day and good listening to everyone!

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 103
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 08:04 am:

Speaking of satisfaction....I purchased a new rug for the dining room. The cats said they had always dreamed of a rug like this but had yet to experience one. Oh, the kilims were ok but real wool was in their dreams. They spent all evening, alternating between lounging on it and rolling around on it.

Lar, I think I figured out a new furniture arrangement plan that will allow me to make more room for the Maggies without having to sell the entertainment center or splurge on a flat panel TV. I was able to rework the furniture arrangement in my bedroom to make room for the entertainment center and TV. Just need to get a man to come over and help me move it. ;-) The bedroom layout works much better now and makes it seem bigger, even once the TV is moved in there.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 703
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 08:20 am:

John A. - SO glad you're deep into the sound of the Quads! And you, sir, hit on one of the important parts of my own listening situation: I spend a lot of time here in the den, on the computer, and thus have to listen to the stereo "long-distance." The B&Ws sound very good, even in here - let alone in the so-called "sweet spot." Sort of a "house full of sound," if you catch my drift. The subwoofer has added measureable amounts of sound-pleasure in that respect.

Kegger: Good grief! And I thought I was in bad shape with a back-bending NAD! A 300-pound amp?!? Where do you put it - I know, I know - "anywhere it wants to go." (grin) Congrats on the speaker/amp sales - you CAN have too much audio stuff, you know!

SM: Wellll - we're still hoping that you get some "real" buyers - and soon! I know I had to leave audiogon and go with eBay to sell the Polks, so maybe the MAs would do better there?

Now - (blush) - as to the WAF and wives who won't let their husbands buy BBS (big, black speakers), uh, put me in that camp. Uh, ahem, urrrrr, Mer won't let me buy BBS either - so if anybody out there has an extra spine to offer. . . (grin)

At least Mer has come around to liking the B&Ws, which she insists on calling "R-1, D-1s" Sigh. Guess they might be "star-warry" to some, but to me they are just plain wonderful. The subwoofer, on the other hand, does look like a pregnant crab! (double grin)

Just want you to know that, after all your mewing and purring about the MMGs, I'm going to trek down to the gnarly-sound-emporium and take a listen to their Maggies. Not yours, but some that are, I think, called 1.6 or the likes. Nearly 6 feet tall. but I'll report on their sound, and whether they'd make nice extension speakers for the bathroom! (grin)

More anon. . .

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 704
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 08:27 am:

SM - paths crossed again.

Waydaminut, waydaminut! Uh, you're moving your entertainment center to the bedroom, with the TV? And than what are you going to use for equipment rack with the Maggies? 'splain that one, pleez!!

Oh, yes - as to moving the stuff - see, men ARE good for a few things! (double grin) spineless though we may be (soft chuckle)

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 705
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 08:36 am:

My Rantz: We - all of us - need a picture of your surround set-up, please!

John A. - same thing.

SM - same thing.

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 104
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 09:44 am:

Lar,

LOL! I hoped the "spineless" comment would be taken in jest as it was meant. No offense to men or wives, just a little jibbing. I have a little bit of built-in WAF myself. Trying to find a nice balance between aesthetics and great sound. For instance, the 6 foot Maggies might be a little too much for me. lol. Larry, I think the 1.6 are actually only about 5ft tall. They go lower than my Maggies but have the same range on the high end.

The "entertainment center" is actually a big box built for TV flanked by bookcases. The bookcases will stay in the living room but will be pushed together and the audio equipment will stay there. Just the TV box will be moved. That will free up about 4' space on that short wall so the Maggies will have more breathing room.

This will work out ok. When I have the occasional visitors over we seldom watch TV. Usually, it is dinner, conversation and, if they are so inclined, music. The bedroom layout is much more functional now. My bedroom is long and narrow 12x20 and the furniture arrangement had been awkward. Last night around 11p, I had an epiphany about what to do and rearranged the furniture 'til midnite. I was very pleased with how much it opened up the bedroom's floor space and, adding the TV box won't diminish it.

In addition to moving the TV box, I will need a brave man to go under the house to pull the cable to the TV's new location too. Hmmm... may have to give Mr B a call. We did part on friendly terms so I think he'll be open to helping out.

Ok, gotta go do some work.

Glad to see everyone's sound systems are evolving to euphoric levels! :-)

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 105
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 09:48 am:

Clarification on the rug thing (as if anyone is interested). I think the kilims are wool but they have a rough surface. The new rug is a cotton/wool blend and is very soft. The cats love it.

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 706
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 01:10 pm:

SM - wow! Epiphany, euphoria - heck, before you know it you will have arrived in sound-Nirvana, fer shore!

Have a wunnerful old retired CIA chap-friend who insists on pronouncing the word EPP'-uh-fanny. Of course he knows the difference - just likes the sound of it, I guess! Go figger. . .

Hey - the furniture dis and re-placements sound like a good solution! And Jenny - if you're gonna keep on doin' stuff like this, you're gonna have to learn how to deal with crawl-spaces! (grin)

Know what you mean about cats and rugs. When we had cats - and a wunnerful thick wool area rug in the dining room - Mer and I had to alternate vacuum and sticky tape just to be able to see the rug-pattern! Cat hair - about a half-inch thick! And my, how they did love that rug! Now that we have neither rug nor kitties - well, we miss both, I guess. . .

Now - ev-body - let's get those pics!!!!!

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 707
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 01:15 pm:

SM - PS - "if" you're looking into flat-panel TVs, may I humbly suggest Dell - yes, the computer-maker. They've got stunning LCD TVs for much less than other companies. I've seen them, and love them.\
Of course, you can only get LCDs up to about 32 inches - so any larger an you have to shift to plasma or something else like that. My personal opinion - LCDs.

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1467
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 05:10 pm:

Oh woman of many names,

It's great that U2 have found such satisfaction from your new Magnepans as do your cats with the rug.

"What's worse? Women who can't get past the WAF or the men too spineless to make their own decisions?"

Where were you when we guys were looking for wives? LOL!

Larry

Hi to you and Mer. More pics - I dunno! For our surround set up I might need a panaoramic camera LOL! Will see what I can do maybe . . .

I've been reading the overnight (here) posts and it seems all of us are quite content with our recent purchases. Come on Jan - surprise us LOL!

Oh! And Larry - that's a model number on Keggers new amp, not its weight! A 300lb amp?

It's about 8 am, Mrs Rantz is stirring, the birds are chirping, this 5th day of autumn promises warmth and sunshine and breakfast is now on mind as we prepare for another weekend in paradise. All is good!

Okay, I'll give you a break. (grin)

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 889
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 05:48 pm:

Digital pictures of surround set-ups?????????

Need I remind you that men with spines and tubed stereo don't have digital cameras, they have 35mm SLR's.

LOL!

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1468
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 06:21 pm:

Need I remind you that men with spines and tubed stereo don't have digital cameras, because caves don't have electric power for modern tech.

Tubed stereo - now isn't that muzak, Rick? [LOL!]

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 106
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 06:23 pm:

MR,

I'm figuring out that I'm an unusual woman to say the least. lol

Rick,

I thought cavemen drew pictures on the wall. Not sure how you could transmit that via internet. :-)

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 07:03 pm:

Sorry, I try to keep the suprises down to a minimum now days. The same system keeps on working and satisfying so there is little that is going to change - hopefully.

The Philips CD player has been a bit "hinky" lately, so I thought it might be time to investigate the benefits of investing in replacement instead of repair. I stopped to listen to two CD players at the local Linn dealer. I chose the middle of the day in the middle of the week so I wouldn't be asking anyone to give time to my request beyond mere courtesy. There were only a few thousand dollars worth of gear in the display system so I guess it didn't demand enough set up in this shop to demonstrate the components to their best advantage. When I intimated to the salesperson this particular system, while evincing tonal purity and sufficent musical capability to discern an audible difference between the two players, manifested no discernable soundstage, he rejoined, "Probably not. Maybe if we moved the speakers a bit ..." When he refrained from moving the speakers I submitted it was unfeasible to make a determination which piece of gear would best suit my needs if neither could wheedle a presentation beyond the five foot span between the speakers nor more than two feet in apparent depth. He absolved his inaction by rationalizing that since the ceiling was so high (12 ft.) it was of no real consequence how the speakers were positioned. His suggested path of action to me was to decide based on which player sounded "warmer" to me. "Warmer" seemed to be the only word he knew to use. The less expensive player, the amplifier and the cables were all defended and defined as being "warmer"; and, therefore, soundstaging was not a reasonable expectation. So you see, Larry, stereo-mopes exist everywhere.

My money has been going into the house and all new appliances this past year. All evidence would indicate this is a task which needs to be repeated every twenty to twenty five years. It is generally unwise to wait until the washer takes its final breath while full of water and soapy clothes. But wait is what I've done with the washer, the water heater and the dishwasher. Unless there is controversy or excitement in the choice of gas or electric water heater, I don't have much to report. For the record I did choose a gas unit with 40 gallon capacity deciding to bypass the on demand unit of much higher cost. Diminishing returns you know. The range and oven are the next purchases and then the flooring to clean up the mess the water heater made when it disposed itself of its contents at 1:00 AM. I'm hoping the furnace can go another five years.

The rotation of the globe has brought spring like temperatures to Dallas. The temperatures have been in the 60's during the day. The early daffodils and jonquils have come out (along with the weeds in my neighbor's lawn), so warm weather isn't far off. It will be time to plant spring tomatoes in a few weeks - maybe. It's has been incredibly wet and cloudy the past two to three weeks; Dallas has had twice our normal rain fall for the year so far. The days are very somber and dreary with an almost constant drizzle. I have little to complain about while parts of the US are still receiving large amounts of snow; but I would certainly enjoy a bit of sunshine for more than a few hours in the afternoon. Right now I'll even take sunshine to a new CD player.

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 07:11 pm:

From another thread on the Home audio portion of the forum:

"yes im loking at buying a legacy 800 watt amp 2 and 4 ohms model number LA590. and i have 2 sony xplode 10" subs they are 400 watts each i dont know what the rms are on them they are in a big ol box and i dont fel like taking them out but i went on a web site and saw the ones like mine and it said it was 400 watts so im guessin that means the rms rating is about 200 correct? i also want 2 know if this amp that i want 2 buy is a good amp for my subs the specs on the amp are 2x400 watts output 1x 800 watts bridged output 800 watts total power the last amp i had was a clarion apa 4203 and it just burned up on me recently i took it apart and it had a burn mark on the board also i talked 2 a guy and he said that it meant my amp was overheating but im also guessing if the amp was 2 little 4 the speakers and it worked the amp 2 hard is that posible? but i had 2 fans on it i dont know the wattage of the clarion for as it didnt say on it so i need some advice on what 2 do"

Ahh, youth! Ahh, punctuation!!!

Silver Member

Username: Rick_b

New York
USA

Post Number: 890
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 07:15 pm:

TONGA......TUBE......TONGA

hammer, hammer, chisel, chip..........GRUNT!

Silver Member

Username: Larry_r

Naples, FL

Post Number: 708
Registered: Oct-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 09:45 pm:

MR - OOPS! (blush) I speed-read Kegger's posting, and of course read "300b" as "300 lb" whoosh! A 300-pound amp? Didn't stop to think about it, just got scared! (double grin) Thanks. . .

Jan V. - I'm still trying to figure out what the heck the guy in your second posting was trying to say! (grin) Sure am glad I don't have to talk with him, 'cause it would surely be a one-way conversation! sigh. . .

As to sunshine vs. a new CD player - well, uh, ahem, ummmm, ah, "I'm working on it - give me a minute, OK?" Uh. . . . . . .

Spent this evening working as a volunteer bartender and food-pusher at the Ahht Leeg where Mer slaves away twice a week. Sigh. Bunch of over-rich swells coming through to ogle the artwork and get as much freebie stuff as possible.

It became a game with me after awhile. Was called "wine boy," and "hey, you," and I don't know how many other demeaning names. After all, I WAS the servant, wasn't I? Yep.

Got reinforcement for my general feeling that the super-rich have little else but their money in life, and use that as a weapon to put down those of us who, for whatever reason, do not share their good fortune.

I finally got into it with a drunken dowager who spied a particular bottle of white wine in the cooler, and wanted me to pour her some. I said fine, and proceeded to open the bottle. Whereupon she asked if I knew about the wine - it was an obscure label from New Zealand.

I allowed as how I did not know it, and she said: "what, you've never been to New Zealand?" I replied, "No missus, I'm a simple man, and live out near the swamp all my life, so I don't know about these things. I only pour what y'all ask me for."

Well, she wasn't about to let it go, and berated me for not knowing how to judge wine. (by this time I was laughing inside, and beginning to enjoy the ride) "Missus," I said, "I jest know that it's white, and cold, and that's all they're paying me to know."

"Well," she huffed, "let me give you a lesson!" By now a small crowd had gathered around us, and I was going to play this for everything I had.

"I'd surely 'preciate that, missus," I said, as she moved around to the side of the table. She began to swirl the wine around in the glass (plastic party glass) and allowed as how she couldn't "really" teach me without crystal. But she continued by covering the glass with her hand, and then telling me to move closer to her. I complied. She then lifted her hand from the glass, and put the glass under my nose. "Well, what do you smell?"

I shook my head, and responded with all the humility I could muster. "White wine."

"That's IT?!?" she said, incredulously.

"Yes, missus, white wine it is, for sure! But wait, maybe there's something else, but I just can't figger it out."

By now she was exasperated, and stuck the glass under my nose again. "Try again," she said.

I did a 10-count with the sort of control that would make a patiently-stalking Green Beret proud, then actually shouted: "Pear! I smell pear! And maybe some apple! Oh, I see what you're meaning, missus! Thank you so much!"

Secure in herself, and that she had taught a mere "wine boy" something, the dowager held out her glass. "Pour some more," she ordered. I did.

As she walked away with nose pointed skyward, one of the sculpture teachers who had been watching the spectacle from the sideline came over and just said: "Great act." We both doubled up laughing. . . end of story.

Now I's gonna go tah bed. G-nite y'all. . .

Silver Member

Username: Simplymcintosh

Post Number: 107
Registered: Jan-05

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 09:56 pm:

LOL! That's funny, Lar.

Mingus, Maggie, aaahhhhh...... :-)

J. Vigne

Unregistered guest

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 10:26 pm:

Pssst, Larry. The "300b" refers to the large triode output tubes in the amplifier.

Sem

Silver Member

Username: Sem

New York
USA

Post Number: 429
Registered: Mar-04

Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 11:07 pm:

Kegger lugging a 300 lb amp, Larry that would be an image to see eh?

My Rantz, great stuff, funny stuff.
"Where were you when we guys were looking for wives? LOL!"
My guess is you did just fine :-)

SM, I can see it now..."former BF, can you come over on Saturday? I just need to move some cable." Yeah, that'll work. :-)

Jan, with 14 inches of snow on the ground here, and more expected early next week, your talk of early daffodils and jonquils leaves me kind of blue. Although I will be visiting the fun-filled cities of Houston, Austin, and San Antonio later this month. Hide the women and farm animals!!

Gold Member

Username: John_a

Post Number: 2858
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 12:40 am:

Sorry I do not have a camera here right now.

MR,

Thank you - I think Quad ESL speakers in our small sitting room are testing even my WAF, which is larger than most. They do dominate the room, rather as if two scaled-down monoliths from "2001" have appeared. Now I think of it, they do bring messages from another world, too. That of music. Jeez, that's pretentious.

The new version, the Quad 988, has various choices of cover with fancy patterns and tasteful colours..

Ours are bog-standard teak with plain dark brown ("mocha"?) cloth.

They look pretty beautiful to me, but I am in love.

But look, guys, it is the sound!

Mrs A and I had a conversation, after listening to "Hello Children everywhere" Vol 2. Mrs A's first hearing of the speakers was their performance of Charlie Drake's "Hello My Darlings". Completely incredible. Conversation roughy as follows.

"Well, what do you think?"

"Can we have the next track?"

"Yes, of course"

[Repeat the above many times]

"Well?"

"I am not going to comment on the sound"

"Why is that?"

"If I did, I would have to change my position, which was that 'they are your well-deserved personal indulgence; I doubt I shall notice the difference; but go ahead, you've always wanted them"

"No you don't have to change your position - just say they is not much difference"

"I don't lie".

"Glass of wine?"

"Yes please. But how did you get out of the seat and play/sing like that, while I had my eyes closed? I heard you!"

"No, it was on the recording".

"Yes, I suppose it must have been. Everything sounds like you really are there, listening to the real thing".

"So what do you think of them?"

"They're big"

"Yes, they're big".

"Could we just have the next three tracks?"

"No problem".

"Just to be sure?"

"Yes, just to be sure"

"Cheers".

"Cheers".

Gold Member

Username: Myrantz

Post Number: 1469
Registered: Aug-04

Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 04:09 am:

Larry - "ssst, Larry. The "300b" refers to the large triode output tubes in the amplifier. "

I stand corrected. I assumed it was a model number. I shouda known it was the triode tubes. What are . . . ?

Thanks for that Jan and the story about your appliance relplacements etc. Very responsible!

Sem

Yep, I did just as fine as can be!

John A

I'll bet you and Mrs A are still listening or still drinking? Cheers backatcha both.

Rick,

Those tubes won't take too much chiseling you know!

SM

I think we all had that figured a while back - unusual, but in a nice way.

Went out and bought stands for the 602's today. Spent afternoon rearranging furniture, grunting, swearing and then turned to the assembly instructions for the stands - more grunting and swearing. Listened to a couple of hi-res surround discs to test the repositioning and all seems very sweet. Dinner is ready, wife is calling, and we're about to eat and watch "Collaterall" - and maybe find out how to get some. (grin)

Later.

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2263
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 04:59 am:

Yes larry sorry for not straightening that out.

here's a 300B tube!

Upload

Gold Member

Username: Kegger

MICHIGAN

Post Number: 2264
Registered: Dec-03

Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 05:01 am:

Yoh My Rantz saw Collaterall, liked it vey much I hope you enjoy!