John, interesting that Bob also feels that "cycling" is the best method of break-in...
I've been writing that in some threads over the past several months, as it is my experience as well. From a logical standpoint, it makes a lot of sense. Steady state operation only gets one so far. A lot more change occurs as something heats up and cools down, and that is where the stress is.
My own, admittedly half-baked method, is to turn on a component, and run it for 8 - 18 hours, followed by a cooldown of 8 - 12 hours. Repeat that over the course of a few weeks. |
Hey Chris (Cpk), I just realized from reading your posts and finally your for sale ads that you are Mr. Tel Wire.
I've heard good things about your cords from my AudiogoN friends Grant (Tvad) and Tony (Clio09). Since you are so close to me proximity wise (Abington, PA), I suppose I should take you up on your 30 day challenge. Do you have a website? I'd like to know a little more about the construction of your cords. I think I may want to try one of your cords (heaven knows, not that I need anymore power cords ;-) ). Right now I have 14 cords battling it out for 8 spots in the line up, most of them much more expensive than yours (I know that doesn't mean better).
Cheers,
John |
Hi John
I have a friend doing the site and he has a slight slacker issue unfortunately. But when it is finally done (2-3 weeks perhaps if I use a blow torch to light a fire under his ass) it will be telwire.net
Construction is pretty straight forward; OCC copper wire, Oyaide 004's, self-shielding geometry, pretty much the best materials available. Tuned by ear to be as neutral as I could make it while being extremely transparent and extended without glare/sibilance/or any of those lovely attributes.
People have gotten excellent results on all types of gear, digital, front end, amps..shoot me an email if you like to get a hold of one..(or more ;-))
Chris Kline
Tel Wire |
Joe, it is like if you took the words out of my mouth .
That is exactly how I do it. I would also like to add - if it still sounds the way it sounds after few weeks...... Well that is what it is going to sound like for weeeeeks to come. Just enjoy the music. IMHO and from my experience .
John if you gone try those cables - be so kind and shoot me an email, what you think of them. I might be also interested.
Maybe quantity discount .... ahh??? For friends in need.LOL |
Hi, Couple of things.
I do believe that silver plated wire can sound abrasive or at least tipped up in many situations. Bob and I (providing the wire he uses) believe that the gold plated silver metals tame the silver and allow the detail and speed of the silver with the warmth of the gold.
As for the quatros, changing the binding posts, input jacks, fuses, or (most expensive) internal wiring would be a sure bet to make a difference. Lastly, on p/s caps, I agree, and have had good results with the "day off evening (for listening) on" cycling. So it seems that the "rise and fall" theory has practical fruit.
I can't wait to hear these caps, as I was a M.I.T. or Multi-Cap user previous.
Best Regards |
Hi Spiro,
I really appreciate your thoughts about possible upgrades for my speakers as
well as explanation of potentials and benefits of gold plated silver wire.
Maybe , if I have known "ALL" of these informations before
deciding on modification of my amps , I would have asked for rewiring
upgrade.
From what I understood ( it is my fault ) initially was that the wiring is silver or
silver coated. That wasn't really making my hart pounding because:
a) I was/am using Vampire silver speaker wires and I was a little concerned
about possible coloration at upper frequencies.
b) preamp used at that time was Supratek Chardonnay linestage and its
behavior at upper mid and treble was questionable as well.
c) I wasn't going to pay couple hundreds for upgrade that could possibly add
more harm then good.
This upgrade would be very interesting if applied to all key components (
knowing what I know now) :
preamp , amps, speakers and connecting wires.
However after talking to Bob, I am not sure if he would be interested in
looking at possible upgrades for my Quatros. Man just wasn't as excited as I
remember when we talked about Cybers 800. That is fine.
I'm unfortunately not that skilled and confident to do it myself and I will
continue to try to find an audiophile or " moder"/profecional who
could assist me with this task.
But I am not sweating.
Right now I am exited about new preamp that will possibly be coming in few
weeks ( hopefully ).
Ones again, thanks for some pointers and wished that I could use them for
future upgrade of my speakers............. but it might prove too much....at least
for now. |
So how is it going? I could have sworn I wrote to answer by suggesting
even the upgrade to the HiFi Tuning fuses at $30 (now they seem to be $40). But my response isn't here. ? :S
I talked to Bob, and I'm sure you have since. So how did it go? |
From my original conversation with Bob about possibilities to improve the already superb Vandersteen Quatros , I concluded that Bob's confidence level with work that could or was necessary to bring these speakers to another level was pretty low. I felt that since Bob's enormous knowledge with circuits, preamps, amps and such was so great that some parts of Quatro's design could be at least looked at and possibly upgraded with better quality parts, wires etc. I still think that power modules (bass amps) can be optimize to sound their best. Maybe even the external crossover could use some modification to sound even better. I am not aware of the quality of internal wiring but that is another area that can be addressed with quality wires that would somewhat close the book on the Quatro mod.....at least those are the areas that I would look for the weak spots and would start there. Of course it doesn't mean that there is something wrong with my speakers but why not ...at least try to make them even better.
I am not sure but I think that Bob wasn't sure if he could actually make them better, that is why he sort of backed off from the attempt to modify them. Well, I do understand his reasons and I never try to pushed him into doing something that he wasn't comfortable of doing in the first place.
I might try few things but I still believe the bigger improvements can be made in amp, wire and crossover of Quatros. But that is just me.
Right now I am in the middle of trying few new components in my main rig as well as in the second system so it is not really (mod) on my priority list.
Mariusz |
Mariusz, at this point, it may be time to introduce you to a person who does for loudspeakers what Bob Backert does for amplifiers - Bill Legall of Millersound in Lansdale, PA. You can reach him at (215) 412 - 7700 and http://www.millersound.net/indexfl.htm or read a bit more at http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/roadtour13/roadtour13.html I would venture to say he's never worked his magic on a pair of Quattros, but as anyone who has heard what he has done with Vandersteen 2, 3, and 4 will agree, the transformation is pretty incredible. |
Joe, I own you one.
That is what I was looking for.
To be quaite honest I was going to ask you that before but I did not want to give you the wrong impression.
as alway.......there when it matters..........Thanks. |
happy father's day ...
i called bob backert, on a sunday, on father's day, and he took the time, with patience, to walk me through the diagnostic scenarios of my fisher tube amp problem. it was a simple fix, this time, but i wanted to share his generousity of spirit (and quick troubleshooting!) with you all. |
Bob & Gary Backert, are "AWESOME"...
|
guys, if you think Bob and Gary were great then, wait till you hear the new stuff they've developed for amps and preamps. My system is a true testament of what ingenius stuff these guys have up their sleeves. |
