Knghifi,
I just as you and Frank follow politics closely and also believe virtually all is intertwined in life. However Jond is right in the sense that sports is far more lighthearted and trivial with little impact on our lives. Political issues profoundly impact our very existence. I follow both for drastically different reasons.
Charles |
Knghifi,
As usual you make a good point regarding perspective, and you are right that no one should attempt to dictate the contents of a thread. The reality is a certain segment of the U.S. population were devastated by the presidential election and can’t seem to cope with it. Those are the ones who could likely ruin what’s been a very enjoyable thread. Of course the results made another segment very happy. Really does involve both sides.
George what more to say about stock vs upgrade fuses that hasn’t been repeated 100 times or is it 167 times by now. Frank has long-ago opened up this thread to the topic of music,musicians and recordings and which many here enthusiastically support. Frank has "again" sent me a stash of excellent recordings. Summation,
Upgrade premium fuses are voodoo for you. We get it.
These same fuses are highly appreciated audio tweaks for the vast majority of posters here.
George if you enjoy jazz there have been many good recommendations. In fact there have been terrific classical music recordings suggested as well. The music is an integral part of this beautiful thread and has elevated the level of interesting subject matter.
Charles |
Follow your heart George and do what you must, I’m sure folks appreciate it.
Charles |
George, It's a figure of speech.
Uberwaltz, You are absolutely correct. Even those with the highest credentials in science and research readily and "humbly" acknowledge this. With all the advancement and discovery there is much that lacks a satisfying explanation. Science it seems is forever a step behind the observable. Charles |
Hi Knghifi, I understand , believe me. I'm so happy my son and daughter when in college didn't get swept up into the concept of "safe spaces"
. They both felt it was silly and immature. They made their papa (and mom) proud. Charles |
Marqmike, The Johnny Hartman/John Coltrane is an all time classic. Utter beauty. Charles |
Hi teo_audio,
Thanks for posting your colorful and very interesting fuse experiences. You've given examples of what many posters already know, those darn little electrical things do affect the sound. As you've noted , each fuse has its own distinct sonic character. Very easy for many listeners to hear, no voodoo required either 😊😊
Charles |
Al, The question is who determines what subject matter is appropriate for an open public forum and when is a line crossed? Jond did make a very polite request, but what if others thread participants are comfortable with a given topic direction, who should prevail?
We all have our "drawn line in the sand" at some point. I feel its fine to simply ignore posters or topics as one deems necessary. It one or a few object does that give them the right or authority to shut a thread down or demand a topic is off limits? Just general questions as no chosen solution is going to make everyone happy. Charles |
Jond, To be perfectly clear I have no criticism of you what so ever. I don't know your political views and they wouldn't matter if I did know. I always appreciate your comments on this site and I feel the same toward Knghifi. Both of you offer consistently interesting commentary. Knghifi did make some observations regarding current society which in a general sense I agree with. Please don't interpret that as a veiled knock in your direction. It wasn't. Charles |
Hi Jond, Okay back to the fuses Charles, they're an asset in my system. George , It's all silly voodoo. Wolf, You're all a herd of sheep with this fuse nonsense. Life is good again. Charles |
Frank,
Thanks for the Audrey Morris recording, she’s good! Very unique style of singing and I like her approach to playing the piano. After listening to "Bistro Ballads " I’m going to seek out more from her. This 1954 recording is really quite intimate with much presence.
Your stereo version of Jo Stafford "Ballad Of The Blues ""-is "much": better than the mono CD remastered version of mine. There’s soul and emotion on your version. Interestingly the "Jo + Jazz " CD is an excellent one for music content and recording quality.
Mel Torme "Swingin On The Moon " captures him in prime form with a terrific big band/string section arrangements. This is top notch Torme. The instrumental solos are really good. There’s an excellent version of "I Wished On The Moon " on this recording. This recording fills my room Frank, a very you are there presentation and very dynamic.
PS ,
Frank it’s a good thing I recorded Dobbs and Hannity 😊😊
I’ve been listening to music all evening.
Charles |
Teo_audio,
Regarding complex organics, there are some cable manufacturers who prefer natural materials (paper, silk or cotton) rather than synthetic material for insulation/dielectric. No doubt that other factors matter as well.
Charles |
Jmcgrogan2 (John),
As usual an astute observation. Choice B sums it up succinctly.
There's a certain sad/pathetic quality witnessing people who must repeatedly pat themselves on the back proclaiming how "smart" they happen to be.
The genuinely smart don't have to constantly remind others of this attribute, the proof is self evident.. Perhaps the saviors perched on their soapbox should take note.
Charles |
Hi Abner jack,
I don’t see the college campus intolerance analogy here. Otherwise there would have been appeals to the moderator to ban posters with contrary views. There’s no censorship here just opposing viewpoints freely expressed with the typical back and forth banter. Readers of this thread are capable of forming their own conclusions. I’ve posted numerous times that the anti fuse proponents have a place here. It doesn’t mean you can’t respond to them as you deem appropriate. With many college campuses these days there is a very aggressive effort to abolish "any" opposing view or belief. No one is doing that here.
Charles |
I can vouch for Frank's recommendation, this recording is vintage top form Milt Jackson playing . Frank on the ebay link that Herbie Mann "Be Bop Synthesis" is very intriguing. I'm going to buy it if available on CD.
Charles |
Hi Abner jack,
Thank you for your kind comments. You have a point "if'" you were to only focus on that single post from Frank. If you consider Frank's total body of posts in the context of this enormous thread I'd say absolutely not. He's no snowflake by any definition. Actually he's graciously taken a fair amount of verbal insults from wolf who has been strikingly personal in posts aimed at Frank.
This is both unnecessary and IMO childish. Criticize the fuses to your heart is thoroughly content, that's fine. Frank has done not a single thing to warrant this. Abnerjack I don’t know how much of this thread you've followed but Frank has been nothing but generous, welcoming and very informative and has happily opened this thread to the joy of sharing the love of listening to music. There are many grateful music lovers on this thread who appreciate it and you can begin this long list with me.
Charles
|
Abnerjack,
Just an example, I received a package from Frank recently containing 9 CDs. He took the time to record these from his fabulous vinyl record collection. This is the 2nd time he’s done this for me. Did he have to do this? Of course not, he did it because he’s a good person who knew that I would sincerely appreciate it, and I do. The music is beautiful and a joy to listen to. This goes far beyond a discussion concerning fuses. Either one likes them or they do not, end of story.
Charles |
Warning, Off topic alert,
For those following the NCAA basketball tournament North Carolina is looking very dominant. They'll play the UCLA/Kentucky winner, this could be potentially one excellent match up. OK back to the fuses.
Charles |
Frank,
The jazz Christmas music recording is exceptionally good, every track is beautiful music. Here’s my question, track #16, is that Dexter Gordon? The tenor saxophone texture, tone and emotion has Dexter's signature written all over it. Just very curious.
Charles |
Hi Jond and nonoise,
Actually I share the sentiment you both have expressed. Overwhelming the music loving upgrade fuse users here are a happy and content group. It's honestly a very small number of people who seem to relish the role spoiling the open and quite friendly tone of this thread. Thus jmcgroganmc'-s post earlier today regarding choice A or choice B.
Okay, we're just gullible, foolish and delusional folks who appreciate overpriced silly fuses. We get it already, but we're very happy with our plight 😀😀
Charles |
Got it George, I hadn't considered that possibility before 😊
Charles |
Hi George (jetter),
That’s an excellent ( and humorous) summary of what's taken place here. It has certainly been fun.
Charles |
Jetter,
Thank you for your kind comment.
Charles |
Frank,
Thanks for the confirmation, 2 bars into the song and I thought to myself, that's Dexter 😊
Thanks Al I really appreciate your comment.
Geoff,
I don't believe that the cost of upgrade fuses is the primary issue with those who doubt them. Such a strong and relentless stance has been taken there's no way one could ever concede these fuses have any redeeming qualities at all. Negative expectation bias in full glory. But hey, that's okay.
Charles |
Music and recommending recordings (mostly jazz but some classical as well) have been a staple on this thread for quite some time and I'm glad for it. What more can be said regarding the fuses (pro or con) that wasn't stated 80 pages ago? As the OP (Frank) has noted, there're many music lovers participating on this thread. Shadorne thanks for the Grusin recommendation. Charles |
LOL,George, come on my audiogon brother! for goodness sake, appreciate the satire. . This is why the post by the other George (jetter) was so on the mark in its summation and humorous characterization. There is a clear distinction between Al as compared to Georgehifi and Wolf. I rest my case. Charles |
I’ve believed for a long time that science and engineering are two different disciplines with very different goals and purpose. I certainly don’t have the background of Teo_audio to go into any level of detail but I do know man cannot explain all that we clearly observe on a daily basis. Some have a problem coming to gripes with that fact. Summary, I hear what better fuses do in my audio system however I’m incapable of explaining why in a manner that will satisfy. This shortcoming doesn’t lessen my listening enjoyment. Charles |
Expectation bias can be overruled by actual listening experience if one approaches with an open minded attitude. Generally the better something is the more it will cost. There are without doubt exceptions to this generality especially in High End audio. Higher price and performance don’t allows go hand in hand. The Create Audio fuse could be better or equal to the SR Black for all I know.
Problem is who determines which is better? Same answer as always, subjective, so better remains in the ear of the beholder/individual. No upgrade fuse is going to sound better than a stock fuse to someone convinced that it isn’t a possibility in the first place. Again expectation bias. Charles |
Geoff, Yes my expectation would be that a 119.00 dollar product should be superior to the 9.00 dollar product or why else would you spend the extra 110.00. What I recognize is that you don't know with any certainty until you actually compare via listening.
Rodman99999, "good luck with that" You make an excellent point regarding expectation bias and open minded attitude. I just wanted to emphasize that this bias can work in the positive and negative realm and to equal degrees. Charles |
Uberwaltz,
I glad you took a chance with the SR Black fuses and they provided you an improvement in sound quality. No product will work out successfully with everyone in all circumstances, this never happens. Those same power cables and ICs that resulted in little or no improvement in your system probably were terrific in someone else’s system.
I auditioned a few years ago some well reviewed and highly raved about isolation/vibration control footers. In my system with my components they did nothing! In fact some much less expensive Herbie’s footers were clearly more effective and did improve the sound quality. I returned the more expensive footers. I’ve had similar experiences with some cables as they just didn’t get it done in my system. Yet other people said these same cables were definitely better in their own systems, just the way it goes.
These examples I mentioned were much more expensive items than the Black fuses yet were a disappointment in my experience. You have to listen and judge what you hear. I can believe that some will try the fuses and hear no improvement what so ever. All of these audio products and tweaks can be hit or miss in terms of results.
Your outcome with the Black fuses was a positive one just as was mine, so yes in your situation the 240 dollars was well spent. I’ve rolled tubes that made less of an impact than the Black fuses. To be fair I’ve also made tube changes that were undeniable improvements, so as always it just seems to be circumstantial. Congratulations! By the way I am unaware of any badges 😊
Charles
|
Bill,
My understanding from reading comments on various threads is the outcomes are mixed. Some say they have only average quality output transformers and power supplies and sound okay but not exceptional. Others report excellent results. I suspect the chosen speaker plays a large role, if the amp's power supply and transformers are the limiting factors.
Charles |
If Dennis has improved those two vital factors then the amplifier could certainly be much improved.Power supply and output transformers are the last two areas I'd cut corners on.
Charles |
John,
You gave the Had Inspire a honest chance. One thing I have observed, tube rolling won't rescue an inherently "too" compromised amplifier. It must have a solid foundation to begin with.
Charles |
Al,
I agree with your post, Dennis Had has proven success, yes. The problem is as you note when you attempt to cut cost. I’m not saying you need exotic premium transformers but they do need to be of reasonably high quality. Also wimpy power supply design is a certain recipe for poorer sound quality. He didn’t have these compromise concerns with his high quality Cary SET amplifiers, he used quite good quality parts especially output transformers.
Charles
|
This is why the single ended amplifier experience can be a rousing success or a failure. The circuits are beautifully simple and use fewer parts. They can be ruined with the short comings mentioned above.
Charles |
Frank,
I’m sure the Huffman is a fine push pull amplifier (I trust your judgement). If Wolf however is interested in entering the world of lower power single ended I suggest that Canadian Coincident Dynamo MK II from Israel Blume. It is a SEP (el 34 Pentode wired for triode duty). It has very high quality transformers and robust power supply. Just another option to consider. It weighs 30 lbs,very solid chassis and has significant grunt yet very refined sound quality.
Good luck Wolf.
Charles |
Frank,
Yes I believe that both would impress. Just depends on what type of sound you want, well executed class A/B push pull or class A single ended. Two audiogon members I really trust Brownsfan and Mikirob say that the Coincident Dynamo is excellent. I happened to own their Frankenstein MK II SET amplifier.
Charles |
If I were to venture into solid state again ( doubtful) the First Watt S.I.T.amplifiers would be at the top of the list then probably their F6 or F7 amplifiers. Wolf I believe that you’d really enjoy a good quality SE tube amplifier. Either direction chosen you’ll be happy with your efficient easy to drive speakers.
Charles |
Al,
Your description of the F.W. amplifier electrical characteristics are on the mark. I mentioned those particular models as the ones that I'd be most interested in if considering solid state. Based on numerous feedback I've read the F.W. S.I.T. amplifiers intrigue me the most. Knowing myself I'd still probably would choose the tubed Dynamo MK II.
Charles |
Wolf,
As you're in the research stage another option is Roger Modjeski of Music Reference. I'm pretty certain he on request builds a SEP using the KT 150 and/or the KT 88.
Charles |
Kedoades, Frank is correct, I’m a huge fan of jazz vibraphonists. You can’t go wrong with any of Frank’s music/musician recommendations. Another very good Victor Feldman recording is "Merry Ole Soul" (he alternates between vibes and the piano). Some excellent current vibe players to explore are Stefon Harris. Steve Nelson. Jay Hoggard. They all can play! Charles |
Well it turns out that I have a recording featuring Brad Mehldau as a sideman. "Alone Together " it is a live recording of leader Lee Konitz (alto saxophonist) and Charlie Haden on bass. Venue is the Jazz Bakery in Los Angeles. Definitely an influence of the avant-garde but I'm listening and like what I hear. Haven’t played this in quite some time. Blue Note label and very good sounding!
Charles |
Frank,
Early influence for Mehldau were Wynton Kelly and McCoy Tyner (you can’t go wrong there). Listening to him right now and he certainly has his own sound (which is how it should be). He has style similarities to Fred Hirsch, but not identical. He is definitely interacting well with Konitz and Haden 😊
Charles |
Hi Frank,
Regarding Jay Hoggard I haven’t heard "Solar Power " but I’ll seek it out. Vibe with the Hammond B3 is usually a winning combination. His "Overview " recording is beautiful music that also recorded well, I believe that you’ll enjoy this one quite a bit.
Steve Nelson is really a fine player and is on a label that records him well. I suggest "Sound Effect " and "Full Nelson ".
Stefon Harris, I recommend "African Tarantella " he’s a terrific vibraphonist. Some of his recordings do have a bit of the "modern artifact " character but he’s a first rate musician. Nelson and Hoggard are on labels that typically have a more natural sound.
Yes in regard to Patricia Barber overkill at shows for demonstration (D. Krall fits this category as well). In a sense I understand it, these two vocalists are extremely popular with the target audiophile crowd attending the audio shows. They will play what they believe people want to hear. Just as you mentioned, I take recordings I’m very familiar with and enjoy. This does help me in assessing various systems and components. It's interesting to listen and realize that some highly regarded and expensive components/speakers fall short on musical emotion and natural tone and timbre. Just an observation.
Admittedly it’s a matter of taste. I don’t think they’re bad, but I’m spoiled by the greats such as Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae. Simply pure subjectivity of course. Among the current crop of female vocalists I really like Roberta Garbarini, her "You Are There " recording with the late great pianist Hank Jones is wonderful both musically and recording quality. Frank I believe that you’ll enjoy and appreciate this effort.
Charles
|
Frank,
Good point about Sarah maintaining her voice late into her career, I feel the same about Mel Torme's voice longevity.
Charles |
Hi Richmon,
Thanks for the kind comments. I do not dislike Barber and I am familiar with her music. That’s why I acknowledged these preferences are nothing but personal. Don't know if you are familiar with or listen to Sarah Vaughan but here are a few examples of her marvelous talent.
"Sarah Vaughan +2" Early 1960s recording.
"After Hours " another excellent early 1960s studio recording.
"How Long Has This Been Going On " 1978. Features Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass, need I say more? 😊
Carmen McRae "The Great American Songbook " which Frank suggested is an excellent live jazz venue recording from the early 1970s. Joe Pass is featured.
"Bittersweet " 1964 studio.
"Velvet Soul" Early 1970s.
All of these are terrific in my opinion.
Charles |
Wolf,
Mehldau, is someone I’m only vaguely aware of. Are there any generally "straight ahead " jazz genre recordings you’d recommend as an introduction to him? I’m glad the 30 foot wide drum kit is excluded.
Thanks,
Charles |
Frank,
See if you can find this on spotify. Pianist Tardo Hammer "Look, Stop And Listen" . This is a tribute to Tad Dameron and is exceptionally good! Tardo can flat out play. This was recorded in the early 2000s, he's out of NYC.
Charles |
Hi droleg,
Welcome to the ever growing list of happy "fusers"😊
Charles |
Hi Jond,
You are welcome and I’m glad that you like the suggested music .
Here’s another really fine Lee Konitz, "Live At The Half Note ". Wonderful playing and the recording puts you right there in the club. I know that your Audio Note DAC will do all this great music justice 😊
Frank,
I was pretty certain that you’d like Tardo Hammer. He has very strong Bop roots and is just a fine jazz pianist . His version of "If You Could See Me Now " track 8 and track 4,"Dial B For Beauty " are just gorgeous. We’re all very fortunate that there’s so much excellent music available for us to enjoy.
Charles |
