It's been a few months now and yet I am still amazed at how good the system sounds. The biggest surprise is the amp...a Bob Latino ST-70. I figured that when I put the new (to me) CJ CT-5 pre amp in the mix, the amp would show to be the weak link. I knew it played way beyond its cost. But this is surprising. I think I need to upgrade the amp. But its not because it sounds bad. Quite the opposite. My wife (& listening partner) can't understand why I want a new amp. It sounds really good. But I sense that there is more to be had with a Don Sachs Kootenaay or CJ Classic 60 SE or..... But I don't know this for sure. And I really need a streamer to get in that game! Living in flyover country doesn't give an opportunity to borrow or try another tube amp without buying one. And I won't be happy until I try another amp despite me not having a streamer/dac etc. Oh well, I guess this is a good problem to have...a system which sounds better than it should |
@truman I totally agree with thanking those who have designed and built great gear for us. i recently sent such a missive to Steve McCormack for his outstanding work on my power amp. Let's keep encouraging these folks!
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My wife and I are close to signing a contract to have a custom home built, one with a "bonus room" for my audio system.
When the time comes for us to prepare our current home to put on the market, I'll be boxing up all my equipment, removing the 10 bass traps installed on the walls and ceiling, so the painters can come in and do their thing. My components probably will stay in their cartons, until they are delivered to our new home, which could be for several weeks!
In the mean time, I hope to listen every chance I get! |
If you are enjoying the way your system sounds, why not let the builder know! Many of us have boutique builders of amps, preamps or speakers that would appreciate knowing that their life-efforts are so rewarding to others. Just this last Friday, I was "feeling it" so wrote just a quick blip to Glenn Croft who had once graciously advised me after I had damaged one of his excellent OTL amplifiers:
"Dear Glenn,
Have I told you lately that your Series 7RS Amplifier and Meganaut Pre combination sounds fantastic driving my Living Voice RW-OBX speakers!
Bravo!…and Thanks!
(Truman)"
Even though it was probably 2AM in England, he quickly wrote back and obviously appreciated it! Our hobby still is graced with dedicated, brilliant, boutique builders who basically built this industry and still strive to present the best value, innovation, and performance for our enjoyment. -True artists that won't always be with us. Bravo!
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Nicely said, THOSB. Sometimes I’ll get home and the cat is pissed off at my absence but the system sounds great; other times vice verse. Such, I suppose, is life.
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Does the wind really blow ? Or is it pulled by pressure change ? There is nothing I enjoy more after being away than a low volume , late night , home alone listening session . We get to enjoy the fruits of our efforts ! Thanks for a moment of appreciation. |
Beer makes my car stereo sound so much better.....
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artemus_5, I've had both extremes of this experience, and geoffkait, i think I should start keeping a log to make sure I am not inducing variability.
I've been away many times for 10-12 days and get excited to return to listen to some well reproduced tunes, sat down and been both underwhelmed, finding it takes a few days to get my ears back in the game maybe, and other times been blown away, like I forgot what I was missing. Maybe it is weather, maybe it is the tweak fairies, maybe it is moving things in and out of the room, maybe there's some quantum mechanics at work, maybe my aural mind sometimes benefits from a break and other times suffers due to the trip, who knows? It's like returning home after a long absence to a tempermental kid/pet/parent/partner/roommate, wondering if you're going to be well received or punished a bit for your absence. |
Always keep a log. Keep a record of any changes you make to the room or system, what type of objects you move in and out of the room, e.g., musical instruments, books, unused audio equipment, new tweaks, windows open or closed, acquiring new CDs or getting rid of them, the weather, time of day, thungs if that nature. Things you might not expect can have a big impact on the sound.
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Maybe the tweak fairies sneaked in while you were away and swapped some fuses over. |
Easy. You were listening to FM radio on a boom box. Anything would sound better than that. |
It doesn’t take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. |
Not so much the weather. It’s getting back to your digs and a fine system. Maybe losing a beer haze helps also. Have fun!
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I agree its always a great thing to come home from a vacation or any trip and plop down in front of the stereo for the first time!
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That’s most likely because the high humidity and extremely high temperatures we had for so long finally disappeared two days ago and the ground has had a chance to dry out and barometric pressures are higher.
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We all need a break and it only heightens our appreciation when we get back. Your system has many beneficial aspects, one of them being the ability to be therapeutic. Enjoy.
All the best,
Nonoise |
