decooney

Responses from decooney

How much do caps matter-Cary SLI-80
@analogphotog if replacing, its best to verify what uF and voltage caps you have installed now, and if it's helpful to know if they are stock caps or not. If its a used SLI-80, people change them. People sometimes go 1000v when less is not availab... 
KT150 to KT120..or KT120 to KT150
[Initial burn-in matters on these tubes].  I underestimated this on the first try.     KT150s: AFTER 200hrs of play, I now consider the KT150 as a sort of a  "do no harm" output tube in my mono block amplifiers. Brand new, I did not like them v... 
KT150 to KT120..or KT120 to KT150
@runwell So in total, you definitely can not say which one is better, but obviously there are two league, kt150. Or kt88,kt120. runwell, I agree with your comments and description. The plan is to rotate the KT150s back in every once in a while.... 
KT150 to KT120..or KT120 to KT150
1/8/2022: KT150 > KT120s. Re-testing and giving it a lot more time this go-around with two mono amplifiers specifically designed to run KT120s and KT150s. Big transformers, higher plate voltage, 40-45ma per tube bias. Picked up a quad of Tung... 
How important Is shielding with RCA wires? (Ethan Winer, new video)
@oldhvymec ..."Houston we have lift off, the clock is running. :-)" You're having fun, and that's what matters most!  ☑ :)   
How important Is shielding with RCA wires? (Ethan Winer, new video)
That was a rushed and limited test case scenario. Put your ear directly in front of the tweeter and woofer - listen closely and carefully; particularly when placing the unshielded interconnects adjacent to other noisy electrical cords and open ja... 
Heat in class A equipment
Heat in some of the older class-a designs radiates throughout the entire chassis, thus impacting all parts inside.  The old class-a solid state theory of leaving the amps "on all the time", comes at a price. Had to scrap some great amps "for part... 
Did not give it enough time on the first go-around?
  @chorus If you buy new, all components. Used you need to be sure. It's rare to see anyone who is sure getting it right on the first try, particularly with speakers, amplifiers, and proper matching in a given room setting, new or used.    Ma... 
Did not give it enough time on the first go-around?
@chorus Hence the "trial period". Can you share examples.. Are your local dealers offering free trial periods -or- are you buying / paying for shipping components back and forth, in some cases dealers asking trial’ees to pay up to ~25% restocki... 
Not manufactured any more.
One last photo of the AR-9 from audio-database, and just because its a cool photo. https://audio-database.com/AR/amp_speaker/ar-9-e.html    
Audio Research VSi75 - End of Tube Life? KT120 vs KT150?
There was a discussion a few years ago at psaudio with folks and matching different preamps, output and input impedance matching, other considerations in addition to voltage. This is what i was referring to as well. https://www.psaudio.com/pauls-... 
Audio Research VSi75 - End of Tube Life? KT120 vs KT150?
@mapman my tube preamp is 1 volt output line stage = 20 dB, and input impedance on my Cary SA-200.2 solid state amplifier was 22K Ohms RCA-unbalanced. This got very LOUD at 10-11’oclock, starting at 7’oclock on the volume control. Had plenty of ga... 
Audio Research VSi75 - End of Tube Life? KT120 vs KT150?
@mapman  ... I use a ARC tube pre-amp with Class D amps in my system. That combo adds just a subtle touch of warmth (compared to similar setup I have with no tubes) and with no softening or rounding of the sound. Perfect for me!   Interesting.... 
Audio Research VSi75 - End of Tube Life? KT120 vs KT150?
@rshad0000 re: KT150s, ..."I’d call it more neutral sounding. Definitely not as warm as the 120s. In my system I have warmer cables so the KT150s appealed to me more and seem to have better synergy. Both are great but different. Go with the 120s... 
Not manufactured any more.
  [@oldhvymech] decooney, I wonder what those Bohemoths weigh? Mercy I like um!! I know they sounded good, probably still do. :-) re: AR MGC-1, old article specs show they weigh 150lbs each...heavy! re: Snell B, shows two active 10" woofers o...