jafox

Responses from jafox

Tube Comparisons on VTL 7.5
I too was unaware you could simply swap 12AU7's and 12AX7's but I have not tried this in my Aesthetix Callisto and Io components....I stay with 12AX7's.Over the last few months, I have tried many 12AX7s from Telefunken, Mullard and Amperex over th... 
Need advice on my Parasound JC 1
Hmmm, I thought SS amps were supposed to be maintenance free. Now I don't feel so alone with constantly tweaking the bias pots on the CAT amps. 8-) 
Whose sorry now? Sellers remorse from selling amp.
The ARC VT130 was the only amp I sold that I quickly had major regrets. I have not heard another amp that has that level of musicality for under $4k on the used market. I have since moved onto Wolcott and CAT mono amps, which have a number of refi... 
What do you think of my 25 laws of audio
There's too much focus here on big and power and not the real magic in the music that so few audio systems out there are able to portray. Interesting as I too only see a hint of validity to #9 and perhaps in #24 but "wonder" rather than "convince"... 
Reference DACS: An overall perspective
Yr44: I was at KaDeWe in 2002 and that was quite an experience to walk around and see virtually all of the top notch products from around the world. But after 5 or 6 floors and a great lunch, it was time to go. If only I had known they did high-en... 
Reference DACS: An overall perspective
I have the Manley Ref DAC from the late 90's and this fits right in category 2. Only wish it had a little more low-end extension. But for now, it is a keeper. 
CAT Preamps vs Amps
Art, I have been waiting to hear back from you and JD as I thought you were going to bring over a bundle of power cords. Fortunately I got my system up and running again last night after tracking down a bad tube in the Io. Still I have a noise iss... 
Lamm LP2 and WE417A tubes
Wow! $500 for just a pair of EL34 and 6 12ax7's for the PS? Something is very wrong with that. I just put in a pair of EI EL34's and 6 EI 12ax7's for a combined $98 in the Io and it sounds mighty good. I must try the same with the Callisto which h... 
Lamm LP2 and WE417A tubes
Herman: I too have an older Io with one PS and still it is wonderful. It was quite a step up from the very nice BAT VK-P10 in the ways of portraying a more open and realistic 3-dimensional presentation. But with Albert Porters' posts here on sugge... 
CAT Preamps vs Amps
One thing I forgot to mention in my novel above was that I first heard the JL-2 with the Blowtorch line stage. This pairing had far far more resolution and dynamic contrasts than I will ever have with the Aesthetix. I suspect for you ultra transpa... 
Lamm LP2 and WE417A tubes
Wow, interesting indeed.I have not heard the LP2 but there has been so much praise by virtually everyone here who has either owned this or heard it that I would love to hear it vs. my Io. But maybe the Io would stir up less emotion (of the non mus... 
CAT Preamps vs Amps
Strapper: Thanks for the details. Bombay: Yes, I like to whine a lot. 
CAT Preamps vs Amps
Ok ok, I’ll chime in. Aoliviero’s last statement was just too tempting to resist. There’s been so much written in this thread that I want to address. So I’ll stir up the pot here a bit which I do regularly anyway. 8-)I have owned the JL-3 Signatur... 
CAT amps comparison, continued
Well guys, if you can wait a few months, hopefully I will get back to Chicago around December with my JL-3 Signatures and get a chance to hear them vs. the JL-2 and the Atmasphere MA1's driving Sound-Lab U1's at EssentialAudio. So hold tight.John 
CAT SL-1 Ultim. Mk2 vs Manley Steel. for CAT JL-2
Ubglub & Schorly: Glad to hear my ramblings were of some value to you both.Brian: Yes, I would like this much. With the tight schedule at work through the end of Nov, it looks like Dec is the earliest I can get down your way. And a stop to vis...