mcfarland

Responses from mcfarland

I am at the end of my rope, please help
Try switching right and left cartridge clips to see if the opposite channel is weaker. If not, the problem may be in the phono stage or preamp. Switching R&L cables on those starting at the highest point in the chain will further isolate the s... 
Best U.S. made integrated tube amp under $2500?
Because we have a minimum wage here in the US, and we don't beat our children for not reaching their production quota's, it is quite difficult to produce quality gear at an affordable price. With that in mind, DIY kits can save some labor costs. I... 
Tube whistling
In my own experience with tubed amps and pre-amps, typical line stage tubes usually last about 6 months to 2 years depending on the application. True West German Telefunkens will usually last twice as long as other brands. It sounds to me that you... 
Thought on OTL tube amps
The Atma-Sphere web site (Atma-Sphere.com) has several "white papers" explaining many of your questions. I own a pair of M60Mk2.2's. Absolutely stable, (you can even short the outputs, and switch output tubes while running, though I would not reco... 
Which Telefunken 12ax7
Generally the East German tubes have thinner pins. A reputable dealer (such as Brent Jesse, Vintage Tube Services, etc.) will not, or should not, steer you wrong. See if you can find some good testing used pulls from old equipment. You can then us... 
Which Telefunken 12ax7
FYI. . .Telefunken had TWO plants. One of them was in EAST Germany ("made in Germany") and had literally no access to fine metalurgy and so production was largely junk. LOTS of junk was produced. All say "Telefunken", all say "made in Germany", an... 
Stylus lowering
The tracking force recommended for your Ortofon OM 5E is between 1.50 and 2 grams. If you don't have a stylus force gauge (recommended that you do) you can set your arm to near "0" by setting the tracking force calibration to "0" and shifting the ... 
One speaker putting out -3db less?
If you've had "terrible static", definately unplug all of your equipment, wait a minute, and plug it back in. You might be quite pleased with the result. 
One speaker putting out -3db less?
While it certainly sounds that one of your speakers is at fault, it is worth a try to unplug all of your digital equipment for a minute or so, then power back up to see if this problem resolves. A current spike may have fooled your digital equipme... 
New to tubes
I thought that the Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum had 55 wpc, using 4 EL34's, 3-12AU7's, and 2-12AX7's. Tubed amps typically have a "warmer" sound to them, so they sound "fuller", giving the impression that they have more power, however, 55 watts is 55... 
Best Bass amp
How about another Classe CA 400? 
how much tubes influence on the sound ???
When you replace power tubes (the 4 larger tubes on your amp) they should all be of the same manufacture, according to Cary. They will need to have the bias current adjusted when you do this. Cary makes and sells a meter (MD 300?) just for this pu... 
Cleaning out my closet
Lets see. . .Teac and Nakamichi cassette decks, AR tuner, AE Symphonies plus line stage, Melos SHA 1 line stage, Revox A77 RTR tape deck, Carver Silver Seven Monoblocks, a couple of Hafler amps, a Proton tuner, Klipsch speakers, Rectilinear III sp... 
Does Apple airport express work well?
I have all that stuff. My DAC reads something because it locks on the frequency, but no sound. 
Does Apple airport express work well?
I can't get mine to work at all, so I've been using the analog outputs (bummer). I know it's just a setting, but for me (technophobe) I can't get it to work. Money wasted, sadly, in my experience.