pubul57

Responses from pubul57

how long should you use tubes in an amp?
Lloydc, I have found the Siemens EL34 to be the best in my Music Reference RM9 Special, whihc fortunately is suppose to get 10,000 hours on the output tubes, maybe longer on my easy to drive Merlin VSMs. 
how long should you use tubes in an amp?
It can't be years, can it? It would have to be hours - no? 
Will this hurt anything?
I was wondering if it was a production piece that you might be able to find by using google and the specs. 
how long should you use tubes in an amp?
I get the feeling that output tubes keep going for quite a while, longer than expected, and when they go bad it is obvious. That is, while they do "decay" gradually, perfomance stays fairly strong till the reach the "breaking" point. 
Will this hurt anything?
DO you think it is a DIY project? 
integrated or seperates?
Soundscaping is genrally the reason to get tubes. Although the Pass XA series does imaging pretty darn well. Are you dead set against tubes? 
how long should you use tubes in an amp?
Where is Roger Modjeski when you need him? 
Pass Labs Power Cord
I also spend a lot of money on power cords, because it feels weird not having them on my expensive equipment. But I'm not sure I can really tell a difference. It is interesting to me that three different designers whose equipment I hold in very hi... 
Have you heard the latest Merlin VSM-MXe speakers?
I think you are on the right path; you will find very few former Merlin VSM owners. I have had many auditions at my home and I would say they have always garnered praise. Amazing for a smallish two-way. But its what you get when you combine a grea... 
Have you heard the latest Merlin VSM-MXe speakers?
Mark, I think you will find those Music References to work very well for you. I've been through RM10s, RM9s and finally the RM9 Special Edition. They all sounds excellent with the VSMs. You could do worse:). Another option is to keep the Ars Sonum... 
bel canto and isolation feet
I very much agree with the Herbie's recommedation as a relatively low cost and very effective isolation strategy. 
TVC preamps: good or bad?
What was the system setting when you tried the TVC? 
TVC preamps: good or bad?
I don't know if they introduce colorations and aberrations, but they do seem to be very transparent and quiet and don't appear to be much bother by impedance matching issues that you sometimes get with resistor based passives. Some folks with pret... 
How well do you know your merlins?
I will keep whichever doesn't sell first, if I could only keep one amp it would be the Music Reference, not becuase it sounds better than the CAT (that is a matter of taste at this level, though I give the edge to the CAT), but it is much lighter,... 
Designer Hall of Fame
Speaking of cartridges, whoever designed the Shure V15 should be considered for the longevity and dominance of this cartridge.