terry9

Responses from terry9

Does anyone care to ask an amplifier designer a technical question? My door is open.
Thank you for your kind offer, Roger.I build solid state amplifiers, and like to match output transistors. At first I matched for HFE, then VBE at constant current similar to operating spec. Only later did I realize how much this parameter drifts ... 
Your Forever Pieces? What and Why?
Koetsu rosewood signature platinum with diamond cantilever. Very subtle, very refined, VTA adjustment takes it from analytical to romantic.Most of my DIY stuff. 
The urge to tinker is awash. What TT might better mine and why?
Both my TT use the Trans-Fi arm, which is going back into production. 
The urge to tinker is awash. What TT might better mine and why?
Why not stay with Tom Fletcher's sound?When I heard the spacedeck (1997), I ordered the Mentor (now Dais). It is notably superior. Pear Audio is also a Fletcher design. I also have the Wave Mechanic power supply - another improvement.IMO the tonea... 
Any good reasons to use transistor phono stage and line level preamp instead of tube ?
Positron tubes are hard to come by. At least, harder than PNP transistors. 
ETI Research Cable Pods any one recommend this?
I use them in DIY, on all 6 of my monoblocks. Also ETI RCA connectors.I also use WBT on my Quad ESL's. These are also good, but are more costly. I can't say whether either of these make an immediate improvement (maybe they do, maybe they don't). B... 
If you could just pick one instrument that you think sounds best on your speakers
Voice, especially Faure's Cantique de Jean Racine, played on an array of Quad 2905's (heavily modified: Plitron transformers, air gap capacitors, disabled protection circuits). The array of multiple speakers makes any volume easy without overdrivi... 
Specific question choosing Duelund vs Mogami for affordable interconnect
Heresy alert: depends on your electromagnetic environment.If you get good cel phone reception, or there are radio or TV transmitters nearby, chances are that you have a lot of electromagnetic radiation in your environment. Some cables may act as a... 
recommendation for speaker wire to soften the highs if possible
ieales has some good suggestions too. Lots of soft things in the room, like carpets, can help. 
recommendation for speaker wire to soften the highs if possible
I suggest thinking of your audio system as a whole. Something is causing harshness. There are two ways to treat that.First, as Elizabeth suggested, attenuate the offending HF with ferrite beads. Cheap, easy, and probably effective, unless your spe... 
Platter mat insanity
@slaw I use a custom spindle for the air bushing (thrust and radial air bearing), which supports a cast iron platter and the graphite mat on a machined stainless taper. Part of the design is an extension of appropriate length to serve as a record-... 
BEST FEMALE VOCAL EVER
Joan Sutherland, Cuckoo in SiegfriedMarianne Mellnas, JulsangJoan Baez, Silkie 
'Diamond' cantilevers: a man's best friend?
I have been in love with the Koetsu sound since 1976, but my first one was a gift from wife a few years ago: Rosewood Signature Platinum with diamond cantilever.The cantilever and stylus are ground from one piece of clear white diamond. So it is p... 
Platter mat insanity
My search stopped with graphite. I use a 1" slab of graphite atop the platter, like Nottingham Analogue (Tom Fletcher design).Does two things - couples to vinyl, and deadens the platter. 
Please tutor me on some integrated amp basics.
@cleeds I should have said, "TEND to hum ..."