Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!info-high-audio-request From: ogicse!agora.rain.com!david@uwm.UUCP (David Robinson) Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end Subject: POSITIVE FEEDBACK 1/91 (late!): 4/4 Message-ID: <9951@uwm.edu> Date: 5 Mar 91 14:01:04 GMT Sender: news@uwm.edu Lines: 90 Approved: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu The following article is from POSITIVE FEEDBACK, the newsletter of the Oregon Triode Society, and is Copyright 1991, all rights reserved. This article may be reposted or reprinted, as long as it is not resold, and as long as proper attribution of the source is made in full. Please keep this header in all copies made of this article. David W. Robinson Editor, POSITIVE FEEDBACK david@agora.rain.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SO, WHAT IS MY REFERENCE SYSTEM? Charles Wiens Well, let's see...since I like to collect boat anchors that just happen to contain tubes, there are about 85 pieces (threatening to cause major structural damage to my attic) from which I can choose. I'll start with the source of all evil: The cartridge. Currently I'm using a Shure V15 MkII that happened to be in a Dual 1229 purchased for 50 cents at the local "as is" store. It's no Koetsu Rosewood, but it has a nice silky sound that suits my archaic tastes just fine--and the price was right. On to the turntable(s). This choice depends on the mood I'm in. As all 42 of my tables cost 50 cents each, I confine my moods to ones of quiet resignation. However, in rare moods of serious listening I like to use a Thorens TD 160 I ran across recently. It's rather sensitive to vibration in a home environment, but in my downtown listening studio with its 18" concrete floor, who cares? I also have examples of every Dual known to man. The 1000 and 1200 series have interchangeable and quickly removable cartridge mounts, so I use a nicely restored 1229 when comparing the huge assortment of pre-1972 AKGs, Pickerings, Shures, etc., that I have on hand. The pre-amp in this system-to-end-all-systems was a Dyna PAS 2 until the cat pissed on it. That turned out to be a fortunate elimination since a determined effort at...you guessed it, the "as-is" store...turned up a McIntosh MX 110 tuner/pre-amp, which I quickly snapped up for a dollar. At first, one channel of the phono section appeared to be gone, but a little contact cleaner on the rotary switches revealed a perfectly functioning unit. It looks neat, too. Other pre-amps on hand that met my budget requirements ($1.00) include a Dyna PAS 3, the PAS 2--which is working again--a Fisher 400 CX, two Mac C-8s and a Quad 33. Now to the power amp. Until about amonth ago, I was using a Scott LK 150 given me (along with the C-8s) by my tax man, an old hippie from Chicago. Guilt at this free acquisition has caused me to promise him a pair of speakers in return. Recently, however, I actually allowed Ian Joel to talk me into parting with the unheard of sum of $250 for an unnamed, homemade amp from his Trading Post. I have dubbed it the TEK SG: "SG" for "Spontaneous Generation." Ian thinks it was built by a Tektronics engineer, as the transformers are obviously TEK. I, however, am convinced its existence is due to a rare encounter between a dumpster full of old TEK parts and an aging Big Mac guided by divine intervention. I'm also convinced that Ian made a 25,000% profit on the deal, but the amp does indeed sound smoother than my LK 150, and has astounding low frequency extension. My only complaint is that when it is turned upside down, all the tubes fall out of their sockets and roll around on the floor. I've concluded, through careful listening tests, that this phenomenon does have a subtle degrading effect on the sound stage, and now operate the unit in the upright position only. Finally, we reach the heart of every fine audio system: The loudspeakers. Hey, I built 'em myself and they're reaaaaally rad, man. They've got a 6 1/2" groaner and a 1 1/8" dome squeaker with a frequency response of DC to light (plus or minus). For those of you who've seen and heard the wonders at Ian's store, the high tech imported Italian porcelain tile covering the sides and top is guaranteed to do absolutely nothing except give the owner back strain when moving them. I would like to humbly and graciously thank the highly sophisticated audiopholes among you who appreciate their tonal quality, and to condemn and admonish the tin-eared jerks who didn't. Well, that about wraps up my reference system. It's not exactly state-of- the-art, but then again...neither am I. P.S. My wife would like to point out that her reference system is a 1964 9' Baldwin concert grand and a pianist capable of playing anything ever written: Herself.