Recent content by Tim Baldwin

No problem at all on the discussion guys. I like to talk about this stuff, and this is as good a thread as any. Kevin, that last little bit of your last post now makes it all make sense: I would totally agree with you. On a quiet preamp, the little bit of extra noise which may be created by...

Kincade and Kevin, Yes, an active preamp is adding gain, and the volume control (as with a passive) is attenuating the output signal. So you could say the active preamp's volume is 'adding' gain when you turn it up, because it is attenuating it less. Therefore you don't just turn it all...

Kincade, Turns out you are correct. Here is the response I got from Mark O'Brien: I just calibrated at, and return the volume to, 12 o'clock. Not a big deal for me, but YMMV. Regards, Tim

Sorry, I'm not aware of any such option existing. I know you can bypass the preamp section of the Tempest integrated, although it involves physically changing some shunts inside the unit. The 12AU7's are Penta (German) (and I have a spare set that are unlabeled ... ?), and the 6DJ8's are...

Kincade, No, these do not have an HT bypass per se, though I HAVE used it in my HT. As with any preamp, you feed an auxilliary input from the receiver or prepro's L/R preouts, and calibrate your HT at a known specific setting on the preamp's volume control (I use 12 o'clock). Then whenever you...

Rogue 66 Magnum all tube preamp with phono stage. Magnum version features upgraded tubes, power supply, and parts (caps, resistors, wiring, sockets, etc). Excellent condition cosmetically and sonically. Good phono stage for MM or HO MC. Asking $695 + shipping. Link to Rogue Audio Link to...

You need to get on Curt Palme's mailing list. He rebuilds and sells CRT's, and has a great reputation. I was going to buy from him, until I got a killer deal locally. I have his latest list at work, and will try to email it to you later. As far as the cost, quality, setup and all, he will...

Or, if you want something a bit more accessible in a trio, try some Dave Brubeck. The classic Take Five is always a good starting point.

Scott, YGM. Tim

Hi Stefan ... glad you pointed me to this thread. Maybe we can get it going again. Going to take me a while to read through it and see what I've missed. BTW, since you mention Kenton you may be interested in Mike Vax. He has a band with a number of Kenton alumni. Saw him last year in a...

aaron, think we can share a room at this asylum right now. i'm in same quandary. i almost said screw it and bought a tube preamp today instead! still might. see how nuts i am? at the moment, i have a 520 and an rp82 in one cart, a 4es in another, and several older flagship receivers or the...

I agree with Bill. Just like movie reveiwers, I try to "calibrate" the equipment reviewers against my own tastes and experiences. Once I've heard their opinions on movies I've seen I know how to judge future reviews. Unfortunately, the late Gene Siskel was about the only movie critic with whom I...

Jason, I think you may be wasting your money at a 200 price point. I believe you will be better off doing one of three things: 1. Adding 200 to your DVD player purchase and upgrading that 2. Add an outboard DAC (ART DIO, MSB LinkDac, etc) to your DVD player 3. Save a little and start looking...

Dan, I have deliberated for a long time in a similar situation. I am much more finicky about music repro than movies. I considered a flagship receiver, or modest pre-pro and multi-ch amps, but have decided on an alternate course. I've decided on a low-mid range receiver (like the 520, 4ES...

I have bought three pieces from Ubid - an H/K CD changer, a Newcastle receiver, and a Citation amp. They were all new - not refurbs, and I had/have zero problems with all of them. I will buy used but not refurbed - my philosophy with cars is pretty similar - I find when they start breaking, they...