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  1. #1
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    Rocket (88) Man!

    Even though I'm trying to be a good 'phile...and save my pennies for a Pass .8; old habits die hard.

    I've always been curious to try this piece; and I gave in to temptation. These days...glass has a stranglehold on me; it was either that, or the Cat's Eyes.

    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  2. #2
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Looks very cool Chris. I have a feeling you'll love it. Congratulations!
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  3. #3
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Thanks Joe. Even though I'm a little disappointed...that I couldn't stick to my "plan"; I am getting excited about the piece.

    I think it'll be tons-o-fun; a real roller's party. I should keep KT busy
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  4. #4
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    i mentioned to you in another thread i was demoing some cary gear awhile back the rocket came in for a week and then a cad120s after that, both were excellent amps and alot of fun.
    i was also borrowing a slp98 and they were awesome together, you will be surprised how that little baby sings!!! i also owned a v12 around 12-15 years ago and loved that too.
    cary rules!!!!!!
    Steve

    TUBES & VINYL
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  5. #5
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    love the KT 88 ' s power and dynamic !
    Paul

  6. #6
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    This amp and the six pacs were always on my list. Loved my V12 years ago.

  7. #7
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by Petro85 View Post
    i mentioned to you in another thread i was demoing some cary gear awhile back the rocket came in for a week and then a cad120s after that, both were excellent amps and alot of fun.
    i was also borrowing a slp98 and they were awesome together, you will be surprised how that little baby sings!!! i also owned a v12 around 12-15 years ago and loved that too.
    cary rules!!!!!!
    Steve...great minds, must think alike. I've already started peeking, at SLP98s
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  8. #8
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    Thanks Joe. Even though I'm a little disappointed...that I couldn't stick to my "plan"; I am getting excited about the piece.

    I think it'll be tons-o-fun; a real roller's party. I should keep KT busy
    Plan? First rule of Audiophiledom is that there is no plan. Resistance is futile!

    Enjoy the new amp and don't forget the pics!



    Sent from my mobile.
    Doug



  9. #9
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by dlb2 View Post
    Plan? First rule of Audiophiledom is that there is no plan. Resistance is futile!

    Enjoy the new amp and don't forget the pics!



    Sent from my mobile.
    I suspect you're right Doug. Question is...blessing, or curse?
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  10. #10

    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    Steve...great minds, must think alike. I've already started peeking, at SLP98s
    The SLP98 is a great sounding line stage. I had one in my system for awhile and enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it's neutral, but I would say it's fun to listen to. If I were in the market for one, I would buy the line stage version and not the version with the phono stage. The phono section doesn't have a reputation for great sound and the extra tubes are drawing voltage and current from the same power supply that powers the line stage.

  11. #11
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    I suspect you're right Doug. Question is...blessing, or curse?
    hahaha!! its a curse, im so happy with my system right now and for its moderate price of all the gear i could be happy with it for a long time. so what did i do? sold my amps and bought a new integrated.lmao!!!! i just cant seem to stop until ive had it all in my system.at least now i narrowed my preferred sound down to 300b's , but there are still alot out there i havent tried yet.lol.
    now im engrossed in finding the right speaker again.
    its definitely a curse.
    Steve

    TUBES & VINYL
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  12. #12
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    The SLP98 is a great sounding line stage. I had one in my system for awhile and enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it's neutral, but I would say it's fun to listen to. If I were in the market for one, I would buy the line stage version and not the version with the phono stage. The phono section doesn't have a reputation for great sound and the extra tubes are drawing voltage and current from the same power supply that powers the line stage.
    good call on that, the one i had borrowed had the phonostage in it, at that time i had a bat w internal phono and a fosgate signature(ok sounding but not great) and the cary was my least favorite of the 3.
    Steve

    TUBES & VINYL
    Is there anything else?

    Rega/Ortofon/Viva 300b/KR

    Music Reference 2A3

    Altec/JBL

  13. #13
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by mep View Post
    The SLP98 is a great sounding line stage. I had one in my system for awhile and enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it's neutral, but I would say it's fun to listen to. If I were in the market for one, I would buy the line stage version and not the version with the phono stage. The phono section doesn't have a reputation for great sound and the extra tubes are drawing voltage and current from the same power supply that powers the line stage.
    I had the chromed out version back in 2000- awesome to look at. And yes, its a bit warm of neutral but pleasingly so.

    sold all my Cary gear for BAT which worked better with Wilson.

  14. #14
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by KeithR View Post
    I had the chromed out version back in 2000- awesome to look at. And yes, its a bit warm of neutral but pleasingly so.

    sold all my Cary gear for BAT which worked better with Wilson.
    ha keith im beginning to see me and you had alot of the same gear over the years. great minds think alike!!! lol.
    Steve

    TUBES & VINYL
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    Rega/Ortofon/Viva 300b/KR

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  15. #15
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    So...lest the group, keep going on and on about how great the 808/Rocket 88 is; for the first time ever, a seller has (passionately) asked to be let out of a sale.

    It's not a huge deal; his circumstances changed, he had seller's remorse...and what a-hole, would take away a piece of loved kit from its owner. I don't think, it would have been long for my system anyway; but his plea, does make me wonder...just what I missed out on.
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  16. #16
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by Petro85 View Post
    ha keith im beginning to see me and you had alot of the same gear over the years. great minds think alike!!! lol.
    Haha. Yeah, I miss my BAT gear at times. Did you ever hear the 55SE? I might have to try that amp some day- my 75SE was excellent, but enormous and of course, ran hot with the 6c33. Victor was using push/pull, no negative feedback design before many, I give him credit. And BAT is just so incredibly well made.

  17. #17
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by KeithR View Post
    Haha. Yeah, I miss my BAT gear at times. Did you ever hear the 55SE? I might have to try that amp some day- my 75SE was excellent, but enormous and of course, ran hot with the 6c33. Victor was using push/pull, no negative feedback design before many, I give him credit. And BAT is just so incredibly well made.
    yes i heard the stereo and the mono versions of the 55se both were great but 1 is enough , 2 was overkill. its really an underrated amp. huge dynamics and air. i thought of the magico s3 as a great partner for it, for some reason. had a 75 but not the se and a couple 60's and the vk-55 se was the best bat amp ive heard to date, i never heard the rex.
    Steve

    TUBES & VINYL
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  18. #18
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
    So...lest the group, keep going on and on about how great the 808/Rocket 88 is; for the first time ever, a seller has (passionately) asked to be let out of a sale.

    It's not a huge deal; his circumstances changed, he had seller's remorse...and what a-hole, would take away a piece of loved kit from its owner. I don't think, it would have been long for my system anyway; but his plea, does make me wonder...just what I missed out on.
    oh no!!! sorry to hear that, im rambling on about other amps in your thread and you are sad today that sucks its better than being at the other end though and someone promising to buy your gear and not paying for it. im sure you will recover and move on and find something else. is the 120s out of your price range? its a great amp and can be had used for a great price and are widely available.
    or just buy the decware SET lol.
    Steve

    TUBES & VINYL
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    Rega/Ortofon/Viva 300b/KR

    Music Reference 2A3

    Altec/JBL

  19. #19
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by Petro85 View Post
    oh no!!! sorry to hear that, im rambling on about other amps in your thread and you are sad today that sucks its better than being at the other end though and someone promising to buy your gear and not paying for it. im sure you will recover and move on and find something else. is the 120s out of your price range? its a great amp and can be had used for a great price and are widely available.
    or just buy the decware SET lol.
    Not sure what's next Steve. The 88 was just one of those things; right piece...right time. Right price!

    A Decware, is definitely in my future; but now's not the right time. I'm enjoying these little Dyns...and they need some big-boy juice, lol.
    CD

    DAC/Pre-amp - PSAudio DsJ > Power-amp - > Speakers - PMC TwentyFive 23s

  20. #20
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Very pleased with my Rocket 88. Interesting that my 87db efficient speakers never sounded as good as I thought they should have. Tried Bryston, Mark Levinson & Accuphase power from 90wpc to 250wpc and nothing made them sing. However, as I was very pleased with my SLI-80, when a Rocket 88 showed up close by I decided to give it a try. What a difference. Running triode it has totally changed my speakers to what they should have been from the start. Took a year in the wilderness of solid-state, but, 'back in the fold' of tubes for good, this time. I set the bias at 160mA for EL34s & KT77s, 165mA for 7819a and the full load 200mA for KT88 & 6550 output tubes. My Rocket 88 has the later 12BZ7 rather than the 6922 tubes, and Hexfreds in the power supply. Replaced the factory supplied Kimber coupling caps with Audyn True Copper Max. Am running mine with an SLP-98P and K&K SUT. A very happy camper.

    How do I delete a pic? I would like to delete the 2nd pic but do not see how. Thx.

    Cary2.JPG
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Glenn...
    Canton Ref 9K Cary SLP-98P & Rocket 88 Clearaudio SM Pro Denon DP-80 w/Dynavector XX2 MKII, Lyra Kleos, Ortofon Cdza Blk, K-b & OM30, AT33R & AT-MONO3/LP K&K LL9226 SUT Jelco HS-25 Nordost Valhalla Oppo 203 Orsonic AV-1b Sony ST-J75 Stax UA-7/CF Stillpoints LP1 WW 8/7 Pt & Au Yamamoto HS-2 & 4

  21. #21
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    I believe speaker cables are right behind power cables


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  22. #22
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Not sure why you would comment on cables in this thread, but will agree that all cables are important.
    Glenn...
    Canton Ref 9K Cary SLP-98P & Rocket 88 Clearaudio SM Pro Denon DP-80 w/Dynavector XX2 MKII, Lyra Kleos, Ortofon Cdza Blk, K-b & OM30, AT33R & AT-MONO3/LP K&K LL9226 SUT Jelco HS-25 Nordost Valhalla Oppo 203 Orsonic AV-1b Sony ST-J75 Stax UA-7/CF Stillpoints LP1 WW 8/7 Pt & Au Yamamoto HS-2 & 4

  23. #23
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Quote Originally Posted by Tubeophile View Post
    Not sure why you would comment on cables in this thread, but will agree that all cables are important.
    Skimming quick, I was thinking the Rocket 88 was Audioquest speakers cables - my bad


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    Source Analog: Kuzma Stabi R w/4point 11 arm | Kuzma 50 Cartridge
    Source Digital: Aurender N10 | Brinkmann Nyquist MK II
    Amplification: Dan D’Agostino Momentum HD and M400’s | Boulder 508
    Speakers: Wilson Alexias
    Cabling: Nordost Leif, Norse, V2 and Odin
    Power and Isolation: Audio-Ultra Home & Room Power Foundation Performance Package with StromTank S1000 | HRS









  24. #24

    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Cary uses very good transformers in their power amps which is one reason they perform so well. Congrats on the amp and glad you are happy.

  25. #25
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    Re: Rocket (88) Man!

    Yep. My plan is take my Rocket 88 and split it into a pair of monoblock amps. Need a pair of chassis and PTs in order to do so. A long-term project.
    Glenn...
    Canton Ref 9K Cary SLP-98P & Rocket 88 Clearaudio SM Pro Denon DP-80 w/Dynavector XX2 MKII, Lyra Kleos, Ortofon Cdza Blk, K-b & OM30, AT33R & AT-MONO3/LP K&K LL9226 SUT Jelco HS-25 Nordost Valhalla Oppo 203 Orsonic AV-1b Sony ST-J75 Stax UA-7/CF Stillpoints LP1 WW 8/7 Pt & Au Yamamoto HS-2 & 4

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Rocket (88) Man!

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