S.E.T. - I am obsessed now ....

Tweak out the tubes on the Line Magnetic first to find its limits. NOS baby, NOS.
 
joeinid said:
Since I love the LM219IA with the Strads, could I get a "better" SET and get more magic? Ha! I know. When is enough, enough. :)

Keep your eyes on me and feel free to show me the light. Now I do have a pair of Cary 300b se that I need to unbox and hook up. Thank you Steve. Can't wait to hear that magic. 15 or so watts may not be enough for the Strads but I'm sure late night listening could be fun.
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Joe,

The first thing you'll begin to notice in doing this is, the decline in weight, definition in the lower end of the spectrum and the extension at the very top end, 211/845 based designs are about as Linear a sound as one is ever to obtain from SET based designs, period.

They simply dig deeper, as I much prefer the nimbleness and top to bottom extension of power triodes like 45s and 2A3s, when compared to 300Bs, minus their desire for more efficient speakers leaves me wanting, as I can do speakers the size of a refrigerator, and shall die with my Mini-Monitors under my arms, so I've instructed the wifey beforehand.

But.........., I'll be watching as you've stated.
 
Kt77 said:
I think he had a wonderful combination with said LM-219 IA and the SF Evos, and merely wanted something different, as most guys seem more content in just buying stuff, instead of enjoy components that form a greater sense of interacting with one another in a synergistic manner - I mean aren't most building these days equipped with Central Air?, excuses, excuses, excuses.

Lest I'm wrong, shall we see how many amps he goes through by lets say next June at best..........., I mean it's fine and dandy to have the means to buy the nicer toys and all, but what about forming a system that as I'm fond of putting it " clicks ", and just ride it out until something breaks, but then I guess that takes away from the fun of buying stuff simple because one is able to afford it.

My humble little $18.900 system takes me to distant shorelines in regards to being able to enjoy my jazz collection ( 98.8% ), and the rest of my music all over the place, and plays everything I throw at it equally as responsive, in what world does one live that can't be happy with a system that doesn't dictate to its owner, what it's going to play?, or not?, to my mind that's such BS!, it's a known fact - tubes produce freaking heat................, but more importantly is the manner they produce " Music ". Some guys just don't freaking get it............., but I do enjoy sitting back and laughing my behind off watching the collectors of boxes/components try for years and years to figure this very simple shite out, and some never seen to be able to admit it's not about the music for them in the least - it's the status of being able to say - look at what I own............, instead of listen to how well matched my system evolved and how musical it sounds!.

I've never been much for humor, as I was always a very serious - uptight sort by nature, but of late I'm laughing my arse off just sitting back and counting just how many guys don't get it!, it produced to much heat my ass, if the systems " clicking " leave it along.

All of this to say what?. Joe - Mike - Jerome - Doug - Mick Wolfe - Byron, and a few other of you get it.............., if I'd afford say items as the LM-219 IA and said SF Evo ( Graphite ) with a nice table or music server, I'd be done for what's left of my days on the planet just buying music and tubes.............., but it's harder for me to just see the sort of behavior where some never seem to find happiness with what they've put together already - shite if you took the time to match the pieces together from the start then it'd have been a much simpler task.

Re-learn how to listen to the Music, listening to components be damned.

There, it's off my chest, and while some my say I'm a trouble maker by singling them out - haven't some attempted to do the same with me?, I've always tried to be the voice of logic, and see music lovers get it right, and Joe this one is meant for you.............., you've gotten it right, and seem to be enjoying the hell out what you're hearing at this very moment from what I've seen, then ask yourself this - isn't it good enough to live with it as is?, or does the need for change ever seize?.

Dig deep within, you'll know what I'm getting at - enjoy the music, enjoy life, it's a passion, not an obsession.

Try to relate to what feels/sounds right, and step away from the table with your pride intact.
Click to expand...

This a great post, but I've learned something about how audiophiles are are vastly different.

There are those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
And to not appreciate and understand them is a mistake, in my opinion.
I'm a destination audiophile myself, but to preach to someone else that loves our hobby and goes about it differently is just wrong.
All of us in life are different, and we need to embrace our differences, not criticize them.
 
Very soon we will need to start calling NOS "UOS" (Used Old Stock) because the true number of NOS tubes grows smaller every day and lots of tubes that are being sold as "NOS" are in reality used tubes. Some people are unable or unwilling to differentiate between truly NOS tubes and tubes that are formally known as NOS because they have in fact been used. And when you separate the junk out of the true NOS piles of tubes for sale, the pile grows even smaller.
 
MDP said:
This a great post, but I've learned something about how audiophiles are are vastly different.

There are those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
And to not appreciate and understand them is a mistake, in my opinion.
I'm a destination audiophile myself, but to preach to someone else that loves our hobby and goes about it differently is just wrong.
All of us in life are different, and we need to embrace our differences, not criticize them.
Click to expand...

Well, well Mark. I truly believe that our hobby is a journey and not a destination. However, that doesn't mean that you have to start a new journey every single day or week.
 
mep said:
Well, well Mark. I truly believe that our hobby is a journey and not a destination. However, that doesn't mean that you have to start a new journey every single day or week.
Click to expand...

No it doesn't Mark, but to criticize someone over their path is being a bit arrogant, IMO. Let's let everyone follow their own way. Is that wrong ?
 
MDP said:
No it doesn't Mark, but to criticize someone over their path is being a bit arrogant, IMO. Let's let everyone follow their own way. Is that wrong ?
Click to expand...

Mark-On the surface what you say sounds good. However, I have talked about this before. There is a difference between having a reference system vs. having reference level components. If your system is never stable in that you are constantly swapping out components before they are even broken in, you truly do not have a reference system. It's comparable to having a ship without a rudder in that you are just adrift on the high seas. You need to be able to understand your system and its weaknesses so that when you swap in a new component and give it time to break in, you truly understand how it's affecting your reference system. If nothing is stable in your system, you truly have no reference to base your judgements on.
 
mep said:
Mark-On the surface what you say sounds good. However, I have talked about this before. There is a difference between having a reference system vs. having reference level components. If your system is never stable in that you are constantly swapping out components before they are even broken in, you truly do not have a reference system. It's comparable to having a ship without a rudder in that you are just adrift on the high seas. You need to be able to understand your system and its weaknesses so that when you swap in a new component and give it time to break in, you truly understand how it's affecting your reference system. If nothing is stable in your system, you truly have no reference to base your judgements on.
Click to expand...

Mark, I couldn't agree more.

What I'm saying is that I never understood people that swap gear constantly. It was a very hard thing for me to get.
But I have friends now who love to build systems, and then blow them up and start again.
And let me tell you, they are also passionate music lovers. It's just a different way to enjoy the hobby.

Again, whats wrong with that ?
They're enjoying themselves. And enjoyment is what this is all about.
 
It's a good thing I don't know anyone like that Mark :)
 
George,

I absolutely love my Pass XA60.5's on my Strads. Wonderful synergy, especially with my GAT, for my taste.

Audioseduction said:
I'm sure glad mine system is reference stable so I can just set back and listen to my music on cloud 9. :D
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
MDP said:
This a great post, but I've learned something about how audiophiles are are vastly different.

There are those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
And to not appreciate and understand them is a mistake, in my opinion.
I'm a destination audiophile myself, but to preach to someone else that loves our hobby and goes about it differently is just wrong.
All of us in life are different, and we need to embrace our differences, not criticize them.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mark ( I guess? ),

Yet my statements are geared towards one person or another, but using someone as an example if you will, I'd agree that we hear differently, as do we each have a different set of priorities, but as someone whom is more of a desination type of system builder, it's up to me to know when I've reached a point in doing so, that if I changed one component, there's a serious chance that I'd throw things out of balance which might've taken me years to finalize the voicing process in a manner where said system was clicking musically in every possible fashion, yet the point I'm trying to make is once again, how many mistakes does it take before we start to release just how many mishaps we've made along the ways? ( I myself have counted 15 different system changes later ) granted most of my purchases weren't over $8.000 on my Source ( mostly analogue based ) or at $6.500 on an Accuphase DP-65v then maybe at best $5.000 on any given integrated and lastly Mini-Monitors including stands totaling $6.700 at best.

But once again, while certain pieces of gear were wonderful, once I heard them later in someone system whom paid attention to what was needed more so then I at the time realized they were capable of because I never took the time to understand what each piece did sound wise, and then add around it accordingly - no, it was after years and years of living with something that I became clearer how to select pieces that would maximize my investment in musicality as opposed to just sound, as sound is easy to obtain from an FM radio ( perfectly tube based from the 50s ), but to put together a system that communicates the very essence of music is a task some get, while others are in search of enlightenment.

While some tend to limit themselves inside of tiny boxes and follow what's casted into stone, I've always been the sort that always asked " what if? ", and in hear something differently!, does that make my opinions less valuable then others?, I think not. I've never tried to push my mindset upon anyone, as my path is indeed my own, but ask yourself, at what point does it take for " you " to know when enough is enough?, as I'd much rather have invested $80.000 into my music collection or several of the needy children in Detroit instead of on a system, but as always that just me, but I do love seeing the younger guys whom have the means, but something selectively using their ears/hearts as their guide and simply buy something which they can truthfully enjoy for say 3 - 9 years without feeling the desire to change something magical just for the sake of differences and/or fad. Better put, if I'd afford one more system before the Creator calls me in!, it's very very very simple, it would consist of a couple of items I've actually heard that brought tears to my eyes, for me as stated somewhere earlier on - it's the Acoustic Plan Sitar ( Hybrid Integrated ) driving a pair of Magico S1s, and could just as easily enjoy then through an iPad into an HRT iStreamer as I've over the course of the last 4 years, as I was mostly into vinyl, but as we get older, so do our bodies and now I'm adjusting to what is easier for me to reach out and touch if you will, instead of relying upon the wife to cue up a record for me............., but collectively these components compliment one another which is the point I'm getting at - and out of fear of losing that sense of magical synergy, I'd far rather leave well enough alone.


And besides, I'm merely trying to save Joe from himself, but in hindsight, I know he already knows that, anyways back to the matter of obsession, to which I only pray will take him into many years of inner peace, yes..........., it's a cosmic thing 4 'Sho, but it's from the heart, in asking when does it stop?. And as far as the reviewer issue with the amp giving off to much heat, didn't he know that it would before bringing it home?, or was his purchase based upon impulse?. I care less, as I don't know the guy personally - but I did laugh my ass off watching him change both his Integrated and go through what seemed liked three different pairs of SF's in what seemed like a few months at best, lest I missed something?, that shit isn't normal in the hood I once resided - we tend to live with the same wife for years, and drove either a Lexus or Infinity until it dies, or we did, whichever comes first.

I'm not here to offend, but rather have some think " what if? ".
 
Kt77 said:
Thanks Mark ( I guess? ),

Yet my statements are geared towards one person or another, but using someone as an example if you will, I'd agree that we hear differently, as do we each have a different set of priorities, but as someone whom is more of a desination type of system builder, it's up to me to know when I've reached a point in doing so, that if I changed one component, there's a serious chance that I'd throw things out of balance which might've taken me years to finalize the voicing process in a manner where said system was clicking musically in every possible fashion, yet the point I'm trying to make is once again, how many mistakes does it take before we start to release just how many mishaps we've made along the ways? ( I myself have counted 15 different system changes later ) granted most of my purchases weren't over $8.000 on my Source ( mostly analogue based ) or at $6.500 on an Accuphase DP-65v then maybe at best $5.000 on any given integrated and lastly Mini-Monitors including stands totaling $6.700 at best.

But once again, while certain pieces of gear were wonderful, once I heard them later in someone system whom paid attention to what was needed more so then I at the time realized they were capable of because I never took the time to understand what each piece did sound wise, and then add around it accordingly - no, it was after years and years of living with something that I became clearer how to select pieces that would maximize my investment in musicality as opposed to just sound, as sound is easy to obtain from an FM radio ( perfectly tube based from the 50s ), but to put together a system that communicates the very essence of music is a task some get, while others are in search of enlightenment.

While some tend to limit themselves inside of tiny boxes and follow what's casted into stone, I've always been the sort that always asked " what if? ", and in hear something differently!, does that make my opinions less valuable then others?, I think not. I've never tried to push my mindset upon anyone, as my path is indeed my own, but ask yourself, at what point does it take for " you " to know when enough is enough?, as I'd much rather have invested $80.000 into my music collection or several of the needy children in Detroit instead of on a system, but as always that just me, but I do love seeing the younger guys whom have the means, but something selectively using their ears/hearts as their guide and simply buy something which they can truthfully enjoy for say 3 - 9 years without feeling the desire to change something magical just for the sake of differences and/or fad. Better put, if I'd afford one more system before the Creator calls me in!, it's very very very simple, it would consist of a couple of items I've actually heard that brought tears to my eyes, for me as stated somewhere earlier on - it's the Acoustic Plan Sitar ( Hybrid Integrated ) driving a pair of Magico S1s, and could just as easily enjoy then through an iPad into an HRT iStreamer as I've over the course of the last 4 years, as I was mostly into vinyl, but as we get older, so do our bodies and now I'm adjusting to what is easier for me to reach out and touch if you will, instead of relying upon the wife to cue up a record for me............., but collectively these components compliment one another which is the point I'm getting at - and out of fear of losing that sense of magical synergy, I'd far rather leave well enough alone.


And besides, I'm merely trying to save Joe from himself, but in hindsight, I know he already knows that, anyways back to the matter of obsession, to which I only pray will take him into many years of inner peace, yes..........., it's a cosmic thing 4 'Sho, but it's from the heart, in asking when does it stop?. And as far as the reviewer issue with the amp giving off to much heat, didn't he know that it would before bringing it home?, or was his purchase based upon impulse?. I care less, as I don't know the guy personally - but I did laugh my ass off watching him change both his Integrated and go through what seemed liked three different pairs of SF's in what seemed like a few months at best, lest I missed something?, that shit isn't normal in the hood I once resided - we tend to live with the same wife for years, and drove either a Lexus or Infinity until it dies, or we did, whichever comes first.

I'm not here to offend, but rather have some think " what if? ".
Click to expand...

It stops when each person has reached there goal.

But only each individual can decide when that is.

Not you, not me or anyone else.

It's as simple as that. Just don't judge others.
 
MDP said:
It stops when each person has reached there goal.

But only each individual can decide when that is.

Not you, not me or anyone else.

It's as simple as that. Just don't judge others.
Click to expand...

right on. the only time i feel "rudderless" is when i have noting to listen to or an equipment break down. this is a hobby after all, and some people love to work on and restore the same car for 20+ friggin' years, that kind of thing bores me to death. I love new projects and start a new one almost weekly, whats wrong with that.:satisfying:
 
MDP said:
It stops when each person has reached there goal.

But only each individual can decide when that is.

Not you, not me or anyone else.

It's as simple as that. Just don't judge others.
Click to expand...

It isn't my mindset to judge others, merely to try to express that at some point ones path should come to an ending, but as you've stated it's an individual thing for some to try to reach out to others in finding said path and cherishing it for what it is, not what it's not!, much like mep said, and I've to agree with, while some have reference systems, some have reference level systems because of the fact, some hasn't lived with them long enough to know what they even sound like, if not fully broken it ( or something to that affect ), and trust me, I'm not the sort to tell anyone what I like or dislike about their systems, but I know what I like, and do know that I'm quite capable of hearing what's great, and not so great about mixed/matched unbalanced systems or Setups, as I've stated I was a primary buyer for two rather upscale stores at one time during my youth, and while I'm older/wiser and know better now, I've come to realize one very important factor - greeting older/wiser in itself is a blessing.

But some merely have gotten older, and set in their ways, but are also afraid to admit to themselves and others that they can't hear worth a shite anyways, hence the search laterally for said items is continues.

Yes, it's a personal matter at best, and it ends when we are placed into the ground, but in the meantime enjoy more things in life besides trying to stick ones chest out with this my dick/system is bigger/costlier then yours mindset, it doesn't matter if yours is bigger!, costlier!, if mine plays music better then yours, now does it?.

Yeah, lets change the channel, as this is getting olde like a pair of worn out socks. Shall we!.
 
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