Johnny Vinyl: Living the Analog(ue) Dream!

[D]

Originally Posted by John72953

Thanks dB!

I've never ever had any problems with my TT until this year. Not being able to play vinyl is very disappointing, but it's all good. I discovered the really nice quality of SA-CD, and although not a replacement.....I really do have a whole new appreciation for digital when done correctly. This would never have happened before. So you see...sometimes good things happen when you least expect them to.

John

I know what you mean John, and I have also been quite involved with SACD for quite some time. There are many great discs, and enjoy it very much!

[naturephoto1]

Hi John,

What really does not make sense to me is that the TT that came in from the UK was supposed to be working at the proper speed shortly before it was shipped to you. Something just doesn't add up with that at all; I kind of question the comments from the seller on this issue.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi John,

What really does not make sense to me is that the TT that came in from the UK was supposed to be working at the proper speed shortly before it was shipped to you. Something just doesn't add up with that at all; I kind of question the comments from the seller on this issue.

Rich

Hi Rich,
I thought of that as well, but I don't even want to think of that right now. The thought of being ripped off that way would only make me more angry than I already am. Let me explain.

I started a thread a few weeks ago about my vintage Pioneer SA-9500II Integrated Amp in the off-topic area. There is no need for me to point you there, because I made the thread out of frustration. You see Rich what happened is this (and you may well remember me talking about this unit), this piece of vintage equipment was stolen from me. I had it in storage at my former residence, because I didn't have access to it physically. I said I would pick it up later. That person has recently moved and someone (one of her kids) took my amp and absconded with it. The cops got involved, but I doubt I'll ever see it again. I'm really, really pissed off about this, but there is nothing I can do.

So you see Rich, although I also question the seller now, I can't or rather won't let it enter my mind as it'll just add more fuel. I am trying very hard (and with some success) to look positively at every stumbling block, knowing that a solution will present itself. And it will. I have every confidence and faith.

John

[Riff Magnum]

Hey John- You think the new Beatles set will eventually hit SACD? God, just when i had everything they put out, they go and REMASTER everything. Guess i'm a moron and was under the assumption it had already been done for the cd releases.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Hey John- You think the new Beatles set will eventually hit SACD? God, just when i had everything they put out, they go and REMASTER everything. Guess i'm a moron and was under the assumption it had already been done for the cd releases.

I doubt they'll ever get a SA-CD release, but I do think a Blu-ray release and a vinyl release are guarenteed. SA-CD is too niche of a market for them to consider, although it would be nice.

John

[Riff Magnum]

Like a bluray boxset ala Neil Young? Now you have me dreaming; thanks alot.
Seriously though, i'm waiting for a Bob Dylan BD boxset similar to the one Young released.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Like a bluray boxset ala Neil Young? Now you have me dreaming; thanks alot.
Seriously though, i'm waiting for a Bob Dylan BD boxset similar to the one Young released.

I think all of the major artists are looking at the Neil Young Archives and studying it intensely. Neil presented a concept that is totally unique and very forward-thinking. Whether one likes Neil Young or not is beside the point. He did open up the floodgates for artists to look at their discographies and see how something like Neil's concept would/could work for them. I think we're very definately going to see more of this sooner rather than later.

Regarding the Beatles remasters, you might also see other artists thinking about getting proper remastered releases done. If they do, the suggested death of the CD may be later in coming.

John

[ewaters70]

" I also love the Stevie Ray Vaughan abstract I purchased a few years ago. "


LOVE IT! Stevie is my all time fav! I have the photo called "Last Call: on my wall.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

What really does not make sense to me is that the TT that came in from the UK was supposed to be working at the proper speed shortly before it was shipped to you. Something just doesn't add up with that at all; I kind of question the comments from the seller on this issue.

Rich

One problem with that: IIRC, John stated that his TTs ran too slowly. The UK mains runs at 50 Hz, whereas our's runs at 60 Hz, so if anything the TT from the UK would run too fast. So I don't think in this instance the seller is trying it on. I had exactly this problem--TT running too fast--when I first fired up my Forsell over here after bringing it with me from the UK.

[D]

Originally Posted by richteer

As well as can be, thanks! You?

Hi pal, sorry I missed this! I'm good, just pushing ahead as it were. Rolling with the changes. lol.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by naturephoto1

Hi John,

What really does not make sense to me is that the TT that came in from the UK was supposed to be working at the proper speed shortly before it was shipped to you. Something just doesn't add up with that at all; I kind of question the comments from the seller on this issue.

Rich

Rich,

I missed this entirely. The Revolver Black was bought from a guy in Ottawa, ON. I did also look at a UK one, but with shipping, duties, conversion, etc., it would have cost way too much.

John

[Riff Magnum]

hey John- Just been checking out some Totem's on audiogon, since i really wanna move up from my klipsch's eventually. Can you tell me why almost all totem towers only have one woofer? Am i missing something?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

hey John- Just been checking out some Totem's on audiogon, since i really wanna move up from my klipsch's eventually. Can you tell me why almost all totem towers only have one woofer? Am i missing something?

Hi Riff!

Nice to see you've taken an interest in a Totem speaker. They really are worthy of consideration, especially if music plays a vital role in your listening habits.

I wish I could answer your question, but you'd have to ask the man, Vince Bruzzese, himself. I suspect it was a part of his design philosophy. The only speaker (not counting centre channels) with multiple woofers is the WIND speaker. Every other floorstander from the Arro, Sttaf, Hawk and Forest are 2-way designs, but don't let that fool you. There are indeed many higher-end speaker manufacturers that incorporate that design.

A lot of people, especially newcomers to the world of audio, are automatically(yet wrongly) told that a 3-way or 4-way design is better. Nothing could be further from the truth. It all depends on how all the components and the cabinet work together in unison. I can tell you that Vince's two-way design approach is an amazing feat of engineering and design. These speakers truly are outstanding.

I guess I'm telling you to not be concerned about whether a speaker is of a two-way or three-way design. I can tell you for fact that Totem's are amazing with music, especially acoustics, female voices and orchestration. If it's mid-range you clamour...Totems are a great choice.

Hope I have helped answer your question somewhat. Sorry if I couldn't give you an exact one however.

John

[Riff Magnum]

That's kinda what i assumed. Most of the ones i saw on audiogon were Forest and Hawk. I didn't see any Wind.
They're all such pretty speakers.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

That's kinda what i assumed. Most of the ones i saw on audiogon were Forest and Hawk. I didn't see any Wind.
They're all such pretty speakers.

Well, the Wind (in it's newest incarnation) is $12,000 a pair!

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

Although prices may vary...I think these are close to suggested:

Arro: $1,300
Sttaf: $1,900
Hawk: $3,000
Forest $4,000

John

[Riff Magnum]

are those per pair? Which ones do you have? Also, how do you know what matching center and surrounds to buy; are they all named the same?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

are those per pair? Which ones do you have? Also, how do you know what matching center and surrounds to buy; are they all named the same?

I have the Totem Sttaf's, and yes that is the price per pair. The Sttaf's pair with the Mites(rears) and Mite-T (centre), although I would up it to the Rainmakers personally. The Totem website will give you a good indication of match-ups and other info.

The Mites start at $695/pair (depending on finish).
The Mite-T Centre starts at $595 ea.

The Rainmakers are $1,100 a pair, but I don't know what the Centre costs.

John

[Johnny Vinyl]

I've been doing some pretty intensive listeing these few weeks with my new speaker arrangement, and I'm ready to provide my findings to date.

As you may know, I have been experimenting with my speakers and placing them in a Toe-OUT position. I felt that my Totem's could afford a wider positioning, but I don't have the room to incorporate it. As such, I decided to play with the actual positioning and utilize a Toe-OUT approach.

Here are my results after about 3 weeks of having listened to them in this arrangement.

The soundstage has opened up slightly, but in a way more significantly. I can hear more seperation between the various instruments/voices, which makes it sound more open and airy. There is a left and right precence which is more pronounced than before, when applicable.

The depth and three-dimentionality of the music has made the most difference however. I can now hear more clearly the spacing and placement of each instrument as it relates to where they are actually seated or performing.

It's not a lot to report and I'm certainly not the most descriptive person, but what I did report is what I heard. I'm going to keep the speakers in their present position for a bit longer and do some more listening.

John

[rded]

Originally Posted by John72953

I've been doing some pretty intensive listeing these few weeks with my new speaker arrangement, and I'm ready to provide my findings to date.

As you may know, I have been experimenting with my speakers and placing them in a Toe-OUT position. I felt that my Totem's could afford a wider positioning, but I don't have the room to incorporate it. As such, I decided to play with the actual positioning and utilize a Toe-OUT approach.

Here are my results after about 3 weeks of having listened to them in this arrangement.

The soundstage has opened up slightly, but in a way more significantly. I can hear more seperation between the various instruments/voices, which makes it sound more open and airy. There is a left and right precence which is more pronounced than before, when applicable.

The depth and three-dimentionality of the music has made the most difference however. I can now hear more clearly the spacing and placement of each instrument as it relates to where they are actually seated or performing.

It's not a lot to report and I'm certainly not the most descriptive person, but what I did report is what I heard. I'm going to keep the speakers in their present position for a bit longer and do some more listening.

John

Hmmm...interesting! I've never heard of anybody configuring their mains with the toe-out position. OTOH, 8 feet seems to be at the limit of main speakers separation, so I guess whatever works for you is cool . The only thing I could think of is hanging acoustic panels behind the main listening position to reduce reflections or better yet, put a drape over your TV when doing some critical listening- that's what I do