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Class "A" sound, as related to Stereophile.


It's all about the sound.

It's all about sound, not how much it cost; when I got into "high end", I knew right off the bat I couldn't afford it, but I had to find one thing for sure; how do the various components sound in regard to Stereophile's classes, or ratings? In order to know this; I had to acquire the ability to identify "Stereophile's" class "A" class "B" and class "C" sounds, and the only way to do that was: first, subscribe to Stereophile, and next was to go to every high end audio salon within driving distance; there were 5 well stocked "high end" salons within driving distance. (Since I didn't take my wife, that created some problems)

After a few years of subscribing to Stereophile, plus auditioning equipment that Stereophile recommended, I knew the sound of those recommendations, and I absolutely concurred with them; "If you want to hear the music, you got to pay the piper". While that's true, it's possible to get class "A" sound with class "B" bucks or less.

At this moment, I am looking at 8 capacitors that cost $25 dollars each, plus 2 mono blocks with an instant resale value of 6K. Once I take the covers off and go in with my soldering iron, these mono blocks are worth a resell of O; my mission must be a success. After a successful mission, the resell is still 0; but those mono blocks will deliver class "A" or "A"+ sound, and that's some sweet music.

I have to visualize and hear music in my head before I can modify a component to deliver class "A" sound; but that's the only way for me to get what has become a necessity.

The pressure someone is under when they modify, is great, but the rewards are glorious. On these mono blocks, they are too small for the huge capacitors, therefore I have to figure a way to make the case larger. My reward is "sound" with absolutely no relation to money. I often wander if someone with a fat bankroll can identify the sound, or only how much they paid for each piece.


Happy listening.

orpheus10
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orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I have custom speakers, and I had the crossover engineer to pattern my crossovers after Thiel. I chose the drivers and put them together.

While you can go to "Parts Connection" and put together some good speakers, if you want speakers just for you, a crossover engineer is required.

I have no idea what so ever, how my speakers compare to others; it has been just that long since I heard other "audiophile quality" speakers, and I'm dying to hear other good speakers.

I have 70 watt Primaluna Mono Blocks, they're tube, as I guess all Primaluna are. My listening room is average, not big or small. As far as preferences, as long as they fit the technical requirements they're fine. If any one has any other recommendations I will appreciate them.


Thank you.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Let me tell you guys about my present speakers; they are 3 way; heil air motion tweeter, 6 inch mid, 12 inch woofer 92 DB efficient, they reproduce the electronics without any sonic signature of their own; the better the electronics, the better the sound of the speakers, which I assume is the case with any speaker. Any change of anything will instantly be detected, because you will hear the sonic characteristics of the change.

Although I don't have any complaints. (can't complain if you haven't heard anything else for ages; speakers are not wives, they're meant to be changed)

Thiels are one of the last speakers I liked. BTW I absolutely do not recommend custom speakers because of complications in regard to cabinet, but speaker kits are fine.


Happy listening


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orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

I just discovered something today; this is not a "hobby" for me, although I can't think of any other word. If it was a hobby for me, I would want to do, what reviewers do for a living; they review equipment forever.

Today, I was listening to me Technics 2 track reel to reel, and enjoying the music, while at the same time evaluating my speakers. The sound stage was perfect; although the speakers were in sight, there didn't seem to be any music emanating from them; they seemed to be some kind of decorations for the room.

The sound stage just magically appeared and had nothing that would connect it to the speakers; it was as if the electronics had magically turned into audio, because I couldn't define the sound in any kind of way that related it to a speaker.

This is what I set out to get, and this is what I got.

Music with the 2 track as the source was superior to anything else in my room; a record I bought in 1974, and just about wore out, that had been recorded on tape, revealed sounds I never heard before.

I had to go to the basement for something, and I still could hear Carmen McRae through the floor and she sounded good.

While I was contentedly listening to music, I fell asleep in my listening chair (sometime I can't get to sleep in bed) When I woke up, I asked myself, "Do I really want a new speaker?" The answer is no, but I must hear some more speakers.
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