As promised, I'll be holding a November rave at my house in Branchburg, NJ, details below. All are invited but please PM me for address and phone info and to let me know you are coming.
Date: Saturday, November 15
Time: 2:00pm to 8:00pm (maybe later if we're having too much fun!)
Food/Drinks: Food will be served. We will have some beer but please bring your own favorite libations.
Featured systems:
Main system in family room:
Infinity RSIIb speakers, circa 1985 (hot-rodded by yours truly)
200WPC DHT SET mono amps (DIY, "The Midlife Crisis")
26 Preamp (DIY, "Max26") featuring Slagleformer volume controls as output "transformers"
Zero One Audio Mercury Archival CD Player with 750GB hard drive
Zu Event and Varial ICs
TWL 7+ and DIY Belden 83803 power cords
Second system in living room:
Same source and preamp
Crown XLS802 800WPC stereo amp
Magnepan MMG wall-mount speakers
Monitor Audio Radius 720 subwoofer
In-wall volume control
Feel free to bring your favorite CDs or HD tracks on CD (.WAV format only!). I do not have a turntable at this juncture (probably my next big purchase). My source has hundreds of CDs ripped bit perfect onto the hard drive in pretty much all genres, so there should be music to fit everyone's taste at some point in the day.
The idea is to have fun, listen to some great music, eat and drink, and of course I'd like to get your impressions of the gear I've built over the last few years.
Here's a shot of the main system at play:
(http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg559/Quagmire22/833AmpwithSpeakers_zps49e503bc.jpg) (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/Quagmire22/media/833AmpwithSpeakers_zps49e503bc.jpg.html)
See you on the 15th. Want to listen to the 26 tube preamp. Thinking about trying my hand at diy and building a 4P1L.
See you then,thanks.
charles
Nice Max! Thanks for hosting :thumb:
Hi Max,
I'd love to come but we are flying back from Puerto Rico that day so I don't think I'll be up for visiting.
Hate to pass up a local rave and I really wanted to hear the beasties.
Some other time...
I'd like to have a few peeps over some time - My system is 100% new since youse guys heard it. But I don't want to bring bad weather to the region again so we'll see.
-Mike
Wish I could hear those massive tubes sing, but I'll be down in NC checking out the neighborhoods (and stopping by to see Rich).
Have a great time.
Bob
Quote from: BobM on November 03, 2014, 05:56:58 AM
Wish I could hear those massive tubes sing, but I'll be down in NC checking out the neighborhoods (and stopping by to see Rich).
Have a great time.
Bob
Going golfing in NC? We'll miss you while WE "SWING" at Max's :rofl:.
I'm going to miss it too! (Previous family plans that I can't get out of!) I really was looking forward to seeing and hearing those "glow in the dark" coffee cans too!
Next time!
SN
The 15th is the only Sat in the entire month of Nov that I have something booked.
I worked in a radio station when I was in college and our transmitter used the same output tubes that Max built his amps around, so I was really looking forward to hearing it. Grrrrrgh. :evil:
Max,
Looking forward to your rave. I used to have the 3Bs back in the day and miss them dearly. Emits are the bomb.
See you Saturday.
Paul
Just a reminder that the Rave is still on for this Saturday, 2:00pm to 8:00pm.
See you all then!
Might have a VPI turntable at the Rave if you want to bring some vinyl.
For those who are coming today, I have a large driveway but if it fills up then you can park on Howell Drive, the first side street before my house; there is no parking on my street.
See ya today!
Max,
Just PMd you for your address
-Mike
Can someone please post pics? :lol:
:pics?:
Robert,
Thank you for hosting the RAVE today. Your system sounded pretty good to me with it being pretty well balanced top to bottom. The Midlife Crisis amp's were pretty awesome to see lit up and they had pretty good control of the speakers.
Robert,
I had a great time at your rave, I thought your system sounded fantastic !
The impeccable attention to detail in the design of your amp and preamp, as well as your modified Infinity's, really shows in the systems performance.
I have to say CD's got even better with Carl's tubed DAC in the signal chain.
That El Corazon LP courtesy of Putz and his VPI turntable really got our attention.
Greg
Thanks, Robert.
Raves have become rarer and rarer in our circle. Encounter with the 833 tube was even rarer. It was a beauty in sight as well as sound.
Thanks for entertaining us. I had to come back to the City yesterday afternoon sooner than I wanted. I'm sure it was to get more exciting after I left. :thumb:
Shek
Thanks for the compliments, guys and thanks for coming over. I had lots of fun! Now I'll need to get a TT and start building a tubed DAC, too!
Pics
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f4dc0334fe00000030O00Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161707779.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f52e8b957300000030O00Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161746706.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f4b7b874e800000030O00Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161828183.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f43470b5c900000030O00Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161829980.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f51c4d149c00000030O00Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161904740.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
more
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f478ab340400000050O10Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161855972.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f41eb0342c00000050O10Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161849775.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f57f9fd5d700000050O10Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161802078.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D1/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/)
(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4cf37b3127ccef7f4a8c8b53f00000030O00Ccsm7ly0aMQe3nw8/cC/f%3D0/ls%3D00104499720920141116161740670.JPG/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480)
Love those infrared heaters !!
Thanks for the pics, Putz :thumb:
I just placed an order for a pair of silver Slagleformer modules to swap for the copper ones in my preamp. Since they function as both volume controls and output transformers in my 26 preamp the silver wire should have a noticeable effect on transparency and detail.
It will take about a month to get them, but I can still listen to the coppers until then, which sound pretty darn good, too! Nice of John Chapman at Bent Audio to take the coppers back as a trade-in, too.
Looks like I missed a good one. My ride cancelled and cannot drive well at night.
charles
Inspired by the sound of Carl's tubed DAC at my Rave, I decided that I'd build a DAC into my existing 26 preamp, and use the 26 tube as the output stage for the DAC. It came out GREAT! It sounds incredibly clear and detailed, with very impactful bass - a big improvement over the DAC in my CD/HD player. Between the DAC board and the tube are Lundahl LL1676 amorphous cobalt core transformers. Inputs for the DAC are USB and S/PDIF coax through a BNC connector.
Anyone who wants to stop by for a listen is welcome - just let me know. It brings the system to a whole new level IMO.
(http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg559/Quagmire22/26PreampGlowingDAC_zpsea9484cc.jpg) (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/Quagmire22/media/26PreampGlowingDAC_zpsea9484cc.jpg.html)
(http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg559/Quagmire22/26PreampDACSwitches_zps1fb59482.jpg) (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/Quagmire22/media/26PreampDACSwitches_zps1fb59482.jpg.html)
you never cease to amaze me! looks great..I want one!
Quote from: topround on January 12, 2015, 02:09:43 PM
you never cease to amaze me! looks great..I want one!
I thought you were "out of the game"...
not completely, messing around with vintage gear, dacs should not be vintage though!
going to put together a much lower powered system, with more efficient speakers...tubes ..of course
Quote from: Maxamillion on January 13, 2015, 06:40:48 AM
Quote from: topround on January 12, 2015, 02:09:43 PM
you never cease to amaze me! looks great..I want one!
I thought you were "out of the game"...
Mike may take a little time off to do a few other things, but he will never be "Out of the game".
It's in his blood. :D
True.
want to know why?
and the why is the why in all of us....because...
we love music
and while we do not NEED expensive or exotic gear to make us happy
music does make us high
so the thought of exploring different methods of recreating music excites us as well.
Simple as that!
So while I hike away in the woods or mountains, music is still there, one never replaces a love.
Quote from: topround on January 13, 2015, 05:36:53 PM
True.
want to know why?
and the why is the why in all of us....because...
we love music
and while we do not NEED expensive or exotic gear to make us happy
music does make us high
so the thought of exploring different methods of recreating music excites us as well.
Simple as that!
So while I hike away in the woods or mountains, music is still there, one never replaces a love.
Absolute poetry, Mike! :thumb:
Quote from: StereoNut on January 13, 2015, 05:50:47 PM
Quote from: topround on January 13, 2015, 05:36:53 PM
True.
want to know why?
and the why is the why in all of us....because...
we love music
and while we do not NEED expensive or exotic gear to make us happy
music does make us high
so the thought of exploring different methods of recreating music excites us as well.
Simple as that!
So while I hike away in the woods or mountains, music is still there, one never replaces a love.
Absolute poetry, Mike! :thumb:
+2 Well said.
Quote from: topround on January 13, 2015, 05:36:53 PM
True.
want to know why?
and the why is the why in all of us....because...
we love music
and while we do not NEED expensive or exotic gear to make us happy
music does make us high
so the thought of exploring different methods of recreating music excites us as well.
Simple as that!
So while I hike away in the woods or mountains, music is still there, one never replaces a love.
Very true Mike and I'm never happier than when I'm at a vinyl shop searching through piles of records.
P-man
Very true. My comment was a bit "tongue in cheek"...I had a feeling he'd be back.
I'd like to add that another big rush I get from this hobby is when I flick the switch on a new piece of gear I've built and it works! With no smoke! And sounds great! Always a little bit nervous on that first switch-on, though...especially with the 2.3kV amps - I had a fire extinguisher ready, just in case!
So while I hike away in the woods or mountains, music is still there, one never replaces a love.
Topround
If the music you hear is played by this guy, run like hell.
(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/03/05/banjos1.jpg)
Otherwise, this guy will replace that love
(http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a611/billy_vexcon/deliverance_purty_zpsabb34a4e.jpg)
Emil - You're scaring the cr@p outta me! :shock:
Quote from: StereoNut on January 14, 2015, 06:48:35 AM
Emil - You're scaring the cr@p outta me! :shock:
If he asks ya to squeal like a Pig worry then.
charles
Quote from: rollo on January 14, 2015, 09:11:44 AM
Quote from: StereoNut on January 14, 2015, 06:48:35 AM
Emil - You're scaring the cr@p outta me! :shock:
If he asks ya to squeal like a Pig worry then.
charles
never mind worry, just run like hell! :shock: