jkaway

Responses from jkaway

Your favourite recordings that everyone else hates
Zaikes, Thanks for your kind words.I always liked self-deprecating humor in music which is something notoriously lacking in our era ,or maybe any era.There's a razor thin line between that and "cute" but like any other musical signature some artis... 
Who Was Your Favorite One Hit Wonder
HEY !! is this not way more fun than which piece of thousand $ copper wire sounds better?! 1. My Boy Lollipop by Millie Small 2. Roller Skate Song by Melanie 3. Party Train by the Gap Band 4. Sweet Soul Music by Arthur Conley 
Any bluegrass fans?
I have played,sung and recordrd Bluegrass for 40 years and did it for a livibg in Georgia 1972-82. One of the hottest cds i have ever heard is out right now : Dwight McCall "Kentucky Piece of Mind " on Lavinir Records out of Cimcinnati.The recordi... 
Your favourite recordings that everyone else hates
It must be 30 years ago I bought the first LP by New York punk band "the Dictators". Once in a while I still listen to it. 
Rotel 1072: Deserving of product of the year?
I bought one for my 2nd system based on the TAS review. I don't think the review misrepresented the unit at all-- it is great at that price.It is so easy to listen to though not as punchy as my Cary 308. Still, it has a certain something that is h... 
vandersteen 2ce sig/ 3a sig power requirements
You're right about tubes-- when I switched from Musical Fidelity A300 (150 w ) to antique Sound Lab 1001 (50w ) the sound went to a whole new level on my 2ceSigs. 
NAD C541i vs Music Hall CD25
Yesterday, I heard the the new Rotel 1072 cdp and for once the hype is justified,For $700. new this player had jaw dropping sound.I may have to sell my Cary 308 ! 
Sweetest sounding 12AU7?
I've been using those late 50's RCA "non clear tops" that A'goner Terribleted is selling for $10. apiece with "Hammond" label used. Much better,sweeter than current JJ 12au7. 
Spk cable with deep,lush,spacious sound....
I'm using Alpha-Core goertz MI2 which might do what you want.BTW the Kimber Hero is the best budget I/C I've used--Music sounds like real music. John 
Amps used for Von Schw.VR2's??
FWIW, Richard Vandersteen also has great things to say about the Spectron Musician. With my VR2s I am using the Antique Sound Lab 1001 intgrated and the Cary 308 cdp. I/C is the Kimber Hero. 
Am I living in a vacuum? Or has anyone noticed
I switched from JJ/Tesla KT88 to EH and then to Ruby brand from China. The Rubys were much better than either of the others , had them in the amp now since last July without problems. 
Essay bashing Primedia, Stereophile - and Audiogon
Two years ago,when I knew ZERO about audio,I constructed my first system from pieces touted by Chip Stern in Stereophile.Yesterday I sold the (cue the reverent music) .hghly touted English cd player he is still pimping for--you know the brand ,the... 
Soliloquy or Von Schweikert VR-1
Go with the VR1s,you will be amazed at the smoothmess,the detail and enough bass to where you may not even need a sub. 
Guilty Pleasures
The LP version of MC 900 Foot Jesus doing "Born With Monkey Asses" . One listen and I am reminded that there are definitly people more out of it than I will ever be. 
Best 12AX7 for phono preamp
So far I havve tried JJ , Svetlana, EH, and now those same Parts Express Ei and the Ei are the clear winners, it was obvious within seconds of turning on the amp,they just get it right.