-=> On 16 Oct 96  14:14 you wrote to me <=-
 JA>    The sub arrived in good shape and was a snap to connect.
 JA> Moving around the  120 pound monster for best placement was a
        I know what you mean.  The AL-IIIs are 85 lbs each and 6 feet
tall with nothing good to grab onto (try moving those around about a
100 times over the past two years trying to find an optimal spot)
I've come to the conclusion, I should be treating the back wall
instead.  I want to get a larger curtain rod just have a nice thick
curtain across the entire wall.  It would look good, not have parallel
surfaces, and damp the rear wave enough to maybe partially cure the
room problems.  The Definitive Sub is worse yet at around 100 lbs.
Fortunately, I didn't have to move it around much.
        I've got to admit the system sounded *damn* good today
listening to Tori Amos's last two CDs....  If you can get past some
bizarre/strange/different lyrics, those are two of the highest quality
pop/rock CDs I've encountered, foriegn or domestic.  Her voice
couldn't sound more perfect.  There's serious bass, more minimalist
arrangements than not, and she can play the piano (and harpsichord)
like no one's business.  I'll be adding them to my Sound Quality List
with an A+ rating in the next couple of days to my WEB site (TBA
announced once I'm sure of its location...debating whether to stay
with my current provider or not as I've had more than a few service
problems with them).
 JA> for  exaggerated bass for Home Theater apps. To explain: I
 JA> sometimes like the Pro  Logic effect in TV shows and of course
 JA> from my LDs, but I often prefer or must  have the volume levels
 JA> somewhat less than theater level. At some point without  the
 JA> subs, I loose the lowest bass feel. With the sub I can exaggerate
        Sounds like a job for a loudness button!  My Carver pre-amp
has one, but I never use it.  I say the 'ell with the neighbors!
(actually it doesn't travel far outside at all, being mostly
underground)
 JA> the  lower bass and still have the feel at lower SPL. The space
 JA> ships and  submarines can now still rumble without ticking off
 JA> anyone trying to catch a  nap or reading in the next room.
        Geez...the next room.  I don't know about that, now.  You must
really have it low. 
 JA>    When turned to live performance levels and listening to most
 JA> of my music I  can barely tell that it is there since moving my
        Hmmm, I won't comment too much as I already sent you a message
on this part, which I'll wait for a reply for first, as I would just
be duplicating my questions.
 JA> my system I doubt my amps would get  a priority. The Carvers have
 JA> served me very very well and only a monster  Bryston that a
 JA> friend brought over, has made my system sound better. And  
        I'm pretty much set on moving my TFM-35x over to surround duty
and buying one of those nasty new Sunfire amps. :)  1200 watts into 2
ohms might just tame these power sucking monster speakers.
Considering I'm in the process of upgrading my computer for heavy
internet use, it might be awhile, though.  AC-3 can wait.  I spend 99%
of the time listening to music.  I'd like to replace my cd player with
a Sony XA3ES too, it being about as close as one can get to state of
the art without paying through the nose.
 JA> comparing the 4X price tag to the small difference I detected, I
        Well, Carver amps are voiced and TFM modified to sound like
Bob's Silver Seven tubes.  While I haven't heard *those*, I don't
doubt the TFM series sound a little different than a
solid-state-as-you-can-get Bryston.  I plan on trying the High
Current->Ribbons, High Voltage->Woofers option on the Sunfire, if/when
I get the thing for an in home trial or purchase.  It seems ideal for
Ribbon Hybrids or Electrostatics.  I wouldn't actually want the
hassles of a real tube amp, though...read my comments on my guitar amp
below.
 JA> wouldn't even  consider it. The Carver Pre-Amp is absolute TOP
 JA> DRAWER !!! I doubt I will ever  get rid of it. I have the Carver
        The only thing I don't like about my Carver pre-amp is the
cheap little balance pot.  It's just a tad noisy when adjusting and it
has too small a travel range to make fine adjustments.  Otherwise, I
can't complain too much.  The Sonic Holography is incredible.  I
refuse to buy a preamp without it or the equivalent of it.  That's why
I'd like to get a Lexicon with Panorma, which has a nice digital
balance pot, AC-3 and THX capability, etc.
 JA> CD with tubed output...a very rare bird I  have liked since the
 JA> beginning. Until they design and build a Transport/Reader  to RAM
        I have a tube guitar amp.  Frankly, I hate it.  The
replacement tube I bought sounds like crap and the original lasted
barely a year.  I also found I don't care for "tube" distortion all
that much.  I bought a solid-state distortion pedal and I like it much
better than the overdrive on the Fender Champ.  It does have that nice
blue "glow" though and it makes a good space heater if you set it
beside you in the winter.  ;-) I could have gotten a Fender
solid-state amp with dual drivers, over twice the power, and a few
effects built in for the same price.  Somehow, I let the guy talk me
into the thing....
 JA> to DAC unit that does not require anti jitter doo dads and
 JA> different  enhancers, I will probably stick with it. I will
        That's why I want the Sony XA3ES.  All in one unit.  Almost no
jitter.  Top notch sound, reasonable features, and almost
indistinguishable from its top-of-the-line XA7ES brother.  Both prove
state of the art need not cost a fortune.  Ironic that Sony also sells
dirt cheap crap. :)
 JA> passive Chase Pro Logic decoder. For $99 it does very well  but
 JA> lacks many of the features of the Yamaha, Lexicon or Meridian. I
        I plan on getting a passive decoder as well once I get the
Sunfire for use with the TFM-35x and the Definitive surrounds.
However, I found a low-level model that can plug into a tape loop
instead (forget the brand offhand).
 JA>    So most of my pionted little barbs at Carver is not about
 JA> their products of  which I happily have a house full. It is about
 JA> their service and a few people  therein who treated me more like
 JA> they were doing me a very big favor than  servicing a product for
        That's strange.  The person I dealt with (and asked for every
time) when I was originally sorting out the mystery crackling sound
and getting a replacement crossover for the one that arrived damaged
was nothing but helpful.  They replaced both drivers and the crossover
while sorting the problem out with no cost to me.  The only complaint
I had was that the guy they contracted was slow in getting around to
actually come over and fix it.
 JA> a very loyal customer.     Were I to become wealthy, I am afraid
 JA> I would have to rethink my Best Bang  For The Buck/The $ensible
 JA> Sound thinking and really become outragious in my  
 JA> selections...especially amps, if for no other reason than because
        Not me.  I want a Sunfire.  That's it.  A used Krell would do
the same thing, but it would be harder to find a place for since it
would run very hot while the Sunfire runs cold, even at full output,
due to its revolutionary design.  The Sunfire is just "too cool"
(literally) to worry about any minor sound differences.  The TFM I
already have sounds great in the system.  It's just a bit underpowered
(at only 350 watts into 4 ohms) for running the woofer in parallel at
moderately high volume levels.
 JA>    Oh, BTW, if you get a chance, read The $ensible Sound report
 JA> on the  Stereophile Hi Fi SHow in New York. You will laugh your
        I would, if I could, but no one carries it around here.
 * AmyBW v2.14 *
... I saw Elvis.  He sat between me and Bigfoot on the UFO.
--- FLAME v1.1
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