The Duelund-Altec Project: My one-year anniversary listening to the Duelund-ized "Stokowski" Altec loudspeakers!
The feature review of the Duelund-Altec Project at Positive Feedback was published one year ago, on October 1, 2019, and today is the Duelund-Altec Project's one-year anniversary. Now that I have a year's worth of experience and music listening under my belt with the Duelund CAST tinned-copper crossovers I installed into the "Stokowski" Altec loudspeakers,... Read More »
For the love of Altec: The vintage Altec 804A and 802D compression drivers. Part 2.
In Part 1 I started telling you about swapping out the vintage Altec 804A compression drivers (below left) in my vintage "Stokowski" Altec loudspeakers for the vintage Altec 802D compression drivers (below right) from my vintage Altec 832A Corona loudspeakers. Vintage Altec 802D compression drivers are highly regarded by Altec aficionados, but you don't hear... Read More »
For the love of Altec: The vintage Altec 804A and 802D compression drivers.
Vintage Altec loudspeakers generate a lot of enthusiasm among audio nuts like me because they run circles around many modern loudspeakers in terms of musicality, at least once you get some Hiraga-style crossovers installed in them, and they are so sensitive that you can easily drive them with low-powered single-ended-triode or single-ended-pentode amplifiers to live-like... Read More »
Today's Fresh Catch: The Pete Riggle Audio Engineering "Woody" Headshell!
Today's Fresh Catch is the Pete Riggle Audio Engineering "Woody" headshell ($60 USD). Pete describes the "Woody" headshell thusly (more HERE): "Presently available in French polished Spanish cedar. The basic headshell weighs 6 grams. Included with the 6 gram Spanish cedar headshell is a 5 gram booster weight, which can be used to bring the... Read More »
Today's Fresh Catch: The Pass Labs XP-17 phono preamplifier!
My local FedEx driver just dropped of an exciting parcel from Pass Labs, the XP-17 phono preamplifier! Here's what the Pass Labs website says about the XP-17: "XP-17 uses the new-shielded low noise toroid and input filter module, like the XP-12. The power supply has an extra stage of RC filtering. We have lower radiated... Read More »
First listen: The new Duelund Dual DCA12GA tinned-copper speaker cables!
My rule of thumb for the Duelund DCA tinned-copper cables when used as speaker cables is that the richer and fuller sounding DCA12GA has been a great match to my Tannoy Westminster Royal SE loudspeakers, while the more direct and vivid sounding DCA16GA has been a great match to my collection of vintage Altec loudspeakers.... Read More »
The Mysterious Case of the Listening Window!
My perspective on what good hifi is about has changed a lot over the decades. In my pre high-performance hifi years I didn't care what equipment I listened to music on as long as I could listen to music. My music kit as a little kid was a foldable integrated turntable with detachable loudspeakers, and... Read More »
Jeff checking in: listening to the Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier and XA25 stereo amplifier!
First I listened to the Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier paired with the First Watt SIT-3 stereo amplifier (review HERE), utilizing the very musical Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1x/II Level Two Red Book CD player as a source HERE), and then I did some more listening with my CTC Garrard 301 turntable as a source (HERE). ... Read More »
From Nelson Pass: The new First Watt F8 amplifier!
The new First Watt F8 amplifier will be on its way here for a listen in the not too distant future. In my usual fashion I'll be blogging about it as I get familiar with it here at Jeff's Place, and then will be writing a feature article about it for Positive Feedback. Nelson has just released the... Read More »
Jeff checking in: listening to the Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier and First Watt SIT-3 stereo amplifier!
I'm in the midst of writing up the Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier feature review for Positive Feedback, so I've been doing a lot of listening with the XP-12 of late, as you would expect. At the moment, I'm listening to the First Watt SIT-3 (review HERE) in combination with the Pass Labs XP-12 line-level... Read More »
Jeff checking in: Listening to the Pass Labs XP-12 line-level preamplifier!
Lately I've had to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming, as I've had the enormously good fortune to listen to a variety of audio equipment that so very closely matches my personal preferences for high-performance audio in terms of musicality and visuospatial attributes. A rather amazing thing to me, is that for old-timer... Read More »
Audio Note (UK): Darko Greguras on the importance of the CD transport in making digital sources sound like music. Part 2.
If you haven't yet read the Audio Note (UK): Peter Qvortrup & Darko Greguras on making digital sources sound like music. Part 1. post here at Jeff's Place from about nine weeks ago, you can read it HERE. A quick recap: Last Fall I had a very enjoyable and illuminating visit with Peter Qvortrup at... Read More »
The Sophia Electric KT88-ST and EL34-ST vacuum tubes review is now live at Positive Feedback!
My Sexy Blue Tubes, Part 2, The Sophia Electric EL34-ST and KT88-ST Vacuum Tubes! feature article is now live at Positive Feedback (HERE)! I hope you enjoy the article! As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
Today's Fresh Catch: The new Duelund 'Dual' DCA12GA tinned-copper wire speaker cables!
I really have to hand it to Frederick Carøe at Duelund Coherent Audio in Denmark, he has truly revolutionized the production of tinned-copper wire that is specifically designed for high-performance audio applications. Frederik has produced tinned-copper wires for audio applications in three different styles. The first style of Duelund tinned-copper conductors are wrapped in an... Read More »
Jeff checking in: Sophia Electric, Pass Labs, First Watt, Audio Note (UK), and more!
It is one of those time periods where I am in the midst of shuffling equipment around between systems in preparation for upcoming reviews. As you are no doubt aware, the performance of a component is greatly dependent upon the associated equipment in a given system, and the room it is installed in. I've found... Read More »
Sneak Peek: Sexy Blue Tubes, Part 2, The Sophia Electric EL34-ST and KT88-ST Vacuum Tubes!
As is my custom, I wanted to share a "sneak peek" into my next feature review for Positive Feedback "Sexy Blue Tubes, Part 2: The Sophia Electric EL34-ST and KT88-ST Vacuum Tubes!" I'm hoping to have the feature article finished up over the next week, so check back for more in about a week. Enjoy... Read More »
Yazaki-san's Ultimate Ruby Mica Capacitor Mod for the SPEC RSA-M3 EX Real Sound Amplifier! Part 3.
It's taken me much longer to try the next level of Yazaki-san's Ultimate Ruby Mica capacitor mod for the SPEC RSA-M3 EX Real Sound Amplifier than I had anticipated, due to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, and its impacts on my life and health. You can read my original SPEC RSA-M3 EX Real Sound... Read More »
Tube swapping in the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier!
If you've been keeping up with the posts here at Jeff's Place, you know I've been thoroughly enjoying listening to music with the combination of the Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1x/II Level Two Red Book CD player combined with the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier. The combination of the Audio Note... Read More »
Jeff checking in: Audio Note (UK), Duelund, Leben HiFi Stereo Company, Pass Labs, Sophia Electric, and other stuff!
I just finished up the feature review of the Leben HiFi Stereo Company CS-600X vacuum tube integrated amplifier for Positive Feedback, which you can read HERE. Like the CS-600 integrated amp that preceded it, the CS-600X is a terrific moderately powerful integrated amplifier, with 32W from 6L6GC output tubes, and 28W from EL34 output tubes. ... Read More »
Feature review of the Leben HiFi Stereo Company CS-600X integrated amplifier is live at Positive Feedback!
My feature review of the Leben HiFi Stereo Company CS-600X integrated amplifier is now live at Positive Feedback HERE! As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
Pete Riggle Audio Engineering custom "Woody Headshell" in stock now!
Pete Riggle has been putting his time in Covid-19 quarantine to good use by developing a new "Woody" headshell. Pete's new "Woody Headshells" are replaceable wood headshells that can be used on "Woody SPU" tonearms like mine, or basically any other arm with an SME type headshell connector, like my Thomas Schick tonearms, for example. ... Read More »
Sneak Peek: The Leben CS-600X Integrated Amplifier Feature Review for Positive Feedback!
As you know, it is my custom to give you a "sneak peek" into my upcoming feature reviews for Positive Feedback. Todays "sneak peak" is for the Leben CS-600X integrated amplifier feature review, which should be published in the next week or two! Enjoy! The Leben HiFi Stereo Company CS-600X integrated amplifier – an old... Read More »
Audio Note (UK): Peter Qvortrup & Darko Greguras on making digital sources sound like music. Part 1.
As you know, I'm rather enamored with what I'm hearing from the Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1x/II Level Two Red Book CD Player. I said earlier that "The musicality of Audio Note (UK) digital is not a gimmick, it is for real, and I am very excited about it, because really, this is the first... Read More »
Good Souls Better Angels
I just picked up a copy of Lucinda Williams' new album Good Souls Better Angels from Amazon. My first Lucinda Williams album was World Without Tears, where the intensity and darkness of her lyrics mesmerized me. Lucinda's songwriting skills are formidable, and she no doubt picked up a few tips about writing while traveling the world with her... Read More »
Jeff checking in ... Audio Note (UK), Fender, Leben, Pass Labs, Sophia Electric, and other stuff!
POST COVID-19 RECOVERY I’m doing a little better all the time in my Covid-19 recovery phase. My post Covid-19 symptoms are reducing in intensity and frequency, so things are going in a good direction. I'm hoping to be fully recovered in the next three to four weeks, so I can resume more of my normal activities,... Read More »
More Adventures with NOS vacuum tubes for the Fender '65 Princeton Reverb reissue guitar amplifier! Postscript added.
Have you ever done a head-slap and said, "Why did I do that?" That's what I did after I wrote up my blog post about my tube-rolling adventure in my Fender '65 Princeton Reverb reissue guitar amplifier a little over a week ago (HERE). When I ordered the NOS Sylvania tubes from Roy & Dale... Read More »
Initial Listening Impressions: The Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1x/II Level Two Red Book CD Player!
Life has been a little chaotic of late with the COVID-19 pandemic occurring, and then being infected with it and getting sick myself. The good news is that over the last two days my temperature has dropped down into the normal range, and this morning as well. According to the health care professionals treating me,... Read More »
NOS vacuum tubes for the Fender '65 Princeton Reverb reissue guitar amplifier!
Even though I've been sick with the COVID-19 virus that's going around, I've been trying to play my guitar when I feel good enough. The stock power tubes in my Fender '65 Princeton Reverb reissue guitar amplifier were starting to sound ratty, so I thought I'd order some NOS vacuum tubes for it from Roy... Read More »
Jeff checking in ... COVID-19, Audio Note (UK), Leben, Sophia Electric Vacuum Tubes, Pass Labs, and Other Stuff!
Due to the rapidly increasing threat of the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping over Washington State where I live, I started home-isolation on March 13th in an attempt to stay safe from the virus. Today is April 10th, and I'm in my 28th day of home-isolation due to COVID-19. Even being extremely careful, and... Read More »
The Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier feature review is now live at Positive Feedback!
The Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier feature review is now live at Positive Feedback! You can read the review HERE. Enjoy! As always, thanks for stopping by, and may the tone be with you!
Jeff checking in ... upcoming reviews, posts, and other stuff!
Everything is a bit topsy-turvy at the moment, with much of Planet Earth being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as I write this. I live in Washington State, which was the epicenter in the USA for the COVID-19 outbreak that has now spread around the country. As you might imagine the situation is rather dire... Read More »
Audio Note (UK) Prototype Field-Coil Loudspeakers!
When I was visiting Audio Note (UK) last fall, Daniel Qvortrup showed me drivers and cabinets of some prototype field-coil loudspeakers they were in the process of developing, as we did a walk-about of the facility. Daniel just sent me some photos of the completed prototype Audio Note (UK) field-coil loudspeakers that were installed into... Read More »
Jeff checking in ... Sophia Electric, Leben, Pass Labs, Audio Note, Fender Telecaster, and other stuff!
It's been a busy time for me, both personally and on the audio & music side of things, but I thought I'd take a moment and tell you about what's going on here at Jeff's Place. First of all, there's the whole COVID-19 outbreak thing going on here in Washington State, which is the epicenter... Read More »
Today's Fresh Catch: The Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1x/II Level Two Red Book CD Player!
Today's Fresh Catch is the Audio Note (UK) CD 2.1x/II Level Two Red Book CD player ($3874.00 USD). I have thousands of Red Book CDs that I haven't listened to in years. My Red Book CD collection is full of great music, a lot of which is not available on LPs, and I have really... Read More »
Sneak Peek: The Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature Integrated Amplifier Feature Review for Positive Feedback! Part 2.
In this Jeff's Place post you'll find Part 2 of my "sneak peek" of the Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature integrated amplifier feature review that will be coming to Positive Feedback in the very near future. If you haven't yet read the Part 1 "sneak peek" yet you can read it HERE. The... Read More »
Sneak Peek: The Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE Signature Integrated Amplifier Feature Review for Positive Feedback! Part 1.
I'm getting very close to having my Audio Note (UK) Oto Phono SE integrated amplifier feature review for Positive Feedback completed and ready for publication. As is my tradition, I like to offer a "sneak peek" of my feature reviews to readers here at Jeff's Place. I do that for two reasons, the first being I think... Read More »
