tom_hankins

Fitz, give me a call if you can get by this week. I'm home tues,weds,sat. 678-969-0575 Tom

Been using the VTL MB 185 signature amps and they are going to be staying. Incredible bass, balanced from top to bottom, lots of power. They also have had the stock caps switched to Hovlands and the resisters are upgraded to Vishay s102's. They have been on for 5 days and are quiet and no problems. if they continue this for another week I'll list my beloved Snappers for sale. They sound great but the Harbeths need more power for the bass to shine. I'm pretty much done. I Really wanted to build an all tube system that would be my dream system. With the VTLs and the REX preamp, and big Harbeths, dream come true. All I have left to do is get the Dynavector arm mounted and I'm done. If anyone is in the ATL. area drop me a line and bring some tunes, open for music pretty much 24/7.

Great way for the Thrashers to start the season! Hope it doesnt turn sour with the pavelek health thing, no word yet. I'm going to try and make at least half the home games this year, still think we need a big time scorer though.

Got these off Agon. Should be here weds. See how they compare with the Manleys. 220 watts of tube power. (or 110 in triode) Vtl MB 185 Signature For Sale | AudiogoN

Purk and his wife and i or going together. really want to hear those model 7s after all the press they are getting. If you feel like "getting sick" all of a sudden, you can crash here after the show.

Late, but letting anyone in the ATL. Ga. area know that Richard Vandersteen is at Audio Alternative in Lilburn Ga. tonight from 7-10. hes always fun to listen to and will have the new model 7 speakers setup. great store, and good music. Should be a good time. www.yeswehaveawebsite.com

Think I'm finished on my vinyl front end. Ordered a new Dynave3ctor 507 MKII arm and armboard to use with my VPI Superscoutmaster. Been wanting a top notch arm for a long time but kept blowing it off. Also been using a Koetsu Rosewood sig. platinum cartridge that I like alot. I'll try it and my dyna when the arm gets mounted and decide which one to keep on the table.

I was thinking about the Rogue M-180s too. I can swing a pair of those new for the 5500.00 and not have to worry about buying used. i got the REX new (demo) from a dealer. so its got the full warranty. Didnt get a choice in color but prefer what i did get over the two-tone. Its the all black one. Got it warming up right now. I feel your pain with the heat. Close to 40 tubes when spinning vinyl on the system now.

http://www.vacuumtube.com/CES53.jpg Jon L, this is the other half of the preamp

Should be able to pick it up by the end of next week. I'm thinking it will be a pretty big upgrade over my trusty VK-42SE. Now all thats left are the amps. Right now I'm leaning towards the BAT VK-75se or 150se tube amps or the 600SE SS BAT amp. That should complete the BAT/Harbeth system.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Thanks for the birthday wishes everybody. Looks like a good year ahead.

They sold to a guy right here in Atlanta. As far as I know, hes happy with them.

Decided to compare some high power SS amps to the Manleys and then go from there. i picked up a pr. of Bryston 7B SST monoblocks off Agon today to try out. I know one guy who swears by them with the M40.1s and i think i can get my money back if I like the manleys better. I'll report back next week on what i hear.

I'm getting to point where I'm listening with "House Money". Anything these speakers do better after more play time or when i move them is above what i had hoped for. Soundstage has moved almost completely behind the speakers and pretty much fills in wall to wall with lots of depth. I like the way they stage fairly high. I cant believe these monsters are do the dissapearing act! back to the tunes.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

The soundstage has really opened up. I think the perfect placement will be using the one third method on these. I am going to keep them where they are as far as side wall, and toe in is now, and bring them into the room another 15" (one third). I am then going to bring my listening position in about two feet closer to the speakers. (from 10' to 8') that will be where i start from for final positioning. After this i think I will talk to Jim Smith (since hes local) about coming in and doing his magic. The bass is completely different than when the speakers got here. It was really thick upper bass and not much depth. tuneful, deep, and fits with the rest of the freq. range just right now. Its taken a few days but the Harbeth magic that got me to buy these in the first place has really come on and my thoughts of if I'm going to keep them or send them back are firmly in the keepers camp now.

This might do it. Worth a try. PM sent.

Send me your address and i will send you a mat that will probably work really well for you. Its a Ringmat 330 MKII XLR. Might have one hour on my table but new other than that.

Cuisinart ice cream/frozen yogart/sorbet maker. A batch of chocolate in the freezer, and a fresh strawberry-peach in the machine. Six pack of Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale.

I would say these (40.1s) are darker than the SHL5s i had. i would say my system as a whole would lean more towards dark than bright side of the fence. The BAT gear, is also a little on the dark side.

I need to become a Harbeth dealer Had a great time, next time at your place. I hope these things continue to open up more every day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

The M40.1s are here and have about ten minutes on them. Alot bigger than I remembered them being at the dealer. Might end up running them on the long wall. I'll post pics later in the system thread, and impressions too.