This LP next...

A little Cat Stevens...this LP...

PS....almost done with side one...I had forgotten how good Cat Stevens was... this album is especially good.  I still have Tea for the Tillerman to go which I think is another stellar album.  I know I have "Catch Bull at Four" and "Buddha and the Chocolate Box" but really can't remember if I had the others.  When I see them on clean LPs I'll pick them up, even though they may be duplicates.  Good stuff and with the Decware tube gear, it's like he's right in front of me.  Mark.

PSS...well, I'm almost done with side one for the second time then side two again....this time with more volume...highly recommended.

Lon,  I try not to think about the HR-1's too much. I am expecting the end of March and if they come sooner all the better.  In the meantime the Zu Audio "Souls" have actually turned into pretty good speakers. When I first got them they sounded horrible...very little Bass, bright and shouty highs.  With a couple weeks of pounding the Piss out of them with Led Zeppelin for 10-12 hours a day at high volume they still weren't all that great but once the Torii took over speaker duty from the Taboo, they have gotten better and better.  I had thought I'd probably sell them when the HR-1's arrived but now I think Ill keep them.  Maybe try them again with the Taboo in a second system mainly for headphone use.

After that excellent Pop/Rock, I put on some excellent Jazz...Sonny Rollins' "The Bridge" once again.  Mark.

PS... this link is exactly what I asked for, "Makore with a little figure"http://webmail1.mail.aol.com/38236-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=...

Has some of my favorite Xmas music on it.

Wow, that's an assortment of great sides from great sets!

I have a new prediction for your HR-1s: late January. I consulted my Ouija board. And then my Magic Eight Ball.

I bet that Amperex sounds good.

Playing disc 2 of Weather reports `8:30` whie the amps come on song. Huge involved soundstage. There must be a lot of people in this band.
Mark, cant remember who got their Decware amps first but your setup must be sounding pretty fine. I did the same, sourcing tubes and have a good few 12au7`s. Ah, you have the CSP3 I have the 2+. The amperex, cool. And your waiting on the HR-1`s ,awesome.
This Weather Report is .....I`ll play another next.

Tube-a-liscious, like it. I put the other philips miniwatt 12au7 in today. Do you think we are subconsciously giving the 12au7`s an amount of time each so that they all burn in together ? How many hours does a nos take on average ? My guess is the best is still to come. My SE3`s are fixed : Tesla mill EL34 x2 `[]`s thought they were `o`s but the records have it, green label phillips 6922/6dj8`s and Brimar 5R4GY X2`O`S.
CSP has 3x bugles 6dj8`s 1960, JAN Philips 5y3wgta.

Marky, if you like Weather Report you should try some Jean Luc Ponty...I was listening to him back then and have been having a ball the past month listening to his LPs.  Before his solo career on Atlantic Records began in 1975, he played with Frank Zappa and  Mahavishnu Orchestra. My favorites are "Aurora", "Imaginary Voyage" and "Enigmatic Ocean"...his first, "On the Wings of Music", is great too.  The pictured LP below is playing now and has some of his early album's music...this is the first time I've heard this LP.

In regards to the 12AU7 tubes. Most I have tried were used and didn't require burn in to sound good...the RCA Clear Tops did require some to lose the edginess they initially had but they are also inherently a brighter tube than the Black Plates I've tried.  This Amprex from Holland, though not an expensive old one...it cost $16...is amazing and tells me an investment in an older, more expensive Holland Amprex would be to my liking. I might forego the Mullards.  Once I get the HR-1s that have a warmer character than my current speakers, I don't think I'll need what the expensive Mullards offer.  In regards to other tubes in other amps, I'm patterning my choices after what Mike from Seattle and Lon use and recommend. Both have similar systems.  And once I get my HR 1's, my system will be almost identical to Lon's whose musical tastes are also similar to mine.  I will experiment with some tube positions a little...like the inputs and maybe another 12AX7 choice but otherwise I'll spend my time listening to the Music.  Mark.

Hi Guys,
      Off work early today. Starting out warming the amp and house up with some Gilmour.





Really dig the end of this song.
http://www.davidgilmour.com/music/discography/DavidGilmour.jpg


Next on deck is:

Dave Matthews Band  (Before these crowded streets)



Hope your all having a great day!

   

     Its a new one for me. Have to check it out! Course an awful lot is for me on here. Nice to check out new styles of music that I haven't been exposed to.

It's neat, if you watch us post for a while, you get a solid feel for what each person really likes.

This thread has been a huge resource to finding new music. Many of Lon's suggestions have been spot on for me, and I'm guessing for you guys as well.

Lonely Raven,
     Your right it is neat. Over the years I've been pretty closed minded about other types of music. I had mostly leaned toward heavier music when I was younger enjoyed Raggie music but never got into jazz or classical styles of music. I don't know if living near the town that is the home to rockin'roll has anything to do with it all though it may? I'm finding myself as I'm moving up in more revealing equipment appreciating more mellow types of music for its spaciousness and over all sound qualities. I'm still trying to find another forum member that has a similar interest in music. Seems as though you mentioned Lon and your tastes seem to align that is a great thing you can swap experiences and like them for the most part simplifies your music quest. Who knows maybe over time I will come around some and find enjoyment in music that years ago I would of never given a chance. Just so little time in everyday life to experience things that are out there and I find myself when having time moving to more familiar artists.

Marky,  that Ponty album was his fifth for Atlantic records and to tell you the truth I haven't heard it in over 30 years.  As I recall, despite continuing to buy his LPs, I pretty much lost interest in all but the first four.  Looking at the all music guide, the first four LPs got four or more stars out of five...after that his studio work wasn't reviewed as highly.  I guess my experience is the same as the reviewer's.

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jean-luc-ponty-mn0000228299/discography

Next LP up...not a favorite but nice and mellow...much prefer Art with Paul Simon....this is still pleasant enough.  Mark.

PS...Hey Lon, Art doing Jobim.  Definitely not my favorite rendition...sorta flat...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A3W5v1dNNI

This is more like it...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01XyozcFLXA

OK,  I had to shut down the ZP3 and TT and fire up the CDP for this one.  I thought it was fitting since I will be seeing the touring production of Broadway's "Porgy and Bess" tonight at the Winspear Opera House. And three of the tracks were recorded on the day of my birth.  Mark.

Lon, thanks.  

That looks like an interesting album.  I've never seen it.  It wasn't on spotify but i did find three tracks from it on you tube to listen to later.  I wish you could search spotify with the original issuing label.  I have to go get ready to go out to dinner.  Until tomorrow. Mark.

Listening to such classics as:

Every Sperm Is Sacred and Sit On My Face

@ LR ... Monty Python Sings ... funny stuff, my son and I were cracking up when listening to it.

I was too tired to list my albums last night, but went from Queen of the Damned to other hard rock/metal based soundtracks (just track hopping with the remote), then mellowed out with some industrial, and ended up with a great sounding Pink Floyd that was an appropriate way to wind down the night...I was nodding off in the listening chair by this point, only made it through the first track then crawled into bed. I'm glad I got that out of my system.

I have to say, the Zen amp, Decware Wires, and MG944 - I'm not sure what's going on, but the bloom is amazing as of late. Very engaging, much, much more than it was just a month ago.

LR, seasoned Zen amps are amazing. I'm looking forward to your impressions of the ZMA, but also looking forward to how you feel it sounds. . . about three years from now!

Quote:


I was thinking the same thing last night. I think my original Zen Amp lay dormant for far too long, and basically had to be burned in again after Steve's tune up. Not to mention I see people saying the Zen Styx take a long time to break in...and my speaker wires are just the same as the Styx, just one gauge lighter...so maybe everything is simply coming of age since I picked it up in...September.

Finally, there is a decent cd of this, from Japan. The One Way cd of the past sounds like warmed over mud in comparison. An interesting session.

Personnel

Wayne Shorter — soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
John McLaughlin — 12 string guitar
Chick Corea — marimba, drums, percussion
Ron Carter — bass, cello
Dave Holland — acoustic guitar, bass
Miroslav Vitouš — bass (uncredited on album cover but mentioned as part of sessions in liner notes)
Micheline Pelzer (credited as Michelin Prell) — drums, percussion

I'd say yes, Marimba qualifies as a keyboard!

It's sort of "Bitches Brew" like in some ways, so maybe you won't enjoy it, but I do. Lots of bass players!

Lonely Raven,
    Maybe that Zen amp is getting nervous about the MA arriving just around the corner and it is stepping up to the plate so to speak or fear it will be retired to the closet. He He!

For anyone that wants to check it out.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-silver-wave-vol-3-the-stars-mw00006273...