I'm just here for your amazing shirt selection Steve.

@ezekielfranklin7387

2 жыл бұрын

you all probably dont give a shit but does someone know a tool to log back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my account password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me.

@kashnicholas3841

2 жыл бұрын

@Ezekiel Franklin Instablaster :)

@ezekielfranklin7387

2 жыл бұрын

@Kash Nicholas Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and Im in the hacking process now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

@ezekielfranklin7387

2 жыл бұрын

@Kash Nicholas It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy! Thank you so much you really help me out :D

@kashnicholas3841

2 жыл бұрын

@Ezekiel Franklin no problem :)

1978 I purchased my last receiver. It was a Pioneer SX - 1080. During the receiver wars of the 70s. Got it new in the box I forgot the exact amount but I'm sure it was under $500.00 120 watts per channel Rms. 45 years later I'm still using it. Never had to have it serviced or repaired. A few years later I came across a deal on a new Carver amplifier. The way Pioneer configured this receiver it had two metal pins in the back that bridge these four RCA connections. When removed I was able to use the Pioneer as a tuner / preamplifier. Running the Carver Through It. I had no idea when I purchased it that it had that capability. The Carver is 500 watts Rms per channel . I had no problem blowing speakers over the years. Not from clipping / distortion but by my need for playing certain types of music at ridiculous levels and melting voice coils. Not until a club went out of business I was able to grab 2 Cerwin Vega DJ speakers. That I was not able to destroy. Each speaker had 2 15inch woofers, 1 4x10 midrange horn and 5 tweeters. Carpeted in black with handles and wheels for moving around. Not the most accurate speakers in the world but great for cranking it way up. Later on I needed to get 2 Klipsch RF 7 for playing music at moderate to low levels. These DJ speakers were not sensitive . I still have everything that I purchased just added more to the system over the years.

I will pledge here and now to support the audio industry as long as I’m drawing breath.

It would be great to hear your thoughts on what the "last speaker/amp combo" would be in several broad categories, i.e. Class A and rock, tubes and jazz, etc.

@DismasM

4 жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly! Last system!

@kacornish1

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, please make this a series of videos.

I'm 70 years old and into stereo since i was 17 years old had many systems from power A to Power A/B plus tubes and finally made a jump into Power D with the NAD C388 and never looked back beside that the unit can be updated and upgraded it has a 90% efficiency and runs cool it has plenty of power and controls my Dynaudio very well it will be my final amp

@kenmarchlenski4477

4 жыл бұрын

Hey Roland! I'm turning 70 in November! Hey brother! Who would have thunk that a 70 year old would be a pier and compadre of the 60's ? Too soon and too fast but here we are! Question: I'm getting: My speakers will be the FOCAL Electra 1038 Be's MC275 Amp (seems everybody's ga-ga over this thing. But at only 75 Wpc, I'm hoping that it will 'Do'.) MC 2200 Preamp MC 85 Tuner What are your thoughts to a "New-B'?

@jackallen6261

4 жыл бұрын

I am 55 and I have a CBEE 325? I think NAD amp, I love it! 45 watts per channel at 8 ohms ( I am running Infinity RS4B twin 8 speakers and for me right now I think could be my last amp speaker combo so at around 3 ohms load it's putting out around 100 watts per channel) I love the sound and the power, what more can you ask for?

@Mr._1987

4 жыл бұрын

@@kenmarchlenski4477 The MC 275 should be more thane enough power for your Focals. 75 Watts into 93 dB of sensitivity, will give an output at 10 feet (3 Meters) of 105 dB and an output at 3 feet (1 Meter) of 116 dB.

@kenmarchlenski4477

4 жыл бұрын

@@Mr._1987 Thanks James! Means a lot to hear from you and others!

@rolandlickert2904

4 жыл бұрын

Hi Ken as some guys mention already you have more power then you need your speakers have around 92 sensitivity will be easy for your amp to drive them

IDK, I’ll never get over listening to the McIntosh/Klipschorn combo in the Jazz Coffee, Kyoto, Japan. Amazing.

This video is you at your best Steve. Sharing your wide ranging experience and just speaking what comes into your mind on a thought provoking topic.

Partly thanks to you, I'm getting a Pass Labs amp for Xmas this year. It will be connected to my Belle Klipsch speakers. Can't wait!! Don't know about my last, but it will certainly be the best I've owned.

@ythagakure

4 жыл бұрын

Great investment. Enjoy and let us know how the experience was for you for us.

A few months ago I bought my last pair of speakers/amp/pre/dac/table. I am going into semi-retirement and knew I wouldn't have the financial ability in the future. I needed to upgrade (donate to my daughter) my stereo system from the 90's that has served me well since I left the Audio sales business. The Amplifiers: PrimaLuna Evolution 400 Monoblocks (GoldenEar Triton Reference have 1800 watts built in for the subwoofers)

I’ve 40 years in this hobby. Mainly a vinyl listener. Last year I bought my last speakers: Martin Logan Summits. Last month I bought my last amp: A Willsenton R8. I listen to jazz primarily and not real loud so the volume level is perfect!

My goal is to build a house that has at least 5 separate dedicated listening rooms, each setup to optimize a specific category of music. For example, a Jazz room, a rock room, a Electronic room, etc. This would allow for one to enjoy different venues so to speak in the comfort for their own home on different days of the week. :)

@erikhansen3159

3 жыл бұрын

What exact music genres would you dedicate each room to?

Hifi is SO COMPLICATED !!! Who can say this is the end ? Sometimes I'm surprise too ear music from stuff I was not expecting anything... and some super expensive system leave me hungry. It happens all the time... Simplicity give better results in many occasion, even if it's impossible to upgrade. Hifi is so delicate... you need a perfect match if you go separate. At home, some day my system sound great, and some day it sounds just normal. Why ? I don't know... even if I think it's probably me...

On Saturday a pair of klipsch rp 600m showed up at my house. Pairing them with my NAD C316 BEE is simply MAGICAL! I may already have the last power amp and speaker pair that I'll ever buy.

@jackallen6261

4 жыл бұрын

I LOVE NAD amps, I have a NAD C325 BEE 45 watt amp with a pair of Infinity RS4B speakers. I would not trade it for anything!!

Wow, Steve , I couldn't take my eyes off your shirt on this episode. Talk about vintage !

@Mr.Robert1

Жыл бұрын

He's still wearing the last shirt he ever purchased 1968.🤣

My last amplifier is the Rotel RA 1592 purchased in October 2019. This integrated amp plus the KEF R3. I'm very satisfied!

I am in my 60's And I just bought a Rogue Sphinx, I am vary happy with it because I can roll the tubes in the front end.

@FelixtheMetalcat

4 жыл бұрын

And I hope you love it cause it's on my short list...

Hi Steve and fellow lovers of music. Love the channel and content. KZread was made for guys like you. After reading many reviews over the year it's great to see the personality behind those reviews. Very entertaining and enlightening. On this subject I feel I've probably already got my last amps. Bought Musical Fidelity A308 Pre and 2 x Pwr and had them over 15yrs. Paid about £6000 at the time. Needed lots of power (watts and current) to drive MartinLogan Ascents and for the last few years B&W 802D's. Recently had to have them serviced at a not insubstantial cost of £1600 so hopefully they'll last me a good while yet.

I think the idea of having your last amp/ speaker combination is absolutely valid and possible IF you are of a certain age and experience. Its a bit like wine. yes, I like to try other wines and experience new things but at the end of the day I have enough experience that I know exactly what wine I will go to the store a spend real money on. For me, I am not there yet as I have been side tracked with home theater for a while but lately I have been getting the itch to build an audio only setup with vintage speakers and amps. For some reason I have not been able to get the Carver amazing loudspeakers out of my mind. I recalled them as being the best speakers I had ever heard from back in the day and I heard them again a couple years ago at a local vintage shop and sure enough I loved them again! I need to get out more and sit down with some other newer brands just to make sure.

Steve, my last amplifier is a pair of Cary 211/M Anniversary Edition Tube Amps. Each has 70 watts output class A, driven by some big arse 845 power triodes. I am 58 years of age and finally settled on what I consider to be one of the best the amps on the market

I really love your videos... you love music! I've been into semi high end audio since to 70s, had several fine amps, just ordered my last amp, a McIntosh MC275 MkV. Thanks for all you do, Steve!

@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac

6 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Thanks for watching

I was bitten by the Hi-Fi bug in my early teens. At 68, I've finally reached my audio nirvana. My system; a Sony HAPZ1ES media player buffered through a iFi Micro iTube 2 and feeding a Vincent SV 237MK hybrid integrated amp. Final bliss is furnished via a pair of bi wired Klipsch Cornwall lll's. Steve's video on the Cornwall lV's was tempting, but I have decided I am content to put this journey to rest and just enjoy my system.

@Canadian_Eh_I

3 жыл бұрын

congrats!

@christinearmington

3 жыл бұрын

Peace 🕊

Due to the combination of my curiosity and the enormity of choices and reviews, I will never have my last system.

@justfmax

4 жыл бұрын

Same here.

Since I have chosen my last speaker (Altec 604 8g's) by default I have chosen my last amplifier. I started with a vintage Classe DR-2 but quickly obtained a custom SET with 45 output tubes. Wow, what a change in the overall juice or musical presentation. I then decided to take a plunge and order a Yamamoto A-08s SET also with 45 output tubes. This amplifier puts out a whopping 1.75-2.0 watts of pure SET pleasure. My listening room is 18 feet by 35 feet and no visitor has commented that there was a need to more power. It took a while to received the amplifier. It was a purchase based on blind faith since they are somewhat rare to find in the US. I am so happy with with my choice and I can truthfully say that this amplifier will be with me on the trip on the grand golden escalator.

the mc275 is a great example of a last amplifier. Its versatility and its sound while not perfect, does so many things right that its just a great amplifier and value for that matter, no doubt about it.

This might be weird but I love the way you look and dress. Super stylish and with lots of personality. I get a 60's vibe that I really dig but with a modern twist and thats killer.

There's no end man! Too many different things to try but I'll never replace my Sansui 9900Z. Makes every speaker sound great!

Very happy with my Yamaha A-S801. Your review of it helped me decide on it, so thanks!

@eisma002

3 жыл бұрын

I love the Yamaha models from that time. I currently own a CR-800. I would consider replacing it for a CA-1000 if I ever come across a decent European model. That would be my last amp.

I’m waiting on Doc Brown’s Flux Capacitor so I can have an amp with 1.21 gigawatts. 😂

@trevorbraden5448

4 жыл бұрын

😀

@lukerabin5079

3 жыл бұрын

I hear it won’t play anything after 1958!

So much good information Steve! I think sound quality is subjective, and different people have different tastes, as well as different hearing, etc. So each person can use your experience to make the best choices for them

Excellent installment here. Really enjoyed this one.

I have bought my last amplifier for sure. Gryphon Diablo 120.

i love the retro look that is brushed silver and big VU metres dancing,but with the new digital inputs so its like a all in one jack of all trades but has a decent sound

I thought my last amp was a Carver MXR 130 " The Receiver " to go with my vintage Walsh 2 speakers until I got a Sunfire Ultimate receiver II for a good price on Ebay. This gave me a Bob Carver design with more headroom ( 200 vs 130 watts ) more features , better reliability, and even better sound.

I have a couple of Carver amps running my 5.1 system Sounds good enough to me

@dallen8997

3 жыл бұрын

Sunfire 5.1 pre with my carver 200w amp pushing my Apogees... sweet sweet sound!

I'm 51 years old and about 10 years ago I purchased an HK 3490 receiver not realizing it might be the last piece of Hi-Fi componentry I would ever buy, but that's what it's turned out to be. Barring a breakdown or hitting the lottery, I can't see myself ever justifying an upgrade. It sounds fantastic, it still looks contemporary, and I paid $99 for it. I can honestly say that if I spent ten times as much, possibly a hundred times as much, any sonic improvements would be arguable.

@tommyheron464

4 жыл бұрын

I agree.

@MrChristopherMolloy

4 жыл бұрын

@@tommyheron464 I should also note that at the same time I bought a pair of Infinity Primus P362 (slightly dumbed-downed Revels) which similarly have served me very well. I don't have a "listening room" or a conservatory, I have a living room and I have neighbors, and at normal, everyday listening levels, they do everything I need, and I paid $200 for the pair. I'll be the first to admit that if I hit the lottery or invent the next great thing, I'd probably treat myself to some McIntosh gear and a new pair of Ohm Walshs, but I don't need them.

@tommyheron464

4 жыл бұрын

Sensible unlike %99 of "audiophiles". Room treatment is absolutely paramount when buying a "hi-fi, hi-res" system. If your room is shit then doesn't matter how much you spend on the system. I recently purchased the flagship KRK V8s active for £900, Raga 1 turntable £280, Raga phono stage £100, fiio DAC for TV/blueray/streaming etc £20. £1300. I wasn't happy?? Then i spent £50 on sound diffusers. Sounds amazing now. I know a £50 component wouldn't have made a difference at that point.

@MrChristopherMolloy

4 жыл бұрын

@@tommyheron464 ...also bought a HK DVD48 SACD (and HD-CD 🤪) player for $37 from the same Harman Outlet eBay store. I also bought a HK PS210 subwoofer for $103, but it was a lemon. Since then I've added a $20 Bluetooth receiver to kinda bring it up to date a bit.

@MrChristopherMolloy

4 жыл бұрын

@@tommyheron464 The room is (almost) everything. I should also note that I'm often listening to old, imperfect recordings, many hideously so, so what's the point, you know? I'm listening to these recordings in a better way than most of the original engineers mixing them did, or when they were digitally remastered for CDs, or re-remastered for SACD, and re-re-remastered for a 50th anniversary re-released box-set.

Hi Steve, I have two quick silver mid mono amps,what do you think of those?

Yes, I believe that my Devialet D1000 Pro is going to stay here a looooong time following the 8 years done so far with half of it as a Devialet D-Premier/D250/D250 Pro. It's hard to beat in objective technical terms and sounds amazing to my ears. The simplicity of the set up is wonderful. Perfect elegance and not much to worry about as long as it's fed by clean power.

Okay, I'll go there, lol. I have a NAD C 325bee amp (45 watts per channel) driving a pair of Infinity RS4B speakers with a Bluray player for cd with a Schitt audio Modi DAC, and a little bear tube buffered preamp for my Technics SL1900 turntable and a Yamaha Dual cassette deck (which I barely use) as my complete system and I know there are a lot of systems that probably blow it away but I love the sound, so, for now, this is the last setup...until I change it, lol. Great video!! Thanks for the upload!!

I think I’m there. Pass Labs XA30.8 paired with Spendor D7s. Gorgeous for jazz, acoustic, blues and Americana.

I just wanted to get the nad c388 and every week, you keep making me want something better...Tannoy and tubes 🤣

I have been listening to my solid-state amp (Electrocompaniet ECI 3) for past 20 years & thought have enjoyed the best of music. Till I brought in this tube amp (Reisong A10) highly recommended by Steve. I am amazed by it as it gives me a whole new experiences of music listening. Yes, this would be my last amp till my hearing fade away!

Hi Steve my wife and I have the Denon AVR-1000 receiver. From 1993 - 105Watt @ 4ohm. A very very good product with 1st class components; and naturally made in Japan.

So to put things into perspective, I’m 66 and recently retired. I’m so close to pulling the trigger on the Schiit Aegir. I own a pair of efficient speakers (Zu and my last) and I’ve always wanted a class A amp but financially they’ve been way outside of my budget..... until now. I’ve fed my speakers D, AB and AB tube amps but I’m hoping for the ideal match with the Aegir amp. Won’t know until I buy one for a test drive. Btw, real world cost for the Aegir is $1K when you include tax and shipping. Would be interested in hearing from any Aegir owners out there.

@vinylsurfer2155

4 жыл бұрын

I don't know about the Aegir but, I have the Freya+ feeding a pair of monoblocked Vidars then into a pair of Klipsch RP-6000F speakers and SVS SB2000 sub and, at 64, I believe I have found my last system. I also have their Mani phono preamp and their Loki tone control. I spent my younger years around diesel engine noise so my hearing, not being what it once was, benefits from the Loki quite a bit. Schiit audio, at their price point have, in my opinion, great products.

@ShadowPoet

4 жыл бұрын

Save your money, get yourself a kickass pair of headphones - the rate things are going, you're young enough to probably see the the world go to shit sooner than later

@motorradmike

4 жыл бұрын

Eric Younghans, the Aegir is very tempting indeed. I’m using a single Vidar with a retubed Freya preamp driving efficient Tekton Double Impact speakers. Extremely satisfying SQ. I’m not sure if the Aegir would be enough of an improvement to justify changing the amp. In my case, tube rolling offer significant changes in my system.

@BirdArvid

4 жыл бұрын

Have you looked at Sugden Audio? I own an old A21a which I will NEVER sell!

@vinylrules4838

4 жыл бұрын

@@ShadowPoet While headphones have a place in audio, they can not reproduce the low frequencies in the same manner as speakers. I like to feel the bass drum in orchestral music and the low register of a pipe organ. One does not get that same experience with headphones.

Steve, amazing all you can expose and transmit. Thanks¡¡¡ By the way...your shirts are almost impressive like what all you know. I want one¡¡ or two¡ jajaj Saludos desde Chile

I'm very happy with my old Bryston 7B Mono blocks driving my 801s.

I'm a bloody noob in DIY, and I built a pair of Standing 2.5-way fully activated Speakers with two 5" Mid/Bass and one 1" Softdome. Each Box got three 25W LM1875. One Amp for each Chassis. For down below I built a 45l closed 12" Subwoofer driven by two paralleld TDA7293 with about 170W. My PC is Player DSP and Active Xover. No Kit, no plans, just Information from the Net!

Yes, totally ready, stuck between Pass Labs INT250 and Dan D'Agostino Momentum integrated, very different in price but two phenomenal amps!

Good advice Steve and a helpful analysis.

I am kind of searching for a tube amp to take me into my golden years. I have always dreamed of one and kind of at a place in my life I can finally pull the trigger.

My local stereo person says that Manufacture often overstate an Amps power per channel output. Past or Present. is this true?

Hi Steve, thank you so much for all the great knowledge you impart! I'm a newbee looking to put my first system together, and trying to choose an integrated amp under $1500 that will provide the best synergy to pair with Klipsch RP-8000F speakers. A few I'm thinking about are the Outlaw Audio RR2160, Denon PMA-800NE, Cambridge CXA61, and NAD C316BEE V2, but am totally open to anything, and would really appreciate any recommendations.

I bought the last amp for the rest of my life 20 years ago and I knew it then, that I wouldn't be buying another amp after getting a brand new (then) McIntosh MC 602 with recently adding an OPPO Blu Ray player as a preamp for 2 channel and 7.1 decoding for movies. Then I added a McIntosh 151 for movies also, didn't need it but got a good deal on a used one and it looks and sounds fantastic with a McIntosh 7205 5X200w. This is the finest system I've ever had after a lifetime of building them. I'm done after adding lot's of Wire World cables, at this level, they make a huge difference. Anyone that says wires don't make a difference simply doesn't have high end equipment to take advantage of them or haven't tried WW cables or their ears are shot, all three of those things are common. Also, GIK acoustical panels can change your world too but don't buy any of those until you educate yourself so you know when to use a defuser or absorber, huge difference in acoustics.

Steve, I pulled the trigger on the OA RR2160. Ordered it today!

I don’t think I’m ready for my LAST amp but I found a good last for now amp that a suspect will serve me well for the next decade - the Rogue Audio Medusa which is an interesting blend of tube and class D. This gives the flexibility of tubes and power to spare for less efficient speakers like my Kef LS50s.

Steve since stumbling on your Channel a few months ago, I've come to understand the amounts of money, thousands of dollars for audio amplifies and speakers that I hand no idea existed. This is because I'm used to shopping for vintage used or reconditioned equipment of superb quality and specs. Sansui, Marantz, Pioneer, Sony, Yamaha. There run from a few hundred to at best low thousands for the really top spec equipment. Personally, I'm a Sansui Person and I love playing them through full-range speakers 15" and up with a decent midrange, horns and dome tweeters. I own 3 Sansui, two of which are Integrated AU GX99 mosfet with 160WRMS/C into 8 OHMs and THD as low as 0.001%, and wide-open frequency response. The other a low power Receiver of equal spec. I have the tuners, the 10 band per channel Equalizers and double Cassette Decks and CD multi-disc players. There is nothing that sounds better than a Sansui as far as I have heard, and I'm sure that better speakers would enhance its sound

I think some of us would like you to review more powered speakers! Two reasons - first of all we trust you, and secondly we may not have lots of space or expendable income. You make a REALLY good point about having the matching of amplifier and drivers, etc. already being done for you. I can’t express how small of a space I live in, so the space savings of active speakers would REALLY be great for me. And. while all of this mixing and matching is fun, it´s getting expensive. I just don’t want to go about buying a set, or an amp-passive speaker set-up, then find out that it doesn’t work for me, regret it and have to spend more money to upgrade or replace. I’d, at least, love to know which companies are doing a good job at matching amps to drivers and other hardware in powered speakers? It’s not because I don’t enjoy what the search for a quality set up involves, again, like you said - I’m older now, and I’m just ready to stop chasing the sound so hard and just find a really nice sounding set-up that I can afford and that works in my space!

I have a PrimaLuna tube amp and a solid state Parasound A21 bought them 4 o 5 years ago, "end game" amps to me in their respective categories. So that's all I need and what I'll have to the end of my days. :D

I thought i bought my last amp ! The Yammy AS-1100 bur still love my vintage Sansui G-8000 monster reciever its a beast !

I am fully prepared to buy my NEXT speaker.

I want to utilize tube amp paired with Perlisten Rt7. Do you think these speakers would pair with a tube amp?

I'm on the DIY side but going back to tubes, you can find some amazing options like VTL and McIntosh etc.. Going back to your comment that buying a tube amp is more versatile as you can do tube rolling is true and with some variation of tubes, changing them cost as much as buying another SS amplifier. Anyways, it is always a question of personal preference, what is best for you. Keep up the good work, love the channel!

Steve I would love for you to show us your system and tell us why you like the components you currently have. Thanks!

Last year I rolled the dice and purchased a Bel Canto Black EX power amp to drive a pair of Focal Sopra 2's. Within my suboptimal (highly reflective) listening space, it sounds great to my middle-aged ears.

Yes, I am always ready.

Hi Does anyone have a recommendation for solid state amp and pre amp to go with Harbeth HL5 Super 40th as a final Amp

Steve what do you think of the McIntosh MC252 as a last Amp?

I'm 69 and have bought my last power Amp. It's a Danish made OVC push pull tube Amp, 35 watts.

I'm in love with vintage amps and pre amps I'm about to get my Eico tube pre out of storage and enjoy true audio fidelity

Well Steve I had the same experience 26 years ago when I bought my Conrad Johnson premier 11-A hooked up to modified Altec Lansing voice of the theaters ; Valencia. There is just no reason for me to improve any longer because nothing, even made today, sounds as good as what I already have at this price point. I think the key element here is at what price point do you finally throw in the towel and say enough is enough.

Hi Steve, enjoying your channel! My experience is that everything made these days doesn't last long enough to be my last anything. My last two AVRs started having issues with dead HDMI ports after 2 or 3 years. One of my dynaudio speakers has major distortion, not sure if that is the output from the AVR or the speaker itself. My audioengine speakers for my computer died after 18 months (failed internal power supply) and had to be replaced. I'm not young, but my impression is that things made today just aren't made to last, and I plan to be around for another couple of decades. You and many other youtubers provide great reviews of how equipment works when new, but I haven't found anyone using things for 5 or 10 years and then reviewing how the equipment worked over that long time period. That would be really helpful for people wanting to buy their "last" speaker, amplifier, etc - but there's very limited data to support those trying to do this.

@johnlecoure164

4 жыл бұрын

David UWP well said

Yes Im ready to buy one last amp. I have my album collection from the early 70s, carrying peach crates every time I moved. I just picked up a pair of beautiful Infinity Monitor 2As in museum condition (uncanny for the age). Im considering the MC 275. Is this a good match? I have always wanted an open tube Mcintosh after hearing them many years ago. What amp/preamp do you suggest without breaking more of the bank? Is a vintage MC 275 better? How do I avoid replicas? Thanks for the great videos, and for helping!

I am fortunate to have found my last speakers in 1975. My KEF 104s were up against stiff competition back then especially from the big Klipschorns. Over the years I have only been confirmed in my choice. The amplifier took me longer. Mostly that was because the receivers just could not ruin the KEFs. But I decided to build out a fully retro system and chose Marantz 1060 from 1975. A perfect match! I think this was the first solid state item of its kind from Marantz. People talk about how this amp seems to mimic the sound of tube amps of the previous generation. The pre amp in the 1060 is also mentioned as being a cut above because Marantz did not wish to spend money and time developing a separate pre amp for this release. Finally, I am not a good customer to talk such things because I know what is good enough. One interesting observation is my speakers did not like the "Monster" cables I tried. I can only assume the damping factor was chosen based on the light wires of the era. The big cables seemed to muddy things up. But everything seem complementary now.

Active vs. passive? As someone who purchased my first system as a college student in the early 1970s, I love actives! My first speakers were relatively massive ( for apartments), powered Advents. The were very well reviewed at the time, and were bi-amplified with four eighty watt amplifiers ( two per speaker). I also bought the Advent preamp/ FM Tuner, and a Bang and Olufsen turntable. I had it for thirty years! It worked well and brought endless musical enjoyment. It was around $1500 in 1973, I believe ( for everything). My 1973 VW Rabbit cost around $3,500, new. They are 6-7 times that now . So, that was like a $10,000 system today! For a college student, that was a huge amount of money. It was a very simple, excellent solution for me then. It could be again today. However, I may be too much of an audiophile now. How so? It reminds me of body building! Years ago (late 70s, early 80s), I owned a chain of fitness centers. Nautilus ( a new equipment maker), had just come out with a futuristic line of massive, and multi-specialized weightlifting machines, along with a revolutionary training method. The promise was, you could get amazing strength gains in 2-3, 30 minute workouts per week! It actually worked. It was a very intense workout. However. You really could get great results. The problem? The body building community loved their long, complicated workouts( which were much lower intensity). They loved to hang out and talk with buddies, and endlessly tweak their routines! Sound like audiophiles? Most body builders would not even consider the Nautilus method! They were too attached to their way of body building. It was more like their identity. Many audiophiles are that way also, in my view. They love their expensive, time consuming, complicated systems, and the endless tweaking, conversations about it, and reading on the subject. Actives are a nonstarter, with many audiophiles! Too easy, simple and good. No tweaking, agonizing over choices, no reading about other options. That is their life!

does the speaker need a current source or voltage?

I've got a David Berning EA2100 amp from the '80's ..Drives anything I will ever need to full potential

Intriguing. I'm leaning toward tubes and high efficiency, probably horns. That kit HR recommends appeals. I enjoy the approach, Steve, inherent in this instance.

Just bought my last amp! Parasound JC5. It's incredible!

@stephencosta6814

4 жыл бұрын

Very nice enjoy 😍

how well you hear is part of the mix also thank you for this ensight to reality.

I'm in my early 60's and am perfectly happy listening to my Prima Luna Dialogue HP and Klipsch Heritage Cornwalls for the rest of my life. I've also cut way back on buying physical media and really enjoy streaming on Tidal, Qobuz and Amazon HD using a Bluesound Node 2i. Keeping it simple works for me.

@henrym78

4 жыл бұрын

Prima Luna 🥰

@dednside5229

4 жыл бұрын

Why? A daisy chained SET tests higher then a prima luna... That's not smart money Musical Paradise

I thought my Krell 400i would be my last amp. I then heard the Sugden signature a21se class a amplifier. Love it. I am 65. Greetings from Wales.

@jonathansturm4163

4 жыл бұрын

Fond memories of the Sugden A21. The specs weren't as good as its rivals, but the sound was to die for. I haven't heard one for decades and never could afford one back in the day (early 1970s).

@vladimirdorta6692

4 жыл бұрын

Sugden is one of the really great names in audio. Congratulations.

@rbhis000

4 жыл бұрын

I love their tag line - "Rescueing Music From Technology." That's just fantastic!

The word Last takes all of the fun out of an enjoyable hobby.

@steverothermel2516

3 жыл бұрын

Succinct, to the point! Love it!

Guttenberg’s Cat Thought Experiment. There is a big box. It is closed. Is the amp in the Box a Tube Amp or is it a Solid State Amp, or is it a hybrid of both?

I guess I too have bought my last amplifier. It was a subwoofer amplifier so that I can use a subwoofer with my vintage (1970's) receiver and speakers. I really like the results. No tubes for me, thanks. Way back in the 60's, when tubes were all that there was, I built a couple of amplifiers and was not impressed.

@theejoeylee

4 жыл бұрын

Lol...I have an old mono sub amp I bought in the early to mid 90s from Parts Express...Its so powerful the Police haven't stopped asking for demos going on 20+ years now.

Would you guys buy a pioneer sx1250 or is not even close to buying a modern amp and pre amps and everything that goes with it

I am 63, and have been using my Carver CT-17 preamps/ tuner, TFM-45 and CB-15 for the last 29 years, and they sound phenomenal, with my Polk SDA 2.3’s The only component I would like to add, would be the PrimaLuna Evo400 integrated tube amp. I’m Happy.

I kept expecting a recommendation from Steve Guttenberg :(

@Billfish57

3 жыл бұрын

I should you photos of a McIntosh, he mentioned a McIntosh he talked about tubes in a positive way. Go with that. My advice is tubes for preamp and SS for power amp. Unless you have lots of money that get the new McIntosh 901's.

I found with the system I have now, any speakers I have hooked up sound good. I listen fairly quietly but 600 watts per channel works well at low levels. Some people will never understand that.

@christinearmington

3 жыл бұрын

😳😬🤩🤦‍♀️

I have recently purchased my last Preamp and Mono Power Amp setup. I have PrimaLuna EVO 400 pre and power amps. After 40+ years of high-end audio I am completely satisfied. I will probably experiment with tubes at some point but the EL34's are pretty good. I have efficient speakers, Klipsch RF7III with dual REL S/5 SHO subs. It like the sound. I doubt I have bought my last speaker though.

Hi Steve, have been thinking about this question for about a year now. Have narrowed down to an Ayon Scorpion. Seems a good fit with my Cornwall IIIs, budget, and other personal considerations. Have you thoughts about this Austrian amp designer and his products, particularly amps? (Would love an Ayon Crossfire, but for the price of a small family car, my wife, well, best leave it at that). I ask you because the national distributor controls the U.S. distribution, i.e., audio dealers have little Ayon product on hand and many don’t accommodate listening opportunities given COVID protocols. Yes, there’s a 15-day listening option to return, but would like to listen, decide, then take delivery and enjoy. Thank you and cheers! Chris

I have been into hifi since early 70's. I've built amplifiers, speakers and turntables. I've not bought high end or esoteric. New stuff I've had includes Pioneer SX950, Dynaco ST70, Marantz PM80. I've had KEF transmission lines and recently sold my KEF 104/2 which I bought new. My other half paid for a pair of second hand KEF R900 which I love. I added a Marantz PM8005 amplifier. Since then I bought a new pair of KEF R900 at a very good price when they were superseded. Considering I had my KEF104/2 for over 30 years and I'm 69 I think we're done.......unless I build an Elekit tu-8200r.

Twenty years ago, I built what would be my last amplifier if I couldn't own more than one. A single ended triode using the 45 tube. It took me until just recently to make a speaker that was full range to match it, although I power it with three of these amps. The speaker uses Altec horns and drivers circa 1960.

Hi Steve. I have a 2001Yamaha Rx v3000 amplifier and I'm currently running Klipsch kg 3 special edition for my main speakers. Bought them new in the 80s. I have found a gentleman that is refurbishing 2 cornwall's II and two more kg3. He is finishing them in black and white ebony. Hopefully I will get them in the next couple of weeks. I am a musician and I grew up sitting in a concert hall listening to my mother practice with the symphony. I listen to classical music, jazz and movies. I know what real sound is supposed to sound like. Would you recommend an amplifier for me I want to get the best sound I can. I'm going to be running 4 kg 3s as my effect speakers and the cornwall's II as my main speakers. Thank you

Could you do a last pre amp I want to know what to look for

I m very satisfied with my Tannoy Canterbury 15 spealers.my proceed amps n preamp .woulld like to replace proceed units.what would uo recommend budget of usd 2500.with sreaming wifi capabilities.thanks

I purchased a new at the time Vincent SV 236 MK and now 6 years later have no desire to change it though I did decide to get a Luxman L 480 from 1979/80 because I enjoy these particular vintage amplifiers. It can be never ending no doubt but I will leave that to others because basically if it sounds good to you enjoying the music should become the priority. - I tube rolled the Vincent and settled on a 1960's Ten Kobe 12AX7 driver and a pair of early '60's Tungsram ECC83s for the left and right channel. Brought that integrated hybrid to life. Now I can spend money on records.

With the Croft series 7 power amp, I now have done so :)

I have already picked my last amp a Decware ufo2 with 6’ tall backloaded horns. When I mentioned I wanted new speakers my wife said no big speakers so I guess I’m keeping these.

The power-amps I have is perhaps good enough for the rest of my life but it seems that the pre-amp MUST bee updated from time to time since so much changes in "that end" of the amplifier.

I like high sensitivity full range speakers with low watts tube amp of great brand

I believe I already but that's a kinda. I have a Levinson 334 . It seems to drive many different speakers very well and I like the way it looks. So here is why I say kinda, I will admit I am not one of those audiophiles that will tell you " the only thing I care about is the music, I am a purist looking for perfection". I have been into this game since an early teenager am 43 now and have been in the "biz" most of my adult life. I from time to time like to tinker and try different things for fun. The Levinson is my main squeeze but I may want to play around with some medium sized tube mono blocks for awhile or maybe a diy kit like the ones offered by Nelson Pass to just have some fun, maybe stumble on something I may have missed. I am the audiophile that not only loves music but also loves the gear for multiple reasons including the way the stuff looks, interesting designs and cool brand backgrounds are some of the things that come into play. I may from even time to time pick up a piece from the past for nostalgia but my 334 is my power amp. Thanks Steve good topics.