Have come to a conclusion

Mike Reeter
Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
edited February 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
RT1 is right,TUBES DO RULE...I've had a TAD-60 in the rack for most of this week.

This amp has transformed my entry level rig into a whole new level...this has been,without question,the best piece of gear I have ever put into the mix.

The first thing that hits you,is the BASS...tight,controlled,and RIGHT THERE...so much so that I have tuned off the Velo and let the CRS's do their job.

The mids are to die for,every aspect of this range is covered,in spades...fluid.

The best improvement in my case is the upper end,no more glare when you turn up the volume...high notes and vocals are smooth,yet still very detailed with no fatigue what so ever.

The soundstage is more accurate,deeper and everything is where it should be...even the SDA effect is more vibrant...studio recordings sound more "live" and live recordings literally put you in the front row.

For the moment,I'm happier than a new puppy with two peters:D
Post edited by Mike Reeter on
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Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited February 2009
    Yep. George schooled me on tubes. I am going to have to sell a kidney or something to pry that anthem from him!
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    Mike Reeter wrote: »
    RT1 is right,TUBES DO RULE...:D

    Of course I am.;) Actually, I owe many here for getting me tubed up. A few of them also got me tanked up.

    Nice Rig, enjoy the gear and the music.

    RT1
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited February 2009
    Now you just need Paul's TADAC to go with that beautiful amp :D



    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited February 2009
    Nice looking system! I've got the same CDP and pre in my 2 ch system. It's always good when a new piece of gear makes a significant improvement in your system.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    snow wrote: »
    Now you just need Paul's TADAC to go with that beautiful amp :D



    REGARDS SNOW

    Now,don't go there...I'm trying the best I can to be happy...for a while anyway:D
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    ben62670 wrote: »
    Yep. George schooled me on tubes. I am going to have to sell a kidney or something to pry that anthem from him!

    Ben,I've heard that ole George is coming up with some new toys...that Anthem "might" just be available one of these days.
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    dkg999 wrote: »
    Nice looking system! I've got the same CDP and pre in my 2 ch system. It's always good when a new piece of gear makes a significant improvement in your system.

    Yes,I've always had entry level amps. in the past...the TAD is a whole new ballgame for me.

    Mark me down as one happy SOB
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2009
    Glad you like the TAD. If you think bass is tight now, wait until you roll some 6550's.

    You thought you were done with spending???? ;)
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    Glad you like the TAD. If you think bass is tight now, wait until you roll some 6550's.

    You thought you were done with spending???? ;)

    First things first,I've got plans on veneering the CRS's and some other upgrades.

    Then some acoustic panels here and there...I've been around long enough to know that the list never comes to an end:D
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2009
    Mike,

    I held back as I know exactly how it is with these boys, you get something new and of course there is something else, but when you are ready I have a few subtle suggestions. I am only trying this nice guy subtle stuff once, after that my advice will help stimulate the economy and land many souls in the PoorHOuse, but that is the Game of Life.

    RT1
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    Ted,I'm open to any suggestions you might have...as long as it doesn't have the term "Turn Table" in it.

    I have too many vises the now,I'm not ready to cross over into the Dark Side,not yet anyway.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,259
    edited February 2009
    Beauiful setup. i hope to play with tubes someday,i was thinking about doing a 2 channel setup in our livingroom.

    Again very beautiful setup.
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    If you enjoy music,a dedicated 2-channel set-up is really the only way to go...IMHO
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited February 2009
    Hey Mike --

    You have great components, but you haven't heard your system yet. Try some better speakers and you'll be in hog heaven.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    Early B. wrote: »
    Hey Mike --

    You have great components, but you haven't heard your system yet. Try some better speakers and you'll be in hog heaven.

    For the moment,I'm quite happy with the modded CRS's...I've had 4 pair of SDA's over the years,and I really like their sound.

    I just sold a pair of Monitor Audio GR-10's,a very good little bookshelf,kinda wish I had them back to see how they would sound with this amp.

    The Ushers that Doro has for sale were very tempting,but I blew my fun money on an amp instead.

    You know very well how the game is played,I'll have something different on those stands one day:D
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2009
    Mike is gettin' his groove on,, stellar gear that did not cost an arm and a leg,, newbees,,, pick up on what he's puttin' down.
    Congrats Mike--lookin'good.;):)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited February 2009
    Early B. wrote: »
    Hey Mike --

    You have great components, but you haven't heard your system yet. Try some better speakers and you'll be in hog heaven.


    That didn't sound too good; SDA's are not bad speakers, which is what I read from your comment. They are as good as any, and the CRS's in particular are very nice sounding speakers (I dig mine, and I've had 1B's, SDA SRS's, 1.2 TL's and 3.1 TL's).

    There are speakers that sound different, but that does not make them better.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited February 2009
    Ricardo wrote: »
    That didn't sound too good; SDA's are not bad speakers, which is what I read from your comment. They are as good as any, and the CRS's in particular are very nice sounding speakers (I dig mine, and I've had 1B's, SDA SRS's, 1.2 TL's and 3.1 TL's).

    There are speakers that sound different, but that does not make them better.
    Congrats on the tube amp as it is obvious that tubes are far more musical than sand =TUBES RULE ! Early did not mean any harm with his observation.Although the SDA CRS are indeed a fine loudspeaker there is always room for improvement ;).thanks....WCW III
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2009
    Looking good Mike!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    Thanks guys,I'm not offended by any comments...For the type of music that I enjoy...R&B,the SDA's have always fit the bill.

    I know there are better,but when you have Champagne taste on a Beer budget,you have to "get by" the best you can.
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited February 2009
    Nice setup. Everything looks good, no weak parts there. I have Paul's preamp. I wanted to get the amp like yours but got the jolida from doro instead. Like you the tube amp made a big difference in listenablity. Does your amp have the control that changes focus or something like that? I cant remember exactly what? Acoustic panels are next for me also. Fun, fun.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,500
    edited February 2009
    Congrats on your TAD-60 Mike! I ran a pair horizontal bi-amping my ESL’s. I also had the TAD-1000 monos. Great bang for the buck amps. And Paul is super to deal with. High marks on his customer service. And +1 to what Ricardo said about the 6550's.

    What mode are you running them in? I learned that pentode mode with feedback sounds the best. I had the amps tested on a FFT analyzer, and it confirmed what I heard. Compared to triode mode, pentode mode produces the lowest distortion. The second harmonics were maximized over the higher harmonics, produced the best S/N ratio and deliver far more power.

    Njoy your CRS’s! I have a pair of +'s in my basement system. Great listening!
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,034
    edited February 2009
    Ain't no sound like a tube sound. Congrat's on the new toy, I know you are enjoying the hell out of the sound right now.

    Yes, young whippersnapper.......Tubes DO rule! :D

    All you guys who are eying that Anthem amp that George has.........you are too late. :p I have already put dibs on it many moons ago. Muhuuuhhaaaa!!!:D:D:D I'm just awaiting it's release. BUT, I may have another slice of tube history coming my way sometime this year so it may be back up on the auction block sometime around September. We'll see how it goes.......It's a really nice amp paired with the 1C's he's got [again.......].
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    The TAD is a tweakers dream,you can get your read on here if you care to: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/bizzyb/TAD-60.html

    Old school build with modern components.

    BTW,What kinda bike do you ride?
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited February 2009
    Awesome system-Enjoy the Music:D
    Linn AV5140 fronts
    Linn AV5120 Center
    Linn AV5140 Rears
    M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
    Odyssey Mono-Blocs
    SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited February 2009
    Nice looking rig Mike and now yes I am going to utter the dark words . . . now all you need is a turntable.:D:eek:

    PS: TUBES RULE!!!
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  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited February 2009
    About 7 years ago the publicly traded parent company of the company I worked for was bought out by a larger company. As a result, I received a rather large check for my stock options in the parent company. :DI spent most of that money on audio toys:

    > Sonic Frontiers hybrid preamp
    > Sonic Frontiers 110 w x 2 tube amp driving a pair of Wilson Cubs
    > VTL tube 100w mono driving a third Cub (for center channel)
    > Rotel 7.1 pre/pro
    > Rotel 5 x 120w amp
    > B&K 200w x 2 amp

    No matter how I mixed the preamps and the amps, the tubes always came out as the clear winners.
    Unfortunately, susequent economic cicumstances forced me to sell all of the above in 2004.:(:o:(

    Mike21
    ____________________________________________
    Home Theater 32"LG LCD; Comcast; 7.1 Onkyo 805; Fronts: Polk M50s; Center: Polk CS2; Sides: Polk M40s; Rear: B&W LM1s; Subs: (2) Sony 12" x 100w; Samsung 1500BDP; Toshiba A-2 HD-DVDP.
    PC stereo: Viper custom PC: Windows XP; ASIO4ALL; JRiver Jukebox> Pop Pulse USB to S/PDIF conv> Monarchy DIP > Musiland MD10 DAC > Parasound 2100 pre> Aragon 4004 MKII amp> Dali Ikon6 towers; Sunfire True Sub; PSA Duet, Ultimate outlet and Noise Harvestors.
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited February 2009
    Bet you hated to part with those
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2009
    Mike21 wrote: »
    About 7 years ago the publicly traded parent company of the company I worked for was bought out by a larger company. As a result, I received a rather large check for my stock options in the parent company. :DI spent most of that money on audio toys:

    > Sonic Frontiers hybrid preamp
    > Sonic Frontiers 110 w x 2 tube amp driving a pair of Wilson Cubs
    > VTL tube 100w mono driving a third Cub (for center channel)
    > Rotel 7.1 pre/pro
    > Rotel 5 x 120w amp
    > B&K 200w x 2 amp

    No matter how I mixed the preamps and the amps, the tubes always came out as the clear winners.
    Unfortunately, susequent economic cicumstances forced me to sell all of the above in 2004.:(:o:(

    Mike21

    Ouch!
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