WHY and What are you Listening to?

[S Clark]

Listening to a KT120 K&K amp built on a Dynaco 120 chassis. Picked it up because the previous owner had too much gear and was selling in a rush. 
Pulled out something I don't think I've listened to since I got it years ago...
Not a bad pressing for an Angel vinyl.  DMM remaster helps make it quieter and more dynamic than the normal Angel.

[P.I.]

Listening to a KT120 K&K amp built on a Dynaco 120 chassis. Picked it up because the previous owner was had too much gear and was selling in a rush. 

You really scored on that amp!   

[Nick B]

Since mid-November when I moved, I’ve only been listening on my iPad 😢  A couple of days ago, there was finally enough room and organized space in the living room for me to put up my audio rack and components! I still need to clean up my stands and will use my little Fritz Carreras for a while while I have replacement drivers installed on one side of speakers, and awaiting a second pair.

It’s good to be back 👍 😊

[S Clark]

It IS good to be back, and it's good to have you guys back as well.

I've got to learn more about this amp.  It was built by Philip Holmes, a fellow I've talked to a bit but really know very little about him.   There is an article on the build at Dagogo   https://www.dagogo.com/the-kk-audio-st70-boards-part-3-of-3/
I'm curious about the choice to have such a powerful tube run so cool.  These tubes are running at less than 1/2 of their potential output.   

[Nick B]

Before I bought the AVA SET 120, which is a terrific little amp, I was giving serious thought to an ST 70, the Bob Latino version. If I recall correctly, those chassis had the connections on the front. Some of the different mods used a different chassis with connections in the back.

[ejk]

Welcome back guys.

[Nick B]

Welcome back guys.

Thanks Evan

[P.I.]

Welcome back guys.

 

[S Clark]

Artur Rubenstein with Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony playing Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.
This is one of those old school RCA records that knock it out of the park sonically.  Just arrived today.  This one is probably from about 1964, a White Dog label, that to vinyl aficionados is as good as the more ballyhooed shaded dogs. 
I've got an earlier pressing, but it's a bit noisy, and this one is NM-.   

Rubenstein has fallen a bit out of favor in the 21st century, but he is a master of sound whose technique is strong enough to support his interpretation.  The RCA engineer, Lewis Layton (always excellent) is at his best. 
The melody that everyone know is just hauntingly beautiful.   
The Absolute Sound got this one right when it went one their list of excellence.   
Side B is Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain, from a different performance with the San Francisco Sym. Almost as good as the Rachmaninoff.

[S Clark]

Was in the mood for mono.
Mono can be sooooo good when set up on a dedicated rig.   I'd love to have an expensive Miyajima mono cartridge, but a +$200 Denon 102 is as much as I'm going to spring for.  Still sounds so much better than mono played on a stereo cartridge. 

Art Tatum Encores on a 10" Capitol pressed in 1951

[S Clark]

Ok, I'm a piano nerd.  It's what happens when you're playing Chopin at age 11...
but combining Rachmaninoff with Art Tatum, check out this educational video.  If you like the Variations on a Theme by Paganini (and who doesn't)  watch this and learn something.  I love these type videos on You Tube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwYGbYF9r6U

[S Clark]

So I got my wife to listen to the excellent RCA LSC 24630 Variations on Th. by Paganin on that mid 60's pressing, and then we put on the floppiest RCA Red Seal from the mid 70's of the same pianist, same conductor, same orchestra playing the Rach. 2nd Concerto... and even she said, "Why is it so muddy?"
Both are top flight early 60's recordings, both sought after in early pressing... but by the accountant penny pinchers at RCA had ruined the label in the late 60's early 70's, and the quality j u s t  w e n t  a w a y.   
There are reasons why the Shaded Dog/White Dogs are better.  Earlier stampers, better quality vinyl, heavier vinyl, and people who took pride in their work.




 

[Nick B]

So I got my wife to listen to the excellent RCA LSC 24630 Variations on Th. by Paganin on that mid 60's pressing, and then we put on the floppiest RCA Red Seal from the mid 70's of the same pianist, same conductor, same orchestra playing the Rach. 2nd Concerto... and even she said, "Why is it so muddy?"
Both are top flight early 60's recordings, both sought after in early pressing... but by the accountant penny pinchers at RCA had ruined the label in the late 60's early 70's, and the quality j u s t  w e n t  a w a y.   
There are reasons why the Shaded Dog/White Dogs are better.  Earlier stampers, better quality vinyl, heavier vinyl, and people who took pride in their work.

It was fun when my wife would chime in occasionally with a comment or two about sq. I’m all for a company making a good profit AND producing a good product.

[S Clark]

R.I.P.  Wayne Shorter

[GDHAL]

https://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=7.msg108255#msg108255