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| Friday, May 24th, 2013 |
Educational - Overview| Basic Shipping Guidelines and Shop Policies (Educational) | Oct 12th, 2012 | |
| Due to several poorly shipped packages that we have received in the last few months, we have decided it is very important to remind clients to take careful consideration to how they pack their units when shipping to us. Most of it is common sense, but again we have had some very marginal, and just plain inadequately packaged items sent to us that have been damaged or were at least not up to any standard that we would feel safe return shipping in the original box that was sent. We therefore are from this point adding a $10 surcharge for return shipping of items that we have to repack in our own box to ensure it arrives safely. To avoid this charge (which we sincerely hope everyone does) we just ask that the unit be packed well enough for us to return ship in the box and packing that it came to us. To give some idea of what we like to see in regard to box and packaging, we have outlined some Basic Shipping Guidelines - | ||
| There are Modern Alternatives for all ADA stuff | Sep 12th, 2012 | |
| People tend to hate me when I tell them this, but really now, Behringer & Zoom (among a few others) are actually the leaders of guitar effect processing technology. I like TC electronic (which is actually I.V.L. Designs) and I can always order their stuff in for customers (TC G-Major/Minor), but nearly equivalent product can be had with the Behringer V-amp bass modeler for about $200. You will be amazed. I’m in the position where I could choose almost any maker of guitar processors, and I’ve chosen to go with Behringer. I have about 40 of their stomp boxes including the Echo Machine, Ultra Pitch Shifter, Bass Flanger; with the pedals now so inexpensive, it’s embarrassing how these pedals are so far above the crowd. Truly, Behringer is the original maker and not merely relabeling product. Call for more info, if needed. | ||
| On Restoring Nakamichi Equipment (Educational) | Sep 12th, 2012 | |
| I have a love/hate relationship with these Nakamichi machines. They are known to develop problems with age and very involved to restore. | ||
| Behringer Truth Studio Monitors (Ask Vince) | Sep 12th, 2012 | |
| QUESTION – Shielding is crappy. I hear radio all the time. Is there anything I can do to improve this?
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| What is Good Audio Equipment? (Naming names and deconstructing myths) – Part I (Educational) | Sep 12th, 2012 | |
| Many years ago I was asked to review and critique Audio equipment by a popular local music magazine, but they assumed I would say nice things about products obviously because some were their advertisers. It’s obvious to see the conflict here. Today with the internet, the average guy or a BSEE fellow can make comments without too much repercussion. It’s a curse and a blessing. The average guy has his stubborn prejudices and some brilliant insights too. The engineer type can be a little cold hearted and may have higher standards which most consumer equipment will never match. Now the situation is sometimes well done and apparently simple equipment may not get a fair review by either due to name appeal or design criteria. | ||
| In Defense of Behringer (Educational) | Sep 12th, 2012 | |
| Popular opinion, especially online, seems to think that Behringer is just a copycat company making cheaper versions of other companies' products. But Behringer is actually one of the few companies that really design their products instead of simply re-branding and marketing what already exists. They make devices that are inexpensive but not cheap and support their products very well. Click to read more. | ||
| Samson VR-88 Mics: New Technology (Educational) | Sep 12th, 2012 | |
| Wow, new cutting edge construction designed ribbon mics are now here. Although the wave of quality, large plate condenser mics has saturated the market and for many recordists who have an open mind, great benefits of cost to performance are welcome. Ribbon mics however will not be easy to make inexpensively and correctly. This is because the design criteria for ribbons are ironically more archaic and tough to build with consistency. It requires more hand assembly and more QC testing. | ||
| Glass ferrite vs Permalloy playback heads (Ask Vince) | Dec 8th, 2008 | |
| A customer needs a new PB head for his Akai GX 280D and Vince explains the difficulties of Glass ferrite heads vs. Permalloy. | ||
| Concerning "better" op amp substitutions (Educational) | Aug 23rd, 2008 | |
| It seems people are constantly asking about modifying machines by changing out op amps. Most recently on a TNE 7000 Noise Reduction unit which we do modify (see Services section) but not by changing out the op amps for more updated, better paper-rated versions. Ironically, “better” op amps will actually work worse in the circuit due to the need for correct DC offset and time phase, delay required at 4 stage all pass filter. In fact, the incorrect op amp running in the circuit will ruin the FET/switch of the high filter operation. What I am changing is the way and how the circuit can switch out the transients more inaudibly. This is done by installing precise calibratin trimmers and more clever filters at the FET switching. Also, a special circuit which gain rides the possible ticks so as not to fool the click suppression. I spent about 6 months picking the circuit apart to reduce the modification to about 8 parts. The modification is $140 plus the cost to return ship. I have done many of these mods and everyone has been impressed with the results. | ||
| Beta Hi Fi Decks (Ask Vince) | Aug 23rd, 2008 | |
| Q)I need to get one in order to transfer some tapes to a more accessible format (DVD). I am somewhat familiar with the Sony line and hoping to get an SL-HF900 only because I know it was a top of the line deck in the last run of machines. 1) Are there any servicing issues? 2) Are there other machines to consider? (I need HiFi) A)Yes, these are rare to find and expensive if found. These machines break and when fixed, tend to break again, go out of alignment, etc. The need to do very careful servicing is crucial. This is a troublesome format with high maintenance requirements for surviving machines. Sanyo made a better machine but people were hypnotized by Sony. I have a Sony unit here that needs a clean up (probably $500). Virtually every machine will need the load up positioner modified or repaired as well as proper adjustment overall. Even then Beta tapes varied in quality of playback. | ||
| AR VS KLH Speakers (Ask Vince) | Apr 24th, 2008 | |
| Q) I am looking for the best set of vintage speakers by either KLH or AR to couple with a Macintosh receiver ca 1970s. I have some 5s which I like, but I want to add another pair. Would you recommend KLH 6s or 20s or which model for the best sound possible? Also how do you compare AR with KLH. A) AR and KLH are very similar in many ways. Later version AR possibly have better tweeters. The real old speakers either have limited performance tweeters which must be replaced or without a doubt an updated crossover is needed | ||
| Ohm Walsh 2 Speakers (Another Question) (Ask Vince) | Apr 10th, 2008 | |
| Q) In your opinion how would these speakers work as rears in a theater system? A) These are OK. People want them because of style appeal. Infact the speaker is a common woofer tweeter combination hidden inside an unserviceable sealed metal basket. The units I had were the better peerless dome and better CTS woofer, so they should be reliable. Others had cheaper parts. Ohm products varied tremendously | ||
| Marantz CD Burners (Ask Vince) | Jan 7th, 2008 | |
| Q) I'm looking for a Marantz CDR 600 or a Phillips CDR 101. Do you have one or know where I might find one of these old units?? A) In all honesty I would have to strongly advise against looking for one of these machines. They were notorious for high failure rate, and parts are difficult to find. Seldom is a cost effective service possible. Philips owns Marantz and sets the policy. The only reason why a Marantz is listed here is because we can make sure the laser specs OK, and some people just want the same item for replacement, regardless of my informed opinion. | ||
| Behringer EX1000 and Edison and Mods Available. (Ask Vince) | Nov 3rd, 2007 | |
| Q) What mods do you do to the Behringer EX1000 and Edison? What is the main differences between the ex1000 and ex1200? I used to own the ex1000 an am interested in getting one or the 1200. Thank you in advance for answering this. A) I modify the EX1, to be honest I seldom see the EX1000 or 1200, but I must assume it’s a similar machine with similar mod requirements. It’s a good design except the LED and it’s circuits which run them create RFI switch hash into the audio. | ||
| Concerning Scott and Vintage Receiver Repairs (Ask Vince) | Oct 8th, 2007 | |
| Q) I recently bought a vintage Scott 388-B receiver that plays very well except for the FM I can't get the multiplex board to light the stereo light. The voltages seem ok at the test points on the board. Can you help? Thanks. A) The unit needs a real, complete service. Unfortunately, units of this age will require many capacitors throughout the unit to be replaced, this is a certainty, and with a proper tuner alignment may solve the problem. Also a thorough cleani | ||
| The Psychology of Hearing and CD Technology (Educational) | Oct 1st, 2007 | |
| So now, onto a most delicate subject: the psychology of hearing. Keep in mind that I have been speaking to customers for the past 25 years. All the way back to cassette decks, reel to reels, turntables, CD and DVD players, to modern computer recording systems. I think there is a tremendous ambiguity to the question 'what truly is the best sound?' What is the standard reference playback device? Who has the book on real controlled listening experimentation to guarantee comparable, consistently repeatable opinion? Well I can't find much in the consumer realm, but I do see a few extraordinary clues. | ||
| DBX Sub Harmonic Synthesizer vs DEQ-2496 (Educational) | Sep 8th, 2007 | |
| The DBX Sub Harmonic Synthesizer was truly an amazing unit, though they are getting hard to find. I owned one years ago, then used an ‘expounder’. Did 4 bands of dynamic EQ as well. Clever auto filter effect and 4 bands of parametric EQ. Now I use a Behringer DEQ-2496 multiband adjustable dynamic EQ, compressor or expander and 5 band digital parametric and 11 band EQ, and real time high sensitivity spectrum analyzer and digital converters the quality of Apogee and image, latency correction and… $300!! I still like analog EQ’s, but this Behringer is so accurate, dead quiet, can do tricks like a finalizer, etc. It’s hard to look back. No doubt older EQ’s have a sound character | ||
| DBX Expanders (single vs double rack space 3bx) and modifications (Ask Vince) | Aug 11th, 2007 | |
| Q) What is different about the dbx 3bx pro... is it the ds series? A) DBX expanders are all conceptually the same. User controlled capability of creating more dynamics and lessening the noise floor (of vinyl and tape) by "expanding" the music's dynamic range, leaving the noise floor further down in level. Old 3bx, big knobs and LED's in 2 rack space box, are discreet circuit 3 bands of VCA | ||
| About the Esoteric Audiophile Gear. Is it indeed what it is supposed to be? (Educational) | Jul 24th, 2007 | |
| We get many letters and phone calls asking about certain high dollar audiophile gear, which all basically boil down to - does this unit do what they claim it does? Many manufacturers make remarkable claims of amazing fidelity. Are these electronic designs capable of revealing or creating more lifelike imaging or depth of detail when amplifying pre-recorded music? Does the use of super special capacitors, wiring, and connectors by esoteric manufacturers create euphonic nirvana? Listeners are so cleverly convinced of the quality of sound reproduced by a fancy built and expensive device, they will defend their choices quite adamantly. The problem is they are not really making a fair comparison of all existing technology at any price point low or high. | ||
| More Questions About ADA MP1 (Ask Vince) | Jul 12th, 2007 | |
| Q) How does the ADA MP1 Classic model compare to the modded MP1's? Do you repair them? Is the ADA foot controller the way to go with these? A) The Modified ADA are changed to sound less "metal" on too many programs and more control is available to enhance regular electric and acoustic guitar sounds, but it still can do the “buzz saw” metal sound no problem. The MP1 is a device which obviously intends to use the tubes to create the nice “crank”. The “Classic” versions add some minor features | ||
| What Are Some Prices for the Loopers? (Ask Vince) | Jul 6th, 2007 | |
| Q) What Are Some Prices for the Loopers? A) The EH 2880 Looper is typically $500 new. Electrix Repeater is typically $600 used to $900 new. The other looper prices should be available from any major market retailer, we simply follow current catalog prices, quotes (which are all within a few dollars of each other) and then order in for customer. To be honest I would need more info as to what exact function | ||
| Bellari MP 110 Modification (Ask Vince) | Jul 1st, 2007 | |
| Q) Hi there, I was wondering if you guys mod the single channel Bellari MP 110?
If you do, how much? I would like to replace the OP AmP and the transformer.
Which op amp and transformer would you put in there? Please let me know and
thank you for your time. A) We can modify the Bellari MP 110, but the specific mod you are asking for would not be something we would recommend. There would not be any obvious change in sound, and more than that changing the op amp could even make it worse. This is because | ||
| Concerning EV Interface A Speakers (Ask Vince) | Feb 9th, 2007 | |
| Q) Hi some time back I purchased a pair of Electro-Voice Interface A speakers on E-bay less the equalizer. I hooked them up and they sounded fine but I seem to remember them having more bass response (I am basing this on how I remember them sounding 30 or so years ago). I finally saw another one on E-bay again last week or so but lost the bid, I have two questions: first, do you feel this unit is required for the speakers to perform correctly (it seems like it but I would like another opi | ||
| Reel to Reel Comparison - Revox B77 vs. Teac A3440 (Ask Vince) | Jun 24th, 2006 | |
| Q) Would be so kind to tell me which machine is better for recording and listening tapes? Revox B77 or Teac A3440? A) Yes, one of my favorite kinds of questions, but strangely, a tough one to answer. Here’s the strange truth. Both decks at this age would need cleaning and calibration. If basic service is done, the Teac would win out mechanically, but not by much. Yet the Revox would be the better sonically, but not by much. There’s the rub. The Teac can be put back into excellent consistent, mechanical and audio quality condition with little trouble. But… As good as the Revox is, it will suffer some critical age related problems which will interfere with it’s potentially much better sonic performance | ||
| The Art of Tuner Design (Ask Vince) | Mar 30th, 2006 | |
| Q) Can you please list for me the equipment you use when performing an FM alignment? A) Well, I have lots of test equipment. Sountech, Leader, Tektronix, etc. but if you’re asking if I’m qualified by the equipment I own that would be misleading. Truth is, tuner design is somewhat technical and mystic art. Often times I alter tuners to improve the tuner shielding, grounding, stub tune the 300 Ohm Balun Antennae matcher and especially often adjust existing coils in the tuner assembly to improve FM sensitive and reduce radio frequency parasitics | ||
| Reel To Reel Maintenance (Unstable Tape Speed) (Ask Vince) | Mar 18th, 2006 | |
| Q) I just purchased a Pioneer rt-1050 reel to reel tape deck. I've found that the speed is very unstable. Is this a common problem with this unit and can it be caused by non-manufacturer power chord which this one came with? A) No. These are great machines but obviously they are 25 years old now. The problem is the unit is in need of maintenance. (possibly new drive belt, oil of motor and mechanism, the speed switch itself can arc out and become intermittent as well a | ||
| Nikko Beta 30 Preamp (Ask Vince) | Mar 12th, 2006 | |
| Q) What do you think of the Nikko Beta 30 Preamp? A) The truth is any reasonably well designed preamp, regardless of what op amps or circuitry is in it will sound OK or excellent or terrible depending upon the expectations of the consumer. This preamp as well as many other better designed Japanese preamps were remarkable if careful gain staging to keep the noise down and quality components, switches, capacitors, etc. were used, proper grounding techniques and if careful | ||
| Symetrix Compressors (522 vs 501, and General Info) (Ask Vince) | Feb 24th, 2006 | |
| Q) Between the Symetrix 522 and a pair of 501s, which would be better for vocals, guitars, and bass guitar? Why such a wide price range for the 501s you have for sale? Can the 501s you have for sale be master-slaved for stereo? A) These compressors are almost the same but the 501 will have more adjustment controls and range over the 522. Although sharing the same VCA, the 522 does not have as sophisticated RMS circuit (which looks at the incoming audio). The better a | ||
| Swapping In Tube Pre on a SS Receiver? (Ask Vince) | Feb 3rd, 2006 | |
| Q) I am running an old solid state receiver an older turntable have been playing much more acoustic music in the last year. A friend who is a real high-end tube nut says if I want to hear vinyl played back well, I need to consider at least running a tube pre-amp. He had a couple of recommendations of pre's that he believes are well designed for turntables. As I found, there is a 'pre-amp in' input pair on the back of the receiver, so it can be done. But can it make much difference if the | ||
| Dynaco St-70 (Vintage Tube Equipment) (Ask Vince) | Dec 15th, 2005 | |
| Q) I have a real thing for the sound of vintage, tube stereos. I first had the experiece of hearing my favorite blue note and verve lps played on a friend's father's system. He's gone now, but I remember being blown away by the warm, lush sound. All I can remember is him saying that he revered the dynaco st-70 as the best thing going-- and one of the cheapest. A) The vintage Dynaco tube amps were a great amp and certainly have their characteristics. They have a thick sound because of the under damped bass and velvety midrange sound due to audio transformer used as output to speakers. The use of output transformers creates inter-modulation distortion and phase shift which smears transients. When the amp is in proper running condition this effect can be pleasant though. However, most people own out of calibration versions with old tubes, bad capacitors, etc. They sound poor but many “audiophiles” don’t realize the severe sound quality deterioration and the sound will be “fuzzy”. The important thing to do is fix them up properly with fresh parts. These amps desperately need the fix up. Real working ones with good tubes... | ||
| DBX DX5 CD Player (Ask Vince) | Oct 21st, 2005 | |
| Q) Hello, I too have one of these DBX DX5's. I love it but did not know it had so much value. I see a lot of recording studios seem to have these. Why are they considered to be so valuable? A) I try to answer all questions. Obviously our website info makes it clear I am a no nonsense kinda guy (to the best of my abilities) but have a passion for music, sound and what and how it is created and transmitted. Once upon a time manufacturers cared more and crafted (or | ||
| Behringer T1952 Tube Compressor Modification (Ask Vince) | Oct 9th, 2005 | |
| Q) Would opting for different tubes enhance the mods you make on the Behringer T1952 (Tube Compressor) and which tubes would you recommend? A) Different tubes changing the sound? Yes and no. Yes a 12AT7 or AU7 would perform differently, but my research (after changing, modifying, listening, testing) shows that the circuit changes greatly over shadow any subtle changes by exchanging the tube and then recalibrating. In fact the whole point is that the 12AX7 with the front pa | ||
| Concerning audibility of typical home audio electronics (Ask Vince) | Sep 24th, 2005 | |
| Q) First: I like your web site and I like that it is important to you that you express yourself. When running my own video production biz, once upon a time, I had many of the same feelings about quality and customer relations, etc.. I wish I was the guy who could work with you. I recently puchased a used Odyssey Khatago ampifier. Got a very nice deal. This replaced an Adcom 535. My current Speakers are old (re-edged) Boston Acoustics A-100 series II, and my preamp is a Carver c-1. I am a | ||
| Ohm Walsh 2 Speakers (Ask Vince) | Sep 23rd, 2005 | |
| Q) I found a strange old pair of speakers at the dump one day about a year ago. Brought them home, dusted them off, spent about a month killing mildew... They are Walsh 2 speakers, with a Huge crossover in the depths of the cabinet, and a removable "Capsule" containing the drivers. They sounded pretty darn good at first but now the tweeters, buried deep inside the capsule, are beginning to sound fuzzy and the mids need to be re-edged. i think I can do the latter. I don't know that I can c | ||
| ADS 810 vs. Polk Audio Monitor 10 (Ask Vince) | Jul 26th, 2005 | |
| Q) I have a pair of ads 810 series 2 a tweeter went out and I got a replacement. Not the stock 3/4 inch softdome though. Do you have any of those available? And I have a curiosity mabe you wouldnt mind answering this for me.(I know its personal preference) If you had only two choices between a/d/s 810 & Polk audio monitor 10 which would you pick? Kinda like Mustang vs Camaro, apples against oranges. A) I've owned ADS which I prefer (if they are modified), and bought and so | ||
| Paradigm Mini Monitors (Educational) | Jan 1st, 2005 | |
| Details about our famous, custom rebuilt Paradigm Mini Monitors. You can't get better speakers for the money spent! | ||
| Commentary on the Audibility of Electronic Upgrade Improvements With Respect to Speaker Capabilities (Educational) | Jan 1st, 2005 | |
| I know that many people will debate me when I tell them that I have encountered far too many "supposed" esoteric, expensive, fancy cabinet design speakers and gimmicky speaker designs to be extremely lacking in regards to phase accuracy, or at least having reasonably wide frequency response or dynamic linearity to be accurate enough to honestly judge the “supposed” attributes of special capacitors, resistors, wire, or what-ever. The simple and tragic view point I hold is that most speak | ||
| General commentary and Comments on HiFi and Recording Equipment (Educational) | Jan 1st, 2005 | |
| By Vince (Shop Owner) To start off, I would like to say that I am a technically knowledgeable person (as opposed to purely sales oriented imagination) who has been working with pro and consumer equipment for over 25 years. I have worked with engineers of audio equipment, I have headed service departments for hifi companies such as HH Scott, Apt, KLH, and have been running an electronic repair/sales shop for about 20+ years. I have seen quite a lot of electronics pass through my | ||
| Behringer Edison EX1 and How to Improve or Correct Sonic Imaging From Any Stereo Source (Educational) | Jan 1st, 2005 | |
| (a letter to a customer) Thank you for your inquiry on the Edison EX1 The Edison is an audio processing device designed to enhance, correct, or remix stereo program material of any type or from any format. It is especially useful and shows it’s capabilities astonishingly on vintage music, or most music which came before the digital era. First off it is truly a stereo processing device which operates purely in the analog domain only. IE, use of op amps and no dig | ||
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