Hey Albert. The weather is coming here, you guys are getting hammered. I guess it is winter. Hang in there, talk soon.

whart February 01, 2023 06:52

And is now sold with one of those warnings, right Albert?

whart September 13, 2015 00:05

Howdy, Albert: re T-Bone, I didn't get turned on to him until a few years before his death and then, it was because of all the electric blues guys covering Stormy Monday, etc. (One of his last shows was at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh where I was living, but I didn't go see him). I read a biography about him a few years ago; I hadn't realized he was essentially a band leader at the height of his fame, was quite the showman, did all kinds of theatrics, splits, etc (some of which obviously influenced Chuck Berry). In short, he was far more wide-ranging and successful as a talent in his day.
Aside from being a killer guitarist. Glad you dig him- me too.

whart July 25, 2015 22:46

You will be 'embedded' in the front lines, no doubt. Watch out for flying objects! Have fun. I keep saying I'm gonna go, but frankly, travel time, plus crowds, just not my scene. I'll catch up with you back in Texas. Say hi! to the usual suspects, Albert.
regards,
Bill Hart

whart October 09, 2014 18:01

Albert is one of the most generous in terms of his time and effort on this forum- he puts his money where his mouth is, is not afraid to try stuff, recognizes that not everything in audioland is perfect, and works hard to improve his system; he is forthright about the results, good and bad but maintains a cordial, good humor about it all. In fact, I can recall ever seeing him in the midst of a snark fest- he is too much of a gentleman and treats others with the respect that they deserve.
Sounds Real: start your own thread and contribute, rather than taking pot shots at somebody who has given a huge amount to the community. Nobody, least of all Albert, is asking you to drink the Kool-aid and almost all of us have taken different paths to acheive what we have.

whart September 29, 2014 23:23

Ah, tubes. Can't shoot 'em, can't live without 'em. :)

whart September 15, 2014 17:04

Albert and Rockitman: have you guys met in person*? I think you'd be dangerous together :)

____
*I almost typed 'prison' but that's a different story.

whart July 10, 2014 02:32

I found that the need to change VTA more or less frequently was also cartridge dependent- when I ran the Lyra Titan i a number of years ago, it seemed extremely sensitive (and receptive) to small changes in VTA. The Airtight far less. I can easily change VTA on the fly with repeatable results, but now do it far less than I used to.
Aside from the overhang issue mentioned, the biggest issue for me was that my turntable wasn't in the sweet-spot- but at a remove from the listening area. What I wouldn't have given for a remote controlled adjustment from the listening chair- more so than remote volume control.

whart November 21, 2013 15:29

Albert- both Mark and Vytas are really nice guys and strike the right balance on the business and engineering fronts between a small company that is personal, but not micky mouse and a more sophisticated business without losing that personal touch. The older unit is, I think, heavier- it had a plinth that the current one doesn't- but the current unit is built extremely well. Mine performs without a hiccup- I had it powered down while I was in Texas last spring- for 5 months- and it powered right back up and played once i got home- took a little longer than normal to fully recharge after I shut it off after that first play; normally, even if I play for hours, it takes just a few minutes to charge to full.
I'm using the DR tube (real ones); my system doesn't go as deep as yours; and my previous line stage rolled off, so even though I'm not a 'bass' guy in the sense that it is a determining element (midrange is, if I had to choose), the bass (and as you rightly say, the tone and definition) were just remarkable. I love the damn thing- I have it set up with the top off and a thick slab of plexi sitting on top, so you can see the batteries. I am using it with a decent power cord- a Kubala Emotion- FWIW.
I guess Vytas would know whether an upgraded earlier version would be sonically equivalent- but the one i have with the DR tubes has no electronic or forced sound, which i found a trace of in the original unit. (Remember, I've got those horns!). Anyway, glad you liked it.
The KL is cool. I have the AD which is working great- I do pre-scrub some of the used records I buy, and am changing fluid, cleaning filter and roller pads every 70 or so records now.
Sorry for the long post.

whart October 29, 2013 04:46

Funny, I was bugging Albert a few weeks ago about cameras too!
Albert, is the Veloce the original one or the current (Lithio) model? I heard both in my system, and there was a pretty big gulf between the two. Sticking some genuine DR tubes in it will also add to the enjoyment. Lot's of deep bass too, no?

whart October 23, 2013 03:31

Still in NY, trying to get this house sold. Will be back in Austin, whether or not sold in NY, by January. Missing the hell out of central Tx.
Will keep in your loop, Albert. And, I promised the Rockitman I'd come visit at some point too- he's a few hours north of me by fast car.
Sounds like your system is really taking on a new life. It's cool to be excited about rediscovering the music at a more involving level after so many years of this 'audiophile' stuff and all the small incremental changes we work so hard to achieve.
My latest 'discovery' is Vertigo UK 1st press of Paranoid. (OK, so I'm about 40 years late to the party). Crazy good record, by a band I just considered 'noise' when everybody was making their hippie vans bounce and smoke to the sound of it in 1970. The clarity and tone (if you can have 'tone') on a dirty sounding metal record is some of the best I've heard. If you don't have it, buy it.
Best,
bill

whart September 06, 2013 13:55

If your experience with the DHT is anything like the H3000, it should keep getting better over time, as you well know. Do you think rectifier tube rolling in the power supply of the DHT would yield improvements as it does with the H3000?
My system has never sounded better using the H3000 (in combo with the Veloce version 2), so I can only imagine at this point.

whart September 06, 2013 04:02

Albert, what tubes are on the main chassis of the DHT? They look like 300's. Vintage?

whart September 01, 2013 15:28

Albert- I'm not going to pretend to know the answer, but my recollection of the original field coil devices was that there was much attention paid to the power supply, so it makes sense that the juice powering the EM unit would be affected.
I'm gonna be a comin- just give me time to get NY done. FWIW, I'm going to a costume wedding this weekend, and my choice was easy- I'm violating my lifelong rule never to wear more than one article of Western clothing at the same time- I'm gonna wear it all (only thing I don't have is spurs, and leather chaps are a bit hot in the dead of summer). :)

whart August 08, 2013 04:03

Albert- I'm very pleased for you re the Focals. They look spectacular in your room. Can you take a moment and explain, if you haven't already, whether the EM is essentially an updated version of a field coil type speaker? If so, it wouldn't surprise me that a change in power cable could render a sonic difference. Enjoy your rig- it looks killer. And it's fun to revel in the improvements as break-in continues.
Best,
bill hart

whart August 07, 2013 23:45

Still a work in progress, we haven't bought property here yet, and our house in NY is still on the market...

whart May 06, 2013 02:25

Congrats on the big Focals, Albert. I'll be interested in hearing you describe how they perform as you break them in. I'm heading back east in a few weeks for the summer, so when I get back to Texas I'm sure you'll be rockin!
Enjoy.

whart May 06, 2013 00:10

Albert, your observations re the sensitivity of the Lyra Atlas to VTA mesh with my experience on the Titan i. (I appreciate that the Atlas is a different critter than the Titan, but there seems to a familial characteristic there).

whart February 14, 2013 05:32

Best holiday wishes, Albert! To avoid a message devoid of any audio content, I'm listening to rubber soul on a good older pressing. heaven!

whart December 23, 2012 22:15

I hear ya. And I get it. Thanks for the response, Albert.
Best,
(I'll email you when we get to Tx, i've already got my secede bumper sticker:))

whart November 29, 2012 00:21

Albert: Are you using the Oppo as a digital audio player and relying on its DAC?
I've never had a digital source in my main system, but I've heard so many good things about the Oppo- both modd'd and the various factory upgraded models, that, for the money, I'm tempted to try one, just for kicks....

whart November 28, 2012 15:40

Albert, I'd also be curious about your findings on the 4 Point, since that may be my second arm. As you know, I'm a big fan of the Airtight, though mine is the older PC-1, which will likely be replaced with the Supreme, or whatever is extant once I'm down in the longhorn state.
BTW, the Black Dub record is one of my favorites now, as is Trixie's single "I'd Rather Go Blind."

whart October 10, 2012 18:39

Nice interview Albert. You mentioned Nina Simone among your favorite artists, but I didn't see any of her records listed. Any that you consider fabulous on both fronts? (performance and sonically?)
Best,
bill hart

whart August 04, 2012 02:27

Jfrech: Gotcha. I surmised that you liked both on their merits, and they are both different.
Best,

whart July 17, 2012 10:26

Jfrech: In this statement, didn't you mean no desire to listen to the Atlas:

"Then the supreme, better foundation in the mid bass (the way it portrayed the cello strings) more beauty in the mids (voices), more relaxed on top. Listening to it you wondered why u had no desire to start listening to the supreme. "

whart July 17, 2012 04:12

This will be an interesting battle royale. I trust Albert's ears. I currently have the Airtight PC-1, which will be getting long in the tooth. I'm hoping to defer buying a new cartridge til after I move. The Airtight just sounded so right in my system, compared to the Titan i, but some folks thought the Airline arm i'm using wasn't the right match for the Titan. I know the Atlas is a better all around cartridge than the Titan, which makes me watch this thread with interest. (The Titan seemed to be great when I had a Triplanar, but that's long gone!).
Best
bill hart

whart July 17, 2012 01:02

Hi, Albert. What arm are you using with the Atlas? (And by the way, I haven't posted here in years, so this will enable me to avoid the scrolll from 2006 or whatever, since i last posted to your system thread).

regards,
bill hart

whart June 13, 2012 05:58

Albert- I think you mean the Stabi XL, the Reference has been around for a number of years, and while it is a great table (I owned one briefly before I got an opportunity to upgrade to the XL), I figured you would want to 'correct the record.' (Sorry for the bad pun):>)

whart September 09, 2006 00:02

So, Albert, did you ever get that Stabi XL/Airline combo in and set up? Curious to know what you thought. I am really enjoying mine, although I am still waiting for the HRS platform to accompany it. REgards,

whart August 27, 2006 03:11