My foray into audio began in the early ‘70s with my parents’ Lloyds 8 track system. I soon discovered 8 tracks were a dead end medium and quickly switched over to LPs. Out of high school, my system consisted of a Marantz 1060, B&O turntable and ElectroVoice Interface: A speakers (a slick compact full range combo great for a dorm room). Upon graduation and with bucks in my pocket during the “golden age of high end audio,” I immediately moved to Hafler separates, Magnepans, and a Merrill modified AR/Linn Basic/Denon 103D phono setup. Over the past twenty years of careful listening and continuous upgrades (equipment of all sorts: tube and transistor electronics as well as cone, electrostatic, and magnetic-planar speakers), I have come to appreciate the natural tone, dynamics (yes, with three watts) and transparency obtained from directly heated triodes and high efficiency full range horns.

 I’m a firm believer that “less is more” and my recipe for audio nirvana includes: no transistors (a necessary evil with digital), triodes, minimal feedback, and single ended class A amplification. For speakers, high-powered magnets driving lightweight paper drivers and if more than one driver is used, time/phase alignment is critical. I also break my own rules, as I own transistor-based amplifiers. Fortunately, they incorporate the things I consider essential and come close to my ideal when powering lower efficiency speakers. I have built many loudspeakers over the years and continue to work on new designs. My current project is a full range open baffle using five-dollar Radio Shack drivers. Of course, a good bass foundation is essential for realism and fleshing out the soundstage.  

Another area I consider very important in achieving great sound is the room.  My room is relatively small (13’ x 16’) and is acoustically treated to suppress front, side, and back wall reflections.  One good thing I have going is a sloped cathedral ceiling to help break up some ugly bass and mid-bass modes.  I have found out the hard way that matching the speakers to the room is critical. It does not make any difference the cost, type, or size of the speakers – either both will be complementary and sound fine or will suck and no amount of adjustment, placement, or tweaking will get them sound their best.

 In as far as hookup is concerned, keep interconnects short and run longer speaker cables. If low-level signals are obfuscated, no amount of band aiding downstream will improve the situation. And yes, cables matter.

 Today, my musical tastes include ‘40s to ‘60s jazz and current jazz with some trepidation. I have had the foresight to keep all my LPs since high school and still have a soft spot for ‘70’s British-based rock including Groundhogs, Hawkwind, and the genre (but in short doses now).

Jeff

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