Pittsburgh Area Get-Together

[Hdale85]

Planning on making many more projects are you Bill? You know I've been VERY interested in The Statments and would love to make them here before too long. Just have to figure out a place to build them But would be great to show them off at one of the "Meets". Especially with the hints at a matching center for them they are being real apealing to me. I liked my Klipsch speakers a lot when I first got them but now I know I'm missing things. Everyonce in a while I'll hear something and think to my self "Hey I think this should sound a lot better" or something to that effect. Lets just say I'm starting to think about selling the Klipsch and build a project :B

[wkhanna]

Just had some com with a local ‘phile’ who, while not on the forum, is coming and may be bringing some DAC’s for us to listen to.

At this rate, we may all be here till Sunday!

[Hdale85]

Well......so much for that no spending the night thing

[wkhanna]

Latest weather report is mostly sunny with a high of 78 degrees, 30% chance of scattered showers.

[Lex]

I had the wire 2 weeks ago, then got hit for a 20 foot pair of speaker cables. 20 X 2 = 40, plus I used 20 for you, that's 60, I had a 6 foot strand left over, that's 66 feet gone in 2 weeks, I had not anticipated that use being so heavy and of course, I reordered a small spot order of 115 feet, and who knew the vendor would mess up!

Thanks guys, you Steelers are an ok bunch. I may deny that come playoff or superbowl time. :-)

Doug

[cobbpa]

Anyone have a spare sonotube or box sitting around? I'm getting my new Mach 5 IXL in today, I could bring it..heh. Although that might be more incentive to spend gas money on box materials..hmm..dunno.
Scott?

[wkhanna]

So everyone will know when they have arrived at the right place, just look for the yellow Saxamaphone!

[Lex]

Neat looking place. Wonder how it will look with blue light reflections on it? LOL. After you guys get to routy!

[cobbpa]

Hey guys...sorry I didn't make it up, maybe some other time soon. Hope it's a good time!

[Raptor550]

yeah, I don't get paid till Monday so no gas $$$. So you guys better do allot of chatting on here so I know what I missed. I'm interested to hear impressions and that sort of thing. Are any of you planning on attending the parts express tent sale shin-dig?

[Hdale85]

Well the meet was great! I had TONS of fun. And I can't wait for another one. Even if its just hanging out I'm up for it. It's nice to talk to someone thats passionate in the same things I am.

BTW Bill my speaker don't hold anything to yours. I don't know if its your pre/pro amp setup or the speakers them selves but honestly. No comparison. But they are good for now

[Hdale85]

Just a little headsup, next time we get together I'm going to have a couple little gadgets. All this dac talk we had I think I'll be building my own DAC. small difference is mine will accept SPDIF/ToSlink and it will be based on the Wolfson WM8740 chip. I'm not sure what Chris used in his USB module but this one I'm looking at looks promising. I can also add a USB receiver input to this DAC if I decide I want to.

Also I think I'll have some sort of DIY amp to bring along. Nothing extravagant but might be interesting to see how it compares to Bills Rotel or if someone else brings some sort of amp. Its going to be a gain clone design probably. Based of the LM3887 chip. It's cheap and something that could be feaseable for me to have if we have another little get together before too long. If not this one then maybe a Leach Amp clone. I don't know I want a couple little projects to play with. And would like to have something to bring to the meet this time around. Thats what makes it fun. I think it would have been a lot more fun if we all had something to test out or what not.


On another note I personally want to thank Bill for having us all over. It was great hanging out all day and listening to some tunes. The speakers sound great by the way! And can't wait to hear your next project.

Mike brought along his Zaph TM's and I must say when I first listened to them I thought they sounded too bright. I found this strange because I have Klipsch speakers. We then later played them again and they sounded MUCH better. I think the first time around we were just playing them too loud. But they were amazing little speakers much more sound then you would expect out of something like that especially at what they cost!

P.S. The chicken was pretty good too

[Raptor550]

I'm bummed we couldn't make it. when are you planning to have the next meet? If its before the 14th that would be cool, so I could hear systems so I know what to buy at the tent sale

How did the B&W's fare?

[Hdale85]

He didn't end up bringing the B&W's and we aren't sure when the next one will be. But hopefully the next one will be even better!

[wkhanna]

I want thank all who came, and those who tried, for making the First PiTAG event what I feel was a great success! I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.

We will post more on the details later, but I thought I would put up few pics.......

Dan (PewterTA) was kind enough to bring a very nice gift, and I now have my very own set of VirbraPods for my (his old) CDp.


Dan finally shows up!


Checking out the VirbaPods....


No!!! We really were having fun........Right Guys????



OK.....Well, I was having fun!



Michael’s two-ways looked and sounded absolutely wonderful!


It seems we all share a common passion for something else besides audio!!!!!

[PewterTA]

Yeah yeah yeah...

I was "FASHIONABLY ON TIME" ha ha ha :P

I was great seeing everyone and checking out all the nice stuff! :T

Mike's Zaph's were really nice!!! Definitely impressive for there little size they definitely had a nice full range to them (shocked at how low they went).

Bill's Nats, well what can we say, a thing of beauty...

I'm sorry I didn't get to bring my B&Ws, I will definitely next time bring them. Heck, I might do both the 604s and 602s as well as the Rotel RSP-1098/1095 combo... Just have to see when the time comes.

Only bad side to this whole thing is now everyone is wanting me to build my own speakers...and I have to say it is very tempting!!! Who knows what the future may hold.

Though the 802Ds are calling my name still... tough tough tough decision!

I am sorry that I didn't get to make it back for some more listening, I wish I had been able to, but next time I'll be ready and going for it!

[wkhanna]

Neat looking place. Wonder how it will look with blue light reflections on it? LOL. After you guys get to routy!

:lol:
I hate to admit, but the loudest thing was the exhuast form PewterTA's custom bent Stainless Steel exhaust, and not my sound system. But that car's sound is pure music, as in MoTown V8! Sweet!

[wkhanna]

Well the meet was great! I had TONS of fun.

Hey Dougie!

Michelle and I where really happy to have you over, you are always welcome here!

Thanks for coming, and we'll get together angain soon.

[PewterTA]

Yeah, time to start planning the next meet!

But I'm sure my exhaust won't be louder then...but maybe after a few meets it'll have a little more "umph" to it. ha ha

I have to say in the first picture I'm starting to look "buff." I guess hitting the weights is finally starting to pay off! :T

[Finleyville]

I had a great time! It was great listening to Bill's speakers again. It was also great eating Bill's food again!

I definitely found out first hand how much room acoustics can make or break the sound. I am sorry my speakers sounded a little bright in the room. If I heard them for the first time I would have had doubts of building them for myself. I am very happy that my room at home compliments my Zaph L18's like they do. They sound great there!

Thanks everyone for letting me know firsthand about the Rhythmik Audio servo sub system. I will be checking those out for sure.

I cannot wait for another get together. I just hope I am off for that one too.

[Hdale85]

Yeah I'm looking into a lot of different amp designs and dac designs to build. Going to have at least 1 amp and 1 dac to check out at the next one. I'd like to have a couple different amp designs but some of them its hard to come across the PCB's I'm sending lots of emails though. One of the designs I'm looking at is the Krell KSA50 Clone. Some of the others are chipamps and what not. There is a Leach Amp Clone but not sure i can get ahold of boards for that. Its all fun stuff though!

[wkhanna]

I cannot wait for another get together. I just hope I am off for that one too.

It was so nice to have you down again, and thanks for your kind gifts. We will set a date for the next meet around your schedule.

And I have to say again, your two-ways were just fantastic! My wife, Michelle, fell in love with them! Oh, and I have to add, Nice choice on the color of your finish! And your self made custom car system was big hit with everyone! V sharp, professional looking install, and superbly balanced!

I took a look at the Rythmic site today, we need to talk! They give discounts on multi purchases! For now, one of those 12"s would be an economical solution for a short-term LF boost for my system.

[Hdale85]

The Rythmic kits are supposed to be great for music. I've heard great things about them from everyone in the Mission Possible thread. If I do a 2 channel music system I'd probably get one for it. And with the amp I'm thinking about building I'm definitely thinking of a 2 channel setup! Lets just say I think you guys would be very excited by the amp I'm considering building!

[Finleyville]

I took a look at the Rythmic site today, we need to talk! They give discounts on multi purchases! For now, one of those 12"s would be an economical solution for a short-term LF boost for my system.

Do you know if they give a discount for just 2 kits? I'm looking at one of the 12"s myself.

[Hdale85]

Wow they changed their site around quite a bit.

[PewterTA]

If I was "yinz," I'd make sure you pickup option 2 since you are wanting to use a small enclosure.

Just make sure when you build the enclosure, you get enough bracing internally...you need to make that thing as strong as possible to get your nice tight and accurate base reproduction.

[Hdale85]

Well with 1.5 cuft it won't be as big of an issue just do an x type brace or even just a t type something like that from corner to corner or wall to wall. Honestly if you used like 1-1.25" mdf you might not even need that.

[wkhanna]

Well, I’ll be using two layers of 3/4" BB, (I played some MDF when I made some stands for my Nat’s, and just don’t like the stuff and will avoid it if possible) possibly three for the baffle and all with ample bracing, as PewterTA recommends.

I have to do some autocad dwgs, I may consider going with the 2 cubic foot and take advantage of the fact that I can use height and depth to deal with the extra volume.

[Hdale85]

Well bigger certainly is better, especially when it comes to music. A low QTC generally means boomy box. Why most people shoot for a QTC of 707 or what not sometimes even higher.

[Lex]

The last of these cables are finally conditioning now. It took me til today to get the 4 interconnects soldered. Geesh I was such a wimp. Actually, this turned into a nasty chest cold/infection. It was like I was a smoker again, yuck. I will be glad to get 100% over this I hope by this weekend.

[wkhanna]

Ah Jeez. Doug!!!!

I was hoping that you where at least 90% by now. And again, there was no reason to hurry on my part!

The guys that saw your cables for the first time were V impressed by the build quality and look . And of course, my system sounded at its best because of them!

I hope your better soon, and thanks for all your effort!

[riceaterslc]

man looks like you guys had a great time! was it a VAG (VW/Audi Group) meet or an audio meet?

[Hdale85]

Well the 2 Audi's are both Bill's. The VW was Mikes and the Trans-Am was Dans. But it was definitely an audio meet. All we did was listen to music all day long! Even in the VW thats in the picture. It has quite a nice setup in there sound amazing for a car.

[Finleyville]

All we did was listen to music all day long! Even in the VW thats in the picture. It has quite a nice setup in there sound amazing for a car.

Aw, shucks. Thanks! ops:

[PewterTA]

Yeah I'm thinking I'm going to need to sell my car and get an Audi A6 or something... :rofl:

Neah... I like my power and speed...besides I like the engine sound over the music anyways.

I do have to admit Mike's car (blue V-dub) sounded absolutely amazing and I wasn't even IN the car! :T One heck of a job done there!! Mike, how do you feel about working on the TA?!

Doug (Lex), I'm glad to hear that you are feeling (at least) somewhat better...just make sure you get yourself better, that's the most important thing. After all, then how will I get my Silvercats?! hee hee. Though I must admit I'm ready for the cables! I know we'll probably be doing some testing with them come next meet...probably put them up against a few other speakers cables or something (since those are easy for people to bring with them). I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun!

...so when's the next meet?! hee hee :B

[George Bellefontaine]

Looks like it was a good meet, Bill. Now tell me, did you really play FERNANDO by Abba ?

[Hdale85]

WELLLLL! I don't remember it being played but someone did bring it (Mike...or was it Dan). And it had both spanish and english versions on it!

[PewterTA]

Nope it wasn't played... I should have put it in though. ha ha.

[wkhanna]

I am so sorry, George!
We got side-tracked, and when Dan left I forgot to ask for the CD he burnt!
I do make this solemn promise, that the next time we get together, we will play both the English and Spanish version Twice!

Again, please accept my apologies, and know that I had mentioned during the day that we should get photo with us all listing to Fernando!

[George Bellefontaine]

Again, please accept my apologies, and know that I had mentioned during the day that we should get photo with us all listing to Fernando!

That I'd love to see, Bill. Now I'm gonna go somewhere and... :cry:

[Hdale85]

Yes he most definitely did say that.

[Lex]

Dan, did you order Silvercats? Dang, I've missed that if so! All I had you down for was 3 speaker cables, and then I had Bill down for 4 cables. I shipped that amount today, so you let me know if you need something else, I will build this weekend... I feel a lot better than I did now.

thanks,
doug

[PewterTA]

Nope, silvercats are a future order when I get a HD player so I can get the good sound from the discs.

[Lex]

oh ok Dan, I been in such a haze the last week or two, never know...I coulda screwed it up!

Doug

[PewterTA]

Oh in THAT case, yep, I had ordered 8 (1 meter) silvercats. Already paid for and everything!!! :lol: