Mr Poon:
I'm enjoying my SE-160s. It takes a while to get things worked out,
though. I've gotten some good improvements in soundstage by repositioning
my speakers, but I just don't have the soundstage you had during the demo
you did for me. I think I'll call Ming about a 22C piggyback, and see how
that goes. I'm also considering a reworking and resurrection of my active
crossover, as it would help me with the gain situation on the SE-160s.

It was very nice of you to spend the time with me on the SE-160 audition.
I really had to go, though, or I would've missed another couple
appointments that afternoon.

Thanks much,

Tom

______________________________________________________________________________________________
 

User Comment  - Letter from SE-160 User

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Using the Siemens E288CC in the SE-160
instead of the 6DJ8.

From: "Neal Richardson" <nrichardson50@adelphia.net>

Subject: Tubes
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 03:35:44 -0500

Mr. Poon,

The first thing I noticed when I turned the amps on with the Siemens tubes
installed was a much improved imaging.  The voice of the singer seemed to be
floating more clearly between the speakers and the instruments seemed to
have more space around them.  The vocals seemed to be smoother, maybe a
little closer to the proper tone.  The bass wasn't much different than with
the other tubes,  maybe a little punchier and more involved.  Anyway, they
are better;  thanks for asking.  I've been busy working 60-70 hour weeks
lately, so I haven't had a lot of time to enjoy them like I want to.

Neal
 
 

At 12:40 PM 12/9/2003, you wrote:
From: Jaygoze@aol.com
Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:38:48 EST
Subject: Re: SE-160 & DAC 22C

Hello Ming,

Thank you for the inquiry, and the valuable info in your email.
The SE 160's, and the M22C with the DIP upsampler and the DIP 24/96 are installed in my main system.
They have made a dramatic improvement in the sound of my CD's.
My main problem has always been with digital media, especailly 16 bit audio,
sounding overly bright, harsh, brittle, and down right grating at volume levels above about 80 db.
Volume levels low enough to minimize or eliminate the problems gave a thin distant,
lifeless, ungratifying listening experience. The new setup renders a broader deeper soundstage.
The instruments jump out where they are supposed to be and have their own separate and individual sounds,
instead of being lost in the mud with everything else on the CD, to pick out if you can.
I have again heard that magnificent sound that led me to purchase my KHorns in the first place.
I believe that the quality of the recording has now become the most limiting factor
in the enjoyment of the music for me.
I have not, however, made a full evaluation just yet.
It will take me several weeks to tweak, compare, try alternate configurations,
and possibly further evaluate with the other recommended tube sets.
I have not tried routing the the signal through my Aragon pre/pro,
which I feel I should do, at least to be able to say "Yeah, I tried that".
I just haven't been able to make myself do it yet!
I will say that I didn't believe that I could get this high end performance at such a moderate price.
I had considered spending much more, if that was what it took,
but had also almost given up on ever getting the sound that I was looking for
because of the price of getting it.
I hope to soon have a "get together" with some other friends and enthusiasts,
and get their feedback as well.
I have a couple of friends who have more than one system (like myself),
and one prefers VFET power amps with horn loaded speakers.
He likes those late 70's models that Yahmaha made (I have a SONY VFET from 1976 in a different system).
Another has one system that has a tube power amp with horns (not Klipsch like mine though),
but I can't remember the brand at this moment. Anyway, I am excited by the possibilities,
and the revival of my home AUDIO system.
The worst thing about home theater is the compromise made in the audio end of them.
Have you ever seen such anemic, teeny looking and sounding speakers in your life?
Sometimes it seems that audiophiles who must watch their  budgets (most of us),
are being ignored, and losing out.
It is a great thing that companies like yours are there to fill the gap,
and save the day (so to speak).
There is one thing that I am wondering about-- I wonder how those SM 70 Pro amps
would sound in my system(s)?

Best Regards,

John Crouch
jaygoze@aol.com