CRISPICS of musical aspiration... (Vol. I~?)

[crispone]

^^^ HEY, YOUR setup looks really clean... Where did you get that faceplate? (did you make it?)

Nice! I'd be happy to find something like THAT, I believe.


(Mine just doesn't have the proper "contour" in both the vertical and horizontal direction... a TRICKY proposition on a "homemade" faceplate in these Solaras... )


Thanks for the comments!


-crisp

[crispone]

FINALLY replaced the "mock-up" faceplate with a METRA kit. Nothing fancy... and the SHEEN and GLARE are FAR too glossy to match the other dash trim... but I'll try some "dull-coat" on a test piece... and may bring it "down" a little later.

I'm very pleased with the overall system now. I "blew" my rear pair of 6x9 MEMPHIS coaxials with a BASSMEKANIC test CD a while back...

http://www.solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=33286

...and it took awhile to get around to taking them out and replacing, but the swap was "no questions asked" and I stayed with the same units. This system STILL rocks!


Anyway... just stuck the plate in... and still going to "primp" a little, but this is the basic idea.

(I had an ALPINE IVA-205W? installed in a company van recently... WITH the Blackbird Navi... and it is NOT the "audiophiles choice" in my opinion. NOT so much for sound, but for user interface. I believe I will STICK with my "analog" imaging architecture.)


LONG LIVE OLD SKOOL!

-crisp

[QuickSEV6]

LONG LIVE OLD SKOOL!

I couldn't agree more.

Well done crisp!

Nice work.

[crispone]

Soooooo...

The system has been GREAT since I got it "sorted out"... but I always DID intend to do this project in "phases", and considered where I've been as a "stepping stone" to better "AUDIOPHILIA". (Sounds almost DIRTY.... HA HA HA!!!)

...anyway... I looked over a set of JL ZR 6.5 components today... and I think I might want to give them a try up front.


WHERE WE LEFT OFF:







Okay... so that's in the rear deck, but I put the same Memphis 15-MC92 6x9's in the front. They are still driven by my trusty old Orion 2125 SX, which really brings them to life.



^^^ This thing really rocks the highs and stages well up front!

I'm also looking at removing the mediocre cap setup and getting a system battery.

Wondering if any of you have experience or opinion on the JL ZR 6.5's...

-crisp

[BadAngel]

Looks really good. I love the alpine HU's i have one in my Porsche, there really is nothing better. Is that the Valentine V1 Radar detector you got there? xD i have the same one its the best radar detector i have ever used.

[crispone]

Thanks!

Yes on the V1. DITTO on it being "the best".


Not finging a lot of review/first-hand feedback on the JL ZR's yet. The only pair I've heard were not dialed in yet.

I'm looking at $350... or possibly $300 in the box for the set. I think it may be worth it.



-crisp

[theprodigy79]

You will be very happy with the ZRs, they will literally blow your Memphis speakers away.

I've heard them in a few setups, and I'd easily place them in the upper tier of car audio... and if you can get them for the $350, let alone $300 you speak of that is an unbeatable deal.

[crispone]

You will be very happy with the ZRs, they will literally blow your Memphis speakers away.

I've heard them in a few setups, and I'd easily place them in the upper tier of car audio... and if you can get them for the $350, let alone $300 you speak of that is an unbeatable deal.

Thanks for the thoughts, James! I THINK this is a great deal too...

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/ ... _and_specs


They run quite a bit higher in retail... with the lowest prices being in the upper $400 range. I'm considering the JL Audio 300/2 amp, @150RMS per side, but frankly speaking, I'm so pleased with the old Orion 2125 SX and Infinity RSA-450 that I'm using (130/channel clean?), I hate to change course on the amps. I'm even thinking of adding another Orion, maybe the 100x4 monster (from the day) and "bi-amping" the JL ZR's with 100w to the woofers AND tweeters alike! (All four channels to the ZR's!)

Okay, okay... so that "might" be overkill... but I've always believed in OVERPOWERING your stage with dominating control of the drivers. (I'm running the Infinity RSA-450 to a pair of MB Quart QM100 4" 2/ways in the dash of my Toyota P/U, and the stage is fantastic!)

I think I can stay with the Memphis 6x9's in the rear deck, since I have them on their OWN sound shape off the 7-band of my Kenwood EQ, and the front running off the Parametric slopes, so they can be "varied" for frequency range and intensity to balance out the character differences between the two speaker pairs, and I only need "clean fill" in the back, anyway.

Quick! I'm finally working on the BATTERY supplement for my power! (Been wanting to lose the cap for awhile now... although I might stick it in the P/U an see how it behaves...


More to come...

-crisp

[theprodigy79]

Chris, one small concern...

That link you supplied did lead to the JL ZR650-Csi Components, however there's not a price listed on the front page... I hit "Add to Cart" and it shows $850...

Where did you get the $350? As I said earlier, $300-$350 is an INSANE deal for those, so make sure your source is legit (even eBay usually has them for around $400+).

As for your amps, I'd try the speaks off the amps you currently have, and if you're not content then you can upgrade. The 300/2 is a nice amp and would run them fine, but I personally prefer the musical ability of many older amps over the newer ones, and prefer the more unique setup as well.

It all comes down to your preferences and what you like!

-James

[crispone]

James, you are RIGHT about the price discrepancy! My deal is with the owner of my local car/home theater audio specialist, a 20+ year friend. He has a new set in box that a gentleman put a down payment on to get ordered, but may not be able to close the deal since he ran into financial issues. My cost is the balance on the set. ($400) OR... the owner has TWO SETS in his Toyota, since they were PURELY for demo of the item, and he really doesn't see a market for them (at this "high-end" in our area), he will "give up" the rear set for $300-350 if the guy comes through on the $400 for the boxed set. The owners "slightly used" (barely) set still has all boxes, packaging, mounting stuff, etc... and are professionally installed and like new. I have NO reservations in going that route, and for $300 (if I can talk him that low...) would be a "steal" for these from what I've researched. (He WANTS to see me with them, as they consider me one of the few clients who does his "own thing" and always come in with great audio for the money/approach I take. They also like me to "show" what can be done for other people to hear a system that is set up for good AUDIO, and not just SHOW and BUMP! HA!)

On the matter of AMPS, I tend to agree with you. I'm really fond of the older stuff, even over many NEWER better "rated" products. In fact, if I could score a KAC-1021 or two, I'd snatch them up in a heartbeat! I'm also looking around for the earlier Orions in GOOD shape. (the beasties...)

On another note... what do you know about Milbert Tube car audio amps?

...heh heh heh...

http://www.milbert.com/products/bam235ab/


-crisp

[theprodigy79]

James, you are RIGHT about the price discrepancy! My deal is with the owner of my local car/home theater audio specialist, a 20+ year friend. He has a new set in box that a gentleman put a down payment on to get ordered, but may not be able to close the deal since he ran into financial issues. My cost is the balance on the set. ($400) OR... the owner has TWO SETS in his Toyota, since they were PURELY for demo of the item, and he really doesn't see a market for them (at this "high-end" in our area), he will "give up" the rear set for $300-350 if the guy comes through on the $400 for the boxed set. The owners "slightly used" (barely) set still has all boxes, packaging, mounting stuff, etc... and are professionally installed and like new. I have NO reservations in going that route, and for $300 (if I can talk him that low...) would be a "steal" for these from what I've researched. (He WANTS to see me with them, as they consider me one of the few clients who does his "own thing" and always come in with great audio for the money/approach I take. They also like me to "show" what can be done for other people to hear a system that is set up for good AUDIO, and not just SHOW and BUMP! HA!)

On the matter of AMPS, I tend to agree with you. I'm really fond of the older stuff, even over many NEWER better "rated" products. In fact, if I could score a KAC-1021 or two, I'd snatch them up in a heartbeat! I'm also looking around for the earlier Orions in GOOD shape. (the beasties...)

On another note... what do you know about Milbert Tube car audio amps?

...heh heh heh...

http://www.milbert.com/products/bam235ab/


-crisp

Very nice deal, even if he'll only go as low as $350!

Newer amps are usually more efficient than older amps, somewhat due to age, but also due to the fact that they are usually more "B" rated than older Class A/B amps. This is nice for power draw, but I can always tell a difference when listening to quality older amps (Soundstream, Orion, Phoenix Gold, Rockford Fosgate, Adcom, etc...) vs even the higher ends of the newer "main stream" amps. They just have a different musical quality to them... Less "sterile" if you will, if that makes any sense.

I am actually somewhat familiar with the Milbert tube amps (can't say I'm a pro on them, but have heard about them), and they are supposed to be very warm and musical, as with other professional home audio tube amps. Supposed to be excellent amps, just make sure you have sufficient breathing room / circulation for it, cuz they may run hot!

If you do more research or get to hear one in person, let me know! I'd love to hear more about them!

[crispone]

James, many years ago... in a wealthy (VERY WEALTHY) Japanese Doctors custom built home in Kyushu, Japan... I had the experience of a lifetime when my mother and I stayed a night (some connection with my family when we were missionaries there in the '70s...) and was exposed to the HIGHEST END equipment I have ever seen to date. This guy had several tons of concrete poured to establish the AUDIO BLOCK of his home, including a "protrusion" in the hardwood listening "library" wherein a HUGH CYLINDER (about 6" thick and several inches larger than an LP) was his turntable for spinning disks. He had a TUBE amp setup using DOZENS and DOZENS of VERY LARGE (and OLD) TUBES, and a couple ENORMOUS WALL-SIZED speakers (multi-cone units) that were designed to his specifications in Germany and shipped to his home in Japan. There was a "terraced" (raised) central sitting area in the center of the room, and he was a HUGE classical music fan. One wall (from floor to ceiling) in the "long-room" was a continuous library of vinyl, the likes I've never seen before, and he claimed to have "pretty much every classical piece ever produced" represented. Many of his disks were original "pressings", and his turntable cartridge was tens of thousands of dollars!

He said the amp had to "warm" for a couple days to "truly settle in" for a serious listen... and he spent many days simply savoring the beauty of the classics in his "sanctuary". Serious stuff!

Long story short, I was exposed to the sound of TUBES in the MOST extreme circumstances, and have continued to enjoy the *very few* occasions upon which the warmth and character of TUBE driven music was available. (I know the guitar guys swear by it...)

A few years ago, I saw a Marantz TUBE car audio "DIN-type" stereo amp (for a "double-din" combo with a H/U) in an audio shop in Japan. The tubes (two of them) were behind a glass pane with analog meters on the faceplate. I think it was about $1,800 equivalent, and I was somehow attracted to it... (but alas, I was not ABOUT to spend that kind of dough!)

...anyway... I suspect I would really LIKE the Milbert. I hope to read more and MAYBE, come across someone who has one sometime!

(When you think about it, 2-3 grand may not be all that "silly", considering what we spend on transistors and silicon "grit" for sound in the interest of "clarity" and "volume"... I'm sure it's on a different level!)

-crisp

[theprodigy79]

I'd die to experience that setup, you are a very lucky man to witness a true musical masterpeice as such.

I have NOWHERE NEAR that setup, obviously, however I do rely on a very nice, older tube receiver when I listen to pure music. I have a nice, fairly high end home theater setup, but when I want to hear true music I turn to my old Marantz 2245 Receiver hooked to a pair of oldskool KLH Model Five speakers.

The difference between tube and transistor is definitely present, as is the difference between vinyl and digital... I LOVE playing newer vinyls on the tube setup, the sound is absolutely phenominal! Anyone who claims that transistors sound better than tubes, or that CDs sound better than vinyls really need to hear a quality setup...

[QuickSEV6]

James, many years ago... in a wealthy (VERY WEALTHY) Japanese Doctors custom built home in Kyushu, Japan... I had the experience of a lifetime when my mother and I stayed a night (some connection with my family when we were missionaries there in the '70s...) and was exposed to the HIGHEST END equipment I have ever seen to date. This guy had several tons of concrete poured to establish the AUDIO BLOCK of his home, including a "protrusion" in the hardwood listening "library" wherein a HUGH CYLINDER (about 6" thick and several inches larger than an LP) was his turntable for spinning disks. He had a TUBE amp setup using DOZENS and DOZENS of VERY LARGE (and OLD) TUBES, and a couple ENORMOUS WALL-SIZED speakers (multi-cone units) that were designed to his specifications in Germany and shipped to his home in Japan. There was a "terraced" (raised) central sitting area in the center of the room, and he was a HUGE classical music fan. One wall (from floor to ceiling) in the "long-room" was a continuous library of vinyl, the likes I've never seen before, and he claimed to have "pretty much every classical piece ever produced" represented. Many of his disks were original "pressings", and his turntable cartridge was tens of thousands of dollars!

He said the amp had to "warm" for a couple days to "truly settle in" for a serious listen... and he spent many days simply savoring the beauty of the classics in his "sanctuary". Serious stuff!

Long story short, I was exposed to the sound of TUBES in the MOST extreme circumstances, and have continued to enjoy the *very few* occasions upon which the warmth and character of TUBE driven music was available. (I know the guitar guys swear by it...)

A few years ago, I saw a Marantz TUBE car audio "DIN-type" stereo amp (for a "double-din" combo with a H/U) in an audio shop in Japan. The tubes (two of them) were behind a glass pane with analog meters on the faceplate. I think it was about $1,800 equivalent, and I was somehow attracted to it... (but alas, I was not ABOUT to spend that kind of dough!)

...anyway... I suspect I would really LIKE the Milbert. I hope to read more and MAYBE, come across someone who has one sometime!

(When you think about it, 2-3 grand may not be all that "silly", considering what we spend on transistors and silicon "grit" for sound in the interest of "clarity" and "volume"... I'm sure it's on a different level!)

-crisp

Thats very cool.
Very HIGH end audio.

[faststang04]

I found this searching through google under Orion amps. I also use the Old Orion Amps. And have one old school amp for sale. It is a 4100gx and I also have the bridging module 400 bdg for it. It is too large for my car. I have the 2125sx as well as a 250sx as well that I am keeping. The old Orion stuff is great. I also use the Orion 3100svf and 300prq. If you know of anyone interested in it shoot me a pm.

Very cool to see others still using the old Orion amps, good luck with your set up.