Finally, I've got the J.C. Verdier Nouvelle Platine up and running....I promised one more big table to my stable of tables, and it was worth the wait. Shown here with the EMT 997 12" tonearm, and newer EMT JSD75 cartridge. My friends ask, which is my favorite from the table stable, and I say, how can you pick one child over another? It's best to not have those notions and enjoy the beauty of each. The only slight downside is it takes up some real estate shelf-wise, here on a Box Furniture Co. double wide in sapele finish.

      BRINGING YOU THE BEST TO THE MIDWEST AND BEYOND 
   

The now legendary DeVore Orangutan 0/96, since 2011. Price has remained a constant $12,000/pr, regardless of countless awards. As of Jan 1, 2019, the price will increase to $13,200, due to cost increases. All orders placed by Dec. 31, 2018, will be honored at the current price.

The 2 rooms used at the Haven for demonstrations, aptly named Studio A and Studio B, are still basic living and dining rooms, just as you might have in your home. There is a slight disadvantage in that these room both are first floor rooms and have suspended wood floors over a basement. In parts of the room they are springy, and are somewhat supported by floor joist supports in the basement. One thing I learned from my room guru is to have items in the basement to help absorb vibration from above. I use a good part of the basement where the systems above are generally stationed as box storage. My upstairs are sleeping rooms and a media room, full of furniture, books, that hopefully handle vibrations emanating upwards. Studio A has solid wood shutters covering the windows with wood floors and area rug, Studio B has louvered wood shutters with full carpeted floor. No other particular tricks or treatments. I have tried some treatments that were effective, yet a bit experimental, so were removed to keep things conventional. I will gladly help anyone with room issues, generally good solid hifi guidelines. With room treatments generally less is more, for I hate dead rooms, and the overall sound becomes dry and dull, nothing I hear in real music.

A recently retubed VTL IT85 integrated....a REALLY nice sounding unit, it mates well with a variety of speakers. Using 4 EL34's, 4 12AT7's, and 2 12 AU7, I chose tubes that I have come to favor, and in this case they really clicked. If you think you know the IT85, come have a listen to this one. With loads of features.

Proper placement begins with the eyes, a tape measure, and the ears. Above photo shows the Orangutan 0/96's in a basic plop and play, the speakers are in a known zone where the bass and imaging do their best. Yet there's far more to it than that. Lots of listening to known recordings, lots of measuring to ensure the speakers are equidistant from the side and rear walls, then correct toe in or face forward positioning. Once in the zone, remember that spot, then try to push the boundaries, go farther apart or closer together, farther back or closer to you, not drastically, don't lose that spot, yet do see if you can find that one place above all others. You'll know. Do not use new recordings, play your favorites you've played for years. Try to get more chest out of a singer's voice, more tautness of a snare drum. I use several orchestral recordings, played over the years thru many, many systems. When I can hear all the instrumental sections separately yet all playing together, then I know I'm getting somewhere. I also listen for depth of the hall, and instruments such as percussion and trombone, all usually towards the back of an orchestra, and how they are playing relative to the violins and cellos in the front. Then I use a piano, which I'm most accustomed to hearing live, and listen for the inner edge of notes played, not just the obvious outward note. And all that is only the beginning..... Currently the DeVore 0/96's are on audition in Studio B, and with the 3 fantastic integrateds that show them to their best, the Leben 600, the LM 210 and 805, they are dialed in like never before. I am head over heels for these speakers, yet it took a lot of time to get them that way. Those of you who know me know that if that house fire came, besides you know who above, Gertie, I'd grab the 0/93's and run....now I'd tell Gertie to grab the 0/93's and I'd have to grab the 0/96's. I've listened long and hard this year to so many many soulless speakers both at shows and in homes, and to get to hear these speakers is a true joy. I think this pair set up now is the best I've heard them anywhere, so please come have a listen. Or bring your amp along and we'll see if it's worthy. I have tissues out in case of the inevitables...it happens. And there's no shame to it- we've all been there. So remember, price increase goes into effect Jan 1, 2019 on the 0/96's. Current prices will be honored until Dec. 31, 2018. So bring your favorite LP's...if you're ready to invest in a lifetime speaker, now's the time....