Blog Archives - STEREO HAVEN

As The Dark of Winter Approaches...

11/18/2016

One thing about living on a farm, you get to know the weather very well. Right now the wind outside (not this big wind inside) is roaring, and with it comes cooler temps. Nothing comforts me more than playing records. My vinyl collection gives me that earthy, tangible feel that keeps me connected to nature, without being out there. I suppose if I were a string player, I'd have my cello or fiddle outside, on nice days anway, and bow away. I see videos of the new classical stars, like Charlie Siem/violin, Andy Ottensamer/clarinet and Milos Karadaglic/classical guitar, always playing outside with great scenery around them. So I'm not the only one who still equates nature and music. I'm told my great grandfather used to play his victrola outside here.
Trouble is, my present victrola, at 125 lbs., is a two person job.....

the lamp is not a WTL option, only on there for the photo...of course, the Haven play is- buy a turntable, receive a free Audioquest carbon fiber record brush. I just got a new allotment in....the holidays are soon upon us...stock up!

Vandersteen Treos

11/18/2016

For your listening enjoyment in Suite B, the Vandersteen Treos. These are the standard version, there is also a CT (carbon tweeter) version.

Puts Em Right in the Room....

11/18/2016

How many times have you listened with someone, and they exclaim, that turntable puts 'em right in the room!...probably not very often, especially with many underperforming tables out there. And sadly, there are.

Well, come have a listen sometime, and you be the judge and jury. The WTL Royale 400 will make you shout out with glee, THEY'RE IN THE F_IN ROOM! Something like that, anyways...I'll even clean your record first. As Harvey Rosenberg used to say, one must prepare for greatness.

Gertie will be waiting for you....

The Glow.....

11/14/2016

I was asked what tube amp gives that big warm glow that some are after. I confess I wasn't quite sure what they meant, until they dimmed the room lights, and said look, my tube amp doesn't glow. Ah, I said, I know exactly what you need. You need an 845 based amplifier. It is true, many tube amps are either covered by cages or tops or else have tube types that really don't make much light. One of my favs is still the Line Magnetic 518 integrated, and it shows up time after time on reviewers' and users' favorites list. So there you go, or glow.

the glowingly powerful 845 output tube, here in a Line Magnetic 518

The Helius package

11/14/2016

I don't think this newish table out of England gets enough attention...it sparkles, it reaches deep, it has the pacing that British tables are known for. It's like the Linn LP12 without all the baggage the LP12 is known for...set this one up and you're off and spinning. It maintains itself!

A Stealthy Arm

11/14/2016

The Helius Omega tonearm- neutral, sweet, and well-balanced, in more ways than one

Top of the Heap

11/10/2016

like the Sugden A21SE and the Leben 600, the Ayre AX5 is also tops in its price range and class. A hugely popular integrated, come hear the many reasons it's used by reviewers and keen listeners alike.

The Killer

11/10/2016

the venerable Leben 600 integrated, from legendary designer Mr. Hyodo. This is a 32w EL34 or 6L6 tube type, explosive with the right speaker. Always in demand, if you want one get your order in now, there's always a line for this hand made hard-wired unit.