.
. But while it could drive my speakers (Hales Concept Two) it was obvious that they came alive with more power. My goal is to have a tube system for the winter and ss for the summer. But when this beautiful restored 9090 came along it seemed like a good trade. I still love the Scott equipment and plan to keep my eyes open for a 299 or LK-72 for a bedroom system (and maybe a LK-150 someday). Thanks again!
Sorry I meant to reply to you in the above post. The ST-70 and the Scotts were my first foray into tubes but certainly won't be my last. I love my speakers and want to get a higher wpc tube amp someday to drive them properly. But I'm pretty sure a LK-72 or 299 will be in my not-so-distant future for a second system and the advice given here will still be wholly relevant. Trust me I haven't given up on tubes!We're not judgemental
Well maybe we are!
I can't say you wouldn't have been (more?) pleased with the scott. If you're happy with the 9090 that's all that matters. Enjoy!
Trust me I get it and I expected the people here to feel that way. My audio journey started early in life, I've always had a stereo, but limited myself to what I could find at yard sales. My first real expenditure was a Dynaco ST-70 which I ran with the preamp section of my Marantz 2252. Then while looking for a preamp for the Dynaco I stumbled upon the Scott equipment. Well, funny enough I thought I had lost a tweeter in my Dahlquists because of the weak signal/treble in the left channel from the 355 which is how I ended up with my Hales. The Dynaco got traded for a 9090db and as much as I love the tube sound it was obvious that the Hales came alive with the extra power. Well during a financial crisis last month I had to sell the 9090db and severely regretted it. When I saw this one I certainly wasn't able to buy it and knew that trading the Scotts was the only way I could get it. I also knew that I would never be able to pay a tech to do the extensive refurb job that had been done even if I somehow acquired another 9090. What it came down to was the Hales are by far the best speakers I've ever owned and the Scott equipment wasn't the best match. So either I sold the Hales and got more efficient speakers, or I gave them the amplification they deserved. It wasn't an easy decision but at the end of the day tubes run too hot for me to use in the summer anyway so if I can only afford one quality amplification source at the moment then it's going to be ss. You're right, I'm not a collector, sound quality and aesthetics are my primary concern, and the Scotts had both in spades. But I'm also not particularly well-off and I only have what I have because of years searching out deals, horse-trading upward in value, etc. The Scott gear is in good hands, this tech knows his stuff, even though his primary focus is ss. I expect him to give them both a complete refurb and treat them with the respect they deserve. Who know, when he's done maybe I'll try to work out another deal with him
. Sorry for the long post, just wanted to give you some insight into my (addled) thinking.
. Whether I'll be able to swing it...
. I'll let you know if I manage to get the Scotts back.
Well I don't know that he would be willing to break up the set. While I'm sure there may be some bias here what are people's opinions about the 355 vs a later tube pre (CJ pv or more modern) in terms of sound quality alone?
Not saying you'd need to break them up but you *could* use the 355 with any power amp, tube or solid state, modern or vintage.
So of course now that it's set in I feel the same way about the Scotts as I did about the 9090db
. Gonna do what I can to get them back. Maybe I'll luck into a great audio deal that I don't need and he'll trade again!
Yes I would like to hear the tube/horn combo. I had some kg4s mated with a Marantz 2252 for my main system for years and I felt that 50% of recodings sounded fantastic, 25% good, and 25% unlistenable. I may or may not be able to get them back but time will tell. He's more of a ss guy but maybe the Scotts will turn him. They did sound great with the Hales but more efficient speakers would definitely be a better match. Ah to not have to choose...