In Reply to: 1st-timer w/ 4 Pi Questions (kinda long) posted by trancemitr on January 14, 2002 at 15:47:24:
Neither am I.
And free advice....
But I will venture that your first instinct is a good one. Pick up an used amp and concentrate building efforts on the 4 Pi's. I highly recommend the Music Reference RM-10, 30 PP El-84 watts that has the lowest noise of any amp I know. Essential for high efficiency.There's always one available on Audiogon and you can get in and out of one anytime for $6 to $650. Then put a $25 noble or some other volume pot between source and amp.
I really love the Foreplay-Paramour combination. The sound in some ways is magical with the Pi's. But then the Pi's by themselves are a whole new world of sound you have to hear for yourself.Even with my solid waste A/V receiver, the you are there quality of the sound and the way ideas like image, reflection points, speed, lean, etc become superfluous, even meaningless.
The Bottlehead experience is a path you take; the equipment is somewhat cantankerous and requires that it become a hobby unto itself. Whether there is hum to be rid of or not, you will be drawn into the tweaking which will lead you other places in DIY audio.
It's the perfect drug for me. You have to decide if it's for you.
Now all I have to do is build the Pro cabinets, finish my experiments with Radio Shack 26ga. magnet wire and install the snubbers in the Foreplay and Paramours. Oh yeah, I have to build new bases for the Paramours too.
Then the review. But who cares what I think. Just Do it!
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