Kevin

I also use the Paramours. I've added a second pair of stock output transformers and beefed up the parafeed choke but these mods only cleaned up and tightened the bass, not really gave it more power. I usually listen to jazz and you are right, the combo does well with jazz. The other day I modified my Foreplay preamp which really did affect the bass power and output. I switched out the 2uF Hoveland output caps and replaced them with 4uF Auricaps. When I put on "The Yes Album" I was blown away by the power and authority in the bass! Now my system is really capable of full blown rocking out! And with the Paramours to boot! This is in a 11.5'x17.5' room. And the bass that was somewhat boomy is much better contained! This made for a top to bottom improvement with all frequencies in better balance.
If you preamp is cap coupled you might try upping the size and possibly quality. I am no EE type so you might speak to the preamp's designer about this.

Good luck!

G.

cheers,

george

I have listened to Paraglows and Theater four π's and it sounded nice. Just like Garland, I listened to "Yes" during this listening session. Nothing like Squire playing rapid-succession 16th notes on the bass to test the damping of the system. If it isn't damped well - if there's overring - you'll hear a single blur of a note where several distinct bass notes should have been. And if the bass isn't strong, that's noticably objectionable too. But the Paraglow and Theater four combination did well in this regard.

Check out the earlier post about the Paraglow and four π's.

I know some of the older (even vintage) stuff is pretty good, but I have heard differently from some of the newer crown amps.

I am basically using two separate systems. I am matching my Pi Studio 2's with one of two SET Amps - Welbourne Laurels 300B's or Wavelength Gemini 45's. I love the SET tube sound with the Pi's. They match very well.

I also have a ribbon hybrid speaker (Newform Research R645) that I match with a Solid State Odyssey Stratos Amp.

Basically, I listen 75% of the time to the SET/Pi combo. However, when I need to get some "slam", I move over to the Newform/Stratos.

If I ever move to a much larger place, I would love to try out a larger Pi speaker like the Theater 4's. They are a little bit too imposing for me now.

I respect tube amp fans, but I'm not one of them!

Regards,
Colin

• Well, its a page....

When I first got the Luxman off of Ebay I thought the wattage indicator lights weren't working. I had to turn it up a bit to get the .07 watt lights to come on.

I have the original Pi 7 Theatres on channel A and PHL 1660 non-horn loaded speakers (400-5000 hz) mounted on the front with no crossover on speaker B. At 97db at one watt the PHL's take over a bit. I'll end up bi-amping to take care of this. I'm thinking of picking up a second Luxman RX-102 to take care of these duties, but all the tube supporters could easily convince me to go that way if the pocketbook finds it in it's heart ;-).

Eventually I'll brace and insulate the cabinets better, and I've got a set of Klipsch K-43's on their way. In the Cornerhorns these got crossed at 450 hz. The PHL's pick up at around 400. I'm thinking I might be able to run K43's and the PHL's with no crossover, and put an LPAD on the horns with a high pass crossover on the top. I got one Altec 902-8T (only won one auction) and there is minimal difference with the Emminence high end driver. The Emminence is pretty good. The interesting thing between the K-43's and Emminence Delta 15's is the VAS. Emminence Delta 15's are 10.40. The K-43's are 10.41. Just about like the Pi 7's were designed for them. :-)

The adventure continues.

Grant.