OK Alex...your time to shine

[greggp2]

Hey Greg, regarding the HD card.
I got a notice in the mail last week, said they are increasing the interest rates, and the rate on unpaid balances.
Double check the card terms before going that route.

Another reason to avoid the depot or lowes; manufactures make special models for them.
If you check the model numbers they will be slightly different. They are a cheapened version of the original model.

The GE at cost, sounds like the way to go.

Rick, if you pay off the Depot card though before the NI/NP promotions run out, there is no interest assessed. At least that's my understanding.

But GE at cost sounds like the way to go IMO too...

 

[Rickster71]

Heck, I haven't talked about audio stuff since mid-2007.

What's Audio Stuff?

 

[Adam]

I'm a little teapot, short and stout...

 

[sawzalot]

FWIW I have installed a few kitchens and I can say through experience that two particular kits.in the lighter ivory with the glaze did not hold up very well they were in fact the only two kits. in the past eight years that I had call backs on which in turn had to bring out the manafacturing Rep. who then offloaded the problem to a refinishing company they came and removed all the doors and drawers to take back to their shop, and the second half of the team ,refinished the base and walls in place and lo and behold how did they look when reinstalled? like the colors were off by two or three shades,what a nightmare but hey I was just the installer not the supplier so it was out of my hands.I just remember all the talk about glazed cabinets not holding up under normal usage,they look awesome just don"t touch.I remember the homeowner showing general areas that had more everyday contact and you could see the finish just worn away and it didn't take long to happen.

 

[greggp2]

I'm a little teapot, short and stout...

Come on Adam.. I'm giving you a chance to talk Audio... Please answer my question...

What's your opinion on using my Emo XPA-2 to power my B&W 802's and an Arcam AVR350 to power my center, which is an HTM1 and my surrounds?

There has been much debate and suggestion that I need the same Amp for all 3 up front. Being the speakers are different and the HTM1 isn't as power hungry as my 802's, will I really notice an audible difference, providing I calibrate?

I can't believe I'm begging...

 

[Adam]

Oops, sorry about that last post. My auto poster kicked in while I was grabbing the pooch some breakfast.

What's your opinion on using my Emo XPA-2 to power my B&W 802's and an Arcam AVR350 to power my center, which is an HTM1 and my surrounds?

There has been much debate and suggestion that I need the same Amp for all 3 up front. Being the speakers are different and the HTM1 isn't as power hungry as my 802's, will I really notice an audible difference, providing I calibrate?

Others here are more knowledgeable about this stuff than me, but I'll give you my opinion and experience. Based on my system (NHTs shown in my sig, using an amp for only the two fronts channels), my listening levels, and my hearing - I sure don't think that you need the same amp for all three. I think that once you calibrate, you'll be fine. That's assuming that the Emo can sufficiently power your mains and the Arcam can sufficiently power your center in regards to how loud you like to listen - if either amp is underpowered, then that will be the wink link. My Pioneer does some auto equalizing, so that helps with getting the speakers match each other (different amps or not).

 

[greggp2]

FWIW I have installed a few kitchens and I can say through experience that two particular kits.in the lighter ivory with the glaze did not hold up very well they were in fact the only two kits. in the past eight years that I had call backs on which in turn had to bring out the manafacturing Rep. who then offloaded the problem to a refinishing company they came and removed all the doors and drawers to take back to their shop, and the second half of the team ,refinished the base and walls in place and lo and behold how did they look when reinstalled? like the colors were off by two or three shades,what a nightmare but hey I was just the installer not the supplier so it was out of my hands.I just remember all the talk about glazed cabinets not holding up under normal usage,they look awesome just don"t touch.I remember the homeowner showing general areas that had more everyday contact and you could see the finish just worn away and it didn't take long to happen.

Yup. Glazing is good for items you don't use, or faux finishing your walls, which you rarely touch. Cabinets are a different story. That's why I think most of us are recommending staining... But please remember Greg, have someone take one of the doors off the cabinets, or if you have an extra, that's your best option and have them do a sample for you. If you don't have an extra door lying around, make sure you have them stain the inside of one of the doors you won't use much. This way, if it looks bad, you can still use it and not be stuck trying to match up a door to your existing stuff, or worse yet, having to replace everything.

I made the mistake of trusting someone who claimed they could do it and it looked like crap!!! I had no choice but to replace after that.

If you go the Faux route, just know that it is likely a 1-3 year hold over... The finish will wear off under usage, depending on how much you use them and how careful you are.

 

[greggp2]

Others here are more knowledgeable about this stuff than me, but I'll give you my opinion and experience. Based on my system (NHTs shown in my sig, using an amp for only the two fronts channels), my listening levels, and my hearing - I sure don't think that you need the same amp for all three. I think that once you calibrate, you'll be fine. That's assuming that the Emo can sufficiently power your mains and the Arcam can sufficiently power your center in regards to how loud you like to listen - if either amp is underpowered, then that will be the wink link. My Pioneer does some auto equalizing, so that helps with getting the speakers match each other (different amps or not).

Thanks. Greg told me the same. There are others though that think I should get an XPA-3 or XPA-5 and truthfully, they don't have the power of the XPA-2. I don't listen to music or movies at unGodly levels, so I think I'll be ok. If the Amps are all good, they should be just providing clean power, not altering sound, so I didn't really understand how I would hear a difference.

I have an SPL meter to calibrate the volume levels and distances are easy, so I think I'll have the Arcam do the Amping for the Centers and Rears..

BTW, send me that auto posting script you wrote. I'll change the nursery rhymes so we have different posts...

 

[sawzalot]

What's Audio Stuff?

Hey Rickster jumping off the non audio topic for a moment I was just wondering how the amp is working out for you and also which part of NJ are you from?

 

[Rickster71]

Hey Rickster jumping off the non audio topic for a moment I was just wondering how the amp is working out for you and also which part of NJ are you from?

It's working out great. Now I'm waiting for Emotiva's new pre-pro to come out.

I'm about 15 minute from Great Adventure.

 

[sawzalot]

It's working out great. Now I'm waiting for Emotiva's new pre-pro to come out.

I'm about 15 minute from Great Adventure.

So we are like neighbors if you consider I just live down the road ,er parkway just a little bit like exit zero.The pre-pro will be awesome.

 

[greggp2]

Dawg/Alex,

I just had a stroke of brilliance. Dawg, you built your own sub, right? Alex, you are in construction and are good at making things, right? I'm in sales and marketing...

We can use Dawg's sub design, Alex's construction talents and my sales and marketing skills to start a subwoofer company...

We can even use Alex's Avatar as the logo (a monkey) and call it Tribal Subwoofers.

I can feel the bass from the Tribal drums in my head... What do you guys think?

We can even get Gene to review them when we are done...

Anyone steals this idea, and we'll sue!!!!

 

[sawzalot]

Dawg/Alex,

I just had a stroke of brilliance. Dawg, you built your own sub, right? Alex, you are in construction and are good at making things, right? I'm in sales and marketing...

We can use Dawg's sub design, Alex's construction talents and my sales and marketing skills to start a subwoofer company...

We can even use Alex's Avatar as the logo (a monkey) and call it Tribal Subwoofers.

I can feel the bass from the Tribal drums in my head... What do you guys think?

We can even get Gene to review them when we are done...

Anyone steals this idea, and we'll sue!!!!

can I pre order ? at a discount of course.

 

[sawzalot]

Have a great day and best of luck with the kitchen..

 

[greggp2]

can I pre order ? at a discount of course.

Look guys, our first order!!!

Dawg/Alex,

I just had a stroke of brilliance. Dawg, you built your own sub, right? Alex, you are in construction and are good at making things, right? I'm in sales and marketing...

We can use Dawg's sub design, Alex's construction talents and my sales and marketing skills to start a subwoofer company...

We can even use Alex's Avatar as the logo (a monkey) and call it Tribal Subwoofers.

I can feel the bass from the Tribal drums in my head... What do you guys think?

We can even get Gene to review them when we are done...

Anyone steals this idea, and we'll sue!!!!

And our motto will be:

Tribal Subwoofers:
"The neighbors will be restless"

I think I'm onto something. Do we have any other pre-orders? I actually need a new sub. That's 2...

 

[Alex2507]

Regarding the glazing business, IIRC adding color on top of a varnish is one form of glazing so the cabinets wouldn't have to be sanded down to raw wood. It would be a matter of putting another coat of polyurethane with an oil base dye or pigment in it. I'm not sure of the particulars any longer but you would end up with a durable finish. It's not a faux finish. You wouldn't be 'faking' anything. Your oak grain is already there.

That patina business is a shellac deal. (I think). Shellac is porous and the patina is dirt. Shellac is an excellent vapor barrier but a terrible moisture barrier. It does have an attractive look though and if used in the right place, the right way, it can provide a finish that is beautiful. It's also nice to work with as you don't have to sand in between coats. I have only ever cleaned shellac finishes using denatured alcohol. Wait, I was gonna post this in the boring thread.

My suggestion of buying an oak cabinet door to let this guy provide you with a sample of his work still makes sense. He could do shading on half. The sample might run you $100. You would have your answer regarding quality and preference. Anything else is guess work.

 

[Alex2507]

I'm in sales and marketing...Anyone steals this idea, and we'll sue!!!!

I wouldn't be a good business partner for you. I would end up assaulting my own lawyer and then he would own everything you worked your whole life for.

By the way, Alex, what's up with the Monkey Avatar?

Monkey avatar? That's Joe-Joe the Dog Face Boy.
You think he looks like a monkey?
How insulting.

 

[Adam]

Monkey avatar?

That's a monkey? Huh. I thought it was you during a certain portion of your doctor's visit.

 

[greggp2]

I can't believe no one likes my Subwoofer company idea. Alex, no problem if you don't want in. We'd probably have to outsource your position to China anyway for mass production and cost purposes..

Still need Dawg's patented design though...

 

[Adam]

I didn't say anything this morning, but that's not Dawg's design. It's Andrew's.