AudioAficionado.org - My Visit With Vintage Pete

I have been trying to get down to Largo, Florida for a visit with Pete for some time now. It seems like there is always something to do that keeps me from making the trip, but today was the day, and it was a blast.

Pete met me out in front of his home, and looked happy to see me when I rolled up. We carried my MCD500, and some cables into his home, and I was a bit worried I might have to defend myself when it came time to put the MCD500 back in my vehicle. I knew Pete was going to love hearing it in his system.

Before we got into enjoying the main system in the living room Pete gave me the grand tour. I think the only room in his home without a sound system is the bathroom. Really! He has managed to assemble a fine assortment of premium McIntosh, Crown, Soundcraftsman, JBL and other quality manufacturer's gear in every room. Pete is also the owner and curator of a very impressive collection of fine JBL speakers and subwoofers. He has carefully installed various components and speakers so that no matter where he spends time in his home, he has a sound system within arms reach of his seat, and even his bed.

In the Florida room where Pete spends time creating his art work, he has assemble a very nice McIntosh and JBL system with the C32, MC2205, and MR77, plus JBL 4313B's
and the incredible JBL 2241-based 18" subwoofer that puts new meaning into thunderously low bass. Where he sits and paints is the sweet spot, and it sounds very good. I have no doubt Pete spends many relaxing hours right on that couch brushing paint strokes on his canvas.

His office and bedroom sound systems are equally impressive. McIntosh MX117, MC2125 in the bedroom, and Crown rules the office with the beautiful mint condition Crown IC150A preamp and DC300 power amp driving JBL's, of course.

Many of us have enjoyed the great photos that Pete has posted of his main system in the living room, but let me tell you the photos do not do this room justice. The first thing that grabs your attention, beside the three beautiful MC501 amplifiers and the mint C40, is the monster JBL B460 18" subwoofer in an absolutely perfect, beautifully veneered JBL cabinet with mint grill. This subwoofer is as large as a desk, and when it speaks you listen. The same goes for the two premium condition JBL L220A's that are his left and right channel main speakers. Wow. If you are a JBL fan like me, these speakers create a sense of awe before you ever get to hear them.

Being the meticulous and detail oriented person that Pete is, all of his gear in the main system is installed in custom built cabinets or shelves that he designed and built himself. They are attractive to look at, and built like Fort Knox, able to handle any weight requirements that could ever be placed on them. In Pete's system everything has a place, and everything is in its place. He runs a tight ship.

After the grand tour, and casual listening to the smaller systems throughout his home, Pete and I settled into the living room to play with the big dog. Besides the great array of McIntosh gear in the main system, there is a Soundcraftsman EQ and spectrum analyzer, a DBX range expander, and a remarkable vintage pro level Crown reel to reel tape recorder. There are many other pieces of gear, just take a look at Pete's extensive signature.

Pete began our demo with some Sheena Easton, Simon and Garfunkel, Bee Gees, and we listened to a few CD's I carried down with me. Pete's sound system does not disappoint you. With three McIntosh MC501's driving two JBL L220's and that monster JBL B460 sub, there is some serious sonic energy available. The efficiency of the JBL's is high enough that the amps rarely peaked above 50 watts, and the house was rocking. I was beginning to worry about Pete's neighbors. What is most impressive about Pete's main system is the dynamics, the imaging, and the smoothness that the L220's are able to deliver without the slightest whimper. The McIntosh/JBL synergy is delivered in spades from this system. The C40 preamp, with its five bands of EQ, allows Pete to tweak his sound at will, and he enjoys this very much. It was fun to watch him add a little this or that as we listened to various artists. Tone controls are important to Pete.

We took some time to get the MCD500 connected to the balanced inputs on the C40, and get the digital coaxial cable from the MCD7009 digital output to one of the MCD500's digital inputs. It was a bit tight, as Pete has the equipment installed snug on the shelves, but we finally got it wired up. One of the reasons I wanted Pete to audition the MCD500 in his system was to hear how his MCD7009 sounded with its digital output going through the MCD500's ESS dual quad DACs. It turned out to be a startling improvement, which I knew it would be, because I also owned the MCD7009 for many years, and was able to play it through the MCD500 DACs when I first put it into my system. We listened to Dan Siegel Project on the MCD500, and then on the MCD7009 through the MCD500 DACs. There was little to no audible difference in the sound. The MCD7009 through the ESS DACs sounded open, transparent, with a new sense of resolution that the older DACs in the MCD7009 can not deliver. The MCD7009 as a transport with the ESS DACs in the MCD500 was simply amazing to hear. The way we had the signals routed, we were able to A/B the MCD7009 direct, or through the MCD500 DACs with a quick click of the input knob on the C40. When we began to listen to several Loreena McKennitt CD's that Pete owns and listens to regularly, he was immediately focused on the improvement provided by the MCD500's sound. Loreena's voice had far better definition and air between it and the other voices and instruments. When multiple instruments like a lute, violins, a mandolin, guitars, a cello and drums were building the tempo, the MCD500 was able to deliver the sonic image with no smearing of the individual sounds. Pete zeroed in on this instantly, almost from the first notes as the CD's began to play.

Before it was time to go Pete played some scenes from the Blu-ray disc of the movie U-571. Holy mackerel, those depth charge scenes, and the JBL B460 18" subwoofer along with the L220's, all powered by the MC501's, literally rattled the couch I was sitting on. I told Pete he needed to install seat belts on the furniture. Wow.

Alas, it was time for me to head north and return home. Six hours had flown by like 10 minutes. As I was unplugging the power cord and interconnects from the MCD500 I kept waiting to hear the sound of Pete racking the 12 gauge shotgun he planned to use to influence my decision about leaving the MCD500 with him. Ultimately he was a gentleman about it, but as I packed it up I sensed he did not want to see the MCD500 leave the premises.

I had a fantastic afternoon at Pete's home. We played with all the gear, laughed at each others old audio tales, shared advice, ate pizza for lunch, and listened to his very fine main system. Pete is a true gentleman, a great host, and made me feel right at home. Thanks, Pete. I really had a wonderful time today.