Dennis Had Inspire Amps

[pstrisik]

Originally Posted by Aercool

I just hope I have as much fun in retirement as Dennis does!

I just hope I can retire!! This audio hobby doesn't help with progress towards that goal!

[audio bill]

We work hard to put ourselves in a position to retire, but I can attest to the fact that retirement may not be as great as you anticipate. After a few months of it I found myself bored with too much time on my hands, looking for things to keep me busy. I ended up getting some part time work just to have something to do with my time and to be able to interact more with others. So as they say, be careful what you wish for and appreciate what you have. The grass is not always greener on the other side!

[pstrisik]

It also depends on how you see retirement. For me, it is that work becomes optional. That will also enable a move out of alaska without worrying about a job at the destination. I will probably work in some capacity as long as I am able, likely less hours. The key is not feeling the pressure to make money. I also want to get a geezer blues band together (singing and blues harp)!

[Aercool]

So true - if I'm not able to golf in retirement, it's just not worth it and I'll be bored and blow through any savings I've got in a heartbeat. Agree with Peter - the notion of employment being "optional" is what is appealing. Just enough to fund a new pair of 1930's vintage 6V6G's every so often to pop into my KT-150 Fire Bottle. (I do have a pair of those on the way, can't wait to check them out. Seller said they were of the first run of 6V6G tubes out of Sylvania, probably 1936 or 1937 production - crazy!)

[BeerCan]

finally got my 6v6 to try, hope my impressions mirror others on this forum

[pstrisik]

Nice Array! I've switched back to KT150's and NOS RCA 5AR4 and again feel good about that combo. There may not be a "best" for me. Different combos have different virtues.

I've only tried the Popes and will be curious about your take on the differences.

[pstrisik]

Dennis sent a photo of his new monoblocs.

"I call them MB12 for 12 watt mono blocs. They are universal with 6V6's at 5+ watts with 5Y3 rectifiers and 12 watts with KT88/KT150 and 5U4 rectifier and 14 watts with the 5AR4 rectifier."

[BeerCan]

Trying out the KT77's today

[pstrisik]

Well, I've got the Popes back in and they sound better than ever! Strange that going back and forth I have initial preference for the newly changed tubes both ways. I won't knock it. It seems to help decrease the need to look for that "perfect" combination. More than one combo is the "best".

On Dennis' recommendation, I'm trying Gold Lion 6V6's, they're not too expensive, and Gold Lion KT88's. He was talking Sovtek KT88's, but so many people review the Gold Lions positively, and I had good experience with the Gold Lions when in search of 6922's, so I'm going for those.

The KT88 is a totally new tube to me. The GL 6V6's will be a nice comparison with the Popes.

Woo hoo!

[Aercool]

When you can buy a matched pair of NOS RCA 6V6GT's for less than $100, I'm not that tempted to buy the new Russian/Chinese versions for ~$75/pair. The extra for the 'cool factor' of the NOS is worth it to me.