It's funny - I recently bought a tube amp second-hand as a bit of a joke. I considered it a humorous pitstop on my journey to the ultimate low-SINAD high-efficiency Class D amp that the internet has told me (quite sternly) is the only acceptable answer. The pitstop tube amp in question - a Weston Acoustics Topaz - is a 33w push-pull ultralinear 6ca7 tube amp with transformers the guy hand-wound himself. I approached it with the same cynicism I do everything that plays up the touch of a human hand, and wondered, as I plugged my Special Forties in, what an electrical fire would look and smell like. I didn't get fire. I got whatever the opposite of confirmation bias is. I got drums. I got to listen to music through an amp without browsing the classifieds for its replacement. I got, comfortable? It's weird. I can't explain it. There haven't been tears, and intellectually I still think it's stupid, but for whatever reason it works for me. Never thought I'd be a tube guy.
Steve. For future videos I think you should track down some of these folks the herb mentions that are still alive for voom interviews. Sadly were not getting any older and some of these guys from the past are a large part of helping lay the foundation for this audiopool hobby. Thanks steve!
As much as I like music, I too listened to a lot of talk radio. Today I could listen to Dave from UA-cam channel COMPUTING FOREVER all day. You can tell when a person is an avid reader by the way they talk. Dave is definitely a wordsmith.
Walt Bender was a true Virginia gentleman along with being a very wise sage. He was always willing to educate those who asked. The totality of his hifi knowledge was staggering from the earliest days of Western through the Golden Age. In addition to ads, the Audiomart publication in the later days contained many tidbits of wisdom, such a using PIO caps for your high crossover, running quality drivers full range, use of silk as grill clothes, the nuggets passed along were tested by those of yore and by Walt, Lenice and Early. Many of us owe a great deal the the Benders.
Question for Herb: Whatever happened to Denon "Optical Class A" technology sold in the 1980s. I loved those amps and thought they sounded very clean and detailed. There must be something wrong that circuit, so what went wrong? It used MOSFET transistors and sounded neutral and transparent. Why isn't everyone using that technology? The patent is expired, so anyone could use it.
Wow Don Garber! I have 2 2A3 X Amplifiers with the upgraded transformers that Don built for me,and than at my request he turned them into Monoblocks. I used to go by and visit with him in Bklyn,he was a great artist as well. RIP Don,truly missed
OK... this is special!! I always was drawn to Herb, but now I know why. He gets it. Probably one of the original gets it guys... I have been doing DIYaudio for a while. Not on his level, but I know he gets it. So cool!
Herbs a damn trip! I agree with him on listening to so so music while working and save the best music for my time in my listening room! Givem hell Herb! Wish I had half your knowledge.
You're doing god's work Steve! In another decade this will be lost high technology. You guys are the wizards, and it's so important you put your thoughts and isights to preservation. I'm just so thankful! This was so fun!
Great hearing from Herb (and you) about your journeys and what you learned along the way. Wasn’t sure what “tok” radio was, but then saw a post that mentioned “talk” radio and I said “OH”! TALK radio!”.😊
I don't understand why herb would say that fixing amps is boring. I don't find it boring, actually for me it's rewarding to be able to take a handful of parts and to be able to fix these prices of equipment that most people wouldn't even know where to start and would just throw out. To be able to take these prices of equipment that have been loved by people that are broken and to fix them and to give them a 2nd life, well that is a victory.
Fixing amps was fun to do for fun. But not 8-10hrs/day as a job. For me it was mostly stress, burnt fingers and headaches. But I had to do it to support my wife and child and father.
@@Cocteau61 now from that perspective I can totally understand how you would get burnt out on doing it. I think that I would like to do it as a job because I do enjoy it has a hobby. Just like I am so worn out with construction, remodeling and property maintenance because I have done it for so long to pay the bills and it's past time for a career change for me. Herb at least you did what you had to for your family, there are guys that don't anything for anyone else but themselves.
🚀 great stories with Herb, Steve... who are living in old fire halls today...? I had friends years ago who lived in an old church in a small town in Saskatchewan with their bedroom in the bell tower. The guy played in a band and loved to crank his Hammond B3 in this wide open space. The neighbours were always suspicious of them,,, which eventually had them moving out of the small town a few years later. It had a field stone foundation 2-3 feet thick, with the kitchen in the basement surround by these field stones all mortared together.
K.I.S.S. less parts can be the better way. One reason I do a lot of design with horns is I can pull off such simple designs sure they can be a bit of a pain size-wise but I am rocking horn speakers that are multiway but only use 1 crossover part.
It's funny - I recently bought a tube amp second-hand as a bit of a joke. I considered it a humorous pitstop on my journey to the ultimate low-SINAD high-efficiency Class D amp that the internet has told me (quite sternly) is the only acceptable answer. The pitstop tube amp in question - a Weston Acoustics Topaz - is a 33w push-pull ultralinear 6ca7 tube amp with transformers the guy hand-wound himself. I approached it with the same cynicism I do everything that plays up the touch of a human hand, and wondered, as I plugged my Special Forties in, what an electrical fire would look and smell like.
I didn't get fire. I got whatever the opposite of confirmation bias is. I got drums. I got to listen to music through an amp without browsing the classifieds for its replacement. I got, comfortable? It's weird. I can't explain it. There haven't been tears, and intellectually I still think it's stupid, but for whatever reason it works for me. Never thought I'd be a tube guy.
The magic of Herb Reichert is his storytelling. I have zero technical understanding of the topic, but I still listened to all 14 minutes.
Wow, I could listen to Herb talk for hours! Much thanks guys!
The shot is framed perfectly. Well done Steve
If Herb didn’t exist, we’d have to invent him.
How many times can I watch these Herb interviews? One million times!
LS3/5a and Voice of the Theater loudspeakers. Wonderful!
Steve. For future videos I think you should track down some of these folks the herb mentions that are still alive for voom interviews. Sadly were not getting any older and some of these guys from the past are a large part of helping lay the foundation for this audiopool hobby. Thanks steve!
Love it. Herb is the man!
Mr Miguel, you should do a video review of your Audio Notes together with Herb and Steve ! 💪👍🙏
As much as I like music, I too listened to a lot of talk radio. Today I could listen to Dave from UA-cam channel COMPUTING FOREVER all day. You can tell when a person is an avid reader by the way they talk. Dave is definitely a wordsmith.
I agree with all of you, this is VERY special. I don't understand how six people can give this a thumbs down
Walt Bender was a true Virginia gentleman along with being a very wise sage. He was always willing to educate those who asked. The totality of his hifi knowledge was staggering from the earliest days of Western through the Golden Age. In addition to ads, the Audiomart publication in the later days contained many tidbits of wisdom, such a using PIO caps for your high crossover, running quality drivers full range, use of silk as grill clothes, the nuggets passed along were tested by those of yore and by Walt, Lenice and Early. Many of us owe a great deal the the Benders.
Herb is the best! Like to hear all his stories!
Loesch, Bender, Garber, Morrison....all names I know and must be why I have Altec speakers and a great tube amp.
Priceless video! I love this straight up kind of approach and Herb is such a treasure. Stay healthy boys, we don't want to lose you!
Good morning, I just love these interviews with Herb. Keep them coming my friend. Wonderful !
Question for Herb: Whatever happened to Denon "Optical Class A" technology sold in the 1980s. I loved those amps and thought they sounded very clean and detailed. There must be something wrong that circuit, so what went wrong? It used MOSFET transistors and sounded neutral and transparent. Why isn't everyone using that technology? The patent is expired, so anyone could use it.
Wow Don Garber! I have 2 2A3 X Amplifiers with the upgraded transformers that Don built for me,and than at my request he turned them into Monoblocks. I used to go by and visit with him in Bklyn,he was a great artist as well. RIP Don,truly missed
Herb is an American living treasure
YES! He's back!
OK... this is special!! I always was drawn to Herb, but now I know why. He gets it. Probably one of the original gets it guys... I have been doing DIYaudio for a while. Not on his level, but I know he gets it. So cool!
So, time constants. I was an instrument mechanic. We worked with time constants all the time, in order to smooth the process. Still works, Herb!
MORE MORE MORE Herb!
Herbs a damn trip! I agree with him on listening to so so music while working and save the best music for my time in my listening room! Givem hell Herb! Wish I had half your knowledge.
You're doing god's work Steve! In another decade this will be lost high technology. You guys are the wizards, and it's so important you put your thoughts and isights to preservation. I'm just so thankful! This was so fun!
Great hearing from Herb (and you) about your journeys and what you learned along the way. Wasn’t sure what “tok” radio was, but then saw a post that mentioned “talk” radio and I said “OH”! TALK radio!”.😊
Herb is a very interesting guy. "Sign from above " lol
For a change this is just the best!
I don't understand why herb would say that fixing amps is boring. I don't find it boring, actually for me it's rewarding to be able to take a handful of parts and to be able to fix these prices of equipment that most people wouldn't even know where to start and would just throw out. To be able to take these prices of equipment that have been loved by people that are broken and to fix them and to give them a 2nd life, well that is a victory.
I think he is more of a builder from scratch guy than a repair and restore guy.. Just a guess.
Fixing amps was fun to do for fun. But not 8-10hrs/day as a job. For me it was mostly stress, burnt fingers and headaches. But I had to do it to support my wife and child and father.
@@Cocteau61 now from that perspective I can totally understand how you would get burnt out on doing it. I think that I would like to do it as a job because I do enjoy it has a hobby. Just like I am so worn out with construction, remodeling and property maintenance because I have done it for so long to pay the bills and it's past time for a career change for me. Herb at least you did what you had to for your family, there are guys that don't anything for anyone else but themselves.
Steve thanks. Love this guy. He's a genuine (gem). Is he really standing in a cold alley or photoshopped.lol. love it. Cheers Greg
Yeah, I've suggested this before but Herb is definitely Robert Crumb material
This is my favorite herb... and I tried a lot
I love these stories!
Cliffhanger!!! lol!!! I love listening to you two!
Herb hit on the big question that I have. Where can I find a good resource on choosing power supply filter time constants and supply design?
loved it. best video ever Steve!
Love Herb, but I didn't know if I was going to see an interview or a mugging.
Great great talk
I ordered a pair Lundahl transformers a couple days ago and I feel soo validated rn
When I saw the thumbnail I thought it was from a Monty Python skit
"Oh, I'm a lumberjack . . ."
@@stephensmith3111 "My brain hurts".
Herb looks like a Russian NOS Tubes dealer in thumbnail ; )
Hahaha
🚀 great stories with Herb, Steve... who are living in old fire halls today...? I had friends years ago who lived in an old church in a small town in Saskatchewan with their bedroom in the bell tower. The guy played in a band and loved to crank his Hammond B3 in this wide open space. The neighbours were always suspicious of them,,, which eventually had them moving out of the small town a few years later. It had a field stone foundation 2-3 feet thick, with the kitchen in the basement surround by these field stones all mortared together.
"We met in a dark alley...."
Wes! Walt!
Fascinating
And, by the way, great hat!
K.I.S.S. less parts can be the better way. One reason I do a lot of design with horns is I can pull off such simple designs sure they can be a bit of a pain size-wise but I am rocking horn speakers that are multiway but only use 1 crossover part.
If herbs hat was lipstick red he could be Elmer Fudd. It's a cool look from someone who lives in Florida but used to be a New Yorker
Theory based classes are preferred. Especially with engineering! By the way these men have some great technical knowledge! Thanks for the share.
It’s about listening to music not about drooling over measurement protocols...
Love it
Tell us Steve, how hard REALLY did you have to pull the string on Herb's back to get him talking so fluidly?
Great
Herb!
Was this filmed in a back alley in Russia? lol
It's a spec op....
It's a little piece of Brooklyn.
Herb mon...
So way cool🙏🙏... but a lot like a 747 over my head😞😂👍🙏
And is Herb selling drugs in that alley? Hahahaha
RxC