For Sale - Help a guy out! (Page 1/1)
Patrick's Dad JUL 19, 07:53 PM
So, we're in a bit of a pickle. If you've read my stuff over the past several years, you (might) know that my kids are in a private Christian school here in town. Unlike many of the schools in the area, this one is independent, meaning that it is not supported by any church (or other institution). My four kids are, essentially, at home here. Because there is no "subsidy" from a church affiliate, it is comparably priced to other private schools in the area (Actually, I believe that it is a bargain, and a few of the "high end" high schools are upwards of three times my son's HS tuition) and we get substantial scholarships. Still, with four kids there, and with the lack of advancement in the pay scales for either my wife (a part timer at a Co-operative bank) or myself (an appliance and TV salesman), and considerable advancement in expenses, we've found ourselves short this past year with the school.

Naturally, you might say, pull the kids out. Send them to public school. It's "free" (our taxes go there, anyways). Well, not quite. It didn't take long for us to realize that, with three staggered starting and ending times for the Elementary (two kids), Middle (one kid) and High Schools (one kid), my wife would spend an inordinate time as bus driver/caretaker (The High School starts 1:45 before the Elementary School), and so her employer would not find her nearly as employable as she has been lo these last 10.5 years. If she lost her job, we would be in a slightly worse place than we are now.

You may think that we're just going to get into trouble again. Well, hopefully not. I've just asked to work six days a week and my wife's coworker is retiring in December, so she should start working a full week in a few months. If these all come to pass, it should help us going forward....

So why this posting in the "New Mall?" Because I've decided (Begrudgingly) to sell my HiFi. This will help defray the amount that we owe, and, hopefully, so will a couple of other things. There are multiple amplifiers and speakers because I have been too lazy to post the stuff that I haven't used in a while. I plan on putting these up on CL locally, but I thought that I'd give my friends in the Fiero community first dibs;

Arcam Alpha 8R Integrated Amp: I've owned this now for almost a year. 65WPC, typical "restrained" British sound with very good imaging. I bought it primarily because it has a remote control. Unfortunately, it only controls the volume and mute. I have been extremely happy with it as an upgrade to my HK (below). It's nice and smooth, and had a bit of a power bump. I believe that it is about ten to twelve years old, and originally listed in the $1200 range (I guess that I could Google all that, but I'm lazy right now). $350

Sonance Sonamp 260 Power Amplifier: I bought this "new," though it came in a box that didn't match. It works perfectly and didn't have a scratch. About six months old here. It is a 2x60 watt power amp. I biamped my speakers, and this amp handles the bass end. I'd been thinking of reversing the amps, so that I could dial down the tweeters a little (the Sonamp has level adjustments), but I'm lazy (see a theme here? ). The Sonamp will power on by its front panel switch or when it senses signal (switchable). $100

Harman Kardon PM640 Integrated Amplifier: This amp is a good 25 years old. Could use its contacts cleaned, I'd expect. It didn't give me much trouble because I used it all the time, but it's been sitting. 35WPC, conservatively rated. Very good imaging and soundstage, if a bit bright (compared to the Arcam, I guess). Good bass control. I bought it used at a shop in Cambridge over fifteen years ago and used it ever since, until I bought the Arcam to replace it. $100

Harman Kardon AVR300 5.1 Receiver: I tested this receiver (in stereo - I'm not an HT guy) and planned to use it, as it has a full featured remote control, but it does not fit in my TV rack - it's too tall, and the shelves are fixed height. It was also a little deep, but its height made that point moot. Sounded good, drove my speakers plenty good. Did not do anything intensive to it, as it wasn't a fit for me. 5.1 receiver with all analog inputs and outputs (I think S-Video is it's max). If you use your TV to do all the video switching, you could probably do a lot worse for a receiver than this guy. $125

Paradigm Studio 20 V3 Loudspeakers: These are the gem of my system. Look up the reviews, they really do nothing badly. If you are looking for a virtually viceless pair of bookshelf speakers, you won't find anything out there at this price point that can compare. I had even thought of swapping them for a pair of narrow floorstanders (like the Monitor Audio BX5) but I couldn't find anything with the critical presence that these things have (at least, not for over 2.5 their original price). Jazz, rock and roll, classical - it's hard to find fault with them. One speaker's grill is damaged; it has two of its four pins to hold it in place. A friend with a contact at Paradigm was supposed to get me new grills, but that never panned out. I originally ran these with the HK PM640, then the Arcam, then the Arcam bi-wired, then the Arcam and the Sonance biamped. I have the brass shorting straps and original boxes. $600/pr

Celestion 3 Loudspeakers: These were the first speakers I bought when I got married. The HK ran these for a few years until I just wanted more bass. There was no speaker comparably priced that a saxophone sounded so good on. These are fairly efficient speakers, from what I can remember. The bottom of one of the speakers is scratched up pretty good, but I can't remember how it happened. I have the original box and most of the packing, including, I believe, the manual. $100/pr.

I'm really hating to do this, and I've left my turntable out (we'll see how things go before I part with that) as well as my power conditioner. I have a feeling that I'm going to feel almost as bad as I did when I sold my Leica M6 (Years ago, between jobs, made a mortgage payment....)

Prices do not include shipping. If you are local to Boston, we can arrange to meet (I'm about 15 miles south of Boston). I have a PayPal, or I will take a personal check, provided you allow me time to verify it clearing. PM me with any questions, and thanks for reading!
E.Furgal JUL 21, 05:55 PM
maybe move the 3 kids that are not in h/s into st.bridgets in abington..
where you working washington toma
can't really help you with the hifi..
as I have a nice top line B&K 7.1thx as the main.. with 4 carver silver 7's , carver preamp , nac dragon catt(needs belt) b/a ref vr80's and 40's
need to get a better table as mine is ok. but never was all that hifi, albums where die'n in the 80's and spent the money on c/d gear..

[This message has been edited by E.Furgal (edited 07-21-2012).]

Patrick's Dad JUL 23, 10:11 PM
I'm at the Weymouth store.

Drive to Abington? SSCA is across the street from my wife's work (S-Bank main office).

I appreciate your looking at this. I've got to get these up on CL and another site (the Arcam and the Paradigms, in particular).

EDIT: I just noticed; our electronics tech has a Nak Dragon, too! What kind of table?

[This message has been edited by Patrick's Dad (edited 07-23-2012).]

E.Furgal JUL 25, 09:36 AM
table is a dual.. and a teak reel to reel..

you might try here
http://app.audiogon.com/
Patrick's Dad JUL 25, 10:34 PM
I'd already planned going to audiogon with the Arcam and the Paradigms. eBay and CL for the H/Ks and the Celestions. I thought that I'd give my Fiero brothers and sisters first crack.

Thanks!
Rallaster JUL 26, 11:15 AM
Gah! 3 months ago I would have had the money...

I have a complete Technics setup that's older than I am(I'm 29) that's missing the pre-amp/amp and have been looking for a suitable amp setup for it.

Good luck with the sale, and your kids' education.