I'm a big jazz fan - May '08
Hi Mark - was listening today and thought I should drop you a note of my impressions -
Been about 3 weeks or so now and I'm enjoying every minute of the new system. While I can't say it's strictly the Blueberry Xtreme that is responsible for the wonderful sound from my system, I can say that it's a very important piece of the pie.
I've noticed the quality of sound is much improved if I don't turn off the preamp. In my opinion, the soundstage and overall quality is greatly enhanced by constantly having nice hot tubes. Honestly I don't care if I have to replace the tubes more often, I'm sold on this idea. Is it safe to assume that this won't have any other adverse affects other than shorter tube life?
I'm a big jazz fan, and this combo really lends itself perfectly to my style of music - late 40's thru late 60's be bop and hard bop. The separation of the instruments is so much better defined. You can clearly differentiate one sax from another. The slightest nuance is evident. It brings a real satisfaction to my "listening life" to be able to close my eyes and "see" where everyone is standing and truly hear everything they are playing. This is in contrast to other systems I've had, and these were no slouches, where I thought the detail and separation was good, but now find they really weren't.
I'm batting a thousand right now Mark! Thanks for a great unit!
Excellent Customer Service - April '08
I received the [used] Blueberry and unfortunately the output jacks must have worked loose at one time with the previous owner. They were resoldered with damage to the board. I called Mark and he promptly told me to send it in and he would fix for free. Yes you heard it right, FREE!!! Now that's customer service! Especially since I wasn't the original owner, in fact I think I'm the third owner of this preamp. Now the wait to hear this beautiful piece of equipment is going to be tough!
Peach II - April '08
Hi Mark,
I got the Peach about 6:00 pm est. I hooked it up, and i am in audiophile heaven. it sounds awesome and it isnt even burnt in yet! The 2 additional output jacks are done very nicely - great touch. Thanks for everything. Have a great weekend.
BlueBerry - March '08
Hello Mark, The BBX arrived this afternoon safe and sound. I left work early today in anticipation of it's return. I did replace the 12AX7 as you recommended. I have a few untouched mullards that I have been saving. Well I must say that you must have waved a magic wand over the preamp because it sounds superb. The tonal balance seems smoother to me but at the same time very extended with that sparkle on top that makes the music so enchanting.
I want to thank you for the great customer service. I must tell you I was surprised at how quick you made the repair and sent it back to me. I have been playing the high end game for about 25 years now and it has been my experience to wait 4 weeks or more before I have received my equipment back when sent back to the factory for repair. When the BlueBerry came back I invited a few friends over to listen to my system which consists of the limited edition Fostex FE 166ES-R back loaded horn speakers. The DIY Lady Day 300B monos built up with the tentlabs heater supply modules for the 300B. The
Nottingham Spacedeck and arm with the Clearaudio Virtuosos wood MM cartridge. Of course the BlueBerry is my main preamp for both phono and line level.
OK fast forward to the first Saturday night that the BlueBerry was home. One of my buddies who knows my system brought one of his friends who told me he has a very expensive system of all tube electronics. He said he wanted to hear what all the fuss was about and wanted to see these big horn loaded speakers for himself. He brought along his preamp and without naming the manufacturer, I will tell you that it retails for around $7900.00, is made in Japan, is all tube and has a really cool green paint scheme. It has the reputation of being found in the worlds finest audio systems.
After about 2 hours of listening to mostly vinyl, I could tell that this fellow was really impressed by what my system could do. He kept asking me, "How much does the BlueBerry cost?" I just grined and told him, "Less than a third of what you have there."
"Hard to believe," he said. When we placed his preamp in the system we let it play a CD while we took a break and went downstairs for beers. After 30 minutes it was back to the listening room where his preamp was busy warming up. I cued up "Blue Trane" by John Coltrane. Both my buddy and his friend who brought the high dollar unit were anticipating a thorough beating of the BlueBerry. But you know what...... it didn't happen. Track after track we played and to my ears the two units sounded almost identical. "Play some female vocals!" he demanded. I quickly cued up a vintage "Clap Hands here comes Charlie." by Ella Fitzgerald. After an hour we had a good idea what his preamp could do and it was a very nice sound. For $7900.00 it better be.
Then the BlueBerry went back into the system. Call it synergy call it luck call it whatever you want. The BlueBerry absolutely sang. It was as good to everyone's ears as the high dollar unit, and we all knew it. OK, the guy who brought it complained about a few shortcomings but I knew he would. I remained humble.
My Grand Father always said, "The proof is in the pudding." And that night the proof was easy for all to hear. So the BlueBerry held it's own against a super high dollar unit it continues to play music with pace, great dynamic power, and above all amazing tonality. I plan to keep this unit for a very long time Mark.
Thanks again for a great product! - J.C.
BlueBerry - March '08
In all the excitement I forgot to let you know about my BlueBerry.
It arrived friday in one piece!
I hooked it up, powered my system up and went and ate dinner.
I came home and heard my first LOMC. It is what I have been trying to get my system to sound like for the last 6 years. I played music all weekend until 11:30pm last night.
I just love my system and Juicy Music plays a huge roll!
Thank you again for taking care of me. I just could not be happier.
Tercel - February '08
From our most recent Tercel customer in San Antonio, Texas: "Ok Ok I know it has only been a tad over 24 hours, but I've got to say, "The Thing ROCKS!" It just keeps getting better. It is dead quiet. The detail is uncanny, like crystal, every nuance of the music. It is open and airy with spot on imaging. It has taken my rig to the next level and beyond. I am so very happy. .."
Luther is a frequent poster on AudioKarma forums and on Klipsch forums. You can read his comments about the Tercel here and here.
This might be one of the more stunning installations I've seen for the Tercel. This is the completely stock Tercel as shown, and I understand Luther has plans for significant customization of the chassis! Can't wait for the next picture to arrive.
NOTE: This version of the Tercel is sold out and we are retooling for a new introduction of the Tercel II right now. We expect first deliveries to be in early April.
Peach II - January '08
Mark, I just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying the Peach ll that I purchased from you approx. 6 months ago.
The last conversation we had over the phone I was telling you that I wasn't thrilled nor disappointed with the pre-amp. At the time I was using it with Crown XLS-802 amps in Lo-z mode. This combo does not work very well, at least not to my liking. Time went by and I got my hands on a tube power amp along with a tube cdp and assembled a dedicated two-channel system in my large bedroom. Now, I have entered the tube world...........with a smile on my face..........and you can't get me out of that room!
A couple of weeks ago I got rid of the Crown XLS series and replaced them with Crown XTI 2000's. These amps are in a different league than the XLS's. After some discussions on the forum, I hooked up the Peach to the XTI's and...........yes..........an awesome combo in Low-z mode!! Very impressive sound that is cleaner than I imagined it would be. Thanks again Mark............
BlueBerry MkII - March '07
This is from a customer using the BlueBerry MkII seen in the rack with the blue and red front panel. "Just a quick follow up to the initial reveiw. Its going on 100 days now
since the Blueberry has graced my listening room and it continues to
impress me and a few heavy hitter audiophile types who have spent more time
than normal on the futon in my listening room.
All 3 have agreed that the
Blueberry is the equal of their $3200.00 $4600.00 and another whos preamp
is really beautiful but overpriced when comparing the performance card.
The one thing that keeps coming up in my notes is tone and dynamic
power. For me the one great thing about live unamplified music is it's
dynamic snap and the blueberry excels at this feat.
Tonally I can tell you that the texture and timbre of cello and trumpet
have never sounded more natural in my room. Female vocals are fantastic.
Try both Holly Coles temptation and Mindy Smiths just one moment more and
you will hear subtleties of tone and texture that are revealled easily
through the Blueberry.
As for the appearance 2 out of 3 people who see the
Blueberry for the first time like it and I don't mean women. I have been
rubbing the chassis with linseed oil and have watched it develop into a
beautiful pattina of depth and richness. I would like to see just one chassis of a competing
brand that has produced such a fine cabinet at any price point.
If anyone wouldn't buy the Blueberry because it wouldn't go well down at
the sports bar then they get the mediocre performance they deserve. Is
getting fantastic performance about machismo or art.
I'll take Monet over Stalin anyday."