Girl friends and wives are easy to cope with, provided you follow some very simple audio rules that I've picked up from the audiogon site....
1) Try to find a truly balanced mate. Avoid the single ended type, as I hear they don't sound as good and tend to get a bit loose after a while.
2) Make sure she's solid state. Older tube types tend to burn out after too much use and are hard to find replacements for. (Tube swapping can be fun, but don't get caught.)
3) Be sure to use adequate room treatments. Mine likes Ethan Allan. Avoid Sears and Ikea, or your mate will constantly sound bad.
4) If you don't like what you hear after a few months, upgrade quickly to something else. Constant upgrading can be quite expensive.
5) Make sure that she has an adequate source of power in order to avoid unecessary static and interference. If that doesn't help, get her own dedicated line, plug her in, and leave her alone.
6) Give her a chance to warm up before you do any serious listening. This is especially helpful for tube wives, who can become sweet sounding and forgiving after you listened to them for half an hour or so.
7) Try to find a remote control model. If they're too loud you can simply turn them off without lifting your feet off the couch.
8) Certain new models can be programmed to respond to a series of commands, such as: "Honey, I'll be back by 2:00 AM", or Can you get me another beer from the fridge?" However, these models tend to be very expensive and hard to find on the open market. Those of us that do have them, tend not to part with them.
9) If they blow a fuse, it means you've accidently touched something that's overly sensistive, or she's got her wires crossed.
10) If the volume becomes too loud, leave the room and go put away dishes or clean something. The volume will be lower and less irritating when you return.
Above all, make sure you spend time listening to her each evening and be sure not to turn her off until you leave for work in the morning. --Lorne
