OK, don't hate me, feel sorry for me. Yeah.

I traded the Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory special, the Line Magnetic Premium 845, for a Balanced Audio Technologies system, VK33 preamp, and a pair of VK56 monoblocks. Not an even trade. It does hurt.

But, driving the Harbeth 30.2 Anniversaries, it sure sounds good!

I'd like to hear that.

Come on over!

Those are 6C33C-B tubes. Straight out of the MiG-25. Thick glass, heavy, powerful, sweet!

I worked with those in grade 12. Heavy. Built like a tank!

What did you do with them?

I repaired a guitar amp that came in. We repaired TVs, radios, whatever. I distinctly remember those because they were heavy and the glass was thick.

I repaired a Philco tube TV with a rotating CRT. I don't have a right index fingerprint because I accepted a dare to discharge its flyback transformer using my digit.

Oh yes, the Philco looked like a science fiction movie dealie. I saw one at an electronics repair shop. He said they were very dangerous.

That had to hurt.

Just thought I'd check in. Swapped the stock tubes out of the BAT preamp and replaced 6 x 6922 Amperex NOS and 2 Tung Sol NOS 5881s ("best ever made" Brent Jessee).

Broke them in over the past week. (Tubes really do need break-in).

Oh my goodness! Most noticeable differences between the BATS and the Line Magnetic ... the attack, Piano sounds like a real piano, guitars sound so real. I wish you all could come by and hear this.

Best regards from tube-city.

Happy New Year.

PS I picked up a pair of Tron Trager stands for the Harbeth 30.2s. (Don't ask).

Whaddya know. They made great sound greater.

What wood did you select for the stands?

Ah, Mr. Mojo. The Tragers are black. I'll post some pictures later today.

The Skylans weighed about 30-40 lbs each, once loaded with rice. The Tragers feel like about 5 lbs each.