Jack Roberts

Thirty-three years ago I ventured into high-end audio without even knowing what an audiophile was. I was an idealistic freshman at Baylor University. I wanted to change the world and listen to music. I have spent most of my life trying to do those two things, like working as director of mission for the CostaMeda Association of Churches, trying to feed the needy, care for the hurting, and educate people on how to both live and care for each other in this precious planet we live on. I think my audio history begins with the first speakers I purchased. They were small Advents, followed by stacked Advents; you know Harry said we had to have them. Then I heard a mono system with one QUAD 57 and I had to have a pair. I cut my teeth in hi-fi with QUAD 57s, QUAD amps and preamps, and then Audio Research electronics. For source, I had an AR, then a Sony Direct Drive, and eventually a Linn. I spent many hours trying to find the perfect Decca cartridge, some grey, some blue and one gold, they all sounded more lifelike than anything in my hi-fi memory. But, they only sounded that way for a few weeks. I also had assorted tape decks, of both reel to reel and cassette variety, you know: Tandberg, Revox, and Nakamichi. Well, you can't stay single forever. I got married and we moved, and there was no place for QUADS in my new home, so I began down the road of mini monitors. I tried KEFs, Linn Kans with NAIM electronics, Celestion 700s, modded Spicas, and probably some others I don’t remember, although I do remember how they imaged and disappeared and eventually left me bored and wanting to try another. Eventually I had a bigger room and tried B&Ws, Klipschs, Silverlines, Aliante Ones with a REL subwoofer, Gershmans and then finally the speakers I owned for the 4 years: the Audio Note AN/E SEs. To my shock, a pair of speakers from a local designer here in the Bay Area moved in and took over as my reference speakers for a while. The wonderful, $4,000 Warren Gregoire & Associates Ikonoklast Model 3s. The latest pair of speakers that has stolen my heart is the $15k Teresonic Ingenium II Lowther DX4. They now reside in my reference system for the last three years. I've been on quite a ride with electronics also, starting with a Kenwood receiver. After I discovered I was an audiophile, I tried McIntosh, Quad, Threshold, and Goldmund; but I quickly discovered I loved tubes. I subsequently owned Beards, Carys, Joule-Electras, Koras, Audio Notes, and the little Wavac MD-300B. I have spent a lot of time in the last year listening to all comers on the amplifier front and the little Wavac could not be unseated, but in the end there was one amp that has taken its place: Its big brother, the Wavac EC300B, quite possible the best 300B amp ever made. It was the last designed by the late Nobu Shishido. The other thing I have done over the years is working part time (shipping, sales, mailings, anything to get to buy equipment at cost or near cost) and hung out a lot of great high-end shops and made some very good friends. As life moved on, there was less time for this, but the friendships have endured. I also listen to a lot of live music. I go to Yoshi’s in Oakland at least twice a month, I subscribe to SFO and attend frequently throughout the year, and I listen to live music at church weekly. Room Description My room is an irregularly shaped 20 by 15. It has wall-to-wall carpet, drapes, wall hangings, oil paintings, and several pieces of furniture. The speakers are on the short wall, which is short in two ways, in that it is also only 5 ft tall with the top part open to the next level of the house. Also along one side is a stair case coming down into the room. The speakers face the wall that has a fireplace in it.