wrote in message
oups.com...
Gawd, I'll bet you all will get a big laugh out of how "low-end" my
system is, but it actually sounds pretty good to me. What's more,
other people tell me how good it sounds to them, too.

Dynaco PAT-4 preamp
Dynaco ST70 power amp
KLH "Rave" speakers
Garrard SL65B turntable with Stanton 500 cartridge
Magnavox CD changer from WalMart
Fry's Electronics "Great Quality" (Chinese) computer with stock cheapie
sound card.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I'm satisfied with the system for the time being.
The only problem worth mentioning is that, since I replaced the solid
state power amp I was previously using with the ST70, I find that the
ST70 has such good bass response that I can hear rumble from the
turntable for the first time. Not bad enough to make me buy an
expensive turntable, though.

I do not like the PAT-4. It was built before the last iteration of silicon
transistors for audio; lots of capacitive coupling with electrolytics.
Dave Hafler designed the PAT-4. His successor company, Hafler Inc., built
much better stuff. The DH-100 has comparatively minor defects, while the
DH-110 is, IMHO, one of the finest preamps ever made.
If you want a reasonable upgrade to your system, ditch the PAT-4, and
replace it with one of Hafler's successors.
If you think the ST70 has great bass response, which it does not, try one of
Hafler's successors to these as well: a DH-200, DH-220, SE-240, or XL-280.