[barnestn]

I received my new HT3s on Tuesday and have spent the last couple of days getting acquainted with them.  But judging from the comments of various friends who have visited, Jim Salk is not a craftsman but an artist, a true "ar-teest".  The speakers are beautiful and exhibit  the pride and care you would expect from an excellent craftsman...or artist.  Each of Jim's pieces of work seem to be a creation rather than a project. Thanks Jim for excellent work.  Oh....they perform wonderfully as well.

[avahifi]

Hear, hear, I second the comments.

Jim and his wife are visiting in the Twin Cities this week and spend a very nice afternoon with us.  They picked a set of our electronics and gave us sneak preview of Patty's amazing HT-3s (we don't get them until Friday as he needs them first for a presentation). They are the most amazing finish I have seen on a set of speakers yet.

Jim also left me a set of HT-1s to play with for the week. They are very nice sounding, but don't reach quite as deep as our late lamented Biro L/1s.  The transparency and musicality is great. I think that is a reasonable trade-off though for a slightly smaller but faster woofer for those that place inner detail and definition as a high priority. Of course in cabinet style and looks and workmanship, there is no comparison. However, I am so in love with the HT-3s that my recommendation is to go for the big ones if you can possibly afford them.

More about our really nice visit later.

Fank Van Alstine

[jsalk]

barnestn -

I received my new HT3s on Tuesday and have spent the last couple of days getting acquainted with them.  But judging from the comments of various friends who have visited, Jim Salk is not a craftsman but an artist, a true "ar-teest".  The speakers are beautiful and exhibit  the pride and care you would expect from an excellent craftsman...or artist.  Each of Jim's pieces of work seem to be a creation rather than a project. Thanks Jim for excellent work.  Oh....they perform wonderfully as well.

Thanks for the kind words.  Much appreciated.

I am glad you like the looks and the sound.  Perhaps when you have had a chance to live with them for a while, you might write a review of your experiences.

For those wondering what these HT3's look like, I was not able to take pictures before they shippped.  But they were African bubinga that looked very similar to these:



Happy listening!

- Jim

[barnestn]

Jim asked in the previous post that I comment on my listening observations so I will briefly do so.  Also, I will eventually try to post pictures of my HT3s since Jim did not have time to do so.  There is really nothing I can say about the HT3s that hasn't already been said.  Looks and performance are both excellent.  My electronics are AVA Ultra Amp/Pre so the same accolades surely go to Frank Van Alstine's work as well.  No glare, no strain, no feeling of "missing something".  True, honest bass and a beautiful, clear top end, along with impeccable midrange presence mark the Salk/Van Alstine combination.  While poor recordings are noticeably less enjoyable, the Salk/AVA equipment makes the most of what is there.  Better recordings are of course superb.  Some may prefer the additional "midrange glory" that an all tube preamp may provide (something I would like to try as well) but the AVA Ultra/Salk combo is sensational.  Thanks to both Jim Salk and Frank Van Alstine-certainly well done!!!!