PDA

View Full Version : Scottish Mafia Board Meeting



brian2957
25-10-2014, 07:36
Off up to Garys ( gazjam ) place later today for a little get together . Hopefully some of the troops can make it . Last time I was over his server and turntable were sounding very good indeed . Should be an interesting and informative day . Watch this space :)

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 07:43
Just getting kit ready, and deciding what vinyl to bring...

Looking forward to it, been a while.

brian2957
25-10-2014, 07:47
Yup , too long mate . We'll have to remedy that situation in the future . :) Nightshift last night so a couple of hours in ma cot then up and ready a bit later. . I'm looking forward to it.

struth
25-10-2014, 09:07
The commission meets:lol:

brian2957
25-10-2014, 09:10
You the commissioner Grant ? :D

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 09:16
Don't forget the violin cases...

struth
25-10-2014, 09:25
I'll put my lucky Luciano hat on

brian2957
25-10-2014, 09:29
OK I'll look out my '' awshuddupayaface '' hat :lol:

struth
25-10-2014, 09:32
Joe would be proud you remembered him

struth
25-10-2014, 09:35
I've organised the troops to take turns in protecting my interests so will leave about 12 ish

brian2957
25-10-2014, 09:48
Nice one mate . See you there .:)

RichB
25-10-2014, 09:53
Have a great day lads

brian2957
25-10-2014, 09:57
Cheers Richard , you're welcome to come it's only a couple of miles up the road mate :eyebrows:

RichB
25-10-2014, 13:01
One of these days mate..

Would be great to get the Scottish firm together with their North East cousins at Nebo 5

brian2957
25-10-2014, 16:47
Yup that would be excellent Richard .:D

struth
25-10-2014, 17:07
Like to thank Gary for his hospitality and thoroughly enjoy my day with him, Ali and Brian listening to music, trying his and Ali's gear etc.:)

brian2957
25-10-2014, 17:53
Aye , nice to see you again Grant . I had a feeling that this was going to turn into a ' vynilfest ' as everyone bar me has a turntable . After listening to some tracks on Garys excellent server this was indeed the case. Out came everyones favourite albums to be placed in the queue for playing.
I must admit to being surprised once again by the quality of Garys heavily modified Gyrodek . This really is a top notch vynil replay system . All LPs played sounded superb and I must admit to being a bit envious ( again :) ) of the guys who maintain a similar system . Of particular note were the 45 rpm LPs brought by Ali and Grant . I thought they sounded very good indeed. It's been nearly 30 years since I bought an LP to play on a turntable ( a Systemdek 11X ) long gone to be replaced by CD , and now file audio. The medium has moved on in leaps and bounds since then and is today a very enticing proposition once again.
Gary also uses a very nice valve amp and a beautiful pair of Edingdale speakers and it sounds very good indeed as I'm sure you can imagine . However , the big surprise of the day for us all was when Ali plumbed in his little Alchemist Kraken amp . This amp with its oversized heatsinks sounded excellent in Garys system . In some areas it was more than a match , and occassionally better sounding than Garys excellent valve amp , particularly in the areas of midrange and bass. This provided us with entertainment for a large part of the afternoon.
All in all a very nice way to spend a Saturday aftrnoon amongst like - minded friends. Many thanks to Gary who provided the grub and refreshments and to Ali and Grant for making the afternoon both entertaining and illuminating . Hope it's not too long to the next one and more folks can make it then :)

struth
25-10-2014, 18:48
Aye , nice to see you again Grant . I had a feeling that this was going to turn into a ' vynilfest ' as everyone bar me has a turntable . After listening to some tracks on Garys excellent server this was indeed the case. Out came everyones favourite albums to be placed in the queue for playing.
I must admit to being surprised once again by the quality of Garys heavily modified Gyrodek . This really is a top notch vynil replay system . All LPs played sounded superb and I must admit to being a bit envious ( again :) ) of the guys who maintain a similar system . Of particular note were the 45 rpm LPs brought by Ali and Grant . I thought they sounded very good indeed. It's been nearly 30 years since I bought an LP to play on a turntable ( a Systemdek 11X ) long gone to be replaced by CD , and now file audio. The medium has moved on in leaps and bounds since then and is today a very enticing proposition once again.
Gary also uses a very nice valve amp and a beautiful pair of Edingdale speakers and it sounds very good indeed as I'm sure you can imagine . However , the big surprise of the day for us all was when Ali plumbed in his little Alchemist Kraken amp . This amp with its oversized heatsinks sounded excellent in Garys system . In some areas it was more than a match , and occassionally better sounding than Garys excellent valve amp , particularly in the areas of midrange and bass. This provided us with entertainment for a large part of the afternoon.
All in all a very nice way to spend a Saturday aftrnoon amongst like - minded friends. Many thanks to Gary who provided the grub and refreshments and to Ali and Grant for making the afternoon both entertaining and illuminating . Hope it's not too long to the next one and more folks can make it then :)

+1 to all that Brian.Yes the Kraken was great(nice to hear some class A again). Gary's Edlingdales are real class speakers, and his server setup I could have listened to all day tbh...not to mention the 60" tv with backlight to watch on. it certainly helps the likes of me being hard of sight these days, and it was a fab system all round. Lots of great music of both vinyl and files. The painkillers are kicking in now and the tears of envy are drying up:eyebrows:


......ah well, theres always whisky:lol:

brian2957
25-10-2014, 18:57
Yup , nice system isn't it Grant :)

struth
25-10-2014, 19:04
Got those Klotz cables on the Yaqin and the M1 Dac.......sounding better than the Van der Hulls that came off....very nice Brian, and thanks for the pressie Gary.

brian2957
25-10-2014, 19:06
Nice one mate , enjoy them .:)

struth
25-10-2014, 20:05
Well, that was a nice session with the big girl.....nice cables, and suit it very well....in fact its never sounded better.:eyebrows: Might get one of your coax cables for this system Brian....a meter or so would do up here.

brian2957
25-10-2014, 20:08
Just let me know when you're ready Grant .

loo
25-10-2014, 20:35
What with the Scottish mafia and NEBO possie how can people say the SE has all the action:scratch:
you Scot's and Northerner's have all the fun sounds like a great day:D
cheers
Paul

brian2957
25-10-2014, 20:45
Yes it was Paul . I'll send down one of the stretch limos to pick you up when the next board meeting is arranged :lol:

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 20:58
Aye, a most enjoyable day. Loved the Edingdales, one of the few box speakers I've heard I could happily live with. I'd forgotten how great these speakers are.

Gaz's deck is sounding great with the new cart, more to come though, you can hear the potential trying to get out as it breaks in.

It was a surprise how good the Kraken sounded, great bass, and a lovely airy top end.

I took along the two box Firebottle phono stage to compare to Gaz's which has the improved impedance mod. Don't think Gaz will mind me saying the two box was considerably better, it has the power supply separated, and uses Mundorf caps and Takman resistors, which seem to give very worthwhile improvements over the standard components.

Some lovely vinyl played, and later on Gaz and I compared some vinyl tracks we know well to digital via his lovely server. Very little in it frankly, just a little harshness at the top end in the digital compared to the vinyl.

Also watched a couple of Blu Rays on his Oppo on a 60" display with fancy ambient backlighting. Great picture quality, and storming bass through the Kraken and Edingdales. No sub required!

A most enjoyable day, and good to see the troops again, and to meet Grant.

Cheers to Gaz for the food & drinks.

struth
25-10-2014, 21:04
here is a Kraken looking at its best Ali. :eyebrows:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alchemist-Kraken-dual-mono-integrated-amplfier-1-OFF-CUSTOM-MADE-IN-LONDON-UK-/201198219627?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Amplifiers&hash=item2ed859316b

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 21:12
:doh: no accounting for taste!

loo
25-10-2014, 21:19
Yes it was Paul . I'll send down one of the stretch limos to pick you up when the next board meeting is arranged :lol:

Cheers Brian, I wont have to deliver a severed horses head on me way ,will I:eyebrows:

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 21:22
Nope, we'll just make you an offer you can't refuse...

loo
25-10-2014, 21:26
I don't want to get in over my head I'm only a southern softy;)

struth
25-10-2014, 21:33
:doh: no accounting for taste!

:lol::lol: Well it is different, but think it could make you a bit blue after a while ;)

struth
25-10-2014, 21:33
I don't want to get in over my head I'm only a southern softy;)

you can be the London hitman Loo:eyebrows:

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 21:34
Good amp, he's asking too much though.

Macca
25-10-2014, 21:36
you can be the London hitman Loo:eyebrows:

Better going to NEBO 5 then. A bit like Michael Caine in Get Carter, going back to the Northeast to investigate the death of his brother. Except it would be the death of a hard drive or a CD player. Or something.

walpurgis
25-10-2014, 22:13
you can be the London hitman Loo:eyebrows:

Job's already taken I'm afraid! :eek:

Ali Tait
25-10-2014, 22:14
A pic of the kit-

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/150x100q90/540/VHlcdb.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/f0VHlcdbj)

petrat
26-10-2014, 08:52
Sounds a fun day.
Just googled 'scottish mafia' ... hmmm, you may want to stop referring to yourself in that way ... you're already on page three!

struth
26-10-2014, 10:20
Better rename it "The Commission" then:)

brian2957
26-10-2014, 10:26
Sounds a fun day.
Just googled 'scottish mafia' ... hmmm, you may want to stop referring to yourself in that way ... you're already on page three!

Oops we wuz ony kiddin guv :lol: It was somebody else who called us that . We just thought it was so funny that we decided to adopt the name :) I prefer 'the clan ' meself .
Yes it was a fun and informative day as always Peter .

Gazjam
26-10-2014, 10:58
Echo what the guys are saying here, really enjoyable day and always good to have the troops over.

Great to hear some good vinyl, thanks to Ali and Grant for bringing over some spinners.
Ali's Kracken Amp was, well, crackin' :) and I liked how it had more grip on the bass with the Edingdales than my valve amp.
If anything it showed that further down the line the speakers will really stretch their legs with a better amp.
Remove the crossovers and go active? 300b SET valve amp? 300B monoblocks?
Options are there, and that's what I Like so much about these gettogethers and hearing other kit in your system, it's always educational and points you in the right direction.
Everyone should try it!

Glad the Klotz cables are doing the business for you grant, your welcome mate.
They are really good cables, Nice one Brian.

Thanks again all for coming over, always a good day.
A few more pics of the day.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/th_01c2edcabce9703a67e2155ec716333a.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/?action=view&current=01c2edcabce9703a67e2155ec716333a.jpg)

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/th_ea507a3362b85078d9412c4106d4336b.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/?action=view&current=cccaf96143e0415919a414f46de54d19.jpg)http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/th_cccaf96143e0415919a414f46de54d19.jpg

brian2957
26-10-2014, 11:00
Thanks for thanking us mate . The pleasure was all yours :lol:

The chicken thingies were good too , you can buy me them again :eyebrows:

Gazjam
26-10-2014, 11:11
Shaddup you big Jessie....

brian2957
26-10-2014, 11:19
I'm the same :lol:

struth
26-10-2014, 12:25
Forgot to pick up me cds:doh:

Gazjam
26-10-2014, 12:28
Had them in a bag at the door!

struth
26-10-2014, 12:33
The wifes knackered lol. She slept all night so i got a full sleep. Must do that again:eyebrows:
Ill get them sometime

struth
26-10-2014, 23:35
Echo what the guys are saying here, really enjoyable day and always good to have the troops over.

Great to hear some good vinyl, thanks to Ali and Grant for bringing over some spinners.
Ali's Kracken Amp was, well, crackin' :) and I liked how it had more grip on the bass with the Edingdales than my valve amp.
If anything it showed that further down the line the speakers will really stretch their legs with a better amp.
Remove the crossovers and go active? 300b SET valve amp? 300B monoblocks?
Options are there, and that's what I Like so much about these gettogethers and hearing other kit in your system, it's always educational and points you in the right direction.
Everyone should try it!

Glad the Klotz cables are doing the business for you grant, your welcome mate.
They are really good cables, Nice one Brian.

Thanks again all for coming over, always a good day.
A few more pics of the day.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/th_01c2edcabce9703a67e2155ec716333a.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/?action=view¤t=01c2edcabce9703a67e2155ec716333a.jp g)

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/th_ea507a3362b85078d9412c4106d4336b.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/?action=view¤t=cccaf96143e0415919a414f46de54d19.jp g)http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/th_cccaf96143e0415919a414f46de54d19.jpg

Downloaded the pic of your system Gary and showed it to her indoors.....she said......NICE TABLE :lolsign:

Gazjam
27-10-2014, 22:12
well,
she's not wrong but still...:lolsign:

struth
27-10-2014, 22:30
She did say later that she liked the speakers too, so some sanity there ;)

twotone
28-10-2014, 09:18
That's a real nice looking system Gary, cracking looking speakers but I would never get away with anything like those, it would be the speakers or me out the door :D

Sounds like a great day out though.

Only just noticed this thread, you lot kept it quiet:eyebrows:

brian2957
28-10-2014, 12:21
Sorry Tony , don't know what happened there . We'll try to keep you in mind for the next one .

synsei
28-10-2014, 12:37
Sounds like a good day was had by all, it's a shame I don't live any closer to you guys as I would have loved to have attended ;)

Ali Tait
28-10-2014, 12:44
Hold one yourself mate!

synsei
28-10-2014, 13:06
I'd love to Ali but unfortunately due to circumstances I'd rather not go into here it would be totally impractical.

brian2957
28-10-2014, 13:15
I had the camera out earlier so thought I'd post piccies of my little system .

Korus Computer Audio server - Rega Dac - Sony TA F 770ES amp - Monitor Audio R852s ( courtesy of James ( isitari knight ) thanks James , love 'em :D ) .

Wires are MS Audio / Klotz MC5000 interconnects and Talk 3 speaker cables

Speaker stands are something I just 'threw ' together last week .

134161341713418

I'm really enjoying the music at the moment :D This forum and its members have played a significant part in this by giving me excellent advice and sharing their positive experiences ( and mistakes :rolleyes: ) with me and others .So thanks guys , keep up the good work

Ali Tait
28-10-2014, 13:24
I'd love to Ali but unfortunately due to circumstances I'd rather not go into here it would be totally impractical.

Well perhaps someone near you would be willing?

Ali Tait
28-10-2014, 13:26
I had the camera out earlier so thought I'd post piccies of my little system .

Korus Computer Audio server - Rega Dac - Sony TA F 770ES amp - Monitor Audio R882s ( courtesy of James ( isitari knight ) thanks James , love 'em :D ) .

Wires are MS Audio / Klotz MC5000 interconnects and Talk 3 speaker cables

Speaker stands are something I just 'threw ' together last week .

134161341713418

I'm really enjoying the music at the moment :D This forum and its members have played a significant part in this by giving me excellent advice and sharing their positive experiences ( and mistakes :rolleyes: ) with me and others .So thanks guys , keep up the good work

Nice and tidy mate, you need to update your sig!

brian2957
28-10-2014, 13:33
I'm waiting until I add the OBs mate :lol:

Ali Tait
28-10-2014, 14:06
Yeah, like she'll let ye! :-)

synsei
28-10-2014, 14:35
Speaker stands are something I just 'threw ' together last week .

134161341713418

You are far too modest Brian, those stands look great mate. When I 'throw' something together it usually ends up looking like something out of Frankenstein's lab... :D

brian2957
28-10-2014, 14:39
True :rolleyes: She's says the speakers in the piccies are too big :lol:

But I'm my own man matey and I'll have whatever speakers I want :wetkipper: :lol:

brian2957
28-10-2014, 14:40
You are far too modest Brian, those stands look great mate. When I 'throw' something together it usually ends up looking like something out of Frankenstein's lab... :D

I was careful to take the piccies at the right angle mate :lol:

synsei
28-10-2014, 14:45
By the way Bri, regarding our trip to Greenock, it's probably not going to happen until the new year now. Jo is going to be criss-crossing the country on UCAS duties for the next couple of months.

brian2957
28-10-2014, 14:47
By the way Bri, regarding our trip to Greenock, it's probably not going to happen until the new year now. Jo is going to be criss-crossing the country on UCAS duties for the next couple of months.
Not a problem mate . Family comes first . I hope she finds something which suits her needs.

synsei
28-10-2014, 15:14
Not a problem mate . Family comes first . I hope she finds something which suits her needs.

Jade is hoping Nottingham University fully caters to her needs as it is ideally placed for her to commute easily between her Dad's and here by train (about an hour in either direction). If that doesn't pan out she is also considering Huddersfield and Bournmouth Uni's, although the latter would be a nightmare commute.

brian2957
28-10-2014, 15:17
You'll just have to buy her an Audi TT or summat like that .:lol:

twotone
28-10-2014, 19:23
Sorry Tony , don't know what happened there . We'll try to keep you in mind for the next one .

Thanks Brian, I'd be definitely up for that, nice speaker stands BTW, I'm trying to source a pair at the minute for the new speaks (Harbeth P3s) and your's are remarkably similar to the ones in the links below.

Not much difference in price between them though so I'm having a difficult time deciding:eyebrows:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20249330/

http://www.hifiracks.co.uk/speaker-stands/68/harbeth-and-similar-monitor-speaker-stands

Canetoad
28-10-2014, 22:58
All you need now Brian is a turntable. :ner:

struth
28-10-2014, 23:14
Its about time he got back into ra vinyl:rolleyes:

brian2957
29-10-2014, 00:12
Nah , got enough going on to keep me busy chaps . If I was going down that road again you would be my first port of call Grant :)

brian2957
29-10-2014, 00:16
Thanks Brian, I'd be definitely up for that, nice speaker stands BTW, I'm trying to source a pair at the minute for the new speaks (Harbeth P3s) and your's are remarkably similar to the ones in the links below.

Not much difference in price between them though so I'm having a difficult time deciding:eyebrows:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20249330/

http://www.hifiracks.co.uk/speaker-stands/68/harbeth-and-similar-monitor-speaker-stands

I know which ones I'd be trying first Tony :eyebrows: I may give these a try meself mate , thanks for the link .

synsei
29-10-2014, 01:30
Drill a hole in the base of each foot to take spikes. Remove the seat then glue a small oak cone on top of each upright et voila, you have very serviceable open frame wooden stands ;)

twotone
29-10-2014, 22:20
Drill a hole in the base of each foot to take spikes. Remove the seat then glue a small oak cone on top of each upright et voila, you have very serviceable open frame wooden stands ;)

You could be onto something there Dave, you could stick them on e-bay for a couple of hundred nicker a pair, cheap at half the price too:cool: