What classics changed your hi-fi life?

[Filterlab]

For those that couldn't stretch to an Arcam Delta (plus a Black Box!), Arcam brought out its more ideally priced CD players. Originally just called the Alpha, it went on to become a modded version (the plus) and then the Alpha 1.

Great players in their day - I had an Alpha 5+.

[Vinyl Grinder]

Controversially, the Sondek (or LP12) was and is a huge hit. Whether Linn trade too heavily on it's past is debatable, but one thing's sure, it's a hit with many folk.

I'll Keep the Grace but chuck the Linn in the bin..

[Filterlab]

I'll Keep the Grace but chuck the Linn in the bin..

You know what mate, after hearing an LP12 for the first time today, I couldn't agree with you more. It was completely destroyed by EVERY other turntable, and I mean completely!

[Vinyl Grinder]

You know what mate, after hearing an LP12 for the first time today, I couldn't agree with you more. It was completely destroyed by EVERY other turntable, and I mean completely!

Nothing suprising there then.I've been drilling it into peoples heads for years.

[Marco]

I'll Keep the Grace but chuck the Linn in the bin..

Yeah, I know what you mean. I'd keep the Grace, too

As for the LP12 vs. various other decks at the show, full report to follow!

Andr'e,

I heard a cartridge today that would blow your mind... The ZU-modified DL-103 (it was on an LP12, though ) but I heard enough today even in an unfamiliar system to conclude that it was very special indeed, and I suspect considerably better than the 103Pro. I shall be investigating further with one in my system shortly.

This is what I'm taking about:

http://www.vendur.no/catalog/product...93c8529c8bca71

Marco.

[gninnam]

My brother was the low-fi buff (Luxman amp and JVC turntable with some unknown speakers) but I enjoyed listening to 'da music (this is the late '70s)

Then, he moved out and bye bye went the music. Being a poor student all I could afford was a 'ghetto blaster' - think it was an Hitachi, but it was better than nothing....................

Well, a few years later, got a job, bought a car, then realised that I was missing the music, so I sold the car........

Went to a HiFi dealer in 1985, in Manchester and sampled a few setups and walked out with the following:

Haybrook HB1 speakers with Target stands.
Audiolab 8000A amp
Michell Syncro turntable (think it had a Rega arm and a Mission cartridge (!).
Got 10 metres of speaker cable thrown in, plus I bought a wall mounted turntable table.

Thought it was the dogs and kept it for 10 years before the upgrades started.

[Filterlab]

...was a 'ghetto blaster' - think it was an Hitachi,....

I had an Hitachi portable before my hi-fi, real loud one. It had twin cassette decks and a five band EQ with a spectrum analyser and a proper volume wheel. Kicked butt!

...Heybrook HB1 speakers with Target stands.
Audiolab 8000A amp
Michell Syncro turntable ...

Great starter set up. Ahhh, the Audiolab 8000A - everyone's had one at some point.

[greenhomeelectronics]

Pioneer A400 - best value for money amp ever. My mate got hold of a shop damaged one ( he worked in the shop and may have had a hand in damaging it, me thinks) way back when they first came out. When he demo'd it to me it sent shivers down my spine, it might have been partly down to whatever speakers he had at the time but I still think the 400 is a giant killer.

[john dolan]

I bought a A400 when they first came out.It has been in use for 18 hours aday and still works perfectly.I also bought at the time a denon tu 260 l and mission 760 speakers and its all still singing after all these years.The amp is a true classic.

[Andy831]

Controversially, the Sondek (or LP12) was and is a huge hit. Whether Linn trade too heavily on it's past is debatable, but one thing's sure, it's a hit with many folk.

Blumming ek I cant believe how badly that LP12 is set up. It can`t be being used like that surely. The armboard is all over the shop. (nice arm though)