My Final Simple System

[The Pink Panther]

I have been round the block as far as Hi Fi goes. I have owned all sorts of kit including various DACs, expensive amplifiers and Speakers. But I have ended up with something that I just love the sound of regardless of price or other people's opinions.

Firstly the source . A Samsung NC10 Netbook running iTunes lossless files off a 2TB Western Digital hard drive & Spotify Premium.

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1319.jpg

Next the DAC it's an HRT Music Streemer II...... which is superb!

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1327.jpg

Up next the amplifier. It's inexpensive but I just love the sound and genuinely I think it's a great bit of kit.

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1324.jpg

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1317.jpg

Lastly the speakers which are Mission MX3's. Which are an quality inexpensive floorstanding speaker.

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1316.jpg

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1331.jpg

This is as it looks on the shelf.

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1330.jpg

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc444/thepinkpanther1/DSCF1329.jpg

I love the sound of this system, it brings a cheesy smile to my face. I have not spent thousands on this system because I have realized after all the kit that I've owned that it isn't necessary to achieve quality.

Notice all interconnects are standard red and black and all speaker cable is 322 OFC speaker cable.

Anyway hope you enjoy the pics, any questions welcome

[Tim]

But I have ended up with something that I just love the sound of regardless of price or other people's opinions.
Hey, if it works and pleases you, who gives a flying *&^% what other people think - it's all about the music fella :)

EDIT: Nice pics by the way and I'm sure the mods will be here soon to comment/welcome you etc. I'm still a newbie ;)

[Butuz]

Thats a lovely little system there you should be proud!! I love the fatman amp I wouldn't exactly call them cheap! Look fantastic. Enjoy!!

Butuz

[The Pink Panther]

Thanks very much for the comments, just listening to Amused to death and it's crystal clear.

Yeah cost is relative. I meant it was cheap compared to other amps I've owned. I got mine for £ 98 new and boxed

Nice to join the forum.

Furthermore I think the reason the Fatman works well is the Hybrid design, it's has the attributes of drive rhythm attribute to solid-state with the sonic qualities of valve in the preamp stage.

[Rare Bird]

Brilliant someone down to earth..I know both the HRT & the Fatman..

[The Pink Panther]

where have the first few photos disappeared too? scratches his head

[Alex_UK]

where have the first few photos disappeared too? scratches his head

All looks fine to me, "Pink" (could you at least add your real first name to your signature, assuming it isn't actually Pink - or are you THAT Pink?! I didn't know she was into hi-fi! ;))

And another Spotify user - check out the AoS page, link in my signature below - might be some stuff to listen to in there - what sort of music are you into?

Anyway, welcome to AoS, and have fun.

[aquapiranha]

Nice system, but more importantly, you enjoy it and are immune to peer pressure - way to be!

[quadsugdenman]

If it is good for you, who gives a tinkers %$%£ what others think. It gives you pleasure, end of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lol:

[Welder]

Cor! Your nurse has got your medication sorted then :)
Seem to have a couple of recent members who don’t go Hi Fi shopping pissed with their wives credit card and an ear infection :eyebrows:
I have to ask given you say you’ve “been around the block”, at what point did you step back from it all and say this is bollocks really, I want to listen to music, not collect kit?
Cracking Dac that HRT 11. I’ve done all three HRT models now and the HRT 11 has got to be the best value for money in the range.
Not too sure about itunes but hey………..
:cool:

[Rare Bird]

John
Speaking for myself & not Matt enough is really enough, other things in life are just more important, besides theirs some nice gear available these days at really cheap prices that can see off a lot of expensive clobber..i never thought i'd ever bite the bullet but boy am i glad i did & theirs absolutly no turning back for me now.. 'I'm deffo cured'' :lolsign:

[The Pink Panther]

All looks fine to me, "Pink" (could you at least add your real first name to your signature, assuming it isn't actually Pink - or are you THAT Pink?! I didn't know she was into hi-fi! ;))

And another Spotify user - check out the AoS page, link in my signature below - might be some stuff to listen to in there - what sort of music are you into?

Anyway, welcome to AoS, and have fun.

What I great welcome from all the users, thanks this seems like a very easy going and friendly forum.

As for music I am into, very wide ranging. I have masses of electronic, for Orbital to Vangelis, I like it heavy and proggy like Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Osi, NINE inch nails, I love quality simple country, Wagner, Epic soundtracks, great pop songs and Motown.

really I could go on and on.

cheers

[Tim]

What I great welcome from all the users, thanks this seems like a very easy going and friendly forum.

As for music I am into, very wide ranging. I have masses of electronic, for Orbital to Vangelis, I like it heavy and proggy like Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Osi, NINE inch nails, I love quality simple country, Wagner, Epic soundtracks, great pop songs and Motown.
It is a very welcoming forum and caters for all tastes, what counts is that music is very high up the list of priorities for many, regardless of how it's delivered and getting the most bang for your buck is also something you will find is important :)

Porcupine Tree and Blackfield, good stuff - are you going to see Blackfield next week?

[The Pink Panther]

Cor! Your nurse has got your medication sorted then :)
Seem to have a couple of recent members who don’t go Hi Fi shopping pissed with their wives credit card and an ear infection :eyebrows:
I have to ask given you say you’ve “been around the block”, at what point did you step back from it all and say this is bollocks really, I want to listen to music, not collect kit?
Cracking Dac that HRT 11. I’ve done all three HRT models now and the HRT 11 has got to be the best value for money in the range.
Not too sure about itunes but hey………..
:cool:

Hi there, I have owned all sorts odd equipment, and I realized with every upgrade I wasnt really getting anywhere. infact I seemed to getting further away from the sound I like with every so called high end purchase. I think the decision to step back from it all has been a combination of what I have said above, looking at peoples attitutudes towards kit on various forums. For some people it is all about the shiny boxes and they seem blinkered from the music. I have stood in many an audition/ show demo / someone's home for instance as equipment has been demonstrated and listened to people's reaction. They are there marveling , raving about how incredible it sounds, and I have been stood their thinking you are talking absolute cod Sh1t. This sounds crap. I even voiced my opinion at a Leema demonstration once and was virtually shouted down as if my opinion couldn't be taken seriously. For a while I even doubted my self. How could all these people like all this incredibly expensive equipment that sounds terrible? maybe Its me? my ears?
Not being big headed but I have studied music on various instruments to a high level, so if there is one thing I do trust it's my ears!
I suggested once that the cheapest upgrade to any hifi was a pint of beer. it didn't go down well with the forum.

Any way I could ramble on for ages but I know now that my hifi sounds as good as I ever want it to sound. It doesn't need improving. It needs listening to until it breaks from over use!

[The Pink Panther]

I hope I have not come across as Mr know it all, It is just my opinion. and each to his or her own and all.

[The Pink Panther]

It is a very welcoming forum and caters for all tastes, what counts is that music is very high up the list of priorities for many, regardless of how it's delivered and getting the most bang for your buck is also something you will find is important :)

Porcupine Tree and Blackfield, good stuff - are you going to see Blackfield next week?
Yes hotel booked, wife packed in suitcase, Jagermeister at the ready.

[Marco]

Hi "Pink",

Welcome to AoS. Glad you seem to be settling in ok - nice one :)

So what's your proper first name, mate? We like to know each other here on first name terms. It engenders a friendly atmosphere and creates a community spirit :cool:

Marco.

[synsei]

I hope I have not come across as Mr know it all, It is just my opinion. and each to his or her own and all.

Hello Mr Pink and welcome to AoS. You're going to fit in just fine. ;)

You're philosophy is very refreshing and mirrors mine exactly. All my gear is second-hand and has all been acquired for very little cash. It sounds bloody fantastic and puts a huge smile on my face, what more could anyone ask? Oh yeah, where's that crate of 'Stella'? :lol::lol::lol: :cool:

[Ergoline]

Righteous minimalism bro!

I also have a cheap tube driven system (I have more amps than I need, but I digress). I have the first generation HRT streamer, and while it didn't have synergy with my gear, it's definitely a well-made unit, and hyper-detailed to boot. It's always cool to see a like-minded individual who knows you don't need to have a gratuitously expensive system to have good sound (even though it does help). :grouphug:

Great movies by the way.

[Alex_UK]

I suggested once that the cheapest upgrade to any hifi was a pint of beer. it didn't go down well with the forum.

Now you're just being plain silly. It takes at least two! :lol:
:cool::cool:

[Rare Bird]

Hi there, I have owned all sorts odd equipment, and I realized with every upgrade I wasnt really getting anywhere. infact I seemed to getting further away from the sound I like with every so called high end purchase. I think the decision to step back from it all has been a combination of what I have said above, looking at peoples attitutudes towards kit on various forums. For some people it is all about the shiny boxes and they seem blinkered from the music. I have stood in many an audition/ show demo / someone's home for instance as equipment has been demonstrated and listened to people's reaction. They are there marveling , raving about how incredible it sounds, and I have been stood their thinking you are talking absolute cod Sh1t. This sounds crap.


You'll do for me matt :)

[technobear]

Welcome Matt! Er... no, let me rephrase that... welcome to the forum Matt! :lolsign:

Nice to see another member in Somerset :)

That's a very neat little system you've put together there. I bet it sounds great. I'm a longstanding fan of Mission speakers (although I don't recognise that one).

I'm also a big fan of getting more from less. I sold 4 pieces of kit to pay for the Audiolab and the new laptop and came out on top. My new Bel Canto Tripath amp cost half what I've spent on my Croft valve Hybrid but beats it handily (I'm keeping the Croft for now though as I can't bear to part with it even if I'm not using it).

Did someone mention Orbital, Vangelis, Porcupine Tree, Blackfield and Nine Inch Nails in the same sentence. I think we need a Somerset bake-off. You might have other things I would like to hear (and vice versa).

[The Pink Panther]

Hi "Pink",

Welcome to AoS. Glad you seem to be settling in ok - nice one :)

So what's your proper first name, mate? We like to know each other here on first name terms. It engenders a friendly atmosphere and creates a community spirit :cool:

Marco.

That's cool it's Matt:mex::):):)

[The Pink Panther]

Righteous minimalism bro!

I also have a cheap tube driven system (I have more amps than I need, but I digress). I have the first generation HRT streamer, and while it didn't have synergy with my gear, it's definitely a well-made unit, and hyper-detailed to boot. It's always cool to see a like-minded individual who knows you don't need to have a gratuitously expensive system to have good sound (even though it does help). :grouphug:

Great movies by the way.

Hey thanks for the reply.

Just having a morning Spongle, nice analogue sounds ...... squidgy.

[The Pink Panther]

Welcome Matt! Er... no, let me rephrase that... welcome to the forum Matt! :lolsign:


Nice to see another member in Somerset :)



Hey there, thanks for taking the time to reply , I have noticed that there are many music fans from Hampshire through to Cornwall with a very eclectic taste in music. Long may it last,.

I am lucky enough to have some birthday money which I have been meaning to spend for ages. So I am off to get some CDs today( like to have a hard copy). Add to my collection. William Orbits latest album is on the list.

[dantheman91]

:partytime::cool:

Just Bought a Fatman Itube for £40 for the money its great a cracking little machine sound great with the Tannoy 15'S


Dan

[Alex_UK]

a cacking little machine

Not the best endorsement I've ever read Dan, but get your point really! ;) £40! A bargain! Well done.

[dantheman91]

edited

Dan