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ursus262
12-06-2011, 17:09
Hi everyone.

My name is David, and I stumbled across this forum through a Google search, as I was trying to find a bit more about balanced mains supplies to improve my hi-fi's performance.

Of all the forums I've visited that are related to Hi-Fi, this one seems the friendliest, so I thought I'd join in :)

My system is what I would describe as an 'Integrated Audiophile 2-channel AV system'. Basically, it's a 2.0 channel hi-fi system with an AV component added on. It's a slightly unusual approach in that we don't have a TV as such. Instead, we use a Samsung LED panel, which is actually a computer monitor, that is equipped with two HDMIs and a 2ms response time. This seems to gives better performance. This is connected to a Humax HD-PVR which has two tuners, rendering a TV tuner redundant anyway.

I have a Cambridge Audio 650BD Universal Disc Player and a Naim Uniti as the hub for the entire system. I have two vintage items: a Philips DCC 951 Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) recorder and a forty year-old Thorens TD165 turntable. My speakers are the Monitor Audio RS6 floor-standers.

The whole lot is connected together using various cables and I use two Tachima filter blocks and the whole lot is put on a Blok Stax 600 which is custom made in teak to match our retro interior!

There are two upgrades on the way: one is a balanced mains supply as I have issues with the mains and earthing arrangements, and the other is having the turntable rewired and a new cartridge fitted.

Incidentally, I have a special interest in mains quality, and am sceptical as to the usefulness of expensive interconnects and speaker cables in improving sound quality. Controversial, maybe, but I think marketing plays a part and studio cables are often just as good for a fraction of the price.

Musically, I'm quite involved as I sing in the local choral society here in Luton, and the Redbourn Community Chorus as well as the Voicelab project at the Royal Festival Hall - so music is close to my heart. I like classical music, but have different sides to my musical character as I love dance music, especially The Prodigy!

So, I hope this gives you some idea of what I'm about and hope to make many new friends here.

David

Reid Malenfant
12-06-2011, 17:20
Hi David, that is a textbook introduction :) Welcome to AoS, i'm sure you'll enjoy your stay!

Classical & Prodigy? :scratch: Ah well i guess i shouldn't complain as we have allsorts of musical tastes catered for on here (& i like The Prodigy :eyebrows:).

I'm sure we'll be able to help you sort out your balanced transformer idea for you, no doubt you have already seen a thread or two on the subject!


All the very best, will no doubt catch you around the forum :wave:

John
12-06-2011, 17:26
Speaking form someone who uses a Balanced Transformer I think this approach really works well
Welcome to AOS

Alex_UK
12-06-2011, 19:52
Hi David - welcome to AoS.

Yep - an exemplary introductory post, a gold star and 3 house-points!

The only other thing we would love to see is some piccies in the Gallery if you can manage it - nothing to do with hifi, we just love checking out people's wallpaper! ;)

Hope you enjoy the forum. :)

Reid Malenfant
12-06-2011, 20:03
<snip> nothing to do with hifi, we just love checking out people's wallpaper! ;)
There was me thinking you had a curtain fetish :scratch:



:lol:

Alex_UK
12-06-2011, 20:04
There was me thinking you had a curtain fetish :scratch:

I've moved on... :)

Reid Malenfant
12-06-2011, 20:05
I've moved on... :)
Excellent, nothing like exploring new horizons - or wallpaper come to that :eyebrows:

ursus262
13-06-2011, 06:38
Thanks guys. I am hoping to make a useful contribution to the community. Incidentally, do we have community meetups?

I'll put pics of my system in the relevant place shortly.

Dave