Is this the addiction clinic?

[DavefromDorset]

Hello, I'm Dave from, er, Dorset and I'm a dithering hi-fi-nerdaholic. I'm not sure where on the 12 steps to hi-fi peace and tranquility I am, but I sure ain't got there yet. I've owned a series of long-lived set-ups from home-made amp/Kef Kits/Garrard SP25, stopping for a memorable few years at Cambridge P50/Kef Concerto/401/SME S2/V15, and arriving at Arcam AVR350/DV137/ B & W MT30 after a period at Technics/Rega/Mission/REL. The 401 and SME are still in the loft, but as I no longer use vinyl they haven't seen the light for years. I also have a Squeezebox and Audio Engine A5 setup in the kitchen.

As you can see, I've gone AV and I'm pleased I did. However, I need to replace my front stereo M1's with something better for music, but I can't settle on anything, hence the dithering element of my addiction. I've been monitoring (and thoroughly enjoying) the various big speaker/ little speaker threads on AoS, which prompted me to join.

So, in a nutshell, I'm hoping for inspiration and enlightenment, and in return expect to lend a hand in settling other members' quandaries where my limited expertise will allow.

Look forward to meeting you all out there.

Dave

[snapper]

Hi Dave

Welcome. Sorry, can't help with suggesting speakers but I'm sure others will.

What music do you listen to?

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Dave,


Splendid introduction.

Yes, you're right this is the addiction clinic for hi-fi obsessives, but I'm afraid we won't be able to help much, as we're all similarly addicted ourselves!

What sort of music do you like to listen to? In some ways we prefer to talk about music rather than the means by which it is played.

Oh, regarding your no-longer used Garrard 401 and SME gathering dust in the loft: it is a requirement of membership to AoS that all neglected and vintage items of audio equipment are safely handed over to the Moderators for disposal!

You see? There's just no hope of a cure here.

Welcome again

Regards

[Reid Malenfant]

Hi Dave, welcome to rehab - you just know it doesn't work :eyebrows: Nice to see another AV interested party on here, there aren't many of us so the more the merrier!

All the best & i hope you enjoy your stay :cool:

[Dingdong]

Welcome to the forum. Garrard in the loft. How dare you. Go and get it out right now, and then buy an amp with valves in;)

I was just about to put some speakers on ebay that could possibly interest you. They are Mission 773e, 77c and 77 DS.
They are probably about ten years old, but are in excellent condition. They work quite nicely for music and movies.





Hello, I'm Dave from, er, Dorset and I'm a dithering hi-fi-nerdaholic. I'm not sure where on the 12 steps to hi-fi peace and tranquility I am, but I sure ain't got there yet. I've owned a series of long-lived set-ups from home-made amp/Kef Kits/Garrard SP25, stopping for a memorable few years at Cambridge P50/Kef Concerto/401/SME S2/V15, and arriving at Arcam AVR350/DV137/ B & W MT30 after a period at Technics/Rega/Mission/REL. The 401 and SME are still in the loft, but as I no longer use vinyl they haven't seen the light for years. I also have a Squeezebox and Audio Engine A5 setup in the kitchen.

As you can see, I've gone AV and I'm pleased I did. However, I need to replace my front stereo M1's with something better for music, but I can't settle on anything, hence the dithering element of my addiction. I've been monitoring (and thoroughly enjoying) the various big speaker/ little speaker threads on AoS, which prompted me to join.

So, in a nutshell, I'm hoping for inspiration and enlightenment, and in return expect to lend a hand in settling other members' quandaries where my limited expertise will allow.

Look forward to meeting you all out there.

Dave

[John]

Barry right all 401 not in use are handed over to the mods and it my turn
But you really need to sort this out the 401 a great turntable and is capable of producing great sounds
Anyway welcome to AOS

[DavefromDorset]

Many thanks for the warm welcome. As for music: quite a range really, except pop in most of its forms (I long since gave up trying to distinguish between the current interpretation of soul and R & B; hip-hop, grunge, garage, rap, gangsta rap etc etc) though I do like Adele, Amy Winehouse, Snow Patrol, Wilco, Elbow plus a few others.

From the past I enjoy psychedelic-era Beatles, Stones, Motown and Philly soul, Zappa (Grand Wazoo is also my favourite album), Zeppelin, the great Hendrix, Van the Man, Clapton, Yes, Genesis. My tastes moved from Prog to Jazz in the '70s, with I guess Chick Corea being a standout favourite along with Dave Grusin and John Mclaughlin, tailing off into Mingus, Monk, Adderley, Miles, Krall, Cullum.

My long-lasting enjoyment is Classical music, which I have listened to since childhood: typically Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Stravinsky, Pärt, Puccini and one-offs such as Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle and Bruch's Violin Concerto.

If there's one place that encapsulates my musical taste (except for classical), it's the internet station Radio Paradise, on which every track seems to be a gem. Perhaps it helps that the owner appears to be around the same age as me, so has probably gone through a similar musical development.

I'd like to say that I go to lots of concerts and gigs, but I'm a bit of an armchair music fan (being in deepest Dorset doesn't help) so I can't relive any great stage moments (maybe apart from waiting for hours for Focus to start their session at Bournemouth in the early '70s: someone had stolen Thijs van Leer's flute).

Dave

[electric beach]

Hi Dave

I like Dave Grusin's percussive and dynamic style but I've only got/ heard The Firm soundtrack. Can you recommend another album to try?

[DavefromDorset]

Hi Steve and Valerie,

I also like The Firm; for some reason the standout tracks for me are the ones by Lyle Lovett and Robben Ford (the latter prompting me to buy a disappointing RF album), but Grusin's original stuff is great also. I can't work out whether he double-tracks on some of the numbers - I'd like to think not, but perhaps you have a view.

Other Grusin albums I enjoy are The Gershwin Connection and Now Playing (the latter has a couple of The Firm tracks on it). His output isn't enormous, however.

Dave

[synsei]

Hello Mr FromDorset. A Doctor will be along momentarily to assess your condition. The current waiting time in the Audiophile Casualty Department is approximately a lifetime. If you require somewhere to sleep whilst you are waiting, there is an interesting hotel next door named California where you are assured of a warm welcome... :uhho:

Hi by the way, I'm a fellow inmate... :lolsign:

[bobbasrah]

Welcome Dave,
I laughed like at your experience of Focus as I remember them from Weeley along with Barclay James Harvest, and a host of others hazed in the smell of burning grass and mud. Yes Weeley.... At least Focus had all their kit when I saw them. Memories of long hair, well, hair....
How many lunatics does this place hold.

Might be an idea to give an idea of room dimensions and treatment if any, as well as musical taste, regarding your speaker search. In the middle of deepest darkest Dorset have you considerd DIY speakers for those long nights under the parafin lamp glow? Sorry, meant winter....

Ah well....

[DavefromDorset]

Hi Bob,

Glad you enjoyed my trip down Prog lane.

With regard to your thoughts on speakers, musical taste is as my last post on this thread. The room size is approx 8m long x 4m wide x 2.5m high, with two bays along the longest side taking the width to 4.5m. The room would be classed as bright, with painted walls and tiled floor, though there is no discernable echo. I haven't installed any specific treatment. The front stereo pair point across the room at one end (it is two rooms knocked through, with minimal piers to support the ceiling where the dividing wall was) rather than down the room. I've tried pointing down the room, and it's still and option, but I found that I lost a lot of separation and orchestral music sounded very muddy. This may be due to the size of the M1 satellites: larger speakers may cope better.

I'll post a photo of the room once I've worked out how to do it.

My biggest problem is space: the wife is resistant to me getting rid of furniture to make room for speakers, so I need something that's reasonably discreet. I auditioned a pair of Kudos K2's, which are as small as floorstanders get, but they were still too big visually. I'm currently thinking MA Gold GX50 or 100 or Elac BS243 (none yet auditioned), but will these be big enough for the room, bearing in mind that I have the P2 sub to add some lower bass?

Dave

[synsei]

As for posting photo's Dave, create a free Photobucket (http://photobucket.com/) account, resize your photos to something manageable and then upload to your PhotoBucket account. Once your pic is named and tagged, select 'IMG Code' in the 'Share This Photo' box and that saves the link to your clipboard, after which all that remains to be done is to paste the link into your post and voila, your pic will appear when you posts, although I usually preview my post just to be certain... ;)

[DavefromDorset]

Thanks Dave, I'll get on to it.

Dave

[twelvebears]

Dave, welcome.

I think I can safely say that apart from the occasional rant here and there (and then generally at things rather than fellow AOSers), you will find this a friendly and welcoming place.

However your opening question was misguided and every reply has failed to correct you.

Addiction can also be viewed as a continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the consequences associated with it. Pleasure and enjoyment would have originally been sought; however, over a period of time involvement with the substance or activity is needed to feel normal

As you will find out for yourself, nothing here is going to cure you of your audio-obsessed ills. In fact, as far as hi-fi is concerned, AOS would be more accurately described as 'Pusher's Corner'

Enjoy!! :lol:

[Alex_UK]

Sorry Dave, but Steve has hit the proverbial nail on the head - if you've come here for a cure (or without a wad of cash to spend) you're going to be sorely disappointed! Get that 401 out of the loft and running, too... ;)

Welcome to AoS - have fun! :)

[DavefromDorset]

Who needs a cure? I'm quite happy here in denial. I can handle it - just not sure about going back to needles.

Besides, have you guys seen how big a plinth with a 401 and 3009 fitted can get? I don't have enough space for decent speakers - I sure as shootin' haven't got room on my Equinox for that.

And yet....maybe I can try it again. One more time won't hurt, will it? I won't get hooked on just one play, surely.

BTW, I didn't mention in my hi-fi hsitory that I also have a wind-up gramaphone in the loft, similar to the ones with the detachable horn, but on this example the horn is folded into the cabinet with front doors to let the sound out. The spring has gone on the wind-up mechanism: does anyone know how easy it is to get this mended? Are there any specialists around?

Dave