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BlueEyes
17-12-2011, 13:46
I have never “introduced” myself before on any forum so as most people are on the lot this one will do.

My username is because my eyes are blue and was suggested by my girlfriend when I could not think of anything else to put down.

Yes I, actually, am hanging by my fingertips several thousand feet over the Grand Canyon… in the pic.

I decided to go back to vinyl but never realised what a “minefield” it would be as I anticipated that I would, simply, buy the LP12 I could never afford when I was younger then I met lindsayt on pink fish who played his excellently set up LP12 and then his…..EMT 930st!

I appreciate that people, generally, champion what they own. For what it’s worth, I have, still, never heard a better sound from a turntable as from the 930st and such was my introduction to an idler which destiny directed me towards…although not a German one as it transpired.

I was then in liaison with a seller with regard to buying a 930st but then stumbled across 3 turntables in someone’s garage…a Garrard 301 with a SME 3012 series II, an unused Thorens 124, with an aluminum platter, in it’s original box with the power lead still rolled up and last but not least a Thorens 224, in a customised wooden carrying box, that lindsayt and I, subsequently, ascertained was in perfect mechanical working order although there is something wrong with a hum on the sound that needs sorting. I am lead to believe that finding a 224 in perfect mechanical order without a speck of rust is unusual and I would love to get it renovated.

The 301 has now been fully restored and incorporates a Denon 103, although I am not sure if I am getting the best sound out of this combination, and sits on a new wooden layered plinth and plays through my “in-betweenie-system” of Rega Apollo & Brio3 through Chord Odyssey cables and Dyn Aud 52s plus an old Nakamichi DR2 cassette player until I decide what I really want to buy with a view to renovating my home around a system!

I have toyed with the idea of buying ATC 50 or 100 actives ( and maybe even an EAR or ATC preamp ) and would like to thank Paul for letting me listen to his 50 actives and DSJR for his kind and invaluable advice as I try to make my mind up! If you know anyone local to the Manchester/Yorks/Derbyshire area who might let me listen to ATC actives in a domestic setting you never know I may buy a pair.

I am not really called Bert an old girlfriend likened me to Bert off Sesame Street who, I am informed was allegedly a bit grumpy, can’t think why she did(!), my name is Greg and I live south of Manchester on the edge of the Peak with my House of Doom backing onto my jetty abutting the Macclesfield canal.

keiths
17-12-2011, 14:46
Hi Greg, welcome to AoS from me :wave:

BlueEyes
17-12-2011, 14:58
Hi Keith,

thanks for your message and welcome!

I am near Disley where are you?

Greg

prestonchipfryer
17-12-2011, 15:09
Hello Bert, very friendly people here. Have fun.

John :)

keiths
17-12-2011, 15:18
Hi Keith,

thanks for your message and welcome!

I am near Disley where are you?

Greg

Hi Greg,

New Mills - so not far away at all!

BlueEyes
17-12-2011, 15:32
Hello Bert, very friendly people here. Have fun.

John :)

Thanks John. I have been stunned by the kindness shown by people on these forums. It seems the hobby attracts kindred spirits.

Greg

Reid Malenfant
17-12-2011, 16:53
Hi Greg, a warm welcome to AoS from me to :) Hopefully you don't make too much of a habit of clinging to rocks over precipitous drops, you should live longer & enjoy a bit of music instead :eyebrows:

Crazy bloke :D


All the best to you (you may well need it) & I hope you enjoy your stay here :cool:

BlueEyes
17-12-2011, 17:15
Thank Mark. I have read your posts in the past and will continue to do so.

Spectral Morn
17-12-2011, 17:32
Welcome to AOS Greg

Nice introduction.


Regards D S D L

Alex_UK
17-12-2011, 18:21
Hi Greg - great intro - thanks - hope it didn't hurt too much! ;)

I'm not sure if we are kindred spirits, but there does definitely seem to be plenty of people happy to pass on the faith - for me, I think it is really sad that hifi is now a niche hobby, rather than everyone owning one just like a washing machine or a fridge - come to think of it, I reckon I'd do without both of those before giving up hifi!

Anyway, welcome to AoS - what sort of music do you spin on those gorgeous decks - you lucky man!

Enjoy the forum. :)

DSJR
17-12-2011, 20:37
Hi Greg,

Apologies, but after thirty years spending loads of my bosses dosh on phone calls (those that knew me back then will "know..:)," I'm afraid I have a phone-phobia these days, as Alex, Marco and others will know. Only HiFi dave and I actually share any time on the phone.....

It has been said that things have moved on from ATC's and these days, I wouldn't entirely disagree with that sentiment. Unless the current active 50's and 100's are wonderful at low levels, you'll find they NEED to be well stretched to show what a proper dynamic range is, the "details" then fitting into it. Turn them down low, and the sound had and possibly still has, a tendency to collapse into the boxes...

For up to £10K for amp/speakers, there are alternatives, but possibly few with accurate monitoring aspirations. The UK seems bereft of Tannoy Prestige dealers, but some good used Tannoy Chatsworth/Lancaster (whichever is the bigger one :)) or some Lockwoods like Marco's and used with a Tube Distinctions amp (EAR have now priced themselves into the stratosphere) could be got for around the price of some 100A's I think and, THESE DAYS, I think I know what I'd have, and it would be the glowing option (I'm avoiding mentioning Albarry and Harbeth for this post :))

BlueEyes
18-12-2011, 01:03
Many thanks DSDL.

Alex I listen to everything from Kind of Blue on vinyl to Neril Young. What about yourself?

My intention in joining forums has been to learn from the people on them I find my ignorance frustrating.

Thanks Dave I will listen to you Marco at al before making any decisions.

BlueEyes
18-12-2011, 01:04
I meant Marco et al!

Wilbur
18-12-2011, 01:57
Welcome :) Some nice turntables/arm there:)

jandl100
18-12-2011, 08:11
Hi

Interesting sounding TTs you have there! - any chance of some photos? :)
Perhaps you could start a thread in the Gallery section?


I listen to everything from Kind of Blue on vinyl to Neil Young.

Is that a big range of music or a small range of music? :scratch:

Alex_UK
18-12-2011, 10:57
Alex I listen to everything from Kind of Blue on vinyl to Neril Young. What about yourself?

Well possibly a controversial answer to say anything and everything - my main passion is chill-out and female singer-songwriters - but everything really, including jazz and some Neil Young. Majority of my music is digital these days - c. 3,000 albums, with about 1,000 on vinyl. General rule of thumb is if it was originally released on vinyl that's what I have so LPs prior to 1990 roughly, CD/files since. Vinyl is a treat these days, with an inquisitive 3 year old, only tends to get played when I have the house to myself and proper listening time. :)

Jonboy
18-12-2011, 14:12
Hello Greg and welcome from me, pics of your kit would be nice

shane
18-12-2011, 18:14
Given the small number of people who understand what they are, and the rarity of the things themselves, what are the chances of an enthusiast stumbling across a garage containing a 301, a mint 124 and a 224? Lucky man!

Welcome...

BlueEyes
20-12-2011, 00:27
Shane,

It was a stroke of luck and pics were posted by lindsayt on pink fish and hifiwigwam at the time. The 124 remains in the box and I am still wondering what to do with the 224 as there appear to be few people who are prepared to renovate them. If anyone knows of anyone who does such advice would be very much appreciated.

Paul, Jerry, Alex and Jon, thanks for your welcome.

Greg

WOStantonCS100
20-12-2011, 00:44
Ya know, Greg, you're bum does kinda look a bit big in that. :eyebrows:

I love watching videos of the 224 in action. No change of VTA. Gotta luv that.

Welcome.

BlueEyes
20-12-2011, 00:53
Biff,

Your system look awesome.

I am rather out of my depth with regard to such matters.

The 224 works, mechanically, without any problem but there is hum on the sound that neither lindsayt ( subjectivist ) or myself could figure out. My understanding is that no-one ever wants to bother with sorting a 224 damaged, mechancially, because there are so many parts it is a pain but may be the sound issue can be redeemed.

Nice to meet you.

Greg