Hello from London

[jaym481]

G'day, eh! From a Canadian transplanted to London for a bit. I'm Jay, and I'm a vinylphile.

I do listen to digital, but computer based and usually only for background. When I "get into it" (the music, that is) it's pretty much records - LPs and 78s. I also dabble in RtR tape.

My system is a modest collection of old and new, cobbled together over time. Tannoy speakers (2 pr HPDs in Arden and Cheviot cabs at the moment). Main day to day amp is a Grant Fidelity W30GT integrated, and main sources are Squeezebox Touch for the digital, and Lenco L75 (modified quite a bit). Also adding a Garrard 401 I just acquired. My secondary amp is a Leak Stereo 50, with a Rothwell passive "preamp" providing attenuation and source selection. The RtR is a Sony TC-765, and the rest of the tape stack is dbx stuff.

Everything is still in a sea container waiting customs clearance at the moment, so I'm listening to internet radio on a pair of 1/2" laptop speakers. If anyone knows an audiophile at UK Border Services who might be able to expidite things, on humanitarian grounds, of course. I'd appreciate it

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi Jay,
Welcome to The Art of Sound.
..........and welcome to England!
It's nice to have you here on both counts. What do you like in the way of music?

Cheers

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Jay

A Leak Stereo 50? Now they are a bit of a rara avis:

http://www.44bx.com/leak/leakStereo50.html.

Would be interesting to put that up against a Radford STA25.

Again what are your tastes in music?

Regards

[jaym481]

I listen to a variety of stuff. A mix of jazz formats, blues, classic rock (again, a mix of formats), and classical from small combo chamber music to big, bombastic orchestral. Lately it's been mostly jazz and blues.

I've been lusting after a Radford amp for a while now, but they're hens' teeth in Canada. Maybe I can find one here.

The Stereo 50 was a lucky find. Not cheap, but well under the usual asking. It included the preamp, though that went into storage. Also included a bunch of nice tubes (xf2s and Mullard ECC83s). I had it rebuilt last year, including new Standees resistors which had been made up by an acquaintace in Ottawa. I hope it gets here without damage.

[Tarzan]

Welcome aboard Jay, that Grant Fidelity amp is supposed to be an exellent amp!:)

[jaym481]

I think it's pretty good Andy. It's not quite the level of the RITA amp GF has, with which you may be familiar, as it looks a lot like a Jungson Ja88D. I believe Jungson is the OEM for the W-30 as well, though no-one is saying. Mine still needs a bit of break in I think, but it sounds great as is.

[Wilbur]

Welcome!
Nice gear and a good range of musical tastes-think you'll enjoy the site:)

[Alex_UK]

Hi Jay - welcome to the UK and AoS from me too. Nice load of kit you have there - let's hope you are reunited soon! (Can't help there I'm afraid.)

Hope you enjoy the forum.

[jaym481]

It looks like everything will be delivered on Thursday next. Hopefully all in good order, and hopefully the Home Secretary will allow me some time to set it all up. I suspect other priorities will interfere. I liked it better when I had my own (small) room for the audio gear.