View Full Version : CaC Hall of Fame?
jazzpiano
07-03-2012, 18:09
Hello All,
So, based upon your recent Cheap as Chips Challenge, or previous experieneces with inexpensive gear, what would you nominate for your CaC HOF? Stuff that genuinely sounds good.
Best,
Barry :cool:
a&r a60
arc 101 speakers
phillips 850 cd
to many to list.
There are thousands of bargains out there.
Hi Barry, a good idea for a thread - let's just hope it doesn't send the prices sky-high... ;)
I don't think anyone who heard them would argue against the RAM 150 speakers and Cambridge P50 amplifier at the core of my main C.a.C. system. The RAM speakers in particular will have been unknown to many, as they were a tiny manufacturer and have been out of business for over 30 years... (if your interested - history of RAM (http://www.falconacoustics.co.uk/falcon-archive-links-history-tips/falcon-acoustics-archive/ram-speakers.html) here.) Because they are relatively rare and unknown, they don't get too much attention on eBay - or at least not as much as a similar pair of Kef or Celestions would. I'm not saying they are the last word in sophistication, but at the £58 I paid for them, a bargain.
Similarly with the Cambridge amp - those that don't know any better would possibly associate the Cambridge name with the budget kit they have put out more recently - true, they still do some top stuff, but many will think of them as being a "Richer Sounds" special - just based on the name.
I will also have to nominate the Wharfedale Diamonds - especially the Mk1 and the Mk IVs - tiny speakers with a big heart - they just have that boogie factor, that make them so musical.
No more nominations from me - I might need to keep some under my hat for next year! ;)
jazzpiano
07-03-2012, 18:40
Thank you Alex and Stu. I'll keep an eye out but not hold my breath for those. It's nice to know of some pieces like this. Sometimes you meet someone or have a friend who wants to explore different kinds of music, get a little more serious about it, but sees new prices/complexity,etc. or even used prices on top kit and is scared off.
Carry On,
Barry
Didn't hear the rams unday but i bought a smaller pair very cheap about 8 years ago.
Cracking speakers.
hoopsontoast
07-03-2012, 19:55
Some of my previous Bargains-
Keesonic Kolt - £75
Philips CD850 - £50
T-Amp - Variable (~£60)
Arcam AVR200 - £50
Target R1 ~ £30
Tannoy Mercury S - £50
I have to nominate the little stereo that started it all - and I have it all - sort of...
Garrard SP25 III/AT66, Metrosound ST20 amp and original Wharfedale Denton W20's
Jac Hawk
07-03-2012, 22:58
I never though i would say this but a lot of the Aiwa gear from the mid 70's to early 80's is very good, solid Japanese build with a good sound quality, and the prices are kept down by the majorities perception of the brand, ok it's not the best thing since sliced bread, but when you can pick up a solid pre power amp combo for less than a tenner which can hold it's own against amps costing hundreds of pounds more you can't grumble;)
Reid Malenfant
08-03-2012, 00:01
arc 101 speakers
Got a pair of those sitting under the stairs :) Unusual as the crossover is in an external plug in module that is on the back... Some plonker has painted them matt black though :rolleyes: Nice speakers none the less ;)
I will also have to nominate the Wharfedale Diamonds - especially the Mk1 and the Mk IVs - tiny speakers with a big heart - they just have that boogie factor, that make them so musical.
No more nominations from me - I might need to keep some under my hat for next year! ;)
I'd go with the MK1 Diamonds to... Just don't ask them to do big volume & deep bass at the same time :eyebrows: Other than that they are pretty astounding :D
No more nominations from me - I might need to keep some under my hat for next year! ;)
Oh, what's this about then :scratch: You have plans for 2013? CAC 2013 or what? :cool:
Oh yes, Aiwa kit... Some is very good indeed! I think if you compare a stock Technics 1210 to an Aiwa AP2600 you'll soon see which is better built ;) While the Aiwa might be more difficult to modify it's already a good bit of the way there anyway. Looks like a nice arm & decent voltage regulation will see it put right & into giant killing territory :D
Still have a pair of 101s in the loft that need sorting out.
Very good speakers.
The 050 was supposed to be good to.
The CaC room at Scalford was a fantastic idea.
I'd nominate:
Mission 760 loudspeakers. Sprightly and even little things and they can be found for £30.
Ariston RB80 - nice little floater which doesn't sound unlike an early LP12 with a felt mat in place of the rubber. I've seen them for £80.
Heybrook HB2 - quite rare now in good condition but really lovely sounding things in the BBC monitor mould but with tauter bass. Often well under £100.
Rob
Is this lucky finds or regular cheap as chips?
My best recent sonic bargain is a Higher Fidelity Century Series integrated amp - £79 but needed a fuse. The best amp I've had, including the Primare 928 set I had.
There are many many bargains to be had if you're happy to take risks.
I've an Italian muscle amp that should be good once repaired. Cost me £130. An 80's Bartolomeo Aloia D100 Referenza - built like a Krell.
Also a nice studio valve pre-amp which sounds superb in a euphoric way (easily goes into nice valve distortion because modern line levels are too high) which cost me £70 - was a beat up, unknown thing possibly DIY but well made. Great phono with all Mullards inside.
You'll never get great bargains with things that are well known to be good, unfortunately.
But with luck things get over looked or mis-described on eBay or just in small ads around in newspapers.
In a normal sense though, Audiomaster speakers are normally very good, and Celef too - often both cheap.
RAM are great too - I got a pair for just £5 on eBay a while ago 100s I think. I emptied my car boot into the corridors of the store rooms where I live, dropped my car back where I park it (some way away) but forgot to take the gear up to my flat. When I remembered the next day all the gear (some stuff from freecycle too) was stolen, probably presumed dumped.. so never got to hear the RAMs.
RochaCullen
08-03-2012, 10:41
I emptied my car boot into the corridors of the store rooms where I live, dropped my car back where I park it (some way away) but forgot to take the gear up to my flat. When I remembered the next day all the gear (some stuff from freecycle too) was stolen, probably presumed dumped.. so never got to hear the RAMs.
Had you had a few sherbets?
Hi all,
Here's my CaC system that we listen to all day at the office.
Cambridge Audio P55 - had it from new.
PC with m-audio audiophile PCI card - £35 off ebay.
Mordaunt short Avant 905i centre speakers x2 ~ £80 off ebay
Each of the components are OK, but they seem to compliment each other perfectly :) We listen to it all day, streaming radio 2 and it's superb.
I think the key to the system is the P55, which gives a very smooth and relaxing listen.
Martin
http://www.chelsea-bathrooms.co.uk/p55.jpg
Each of the components are OK, but they seem to compliment each other perfectly :) We listen to it all day, streaming radio 2 and it's superb.
I think the key to the system is the P55, which gives a very smooth and relaxing listen.
Martin - the bit I've bolded is the important part - especially the amp and speaker synergy - but everything plays its role, and if you get it right it is very rewarding to put together a system that is very much more than the sum of its parts.. :)
(Mind you, I was going to say equipment stands and cables play a role too - or in your case perhaps the "alternative" method of positioning the amp is the key!)
(Mind you, I was going to say equipment stands and cables play a role too - or in your case perhaps the "alternative" method of positioning the amp is the key!)
You should see where the speakers are!
Martin
Martin - the bit I've bolded is the important part - especially the amp and speaker synergy - but everything plays its role, and if you get it right it is very rewarding to put together a system that is very much more than the sum of its parts.. :)
Course, it could be that our obsessions with bits of wire, specialist supports, tubes v solid state and most of the rest are in fact just that...obsessions.
Seems music can in fact pour forth from the most unlikely components..odd that init. ;)
istari_knight
08-03-2012, 15:21
Things that sound great for little outlay ? Hmm... I have picked up the following in the past few weeks :
Cambridge Audio CD4SE (£1)
Keesonic Kubs (£20)
ION Obelisk (£35)
or in your case perhaps the "alternative" method of positioning the amp is the key!
I suspect the speaker terminals are at the bottom so that all the current flows downwards.
I suspect the speaker terminals are at the bottom so that all the current flows downwards.
:lol: - You may well be right Martin, those protons don't like going uphill, do they!
Had you had a few sherbets?
Unfortunately not.. :) Where I live you have to rent a parking space in the carpark for over £1k / year and nearest non-CPZ road is a 30 minute bus ride (but not far from my girlfriend's) and it was about 4am. By time I got back, I got into the block a different way and was only thinking of bed.
I suspect the speaker terminals are at the bottom so that all the current flows downwards.
Hmm... I think your theory is wrong.
From memory, the torroid is on that side of the amp too so they first have to climb up before they roll down out the back again. Think penguins on that electric toy thing (you know what I mean!).
What you need is some kind of electron tank, perhaps in the loft or a cistern. Should give a faster current flow and better grip on the speakers.
Hmm... I think your theory is wrong.
From memory, the torroid is on that side of the amp too so they first have to climb up before they roll down out the back again. Think penguins on that electric toy thing (you know what I mean!).
What you need is some kind of electron tank, perhaps in the loft or a cistern. Should give a faster current flow and better grip on the speakers.
Yes, the terminals and torroid are at the bottom - gravity won!
From the moment we fired it up, we knew we had something special - even the only female in the office looked up and said "wow that sounds good".
I'm thinking of putting it in for the CaC challenge next year - what do you think? Maybe it's a bit expensive? Could I enter it with 1 speaker?:)
Martin
Yes, the terminals and torroid are at the bottom - gravity won!
From the moment we fired it up, we knew we had something special - even the only female in the office looked up and said "wow that sounds good".
I'm thinking of putting it in for the CaC challenge next year - what do you think? Maybe it's a bit expensive? Could I enter it with 1 speaker?:)
Martin
Get a friend to stick it on eBay with a terrible photo (maybe even no photo) on a short listing and 99p start then buy it back..
Even better, take it apart first before giving it to the friend, all bits in bin bags.
Is that cheating for the CaC challenge?
Get a friend to stick it on eBay with a terrible photo (maybe even no photo) on a short listing and 99p start then buy it back..
Even better, take it apart first before giving it to the friend, all bits in bin bags.
Is that cheating for the CaC challenge?
:lol: :lol:
Great idea, but knowing my luck, it would all go wrong and end up costing me a fortune :doh:
Martin
Jac Hawk
11-03-2012, 18:45
Well with the success of the C.a.C room at this years show, i'm already looking at a few pieces for next year (assuming there is a C.a.C room next year) how about the rest of you guys:eyebrows:
Reid Malenfant
11-03-2012, 18:54
Depending on how I get on building my new kit for home use & if I find time, I might see about trying to get done what I wanted to for this years CaC challenge :)
Besides, there is a whole other year to find a decent pre amp for about £15 :cool:
Got a Sony CDP and Celestion Ditton 44 (£90 total) I just need an integrated amp - a NAD 3020 or varient will suit, and I will have a Godzilla-killing CAC system - might have to exceed the notional £100 by a little but then you have to account for inflation...
Reid Malenfant
11-03-2012, 19:03
Well if the fabled AoS show actually gets off of the ground there is no harm in doing the same thing there. Might be handy actually as from what I have been led to believe it'd be later in the year which gives me more time :D
I think we should have a thread to discuss the AOS show. Never too early to start planning:eyebrows:
Rare Bird
11-03-2012, 19:16
AOS needs to create it's own show first
Reid Malenfant
11-03-2012, 19:25
AOS needs to create it's own show first
Aye, that'd be what the planning thing would be about :)
I think if a whole load of members chirped up & showed an interest it might well influence them up top in the mods room (of which I have never partaken) to get there fingers out & actually do something about it - possibly :D
No harm in trying at the very least eh?
Rare Bird
11-03-2012, 19:29
Not a problem with our money bags, semi retired gaffer id have thought :eyebrows:
Lol - suggestions are always welcome, chaps!
Actually, great minds think alike (or daftees never differ), as we were going to ask for your thoughts on this very subject shortly, anyway, so we may as well start the ball rolling now :)
I'm in the middle of doing a few things at the moment, but if someone starts a new thread on the subject, and folk chip in with their ideas, first of all on a suitable venue/location and proposed date for the show, that would be great.
Btw, just to stress the point... We're extremely focussed on making this happen. If Wigwam can do it, there's no reason why we can't. Take it as a given that funding won't be a problem. I'll bankroll the costs of the inital one, if I have to, but with some proper thought, we should be able to make it self-funding.
Ok, let's get those ideas coming in thick and fast, on a new thread!
Laters :cool:
Marco.
Rare Bird
11-03-2012, 19:58
Very cool dude
:cool:
Jac Hawk
11-03-2012, 20:08
i think a vote on the best location would be a start
New thread please, Mikey ;)
Marco.
Reid Malenfant
11-03-2012, 20:17
New thread please, Mikey ;)
Marco.
Done :eyebrows:
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