View Full Version : Stuff you like but really shouldn't
Following on from the illogical dislikes thread, which stuff do you really like that's just not the done thing today, and likely to meet with disapproval from fellow audiophiles.
For me it's fkin big, back illuminated analogue power meters.
Love 'em!
Rob
icehockeyboy
16-09-2012, 22:10
Me too, love 'em!
The Vinyl Adventure
16-09-2012, 22:13
I quite like not really haveing anything constructive to say on this forum anymore ... But saying it anyway!
That and my linn streamer, oh and non upgradeable speaker/amp arrangements
bobbasrah
17-09-2012, 05:33
Big japanese amps from the 80/90's which are supposed to be clinical and unmusical.
DIY loudspeakers which are virtually impossible to gauge against standard production gear.
Chinese DAC kits which with a little fiddling are outstandingly good.
Bouncy record decks as they are allegedly rubbish.
Well made SMPSUs, as linears are so superior.
jandl100
17-09-2012, 05:52
Tone controls for my LP turntable. :eyebrows:
Cheap Hitachi interconnects.
Beobloke
17-09-2012, 07:40
Big power meters here too.
Also, the LP12. I quite like the idea of being all snooty and dismissively "bouncy fruitbox" about it, especially as I am a big direct drive and idler turntable fan and generally find suspended subchassis decks too much hassle.
Trouble is, whenever I hear one, I always really enjoy it!
Peak reading db meters like those on early Nakamichi Cassette Decks
Analogue multi-meters.
Classic British Speakers
60s & 70b Tuners
chris@panteg
17-09-2012, 11:05
Big power meters here too.
Also, the LP12. I quite like the idea of being all snooty and dismissively "bouncy fruitbox" about it, especially as I am a big direct drive and idler turntable fan and generally find suspended subchassis decks too much hassle.
Trouble is, whenever I hear one, I always really enjoy it!
Its not a bad turntable in all honesty , on a good day with the wind behind it .
Its just all the hype and sillyness that gets people going i guess , I prefer the Voyd though .
awkwardbydesign
17-09-2012, 11:39
Dansette.
Ammonite Audio
17-09-2012, 12:15
Old B&O gear. That's Adam's fault, of course.
RobbieGong
17-09-2012, 12:34
Vintage 'high end' multi band equalisers (got one) know I shouldn't but I do :D
Beechwoods
17-09-2012, 12:44
Portable tape decks!
Spectrum analysers.
Champagne gold finish.
1980's Jap linear trackers
Big Cerwin Vegas
Rare Bird
17-09-2012, 12:58
60's Germanium transistor amps..Don't really care about deluded nay sayers tbh.
Like i always say it's my tab holes thats listerning not theirs..
Infact i seem to have a knack at doeing everything the opposite to everyone else :eyebrows:
Audio Al
17-09-2012, 14:19
The X wife's younger sister :eyebrows:
and the X wife's older sister :eyebrows:
I had the one in the middle :doh:
Now X wife :lol:
Big 80s Boom-Boxes.....
My Rockola 1455, 1957 200 play vinyl jukebox......
Big 80s Boom-Boxes.....
My Rockola 1455, 1957 200 play vinyl jukebox......
I collect radio-cassette recorders :)
Prefer the 70s and early 80s mono ones.
Also collect 70s transistor radios - Grundig, Telefunken, ITT. Nice big speakers inside for a good tone :)
Rob
Big 80s Boom-Boxes
My dear old Mum, bless her soul, used to refer to them as Porta-Nuisances... :lol:
jandl100
18-09-2012, 07:45
Vintage 'high end' multi band equalisers (got one) know I shouldn't but I do :D
:thumbsup:
+1 for big Cerwin Vegas
also Cigarettes, booze, the fit bird from the office downstairs:eyebrows:
Beobloke
19-09-2012, 15:16
Old B&O gear. That's Adam's fault, of course.
:thumbsup:
Indeed, some of it makes nice drinks cabinets.
Marco.
Beobloke
19-09-2012, 18:35
Indeed, some of it makes nice drinks cabinets.
Marco.
:spank:
Mr Kipling
19-09-2012, 19:48
In those quiet, private moments, when I ponder and reflect upon all manner of things: The Meaning of Life. Why is my life the way it is? Why don't I have pots of money? Is being a sex-god all it's cracked up to be? What would hi-fi be like today if Ivor T. had never been born? Amongst such cogitations, I do wonder: A lot of B&O suff, is it just. . . . . . . . . . . . . . shite?
Beobloke
20-09-2012, 07:58
A lot of B&O suff, is it just. . . . . . . . . . . . . . shite?
There are a couple of items from their history which can indeed be described in that manner.
Then there are a lot of items which are competent but rather unremarkable, apart from the fact that they look nice. Prices for these often reflect their style and popularity rather than any outright ability.
However, finally, there are a surprising amount of items that are truly astonishingly capable.
The trick is to be able to distinguish between the three groups. In the case of the capable items, these tend to be expensive, rare and have a reputation for being difficult to repair or service. The latter case is often not true but most repair shops just hear the words "Bang & Olufsen" and say no straightaway.
If you're ever down Hampshire way and would like to see what all the fuss is about, drop me a line - I'd be happy to demonstrate some of the good stuff to you!
Rare Bird
20-09-2012, 08:23
Is being a sex-god all it's cracked up to be?
In my case YES
:eyebrows:
icehockeyboy
20-09-2012, 13:01
Years ago, I had a mofo ing giant Yank amp, pushing out 700 watts rms, the Phase Linear, into Bose 901's, front end was a Thorens TD 125 with a straight line Rabco arm, and ubiquitous Shure V15 3.
The sound was astounding, and forking LOUD!!!!!!!!!!
Years ago, I had a mofo ing giant Yank amp, pushing out 700 watts rms, the Phase Linear, into Bose 901's, front end was a Thorens TD 125 with a straight line Rabco arm, and ubiquitous Shure V15 3.
The sound was astounding, and forking LOUD!!!!!!!!!!
Phase Linear power amps, Rabco linear trackers and Shure V15 IIIs - we must be talking of the '70s. But you let the side down when you mentioned the Bose 901's.
Good, but no cigar! ;)
icehockeyboy
20-09-2012, 18:00
Phase Linear power amps, Rabco linear trackers and Shure V15 IIIs - we must be talking of the '70s. But you let the side down when you mentioned the Bose 901's.
Good, but no cigar! ;)
Well, a friend of mine still has a set of 901's, not sure which incarnation, and we hooked up a big Pioneer pre and power to them, and they sure as heck sounded good!
Maybe what is termed the "American Sound " isn't to your taste?
Mr Kipling
20-09-2012, 18:52
Sorry, Adam. Felt like annoying someone last night - and I saw your name! Having read your HFW pieces from the beginning, I feel a certain bond has taken place and I didn't think you'd mind.
Never owned any B&O gear to be honest. Years ago a mate had one of their tuner/amp/turntable combinations. Never been a fan of their styling really, but now and again I get a bit curious about their speakers.
Thanks for the kind offer. Hampshire. Isn't that the place where the posh people with money live? Is it really true they use things called knives, forks and spoons to eat with?
I was just curious Andre. Luckilly, I don't have a jealous nature.
Anthony Trollope's novels.
Anthony Trollope's novels.
My father always used to say 'His name puts you off from the start.'
phoenixpete
20-09-2012, 20:10
BRAINS Faggots :cool:
Mmmmmm BRAINS (In a zombie voice). :brainfart:
Beobloke
20-09-2012, 20:42
Having read your HFW pieces from the beginning, I feel a certain bond has taken place and I didn't think you'd mind.
I feel it too. It's very lovely - I might cry in a minute.
Thanks for the kind offer. Hampshire. Isn't that the place where the posh people with money live? Is it really true they use things called knives, forks and spoons to eat with?
I have heard a rumour that there are some posh, rich people down here but I don't think there are in my area. I'll ask the butler - he'll know.
http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp272/jonboy_01/fat_women_bathingsuits.jpg
http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss68/Lodger56/porkscratchings_zpsfb0a5536.jpg
Guys, can we get this discussion back onto a hi-fi theme, please? Otherwise the thread will be going on a bus journey to Abstract Art ;)
Marco.
CD Players.
Everyone (obviously not strictly true!) says they are a thing of the past and there is soooooo much better available ''........to download......'' out there.
However, I just love the shiny discs and the machines that play 'em.
James.
Beobloke
21-09-2012, 07:30
7" 45rpm singles.
Their sound quality is largely rubbish and you have to keep getting up and changing them but I love my collection and always enjoy an evening of rifling through them and playing a selection.
Beechwoods
21-09-2012, 09:56
Same here. The artwork on old indie singles is great, especially the wrap arounds with 'manifestos' on them :)
StanleyB
21-09-2012, 11:45
I like old style VU meters. Got quite a few of them in a box somewhere even :rolleyes:.
RobbieGong
21-09-2012, 12:00
I like old style VU meters. Got quite a few of them in a box somewhere even :rolleyes:.
Me too, I think they look great ( In fact maybe we shouldn't have posted this one cause there's no reason why we shouldn't like them :lol:)
Me too, I think they look great ( In fact maybe we shouldn't have posted this one cause there's no reason why we shouldn't like them :lol:)
Essential on a tape machines, irrelevant and useless on power amplifiers.
Personally I prefer PPMs - but I think you comments referred to meters in general.
The Black Adder
21-09-2012, 17:27
Essential on a tape machines, irrelevant and useless on power amplifiers.
Personally I prefer PPMs - but I think you comments referred to meters in general.
+1 PPM's rule - Would love one myself.
Floyddroid
21-09-2012, 22:07
Technics SL110's, especially with Mayware Formula IV arms fitted. Don't know quite what it is i just love the look and feel of them. I absolutely love Inca Tech Claymore's too. I would love two own one or to of the coloured ones.
I also have a penchant for the huge seventies Pioneer intergrated amps and the Trio's too. Gorgeous.
Floyddroid
21-09-2012, 22:11
I had a Beard P50 power amp a few years back with massive VU meters on, It looked the dogs!
Rare Bird
21-09-2012, 23:24
Technics SL110's, especially with Mayware Formula IV arms fitted. Don't know quite what it is i just love the look and feel of them. I absolutely love Inca Tech Claymore's too. I would love two own one or to of the coloured ones.
Awesome arms dude :eyebrows:
Only with very high compliance cartridges Andre, unless you get the later one (or current Nima) with heavier pipe..... :)
My "thing" at the mo is big old pro power amps. SOME of them are truly top class and after thinking how horrible the typical "Decca mastering system" was that I heard (B&W M801's with HH 900? power amps direct fed from the desk) and having now heard how good the smaller related VX300 is, I'd like to hear a VX900 again (classic MC2's are going to be just too expensive now and there's hundreds of others too that I'm never going to hear or use)
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