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Krisbee
08-03-2009, 15:49
I've forgotten my manners and made 5 posts on one subject without introducing myself. Let me make amends.

As a music lover I was attracted to this forum by its ethos, which I wholeheartedly support and is sorely lacking elsewhere (I know because I bare the scars).

These days I'm what you might call time rich and cash poor and have currently started on the quest of trying to squeeze the best I can out of PC audio on a limited budget. I have just invested in my first DAC after endless dithering.

Disability means I don't have the mobility to get and about to audition kit and so I've tried to tap into other people's recommendations whilst trying to avoid the “flavour of the month” syndrome and inflated claims. This site has been very helpful.

You can guess my age if I tell you my early musical influences include the beatles, soul, motown, the stones, the yardbirds, hendrix and cream. I finally landed on the blues, where I stayed for many years.

But life moves on, circumstances change, and after a longish fallow period I started to listen to classical music. I soon developed a fatal attraction to the baroque, but my tastes stretch from early music, through baroque to the classical period. (Just listening to this Sunday's BBC3 radio early music show)

As to kit, well I should think a lot of forum members might not even regard it as hi-fi, but this is it:

TT- Rega Planar 3 with a Linn K5 on a RB300 arm. (no mods)
CDP – Rotel RCD965BX
Amps – Rotel RA-820BX3 (it's still going strong) Rotel RA-01
Speakers – Wharfedale Diamonds (I know I need better, it's a problem)
DAC – TC-7520 (very happy with this)
Headphones – Senn HD595 (Possibly not ideal with classical music but got them for a bargain price)
Interconnects – Tech+Link wiresCR (cheap but not nasty, as recommended on Jan Meier's audio site)

The TT has long been idle, but I cannot bring myself to part with it. And my vinly (mostly blue) is just collecting dust. The convenience of CD and digital sources is now paramount to me and these days quality sound reproduction doesn't have too be expensive using digital kit.

Puffin
08-03-2009, 17:39
Hi Krisbee, so you're 95 then!!:lol:

Wharfedale Diamonds were my first "serious" hifi speaker. However you can do soooo much better, as I am sure you are aware. Have fun.

Krisbee
08-03-2009, 18:21
Hi Krisbee, so you're 95 then!!:lol:

Wharfedale Diamonds were my first "serious" hifi speaker. However you can do soooo much better, as I am sure you are aware. Have fun.

Well I certainly feel like 95 :(

As to speakers, that's a combination of more dithering and lack of finance. Been pipped more than once taking a punt on a pair of s/hand Quad 11L which I thought might suit. The lack of auditioning is a big drawback.

But right now it's the headpones that are well used.

Beechwoods
08-03-2009, 19:20
Hi Chris!

Welcome to Art Of Sound. I'm glad you like it here. Great introduction by the way, it's nice to find out a bit about our new members!

Cheers :)

Spectral Morn
08-03-2009, 20:30
Hi Chris


What an eloquent introduction Chris.

Your kit is most certainly Hi-Fi :) and dare I suggest that you should dig your vinyl out and give it a clean and enjoy the quality and pleasure it will bring.

I too am cash poor and time rich, having lost my job last September.

Anyway Welcome to AOS, I for one look forward to reading more from you.


Regards D S D L---Neil :)

Krisbee
08-03-2009, 20:55
Thank you for the welcome and the kind words.

Neil, I'm sorry to hear of your circumstances and sincerely hope you will re-generate:)

As to the vinyl, you right in a way, except I really don't listen to the blues any more and my legs don't work well enough to be up and down changing LPs over every 30 minutes. And to make matters worse I've only got two classical music LPs :(

Spectral Morn
08-03-2009, 23:33
Hi Chris

Yes I hope to be, as you put it regenerated soon.

Sorry to hear about your legs...I have a bad knee and while not the same thing its been reducing what I can do recently, or at least what was pain free is not now.


Regards Neil

Marco
08-03-2009, 23:55
Hi Chris,

Welcome to AOS. I've got a feeling you'll fit in just fine :)

Marco.

Peter Stockwell
09-03-2009, 07:52
I have just invested in my first DAC after endless dithering.


You should fit in nicely with puns like that ;)




Disability means I don't have the mobility to get (out) and about...

The TT has long been idle, but I cannot bring myself to part with it. And my vinly (mostly blue) is just collecting dust. The convenience of CD and digital sources is now paramount to me and these days quality sound reproduction doesn't have too be expensive using digital kit.

See the PM I sent you.

welcome.

DSJR
09-03-2009, 10:15
Welcome!

May I offer a few hints?

Rega's are huge fun and yours could do with a fettling I reckon. If your're VERY careful, gently tighten the arm fixing nut and main bearing one as well (on a Rega, the arm MUST be firmly anchored to the plinth - the sound going off big time if not).

Next, a drop or three of EP80 gearbox oil in the main bearing is a good idea. Too much and you get a "hydraulic lock," the inner hub taking ages to settle into position and an untidy overflow - ugghh! The motor update works but is a bit pricey at £100 or so.

The K5 was a favourite of mine and Linn laughed when I dared to suggest that a K5 body with K9 stylus sounded better than a K9! Guess what the last K9's were??????? ;) The AT440MLa may be a better replacement one day than a DL110, seeing as you're so happy with the digital sources you have.

The amps are great fun and so are the Diamonds. If you ever have spare readies (and we've been living on dwindling savings for years now!!!!!!!!), there are some classic UK speakers you could consider for not much dosh - I'm inclined to think of 1970's KEFs like Corelli's, 104ab (must be the ab version and these can be got for well under a ton at the moment), Concerto (get these biggies on low stands and they still sing sweetly) and possibly vintage B&W's like DM4's or DM2a's.....

We'll get you going again, and here's me encouraging you to get the turntable going again :)

Krisbee
09-03-2009, 12:08
Dave,

I appreciate the advice, and you're right that the rega is long overdue a service. I'll look into the various speakers you mentioned.

But the truth is that however reluctant I might feel about it, I have to face facts and let the TT go.