Your best Hifi purchases. [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Yomanze

21-12-2012, 14:35

Pretty much my current system to be honest (I quickly moved on any bad purchases), but in particular the following stand out:

Audial Model S DAC - cutting-edge design using the TDA1541A chip. "Statement" version of Leo's AYA DAC, which itself is a giant slayer.
Amphion Argon3 - the best standmounts I've ever heard. Ridiculously neutral, fast fast fast, yet "alive and musical". Sound as big as floorstanders too.
LFD PA2M SE amplifier - Top-end (old school) Naim-like PRaT and grip, but with an intimate "being there" midrange & treble reminiscent of SET amps. Does not sound like solid state, but doesn't sound like tubes either. Totally non-fatiguing sound.

SteveW

21-12-2012, 14:46

We have the worst or most disappointing thread, so here's the opposite. :)

Two things for me which really upped the ante, firstly changing to a Lyngdorf SDAi 2175 power amp from an MF A 3.2 power amp, massive improvement!

And my most recent acquisition, the Usher CP 6371' I just love em to bits, and my son, home from uni saw and heard them for the first time yesterday, and he was very impressed too! ;)

Another endorsement for Lyngdorf from me !
Mine is the 2200 integrated, with Room Correction. Got these and the Harbeth P3ESR's at the same time ...what a huge step change up from a Linn Aktive system
Ohh...and then adding the Bushmaster/Linear power supply to a Linn Majik DS - sublime combination.

MartinT

21-12-2012, 14:51

I was going to nominate my Usher speakers, but on reflection it just has to be my Chord SPM-1200E power amp. It has lived through so many system changes and still impresses with its ability to continually improve with system improvements and has seemingly limitless headroom. It's also 11 years old now - not bad for a big sandy monster.

http://www.dougbradyhifi.com/images/product/medium/410.jpg

daytona600

21-12-2012, 15:14

Must be my oracle delphi , i bought new almost 30years ago
still use it today with a sumiko mdc800 & emt tsd15

still gets the " what the xxxx is that " comments after 3 decades

Dingdong

21-12-2012, 15:38

B&W DM2a's for a tenner. And the Target R2's they are on for 25 quid.
Shure VST V I've had since new in the early 90's. No desire to change it.

Not the prettiest speakers, but I love them. I have a few spare pairs.
All my purchases have been pretty decent.

Audionote M2 sig for 325
WAD Kel80's for 350
VRDS 7 for 95

Then my tt for more than everything else put together.

chelsea

21-12-2012, 16:33

My speakers.

icehockeyboy

21-12-2012, 16:43

My speakers.

And they are what? :scratch:

Ali Tait

21-12-2012, 16:44

My DIY OB's, and Nick's valve output dac he built for me.

chelsea

21-12-2012, 16:45

Eminence bass,coral mid and coral treble.

Haselsh1

21-12-2012, 16:54

An Alphason Sonata turntable fitted with an Alphason HR100 SMCS tonearm. Then again there were the Audio Note AZ-2's which were pretty damn special and also an Audion 300B SEL amplifier. So how come I don't have them now...?

Gromit

21-12-2012, 17:00

Pioneer PL71 (quel surprise!!).
Ortofon SPU
Decca London SG
Exposure X - in 1993 this got me started on a long and really wonderful journey though some of JF's finest amps.
Rega Planar 3 in 1982 (R200 version)

There are no doubt many more from the past, I'm hoping there will be some in the future too. :)

Tim

21-12-2012, 17:44

Harbeth SHL5 loudspeakers. I do not say this lightly when I tell you buying these speakers has been a life changing experience. They will be leaving me if you can prise them out of my cold dead fingers :D

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/harbeth2/3.jpg

DSJR

21-12-2012, 18:32

ATC SCM100A's - gave up looking while I had these and only having to squeeze two homes into one forced me to let them go..

"Original Glasgow Black" Ittok. Despite loads of evidence to the contrary, I really did think this arm sounded better, smoother and less clanky, than the standard article back then. I personally feel it had an edge up until the LVIII came along and, despite the first Ekos supposedly being the same underneath as an LVIII, my ears told me differently at the time.

ARC SP14 - stupid money at the time (£2500), but sounded better than the severely coloured alternative ARC's of previous years. Due to price, replaced by the equally good yet plain-jane Croft SMA4 PP which I'm proud to still own, although a different sample.

NAS Mentor/Mentor arm/Deccapod Microscanner - gawd, this deck was amazing and would be even better now with an arm re-wire and a Wave Mechanic power supply. One of the biggest mistakes was all but giving it away in the mid 90's.

Rare Bird

21-12-2012, 18:37

My best Hi-Fi purchase was a Logic 'DM101' TT in the early 80's.

Mark Grant

21-12-2012, 19:00

This year it was paying the monthly fee to Spotify so I could install it on my phone.

With the settings changed to 'Extreme Quality' it does sound great on my phone and it gets listened to a lot when out and about so worth the £9.99 monthly fee.

walpurgis

21-12-2012, 19:35

I love all my Hi-Fi.

I have far too much, but can't part with any as it all satisfies me in one way or another, since having sold off all the stuff I wasn't happy with.

I now have three CD players working as transports and two equally good DACs. Three turntables, four MM cartridges, five MCs and three similarly good SUTs. One MM phono stage. Four pre-amps, valve, TVC and Class A solid state, two of which have excellent MM phono stages. Four sets of power amplification, including valves and Class A solid state. Loads of good cables and lastly but not least, three pairs of Tannoy dual concentric speakers! And it all sounds bloody marvelous.

Rare Bird

21-12-2012, 19:48

Hi Geoff
How do you love all your hi-fi, i hate hi-fi i'm never ever ever happy with it..The biggest bain of my life is the stereo..

Ammonite Audio

21-12-2012, 19:54

Of all the equipment that I've bought over the years, the two that have stood the test of time, and seen off all comers, are the Lyngdorf TDA2200 amp and Avalon NP2.0 speakers. Neither were cheap, but have turned out to be good value in the Real World and, most importantly, really musical. My Thorens TD124 has been hard work and may be the ultimate HiFi purchase, but quite possibly my most expensive!

walpurgis

21-12-2012, 20:23

Hi Geoff
How do you love all your hi-fi, i hate hi-fi i'm never ever ever happy with it..The biggest bain of my life is the stereo..

Hi Andre,

What I use sounds so good to me that I just don't get dissatisfied. I change my system around for fun, but everything I use has its place and gives great results. I occasionally buy another piece of equipment, but rarely sell anything.

You should hear what my TVC pre-amp and Monarchy Audio power-amp sound like driving my big Tannoys. Amazing!

I'm sure Shane (southall1998) could give you an unbiased opinion on my system, he's heard it.

If ever you're in London give me a shout, you'd be welcome to a cuppa (or something stronger) and a listen.

Geoff.

southall-1998

21-12-2012, 20:28

Hi Andre,

What I use sounds so good to me that I just don't get dissatisfied. I change my system around for fun, but everything I use has its place and gives great results. I occasionally buy another piece of equipment, but rarely sell anything.

You should hear what my TVC pre-amp and Monarchy Audio power-amp sound like driving my big Tannoys. Amazing!

I'm sure Shane (southall1998) could give you an unbiased opinion on my system, he's heard it.

Geoff.

Yup, sounds fantastic! That Monarchy amp is on my list....I can just hook it direct to my Shanling CDT-100 CD Player.

julesd68

21-12-2012, 21:37

Easy.

Garrott P77i cart.

RichB

21-12-2012, 22:41

Best HiFi purchase ever, my A400 and Missions. 20 years old and although long since outclassed have provided almost daily entertainment. Was the best I could afford back then and if any of my current gear lasts and performs as well then I will be a happy man.

howlindawg

21-12-2012, 22:54

The really naff Waltham 3 in 1 system that I bought when I was a schoolboy (lot's of saving!!!).

It made me fall in love with being able to listen to music whenever I wanted too.

Mad Mr H

21-12-2012, 23:49

Lee1976

22-12-2012, 00:45

A few.

Pioneer PD-95 paid £800 in 1999.So what I here you say ? Well it was a stunning CDP £2500 retail. kept for 9 years and sold it for £1200.

My J.Wood intergrated. Stuning amp.
Wimslow audio HSM £100 from a good man. sound superb and seen off a 3k speaker.(can you remember ICE Hockey?)
Snell C got them for a snip and they are as rare as rocking house poo. Sound sublime on the J.Wood.

icehockeyboy

22-12-2012, 02:17

synsei

22-12-2012, 03:09

It will come as no surprise to many that my Classé Audio DR5 sits at the top of the heap. Ridiculously expensive when new and obtained second-hand from Mark (Reid) at a price that didn't break the bank. This one component converted a decent sound into pure music and totally transformed the performance of my system. I would never have believed only a few years ago that I would end up owning such a classy sounding bit of kit.

In joint second place sits the Amptastic Mini-T which is still engaged in a very steamy relationship with my B&W DM2's. These two really know how to make beautiful music together. Cert X :D

Sitting in third place, the wonderful Arcam CD72 CD player which demonstrates more than adequately that digital doesn't have to sound harsh or brash. It is the most analogue sounding CDP I have ever heard and it can hold its head high in this company.

Last but not least are the amazing Belkin PureAV Silver interconnects and Speaker cables which, at pocket money prices, have seen off some well respected high end cables over the years I have owned them.

webby

22-12-2012, 10:00

Probably every piece of equipment I've bought. None of it has disappointed me and ultimately it's all led to better things.

My first system was a Hitachi stack system bought by my parents. The first system I bought myself was a Creek 4040 amp, Royd A7 bookshelf speakers and a Kenwood cd player (£200 in 1987).

The amp and speakers were replaced by an Audiolab 8000A and Linn Index mk1 speakers. This was most definitely a step up.

Liking the Audiolab sound, I upgraded the amp to an 8000S. Then I replaced the Kenwood with an Audiolab CD player, although tbh, I couldn't tell that much of a difference, but it looked better alongside the amp.

Next, I bought the Dynaudio Audience 42 speakers which sit upon a pair of atacama stands that cost £11 from cash converters!

Now that I use file based music, I no longer use the CD player. If something ever went wrong with the amp I'm not sure what I'd replace it with but I've heard such good things about the mini-t amp.

hoopsontoast

22-12-2012, 11:32

Decware Zen, best 2 watts I have heard.
Veravox 5S drivers, open, fast, dynamic and great balance.

Other notable bits:
Rega R7 - Great integration between mid-treble and bass.
ATC SCM7/Keesonic Kolt - Tight, Punchy bass and great soundstage (pinpoint) but lack bass depth (to be expected). Lack a little smoothness.
ATC SCM10 - As above but slightly more refined.
Magnepan MMG - Huge scale and soundstage height, lovely and smooth but lacking in dynamics and detail.
Sony TA-F770ES/Denon PMA-2000AE - Oodles of power and very smooth presentation, missing midrange expression though.

walpurgis

22-12-2012, 12:06

Geoff. What Tannoy's do you have?

I have two pairs of D700

I have a pair of Buckinhams with ST200.

Replaced them with PMC bb5a but still kept the Tannoy's.

Best purchase has to be a new pair of Technics sl1210 mk2 at a guess 24 years ago. After an audio show almost a gift price. To good to miss.

Great to meet others with multiple similar item kit lists who enjoy the music.

Hi Andy. Merry Christmas!

My Tannoys are: Eatons, System 800 and 3128 Cheviots. I have used super-tweeters with them on occasion. The 3128 Cheviots are a very rare model, they sound nothing like usual the HPD315 version. They were recently renovated by me and I ran a thread on AOS showing what was done. To be honest I would not like to part with any of them, as each model sounds great with the right partnering equipment.

The Buckingham is a model I've not heard, although I remember seeing them at a Hi-Fi show.

Geoff.

Jonboy

22-12-2012, 15:38

My Lafayette was a bargain at just over a £100, the best was my TRS ecl 86 amp as i swapped it for something that someone gave me, they both sound great

Rare Bird

22-12-2012, 15:50

My Lafayette was a bargain at just over a £100

:eyebrows:

Thermionic Idler

23-12-2012, 00:41

Well my Koetsu Urushi cartridge, from when I purchased it at a very good price from that well known Hong Kong based eBay seller in 2004, up until about a week ago, would have occupied the "other" thread.

I tried it in various arms and with various phonostages and just could not get it to sing --- maybe the arms were too lightweight, or the MC stepups were mismatched somehow --- despite all the raves and the legendary status of these things, mine continued to sound muffled, slow and dynamically squashed, spending most of the intervening time in its box. There were only two things stopping me from selling it... laziness being one thing, and the conviction that it ought to be better, surely...

I recently got a Koetsu alloy headshell from the same seller, figuring I ought to maybe try the Urushi on the Schick as what's good for an SPU is generally good for a Koetsu as well, they are both quite low compliance beasts.

So last Saturday I finally got around to mounting and aligning it, set VTF to exactly 1.9g and the Whest to 100 ohms, and....

:eek:

... this amazing sound came out. No colourations, all the dynamics were there, so was the detail... it was a real "wow" moment!

So heaven only knows what had gone wrong before, but now I know what these things are supposed to sound like, and why they're so sought after.

How does it compare to the 90th Anniversary SPU (which I'd said you'd have to prize from my cold dead hand, I seem to remember, why do I make statements like that....). Well --- the SPU still has more dynamic "grunt" I think, the Urushi is a little polite in comparison. But I do hear more detail from the Urushi and the tracking is considerably better. Overall it's just that bit more sophisticated, like a finer wine. Both major highly on musical involvement.

I have a suspicion that the 90th Anniversary is limited somewhat by its elliptical stylus profile, I know Marco found great improvements with the Royal GM's Replicant stylus, and I suspect this might go some way towards redressing the balance. I still love what the SPU does and remain a huge fan --- but we're currently enjoying a little Koetsu magic here at TI Towers! The nice thing is that even though I've had it nearly nine years, it's still got relatively low hours on. :D

Smoker

23-12-2012, 07:23

my best has to be my michell gyrodec, it was purchased from new by the previous owner. the rega tone arm was rewired and paired with a denon dl103. apart from being a nice looking tt its brought me back to vinyl and re-sparked my love for music. in my world work is everything digital, so being able to set all that aside and disconnect from work is a lifesaver.

Merry Christmas

tim_bissell

23-12-2012, 11:41

My only real disappointment was a Marantz CDR6000 CD recorder; slow to use, flaky and unreliable. I now use a link to my Mac to record vinyl for iPod and lazy listening (whoo-hoo! we're legit. now!) and am much happier.

Best is hard to say, my original Pink Triangle has a special place in my heart; the PT sound and design ethos really appeals to me; I now have a PT Vector with Funk FX-R tonearm - I think the biggest leap in sound quality there was the FX-R.

I have been very happy with my Audiolab 8000A/Rogers LS7 setup which lasted over 20 years before upgradeitis bit again, and I now enjoy TAG / ATC SCM40s in their place, so more of the same but better.

To be honest I don't want to spend much more (although the Funk Firm are an ever-present threat to my wallet!), and am happier with DIY at the moment.

-- Tim

The Grand Wazoo

23-12-2012, 12:07

Most of my current main system has been with me for a long, long time.
As each item arrived, it marked the end of a long procession of different model of it's type and, the system gradually became much more settled. So you could say that all of it has been my best purchase.
However, if you had to pin me down to one particular item, it would be my Zeta arm.

It's the piece of my big system that's been with me for the longest, and for very good reasons. I wonder how many ex-owners of Zetas regret selling theirs, or even know what they are really capable of?

Mr Kipling

23-12-2012, 12:09

Best hi-fi purchases?

Humbug.

Bah Humbug.

DSJR

23-12-2012, 12:16

One candidate, and it was a gift from a local shop that was closing, and that was an exit-cable less Rega R200 that had sat in a pile of other cast-offs for years (I remember seeing it in 2000 and I received it eight or so years later). I couldn't afford to send it to Johnnie, but did buy a used AO exit cable, a cardas tonearm socket and got HiFi dave, who's eye's are better than mine, to solder the arm-wires to it. Lovely old arm this one, with decent bias belt and fantastic sonics, even with the Decca :eek: The slightly rattly horizontal bearings are gravity loaded, so not as much an issue as you'd think.

DavidF

23-12-2012, 12:32

Best hi-fi purchases?

Humbug.

Bah Humbug.

I'm cheating here a bit I was given a pair of Castle Harlechs by a kind benefactor.

Bigger doesn't always mean better ......they are about twice the size of my old Ruark Sceptres..... but they cleary did do half as much again.

tim_bissell

23-12-2012, 12:48

As an addendum to my piece, I would have to say that a second-hand Pink Triangle PT1 was my best purchase, as it gave me the confidence to start my DIY!

-- Tim

John

23-12-2012, 12:59

I have to say my DIY Open Baffle Duet Speakers

seoirse2002

23-12-2012, 13:49

AlfaGTV

23-12-2012, 16:35

Definently my Okki Nokki record cleaning machine! Makes my music collection better every day! :)
And, a runner up price goes to; My Lehmann Audio Black Cube Linear clone... Some silly money payed for the kit from e-bay and a fat 60VA transformer and head phones have never sounded anything like this!

Regards //Mike

isuckedmandelsonslemons

23-12-2012, 17:11

Oh, definitely my Usher floorstanders. All FOUR pairs.

Sincere apologies I just couldn't resist.

AlexM

24-12-2012, 13:28

Probably best VFM upgrade was a quad of the Tung-Sol KT120s for use in my Rogue Stereo 90. Easily the best power valves I have used in every respect, as well as being one of the cheapest sets!. Who needs GEC KT-88s? if your amp can accommodate them.

They are two years old, and still going strong.

Also, my Conrad-Johnson PV-15 upgraded by the previous owner with mega expensive C-J polystyrene caps everywhere gave me a real taste of the 'high-end' in my system for very realistic money. It even has a fully functional remote for source selection, volume and balance, so no need to suffer from hair shirt inconvenience for marvelous sound.

Happy Christmas!

Alex

seoirse2002

24-12-2012, 13:57

Floyddroid

27-12-2012, 06:30

Best Pre-amp = Beard CA506
Best Power amp = Beard P100
Best intergrated = MF A100
Best Speakers Ruark = Crusader II
Best CDP = SAT by Mike Bladelious
Best Turntable = Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace
Best cartridge = Goldring 1042:)

Spur07

27-12-2012, 10:05

All of my current set up would count as a decent purchase in one way or another, but the one thing that drew me to where I am now is my collection of EMI 319 speakers, undoubtedly my best purchase.

And I'd second Puffin on nominating a soldering iron, amazing what you can do if you've got the time to learn.

istari_knight

27-12-2012, 10:41

My faves would have to be Ariston RD11, Naim NAC12/NAP160 & IMF TLS50.

Did everything just right at the time... How they would fare today I've no idea !

Canetoad

27-12-2012, 12:11

Nice rack Paul but I doubt you'd be able to fit much equipment on it! :lol:

MartinT

27-12-2012, 14:03

Nice rack Paul but I doubt you'd be able to fit much equipment on it! :lol:

I was about to say something similar. Perhaps Paul is just having a 'good time' ;)

Mr. C

27-12-2012, 14:07

Wadia 15i
Meadowlark Blue Heron II's
Focal Nova Utopia's

Spur07

27-12-2012, 15:20

Nice rack Paul but I doubt you'd be able to fit much equipment on it! :lol:

thanks bernie,

not very audiophile is it, looks better than it sounds :D

Canetoad

28-12-2012, 07:04

Yes, definitely form over function... :eyebrows:

jandl100

28-12-2012, 08:32

My best purchase has to be my MBL 116F speakers.
Simply perfect for me.

http://audiosarang.com/upfiles/product/thumb2/thumbnail_9340_2.jpg

A fair way off in 2nd place is my Parasound Halo A21 power amp. Superb synergy with the MBLs.

http://static.zoovy.com/img/elegantaudio/W320-H320-Bffffff/P/parasound_halo_a_21.jpg

Then my RFC Pluto mk2 i/c cables. Stunningly good!

http://hifipig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/RFC-PLuto3.png

Then my Zu/Denon 103 mc cart

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/tq/65/235634565.jpg

mikecole

13-01-2013, 13:29

If you had asked 6 months ago, I would have said my LP-12 which I bought in 1990, but with the addition of the Rega Brio-R and the Harbeth P3ESRs, I would have to say that combo is my best purchase. They were the final piece of the puzzle. I no longer devour reviews and search the forums for something that may bring me satisfaction. I have it now and I am buying music instead of gear. And it is the music that matters now. I actually started listening to MP3s and quit buying "audiophile" versions of albums I already own. The system makes any and all music sound like music.

seoirse2002

13-01-2013, 14:40

Sansui AU-555A coupled with B&W DM4s and AR TT ...despite all my changes and "upgrades" since then,Ive never let them go,and still fire them up now and then and they still sound great,and makes me wonder what I spent all that money on to get where I am now:scratch:
Biggest regrets are letting go some really cool stuff that didn't fit in with the decor:doh:...Im sure we've all done that

Just to update a previous post re this subject...
Since I acquired the Sumo Athena11 and Polaris11 and using the Tannoy Dorsets dual concentric speakers,SBT for flac and Transcriptors for vinyl,I just cant stop listening at every opportunity,The Sumo was imported in the mid 90s from Sumo Products of Agoura Hills California into the UK by ATC who are not known for crappy products.
I have to say the Sumo combo is superb imho and was,in fact very well reviewed in its day,built like a tank too! Im still using the little cheap dac from f11o and would love to try a bustmaster to see what all the fuss is about...maybe someday,but I cant see the Sumo moving out anytime soon:cool:

Nick_G

14-01-2013, 20:00

Probably a Yamaha T-2 tuner I bought last October. On a good broadcast it has the most amazing rich, life-like realism. It is the best reproduction I have heard from any of my components.

glenann

14-01-2013, 20:29

Linn Akurate DS.... Will always be the pinnacle of digital audio for me (as I could never afford a Klimax), wish I never had to sell it, it was like losing a limb! My ears have never forgiven me...

mad-moon

15-01-2013, 15:54

My best Hi-fi buy was my Arcam P85 power amp..which I purchased for £1.00 in perfect working order..HA!

vouk

15-01-2013, 16:09

Dude! ..What? How?

My best Hi-fi buy was my Arcam P85 power amp..which I purchased for £1.00 in perfect working order..HA!

synsei

15-01-2013, 16:23

My best buy was my Paul Hynes SR3 PS for my Techy. It was a gift, literally... ;)

trio leo

16-01-2013, 19:43

My best HiFi purchases, mmm, I have been so happy with my equipment I had most of it for years.
I have had my Allison 3 speakers for 28 years and they still sound wonderful to me.
I had my Albarry M408's for 27 years, superbly reliable product.

Now, this best purchase has to be my latest, the Albarry AP11 pre-amp and the Albarry Flagship M1108 mono-bloc power amps I got at christmas.

The improvement in the fields of speed, articulation, dynamics and overall musical enjoyment is stunning, it will probably be the last amplifier I will ever buy, as IMHO these amps are unbeatable at the price and will leave many more expensive models behind.

The other super purchase is an immaculate S/hand MusicWorks ReVo table, my system is just getting better than ever, I can't wait for the arrival of the new solid plinth for my td 124 from Jim Campbell in the USA.

2013 has got off to a great start.:yay:

Enjoy your music

regards Al

The Grand Wazoo

17-01-2013, 00:42

My best hifi purchases?

Easy - my gold coloured arm tubed Zeta tonearm which is the longest standing component in my system. I bought it from a classified advert in the back of Audiophile magazine in 1990. I'd just finished college and it was the day we were moving house from there to Scotland (i.e. north) but it was in Liverpool (i.e. south). The morning of the move, I asked my girlfriend if she felt like taking the scenic route to Scotland, she agreed and so that's what we did.
I paid £150 for the arm and the guy threw in a Koetsu for good measure.
I made an honest woman of the girlfriend a while afterwards! The arm is still fantastic and my wife is still my best friend.

MartinT

17-01-2013, 08:57

The arm is still fantastic and my wife is still my best friend.

That's a nice story, Chris. Aren't partners who are best friends the best?

the engine

18-01-2013, 08:18

About 6 years ago I took the crappiest looking two box phono amp home for a trial.It's as ugly as sin. It so awkward to hide being a two box with cables going in one end and out the other. Did I mention it looks crap ?...It cost £450 and never went back.
My Sugden 'phono box 2' has never been surpassed even by stages costing thousands.
One mm and two mc levels only.....but sweet as a bloody nut !

juggler

18-01-2013, 14:13

My DIY Hypex power amp still makes me smile:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25307125/PB033126.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25307125/PB033140.jpg

chelsea

18-01-2013, 14:21

My 2a3 puresound amp is shaping up to have been a very good buy.

RobbieGong

19-01-2013, 17:52

Soundcare Superspikes http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://rmrsoundsystems.nl/media//superspikes_onder_speaker.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://rmrsoundsystems.nl/index.php/soundcare-superspikes.html&h=638&w=850&sz=64&tbnid=fnEjjbmTWYe86M:&tbnh=87&tbnw=116&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsoundcare%2Bsuperspikes%26tbm%3Disch% 26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=soundcare+superspikes&usg=__VU3DHG82ehhDu1mJblZn03Klq38=&hl=en-GB&sa=X&ei=U9z6UM6sI9GQhQf7z4CwCw&ved=0CCkQ9QEwBA
As recommended and brought to my attention by a few of the guys here - Just excellent !! They tighten up the bass (more tuneful), improve overall focus, as practical as you like and look great :thumbsup:

steviej233

22-01-2013, 14:24

I have had my Paradigm Monitor 7's since i was 16 so 13 years!! I know that most of you will have heard better speakers but i am continually impressed with them and they still make me smile when i turn them up, i recently upgraded the cables to TQ Blues and they sound better than ever. I love my system at the moment!!! :)

johnwhit

22-01-2013, 15:11

The Technics SL-PG520A, bought in the summer of '92, still going strong and sounds as good as ever it did:thumbsup:

John

f1eng

22-01-2013, 17:44

Two.
1. Goldmund Reference turntable with T3f arm. I drooled over one of these for years and managed to find a used one when CD "took over". Been using it for over 20 years now :-)
2. Goldmund Epilog 1 speakers. These modest looking boxes are still the best speakers I have ever heard. I bought some after auditioning the prototypes. Astonishing, but have trebled in price at least since. I upgraded by adding an Epilog 2 bass box but the improvement is fairly small - the big step was the Epilog 1 itself. They replaced Apogee Divas and Sonus Faber Extremas (sold both to buy the Epilogs).
I had expected my choice to be one of the other speakers I auditioned during a 2 year search but there you go.

ppat2

02-11-2013, 05:45

Recently picked up the Akurate Kontrol, to mate with my Air Tight ATM-1 valve amp. A match made in heaven. Wow, the Linn has brought all sources to life, and then some.

Huge soundstage, amazing digging for details, rich timbres, zero grain, and so musical. Even digital is totally non fatiguing with sweet highs.

I can't stop listening, to vinyl, sacd, cd, hi res downloads. Does not matter, it all sounds sublime.

A great match. After 40 years of gear, I am finally "there". Could not be happier.

Gordon Steadman

02-11-2013, 07:33

My 57s were sitting in the window of one of those junk electronic shops you get in run down high streets. I asked the old guy how much they were and he said and I quote "they are total rubbish" In reply to my query he told me that he had been ripped off by the guy that sold them to him as, when he put his meter across the terminals, they showed no resistance at all. He connected them to an amp and the amp blew up!!!

I offered him £20 and he jumped at it:eyebrows:. Got them home, plugged them into the Stereo20 - perfect:lol:

Bought a Garrard Zero 100 at a boot sale for £5. Had a Technics 205 in it:) - still using it.

Bought a pair of KEF 101s at a boot sale for £2. One needed a wire on the X-over soldering. Perfect - still using them in the bedroom.

The only new piece of hifi I ever bought was a Yamaha receiver. Lovely bit of kit but cost too much. It second hand bargains for me all the way.

topoxforddoc

02-11-2013, 08:55

My Decca cartridges - particularly the C4E which I bought for £120. The C4E is probably the last thing I would ever sell.

Avantgarde Duo speakers were the best upgrade I have had.

TRON Seven Reference phono stage has transformed the sound from my Deccas.

pjdowns

02-11-2013, 18:07

Whilst I am sure I'll get shouted at, my best Hifi purchase was my first pair of 'proper' Hifi speakers (Linn Nexus LS250) which I eventually swapped for my current Epos ES14's... Yes the Epos are better in more or less all ways but there was something about the Linn's that I liked and still miss in my current sound.

Next up would probably be the second Exposure XVIII which I bought from a fellow Hifi fan for a ridiculously cheap price and it just grabs hold of the ES14's and makes so much difference.

Then, I guess I'd go for my Grado SR-125's that I bought back in the early 90's when they were first introduced into the UK and I bought them from a nice fellow called John Grado no less :)

Maybe the next would have to be my first Squeezebox (II) which I bought after hearing one at a friend's and thinking they were great 'toys' but it and now the many other's I have since have introduced me into the Digital streaming world.

Finally I guess I'd say my Beresford Caiman DAC which was a significant upgrade on the onboard Squeezebox Touch DAC and has enabled me to listen for longer lengths of time than I could with the stock DAC as I found it quite tiresome...

Here's to a few more 'best' purchases in the future.

Paul.

Andrew B

02-11-2013, 19:19

Well first I'd have to say Rega Elas. They are such musically involving speakers which have never been anything other than delightful whatever company they have kept. Ever present in my home for ten years, they easily hold the record.

Ok, so after 30 years plus, it's hard to judge historic purchases against recent ones but it really do think I've been dead lucky lately my NVA amps are complete stunners. Half price bargains too, so I got a real steal.

Next my Analogue Works turntable. Sold to me at cost price to get the first batch out there, it's beaten every deck I've owned. It looks gorgeous too.

Then I have been fortunate enough to find two utter beauties for my main speakers. My Spica TC50i S.E.X generate nothing less than holographic images and play music like there was no tomorrow. Then there are my Dynaco A25x which are "Easy like Sunday Morning" to quote Lionel :) I love them and they were only £120 plus restoration.

The one thing I regret selling is the Naim CDI but that's something I'll be putting right very soon :)

smithy

02-11-2013, 19:33

Just purchased an Omniphonics Footprint 75 amp these go for around £30 on EBay well worth looking out for.

Ninanina

02-11-2013, 20:19

For me it has to be the mighty Klipsch Hersey's....

And, of course, the Audionote Oto SE...

Welder

02-11-2013, 22:54

I’m not going to nominate any bits of kit, instead below are two things that made a major difference to how my system sounds.

This is what I’ve got sandwiched between marine ply and HD chipboard in my speaker panels.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dum-universal-sealing-compound-vibrations/dp/B004PZQOF6
Imo the best anti resonance stuff on the market.

This is what I use to “tune” my speakers.
Audio Technica AT2020 USB condensing mic

walpurgis

02-11-2013, 23:16

Ming Da MC-9 TVC preamp. Stunning bit of kit at an incredible price!

joker

03-11-2013, 10:59

Arcaydis AK3 speakers. £500 and still love the sound

kininigin

03-11-2013, 11:41

I haven't owned lots of different equipment but my top 3 items would be Croft Micro 25,Paradigm Reference Active 20 speakers and a (vintage) Shure SC35C.

All these items punch well above their weight offering high sppv.

synsei

03-11-2013, 12:02

In no particular order: Classé Audio DR5 pre-amp, Quad 306 power amp, Rega DAC, RFC Reference Neptune IC's and of course, mi Techie...

EDIT: Almost forgot the DM2's which are going nowhere :)

User211

03-11-2013, 13:23

That big blue thing in the corner and the amps.

Old pic now DAC and preamp has changed, as has the table. In fact there's now a telly on the back wall, and looking at this pic it looked better when it was simpler.

http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g436/User_211/ebay/SDC12285_zps1a189012.jpg

Pieoftheday

03-11-2013, 14:11

my recently purchased cambridge azur 351c cd player, my set up is now musical and engaging. i feel ive been missing out for ages:doh:

Joe

03-11-2013, 14:38

Floyddroid

03-11-2013, 19:01

My recent purchase of Farlowe era Exposure 17 and 18 monoblocks. cracking music machines.

PaulStewart

03-11-2013, 19:35

Hard to say as I've always bought kit that has improved my system and happily I've normally got it at trade prices or better. But about 10 years ago, in the early days of eBay when a lot of stuff went really cheap, I got my Tannoy 12" MGs in the Lockwood Academy cabs for £410.00 from a chap in Bristol who was emigrating to Australia and was desperate to sell. I love 'em and so does the Mrs. Result :)

Cheers

Reffc

03-11-2013, 19:45

Without doubt for me, my Albarry amplifiers.

struth

03-11-2013, 20:04

many moons ago I bought a Akai amp, denon cd player, a pair of Tannoy E11,s 2 lengths of white flat biwire cable and a set of stands for the grand price of £30.00...still got the stuff and it all not only works but works very well and in great condition.....oh aye, got it at a boot sale...

pjdowns

04-11-2013, 21:05

My recent purchase of Farlowe era Exposure 17 and 18 monoblocks. cracking music machines.

Agree, good or what :)

icehockeyboy

08-11-2013, 11:43

icehockeyboy

08-11-2013, 11:48

I really should have mentioned the Classe CP 47.5 pre which I partnered with my original Lyngdorf power amp.
That combo was as sweet and smooth as I don't know what.
Sad to this day that I sold it on! :(

Andrew B

08-11-2013, 11:49

Roksan Xerxes: Had the 'original' Xerxes for 20 years before trading it in for a Xerxes X. Both wonderful, and no need to mank about with bearings, platters or similar nonsense.

Exposure CDP: Bought new in 1998 and has never (touch wood) put a foot wrong.

Hear, hear! The Xerxes still makes me shudder after 26 years. It's a beautiful, timeless deck that makes incredible music. My first listen to one still remains vivid to this day.

ff1d1l

08-11-2013, 13:34

As mentioned in another thread, JVC/Victor P-L10 and M-L10 pre power combination (with a QL-Y66F turntable which I'll be expounding on later). I'd put these up against just about anything.The whole caboodle came in at just over £600, though all pieces needed work.

And more lately, just over £200 got me a pair of 70's or early 80's Urei 829 studio monitors, which I've only been playing in the workshop on the end of a little 25 wpc Luxkit class A amp up to now. Pushed back into the corners (they were designed to be soffit mounted so need some bass reinforcement) and with a little attention to the crossovers, these are pure adrenalin enjoyment with a low fatigue factor, something I haven't encountered before. The recommended amp was the Urei 6500, 275 wpc/8ohms, and I'd love to locate one - this amp took signal back from the crossover via a separate lead and made it part of the amps feedback loop, allegedly giving even better transient response.

MartinT

08-11-2013, 13:38

Roksan Xerxes: Had the 'original' Xerxes for 20 years before trading it in for a Xerxes X. Both wonderful, and no need to mank about with bearings, platters or similar nonsense.

My Xerxes was more temperamental then the current Technics. The suspension used to go off and was quite tricky to adjust from underneath. Worst was the top plate with that silly cut that sagged a little more every year, until in the end it was hard to ensure the arm and platter were properly aligned. And then there was that motor on its fiddly bearing with the belt prone to coming off. I sold it all in disgust and nearly gave up records completely.

julesd68

08-11-2013, 14:42

Without doubt for me, my Albarry amplifiers.

I thought you were a bit of a tube-meister Paul!

What do the Albarrys give you that you didn't get from you recent selection of valve amps?

Ammonite Audio

09-11-2013, 14:50

I suppose that this is all about those bits of kit that have stayed in place for yonks; and those which were bought without much thought but turned out to be hugely satisfying.

In the first group, my Lyngdorf TDA2200 has to be my best investment in SPPV terms, having seen off all pretenders in the 8 years or so since I bought it. It has clarity, power, delicacy and (in my own uneducated terms) musicality. So, so much better than a Leben CS600 that I was seduced into buying once. My TD-124 is definitely a keeper too - small, handy and immensely enjoyable, if a bit tweaky and in need of regular maintenance. My OTA Quad 57s will be staying too - without doubt the world's best speaker, while simultaneously being one of the worst, when fed the wrong music (they are doing a lovely job with David Oistrakh playing Bach violin concertos as I type).

In the second group, I have to mention the old Kenwood KD-770D that I bought from a chap in a grim flat in Bochum. The arm lift solenoid circuitry was knackered but the rest worked. It took a couple of years before I realised that this ordinary looking confection of chipboard and direct drive motor is a bit of a music maker that brought my Techy experiments to an abrupt halt. Also in this second group is the stack of Quad 34/FM4/306 that I bought for the office - it gets on with playing music so well that I hardly give it a thought, except to admire the elegance of Quad's styling and execution. Cheap too!

Without doubt the overall best purchase has to be the Lyngdorf TDA2200 - it must have saved me thousands in unnecessary upgrades.

Reffc

09-11-2013, 15:31

I thought you were a bit of a tube-meister Paul!

What do the Albarrys give you that you didn't get from you recent selection of valve amps?

That's easy Jules. The move to big Tannoys really needed something with more control, especially in the bass, and greater headroom with better dynamics. The Albarrys bring that control without losing the mid range tonality I've become accustomed to with decent valve amps. The Albarrys are a near perfect match for the Tannoys, but will drive some really difficult loads too so help when I'm evaluating speakers in for crossover work or repair too as well as development of my own designs. A do-it-all type of amp.

bobbasrah

09-11-2013, 17:16

Well for me it was the Musiland 02US DAC, as it finally freed me from the constraints of a CD player, and indeed the CD itself as a source other than to copy to the library which I can take anywhere. Not the most exotic of animals, but my first step on a journey into digital minus the optical disc baggage without resort to mp3. Haven't bought a dedicated disc player since, no need...
Still have it for travel/work use, feeding the micro-amp into a pair of Alpairs as I write this, Nils Lofgren Acoustic Live bouncing around the digs, probably confusing the hell out of the neighbours... I guess I will be walking this lot back through the turnstiles soon enough, something I could never have achieved with a standard hifi... My entire system, less than the volume of a CD player, priceless...

Light Capture

09-11-2013, 17:32

Though I've also had Linn, YBA, Audio Analogue, Classe, Consonance, Mac, Benchmark, PS Audio, Jolida for some reason my most memorable are Altec Lansing Model 15, Pass Labs Aleph 30, Audio Electronics Super Amp 2, Audio Electronics AE3 DJH preamp, Cary CD308.
I don't have these anymore and have lesser gear now. That is why these pretty good pieces are my best hi-fi purchases. Seems like I like Cary products and should probably return.

YNWaN

09-11-2013, 17:46

I suppose my best hi-fi purchase had to be my Naim Nap135 power amps. Bought them new at trade, nearly 30 years ago and they have performed fantastically ever since (with a service)

julesd68

09-11-2013, 18:18

That's easy Jules. The move to big Tannoys really needed something with more control, especially in the bass, and greater headroom with better dynamics. The Albarrys bring that control without losing the mid range tonality I've become accustomed to with decent valve amps. The Albarrys are a near perfect match for the Tannoys, but will drive some really difficult loads too so help when I'm evaluating speakers in for crossover work or repair too as well as development of my own designs. A do-it-all type of amp.

Just out of curiosity, have you tried the Albarry power amps with a valve pre?

julesd68

09-11-2013, 18:20

I'm delighted with all my current components but the best value purchase must have been the 12" HPD's in Chatsworth cabs for 500 quid ...

Reffc

09-11-2013, 18:31

Just out of curiosity, have you tried the Albarry power amps with a valve pre?

Yes but didn't like the results. The Albarry pre is what I use as it was designed as a perfect match which it is. If I didn't use that, I'd probably look to using a SS pre tbh as the Albarry power amps have a lowly 15KOhm input impedance.

PaulBarnett

10-11-2013, 08:49

I bought my whole system (rega 3/nytech/arc) in about 1982 (from studio99 - long gone, nice people). (and after reading lots of mags
eg hifi answers - remember them?)

At the initial demo, they showed me the effect of adding the active x/o - night and day, no contest (it took the total cost from ~£900 to ~£1000 - as I said, not a hard choice)

30 years later. I'm stll using the nytech/arc amps/speakers (rega upgraded to linn, and digital added). I go to hifi shows, but have never yet left, thinking 'that sounded so much better tha what I have - I must upgrade'

so I have to say that, for me, my best hifi purchase, and by a long way, was the nytech cxa252.

The only question, as with any 30yr old technology, is what to do if it breaks....

Magna Audio

10-11-2013, 15:25

My top 4 are
-Vitavox S2 compression drivers
-Raal lazy ribbon tweeters
-WAF Najda DSP x/o ADC / DACs
-Fidelity Research FR64s / SPU royal N cart

chelsea

10-11-2013, 15:44

My current speakers.

Lee Henley

10-11-2013, 16:05

My Audionote AN/K-SPe speakers, they make great music

MartinT

10-11-2013, 20:17

I bought my whole system (rega 3/nytech/arc) in about 1982 (from studio99 - long gone, nice people). (and after reading lots of mags eg hifi answers - remember them?)

Studio 99 were just down the road from where I lived and I remember them well. I used to read HFA avidly until it was all but taken over by the flat-earthers like Chris Frankland. I always though Jimmy Hughes was a good read.

I go to hifi shows, but have never yet left, thinking 'that sounded so much better tha what I have - I must upgrade'

It's a nice feeling, that.