Hi from Darren [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

Darren

26-03-2009, 23:29

Hi Everyone,

I'm a long term audio casualty located in Lancashire. I've haunted PFM for years and was briefly active on the Mana forum towards the end ( I remember that Marco often had some great recipes and wine recs). I've two systems currently on the go....

Home:
Wadia 830
Tact/lyndorf power amp
Sonus Faber Grand Piano ( the later ones without biwiring and also sans the silly passive radiator thing)
Wires from Coherent Systems.

Work:
marantz transport and DAC
Audio Research SP6 pre amp
Huge Linx Reference series power amp
Magneplanar or mourdaunt Short Or Kef Speakers
wires are a right old mix with some cardas silver and some others.

I've got some other stuff in storage.... A shit load of vinyl, a Pink triangle TT a Rega, A couple of classic tuners. a power amp and Phono stage custom made for me by Ben Duncan. A brace of heavy duty Sony CD players........ maybe when I'm older and less concerned with business I'll get them out and have a play.

I've had much more expensive systems at home but I'm not around much to use them and the amount of money just sat there started to piss me off!

I listen to music for most of the day at work - lucky me. It's the only thing that stops the stress from killing me!!

I love the shameless extravagance of Eighties American High End and when the reccession is over intend to indulge myself with an ARC, KRELL and Apogee system and damn the electricity bill!

Best to all.

Darren

Spectral Morn

26-03-2009, 23:36

Hi Darren

Welcome to AOS...another hoarder like myself....I don't feel quite so awkward now.:)

Nice kit by the way, love Wadia. I am afraid to ask but I will Which Marantz Transport and Dac ? CD12 perchance. If so if you ever want to sell PM me.

Maybe you might like to post some photos in the Gallery section of the forum.

Regards D S D L

Darren

26-03-2009, 23:48

Darren

26-03-2009, 23:53

I'm a terrible horder.... that's not the full list by any means: I've a huge weakness for amps and speakers.

I have a pair of Spica Angelus, a couple of pairs of maggies, various power amps etc. etc.

Dont get my parner started... she wont stop!

Marco

27-03-2009, 12:13

I'm a long term audio casualty located in Lancashire. I've haunted PFM for years and was briefly active on the Mana forum towards the end ( I remember that Marco often had some great recipes and wine recs).

Yo, Darren, howz it hangin'? Welcome to AOS :)

I miss the old Mana days but it's also nice having your own forum, especially as we've got some great folks here. Anyway you know the ropes, so get stuck in and enjoy! :cool:

Marco.

Darren

27-03-2009, 22:06

Thanks Marco!

Darren

DSJR

28-03-2009, 18:40

Hi Neil,

I like to be honest.... so I'm going to say that I'm just never going to get around to taking any photo's let alone posting them......

You have great taste. I too would really like a CD12/DA12 combo modded by Ken Ishawata himself to the same spec as Ken Kessler's pair.. Sadly my current work rig is much more humble.

Thanks for the prompt welcome.

Darren

I wouldn't let Ken Ishawata anywhere near any decent CD player. I'm told he's just an actor/engineer fronting the KI "team/brand" for Marantz anyway, hence the enigmatic appearance and "persona."

Darren

29-03-2009, 20:20

Hi Dave,
I think you know far more about this than I do. I just read that Ishawata had huge experience and knowledge of digital audio. Kessler always claimed that Ishawata was largely responsilbe for the CD12/DA12 in the first instance and had then further modded Kessler's own set some years later.

I dont know anything about his 'persona'

Spectral Morn

29-03-2009, 21:00

Dave

I have to strongly disagree with you about Ken. It is true that Marantz have turned him more into a brand in recent years but he is much more than that and you do him a major disservice by saying what you have about him. You are entitled to your opinion of course but you are IMHO wrong. I know Eric Kingdom quite well and Eric worked along side Ken for a number of years and Eric would not share your opinion of his former colleague, even when he jumped to SONY and then back to Marantz and then SONY again. Not once did he ever insinuate that Ken was just some sort of figure head. I rate Ken highly and he is responsible for many of the classic Marantz players such as the CD65, 85, 94, 94 mk2 and the CD7. Did he design ever aspect of these players NO I don't think so, but he was the driving force behind them and brought many ideas to the design table.

I for one would be more than happy to let either Ken or Eric work on my Cd players. David Price and Ken Kesseler would agree with me too. Thats not to say that others out there are not talented too or more talented, but your insult was thrown at Ken...he is a very talented guy and in my opinion a genius.

Regards D S D L