PDA

View Full Version : UK Newbie



bob4333
06-04-2013, 08:46
Hello everyone. My name is Bob and as requested here’s a bit of HiFi bio/intro.

The Beginning (This dates me….)

Age 19, BSR McDonald MP60/Sinclair Project 20 (I think) and a pair of Wharfedale Unit 5’s built by me into enclosure’s the size of which could house a small family - which was lucky as when my parents returned from their two week holiday and found them in the dining room I came close to being unhomed. I suspect those 12” woofers on the unit 5’s sound better in my memory than reality.

Bit in the Middle

Marriage, mortgage, family, more mortgage: brightened up at times by squandering a bit of income on some choice (and not so choice) HiFi kit with names like Leak, Pioneer, Linn, Monitor Audio, Cyrus, Michell cropping up.

Now

No more mortgage, wife and self now empty nesters and a room to myself in which to make a bit of noise. I’m never sure how interested people are in lists of equipment but it is asked for so I’ll be brief:-

Linn LP12/Lingo/Ittok II/AT OC9 ML II/Icon Audio PS 1.2 for Vinyl

Leema Antila IIs for CD’s

Dedicated Lenovo IdeaCentre Q180/WD 2Tb hard drive/Leema Elements DAC for an interesting digital alternative and definitely work in progress. MediaMonkey seems very capable.

Musical Fidelity A5cr Pre and Power Amps

ProAc Response D28 speakers

Musical Tastes

Fleetwood Mac, Knopfler, Floyd, Stones, Beatles, Genesis, Wilburys etc plus a bit of well recorded light jazz occasionally.

My Conclusion?

Quote (not mine) “You can have a good idea today, a better idea tomorrow and your best idea never”. The quest for the best HiFi chain can be a little like that and you have to train yourself to stop listening to the kit and take in the music. When I achieve that I think I get as close as I can to my “best idea” state. Just my view.

For anyone able to help I need some guidance with a replacement for the AT OC9, but I’ll do a separate post on that.

Thanks all.

MartinT
06-04-2013, 09:15
Hi Bob and welcome to AoS. Great story and I mirror your experience in nearly getting turfed out when you presented some big speakers to the household. In my case, they were a pair of small transmission lines :) There are many potential replacements for an OC9 which will give you enjoyment. What's your budget?

vouk
06-04-2013, 09:29
Hi Bob
Welcome to AOS and hope you have a great time here. Great intro and a lovely system to boot. Always been a big fan of Proac speakers.
Enjoy your stay.:)

losenotaminute
06-04-2013, 09:55
Hello everyone. My name is Bob and as requested here’s a bit of HiFi bio/intro.

The Beginning (This dates me….)

Age 19, BSR McDonald MP60/Sinclair Project 20 (I think) and a pair of Wharfedale Unit 5’s built by me into enclosure’s the size of which could house a small family - which was lucky as when my parents returned from their two week holiday and found them in the dining room I came close to being unhomed. I suspect those 12” woofers on the unit 5’s sound better in my memory than reality.

Bit in the Middle

Marriage, mortgage, family, more mortgage: brightened up at times by squandering a bit of income on some choice (and not so choice) HiFi kit with names like Leak, Pioneer, Linn, Monitor Audio, Cyrus, Michell cropping up.

Now

No more mortgage, wife and self now empty nesters and a room to myself in which to make a bit of noise. I’m never sure how interested people are in lists of equipment but it is asked for so I’ll be brief:-

Linn LP12/Lingo/Ittok II/AT OC9 ML II/Icon Audio PS 1.2 for Vinyl

Leema Antila IIs for CD’s

Dedicated Lenovo IdeaCentre Q180/WD 2Tb hard drive/Leema Elements DAC for an interesting digital alternative and definitely work in progress. MediaMonkey seems very capable.

Musical Fidelity A5cr Pre and Power Amps

ProAc Response D28 speakers

Musical Tastes

Fleetwood Mac, Knopfler, Floyd, Stones, Beatles, Genesis, Wilburys etc plus a bit of well recorded light jazz occasionally.

My Conclusion?

Quote (not mine) “You can have a good idea today, a better idea tomorrow and your best idea never”. The quest for the best HiFi chain can be a little like that and you have to train yourself to stop listening to the kit and take in the music. When I achieve that I think I get as close as I can to my “best idea” state. Just my view.

For anyone able to help I need some guidance with a replacement for the AT OC9, but I’ll do a separate post on that.

Thanks all.

Hi Bob

Any chance of a picture of your setup (especially the TT)?

Lawrence

Haselsh1
06-04-2013, 22:18
Very nice intro there, I love your page layout, quite unusual. May I extend a very warm welcome to the forum. I am quite sure you will fit in.

Anti Meep
07-04-2013, 03:54
Hey Bob. I'm new here myself. It seems like a pretty relaxed place to check in to. Nice gear BTW. I have plenty of time for the LP12. Nice deck. I've always wanted to spend some time with Musical Fidelity stuff but it ain't happened yet:D
Regards. Craig.

bob4333
07-04-2013, 08:15
Hi Bob and welcome to AoS. Great story and I mirror your experience in nearly getting turfed out when you presented some big speakers to the household. In my case, they were a pair of small transmission lines :) There are many potential replacements for an OC9 which will give you enjoyment. What's your budget?
Thanks Martin, and everyone else for the welcome. Yes, transmission lines were also a very real alternative but I was a skint apprentice at the time (hence the self build approach) and TL's were considered a bit exotic (tricky) as a first build. Looking back I'd have loved to have done it though - you know how you are when you're that age: all bravado and hormones.

If the moderators don't mind it'd be handy to sort my OC9 issue here?

Cutting to the chase I find the OC9 a little harsh, bright and lacking in bottom end weight. This is perhaps being very critical but when I compare it to my CD player it lacks warmth. I'm sure some will now acuse me of Hi-Fi heresy as surely this cannot be, and maybe I've overstated the OC9 negatives a little to emphasise the point but after some very long listening periods this is the best way I can sum it up.

I'm looking to keep the good qualities of the cartridge (smooth and quiet tracking, detail retrieval etc) whilst addressing what I see as it's shortfalls. I'd class the rest of the system as being just on the warm side of neutral so I don't suspect a major mis-match. The Icon Audio phono stage was a revelation when I put it in and worked much better than a Tri-Chord Diablo that I'd been using. Nothing wrong with a Diablo - it was just the wrong tool for the job in this instance.

Cart's under consideration are a Benz Micro Ace SL and just maybe an Audio Technica AT 33EV (although I'm naturally wary of getting something too similar to the OC9).

I guess this defines my budget as around £500-£600. I'd go a bit more if there was a compelling case for major improvement but it's so difficult to try these things at a dealer, let alone at home, that reviews and recommendatons seem to be the only way forward.

I also don't believe that just because something costs a lot it's got to be good. I used to very happy with an AT-F5 until it packed up after 20 years - stuff just doesn't last these days! Is an AT-F7 it's spiritual successor or a very different animal?

All help and suggestions very gratefully received.

bob4333
07-04-2013, 08:20
Hi Bob

Any chance of a picture of your setup (especially the TT)?

Lawrence

Hi Lawrence, I'll see if I can get something organised (although none of it's very exotic). People have stuff on this forum I've never even heard of!

losenotaminute
07-04-2013, 08:45
Thanks Martin, and everyone else for the welcome. Yes, transmission lines were also a very real alternative but I was a skint apprentice at the time (hence the self build approach) and TL's were considered a bit exotic (tricky) as a first build. Looking back I'd have loved to have done it though - you know how you are when you're that age: all bravado and hormones.

If the moderators don't mind it'd be handy to sort my OC9 issue here?

Cutting to the chase I find the OC9 a little harsh, bright and lacking in bottom end weight. This is perhaps being very critical but when I compare it to my CD player it lacks warmth. I'm sure some will now acuse me of Hi-Fi heresy as surely this cannot be, and maybe I've overstated the OC9 negatives a little to emphasise the point but after some very long listening periods this is the best way I can sum it up.

I'm looking to keep the good qualities of the cartridge (smooth and quiet tracking, detail retrieval etc) whilst addressing what I see as it's shortfalls. I'd class the rest of the system as being just on the warm side of neutral so I don't suspect a major mis-match. The Icon Audio phono stage was a revelation when I put it in and worked much better than a Tri-Chord Diablo that I'd been using. Nothing wrong with a Diablo - it was just the wrong tool for the job in this instance.

Cart's under consideration are a Benz Micro Ace SL and just maybe an Audio Technica AT 33EV (although I'm naturally wary of getting something too similar to the OC9).

I guess this defines my budget as around £500-£600. I'd go a bit more if there was a compelling case for major improvement but it's so difficult to try these things at a dealer, let alone at home, that reviews and recommendatons seem to be the only way forward.

I also don't believe that just because something costs a lot it's got to be good. I used to very happy with an AT-F5 until it packed up after 20 years - stuff just doesn't last these days! Is an AT-F7 it's spiritual successor or a very different animal?

All help and suggestions very gratefully received.

Hi Bob,

I have a Dynavector DV20x2 on order for my LP12 with Ittok II, will hopefully get it next week. I am told it has similar characteristics to those you are looking for. Cost is around £500.

Lawrence

vouk
07-04-2013, 08:48
Hi Bob,

With regard to your quest for a new cartridge, I would seriously recommend you look closely at the used market - there are a lot of bargains to be found. I recently bought a mint Transfiguration Axia for 400 quid - but saw plenty of top notch cartridges (ZYX, Shelters, Benz Woods and even Rubys among others) around or below your budget. Definitely worth the effort in my view.
If you prefer a new cartridge, my personal recommendations would be the ZYX 50 bloom, the Shelter 301/501, Dynavector 20X and the Sumiko Blackbird. Indecently good cartridges for their price.

losenotaminute
07-04-2013, 08:49
Hi Lawrence, I'll see if I can get something organised (although none of it's very exotic). People have stuff on this forum I've never even heard of!

The threads with pictures are usually my favourites :)

If you upload the image to a photo sharing site such as Flickr, you can then right click on the image and copy the URL from the image properties, and paste the URL into your message surrounded by at both ends, a bit like this:

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8373364816_a9d3708d98_z.jpg

vouk
07-04-2013, 08:54
Hi Bob,

With regard to your quest for a new cartridge, I would seriously recommend you look closely at the used market - there are a lot of bargains to be found. I recently bought a mint Transfiguration Axia for 400 quid - but saw plenty of top notch cartridges (ZYX, Shelters, Benz Woods and even Rubys among others) around or below your budget. Definitely worth the effort in my view.
If you prefer a new cartridge, my personal recommendations would be the ZYX 50 bloom, the Shelter 301/501, Dynavector 20X and the Sumiko Blackbird. Indecently good cartridges for their price.

bob4333
07-04-2013, 10:40
Hey Bob. I'm new here myself. It seems like a pretty relaxed place to check in to. Nice gear BTW. I have plenty of time for the LP12. Nice deck. I've always wanted to spend some time with Musical Fidelity stuff but it ain't happened yet:D
Regards. Craig.

Craig, the Musical Fidelity amps were a real breakthrough for me in terms of 3D imaging. Great factory support also when I had a problem with the power amp out of warranty. How many companies these days will let their senior tech spend 15 minutes on the phone with you discussing your problem - and then put the parts in the post to you......?

MF used to come in for criticism regarding their model updates and replacements being too aggressive - dealers were reluctant to stock them as products were quickly obsolete: not good if you have to have the latest bit of kit but excellent to pick up "last years model" at a price that wouldn't make your eyes water (not so much anyway).

But I see more dealers stocking MF stuff now than when I was doing the rounds so maybe attitudes are have changed? I hope so - we all benefit.

bob4333
07-04-2013, 10:46
Hi Bob,

I have a Dynavector DV20x2 on order for my LP12 with Ittok II, will hopefully get it next week. I am told it has similar characteristics to those you are looking for. Cost is around £500.

Lawrence

Lawrence, I'd be very interested to read what you make of it and perhaps also how it compares to other carts you've listened to.

bob4333
07-04-2013, 10:55
Hi Bob,

With regard to your quest for a new cartridge, I would seriously recommend you look closely at the used market - there are a lot of bargains to be found. I recently bought a mint Transfiguration Axia for 400 quid - but saw plenty of top notch cartridges (ZYX, Shelters, Benz Woods and even Rubys among others) around or below your budget. Definitely worth the effort in my view.
If you prefer a new cartridge, my personal recommendations would be the ZYX 50 bloom, the Shelter 301/501, Dynavector 20X and the Sumiko Blackbird. Indecently good cartridges for their price.

That's a great list and I'll start looking thanks. I've no objection to buying used providing provenance can be ascertained. You've quoted some manufacturers my eyes had only skimmed over - I'll dig deeper.

I have to say in general this seems a more focused forum than some I've looked at so thanks to all so far.

bob4333
07-04-2013, 11:02
The threads with pictures are usually my favourites :)

If you upload the image to a photo sharing site such as Flickr, you can then right click on the image and copy the URL from the image properties, and paste the URL into your message surrounded by at both ends, a bit like this:

[IMG]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8218/8373364816_a9d3708d98_z.jpg

Hello Lawrence. Yes, I agree it does make things more interesting. I did the same thing with photobucket on a car forum. I'll see what I can do.

losenotaminute
07-04-2013, 11:21
Hello Lawrence. Yes, I agree it does make things more interesting. I did the same thing with photobucket on a car forum. I'll see what I can do.

I'm sure Marco wouldn't object to a picture of a classic car as well....

I'll post a report once the new cartridge is fitted. My current Linn Asaka cartridge sounds pretty good, but it does struggle occasionally with tracking. Things have improved now I have the wall shelf instead of everything bouncing all over the place on my dreadful 'floating' floors, but I am interested to hear how much of a difference a new cart will make.

Lawrence

MartinT
07-04-2013, 12:09
Cutting to the chase I find the OC9 a little harsh, bright and lacking in bottom end weight.

Yes, that matches my experience with an OC9. The easy choice would be one of the AT33 variants. I have a PTG but the EV is reputed to be good too. A much better balance, deeper bass but still a little light in the midrange is their characteristic. For a full-on opposite view, a Denon DL-103 would give you a big n' beefy sound.

The Dynavectors are a little dark but very liquid (I owned a 20X2L for a while) and the Shelters, well, I still have my 5000 so good is its performance. Perhaps the best, most affordable all-rounders are the Ortofons. Don't discount them, they're very good.

bob4333
09-04-2013, 18:39
I'm sure Marco wouldn't object to a picture of a classic car as well....

I'll post a report once the new cartridge is fitted. My current Linn Asaka cartridge sounds pretty good, but it does struggle occasionally with tracking. Things have improved now I have the wall shelf instead of everything bouncing all over the place on my dreadful 'floating' floors, but I am interested to hear how much of a difference a new cart will make.

Lawrence

OK, system pix posted in the Gallery under "bob4333's music chain". I've refrained from the car pic, but I'll do it if folk want it and Marco gives me the OK. I've read the rules and don't wish to classed as "willy waving" as I'm not keen myself on those who do so.

Can you possibly expedite delivery of your new cartridge? I've been reading some very nice things about your choice since joining this forum and it's now firmly on my list.

losenotaminute
09-04-2013, 18:54
OK, system pix posted in the Gallery under "bob4333's music chain". I've refrained from the car pic, but I'll do it if folk want it and Marco gives me the OK. I've read the rules and don't wish to classed as "willy waving" as I'm not keen myself on those who do so.

Can you possibly expedite delivery of your new cartridge? I've been reading some very nice things about your choice since joining this forum and it's now firmly on my list.

I'll give the dealer a bell tomorrow. They promised to ring last week, but their analogue specialist was on holiday so I guess you just can't get the staff.

Just post a picture of the car anyway, Marco can always remove the post if he's too jealous :)