An Englishman abroad - or the honorary French Member

[Oldpinkman]

Bet you thought you'd got rid of me - with a month in France. But we have wifi and I need my daily fix. Bit of an adventure - the car broke down on the docks at Dover. Towed to a client who is a Land Rover specialist, put our caravan in his field with electric hookup and water, diagnosed the problem (electric exhaust recirc valve), lent me a car to drive to the nearest main agent with the part, and fixed it by midday, it still left me having got up at 3am catching the 5PM ferry. To get up the next day and drive 13 hours solid with 2 tonne swinging behind to avoid disappointing the teenagers.

Still - we are here now. The wireless and gramophone in the caravan are working beautifully. The LP12 in the car skipped and jumped a bit on the way down, but that was probably my fault for forgetting to face Glasgow while I prayed during the set-up. Must get a valve amp for the car...:cool:

[Oldpinkman]

Of course, I probably shouldn't joke about valve amps in the car on here. I bet a few have got them. Reminds me of the old Skoda joke - about the new 16valve Skoda - 1 valve in the engine and 15v in the radio :lol:

[John R Leddy]

Of course, I probably shouldn't joke about valve amps in the car on here.

http://www.balanced.com/products/amp/Vk-55/images/image004.jpg

6C33C-B valves from MiG fighter to BAT power amplifier courtesy of Victor Khomenko.

http://www.balanced.com

[Oldpinkman]

I knew it! I just bloody knew it. Mind - I shouldn't really joke about one valve in the engine considering it was an electric valve which failed on the car in Dover. The French campsite owners (who we know well) are milking it for all its worth - British cars, so unreliable. The usual gallant French promotion of Peugeot and Citroen. "So what car do you drive Gilles?" - "Mercedes". "And what car does Jacques drive?" - "BMW". "Vive les voitures Francaises eh?"

Yes that's right folks - staying on a campsite owned and run by Jacques and Gilles.

Of course - it wouldn't be a holiday without another completely uncalled for breakdown. Having thoroughly checked the van before the holiday, including a short break in Devon when everything worked, there was the aforementioned brake light. But at 4PM Sunday afternoon filled the toilet -went to test and no electric flush. Blew 2 3 amp fuses before reluctantly removing the pump which had seized. Absolutely solid. Worked perfectly a week before. Why me?

Still, the car breakdown meant I could buy a new pump in England which saved worrying about sourcing one in France.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0002_zps58403d60.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0002_zps58403d60.jpg.html)

With a 3 amp fuse to protect it on a 12v system that could have almost 36W power! So - taking no chances -you will observe its crimps for me. Dangerous? Me? Never!

[Oldpinkman]

The caravan hifi is working well and in big demand. Struggling to fit ESL 57's above the front dinette I'm afraid Gordon, but do you have piped music in you shower? Eh? Do you?

The caravan Dac is benefitting from the high quality power supply I am using - I don't have a silly scope with me to publish the proof, but I am pretty sure I have very low noise - zero ripple. Just a bit worried about people visiting and opening the front locker to steal my secret

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0003_zps41e7009d.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0003_zps41e7009d.jpg.html)

:eek:

[Firebottle]

Couldn't you find some thicker cables Richard? :lol:


.... but do you have piped music in you shower? Eh? Do you?
Of course :mental:, lounge, dining room, bedroom, bathroom and outside in the garden :ner:

Have a good vacation, Alan

[Andrew B]

"Low ripple", eh?

Reminds me of that sign: If the caravan's a-rockin, don't come a-knockin"

[Gordon Steadman]

Nope:)

[John R Leddy]

The caravan Dac is benefitting from the high quality power supply I am using - I don't have a silly scope with me to publish the proof, but I am pretty sure I have very low noise - zero ripple. Just a bit worried about people visiting and opening the front locker to steal my secret.

Ah yes! True direct current from a chemical reaction whilst we are all stuck at home with naff unidirectional current.

Life is just not fair. Hope it rains!

John.

[Gordon Steadman]

Life is just not fair. Hope it rains!
John.

So do I:)

Firstly because he is on holiday and I'm not - obviously.
Second because its too damn hot. 37 degrees today, the chickens, ducks, cats, plants and us, could do with a nice cool shower.

Fortunately, the house is cool (800mm thick stone walls) and the freezer brings forth the odd ice cream. So we are alright then. Pity about the others although the cats do try and share the ice creams now and then.

[Oldpinkman]

Couldn't you find some thicker cables Richard? :lol:


Of course :mental:, lounge, dining room, bedroom, bathroom and outside in the garden :ner:

Have a good vacation, Alan

You know me Alan - this is the supply rail for the Dac - only the best audiophile cables will do. Reminds me of another joke - which has a little bit been overtaken by events, but imagine its 25 years ago. It concerns the Irishman who invented the worlds first portable television. Ultra high quality full colour picture, audiophile sound, perfect reception from anywhere in the world, measuring 10cm x 7cmx1cm and weighing only 100g, entirely portable the paddyvision ran off just 8 normal size car batteries...:lol:

[Oldpinkman]

Oh and its 32 degrees, but we have beautiful pine tree shade, and are just about to paddle our new kayak on the sublime argens river. But thank you for asking :cool:

[Jonboy]

Nice place to be, our eldest daughter is over at our place at the moment up in the Vendee, very hot there as well but the pool has gone green and horrible so they cant swim in it to cool off:steam:

[Oldpinkman]

Nice place to be, our eldest daughter is over at our place at the moment up in the Vendee, very hot there as well but the pool has gone green and horrible so they cant swim in it to cool off:steam:

Hey - that must make you a Frenchie, or at least an honorary Frenchie as well. There's a few of us. I reckon we could stage a take-over. (Humming La Marseilleise..) :cool:

[Jonboy]

Hey - that must make you a Frenchie, or at least an honorary Frenchie as well. There's a few of us. I reckon we could stage a take-over. (Humming La Marseilleise..) :cool:

Sounds like a plan :eyebrows:, my mates call me Onion as i wear a Basque Beret over here mostly at my vintage shows, my wife and kids refuse to walk with me when i wear it, :lol:

We've had a place over there for 10 years now so i guess that makes me half Frenchie , love it when we are there i can wind down a bit and definitely slow down to their gentler way of life :D

[Oldpinkman]

And here in St Aygulf, that'll be Kir Royal with Blanquette de Limoux. It's tough at the top!

(Pretty shitty down at the bottom I gather too, as though I care) . Bottoms up:cool:

[Oldpinkman]

Something is not right with the way this caravan system sounds. Like Paul on the road to Damascus, I have seen the light. It must be the mains!

The Consumer unit in the caravan, and its RCD's are the same as at home. Obviously I have audiophile screened mains cable from the consumer unit to the sockets, which are themselves audiophile quality. And it goes without saying that each component is supplied by a designer kettle lead. The problem I have realised must lie with the hook-up cable, bringing the supply into the consumer unit

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0004_zpscc17c07c.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0004_zpscc17c07c.jpg.html)

Does anyone know a supplier of audiophile caravan mains hookups? This is desperate! :doh:

[Firebottle]

You're going to be a bit limited by the size of the notch in the access panel :( :eyebrows:

:cheers:Alan

[Oldpinkman]

You're going to be a bit limited by the size of the notch in the access panel :( :eyebrows:

:cheers:Alan

I bet someone does an audiophile access panel upgrade :)

[Effem]

I bet someone does an audiophile access panel upgrade :)

Nah, a BIG drill is cheaper :D

[Oldpinkman]

Obviously good mains is the beginning point for any serious HiFi. Having sourced a proper audiophile mains hookup, and associated HiFi access panel (OK - I used a perfectly acceptable AOS DIY fix, aka Effem's f***ing great drill), I realise this is not approaching the problem from the right end. Its a bit like the old Linn "source first" approach. Good mains is important, but in the end, it only powers the equipment, which eventually converts electrical signals into physical speaker movements - which transmit the music to you by pressure waves - sound waves - in AIR!

Now, we all know from direct experience, and Harry Potter and the mermaids egg, that sound waves travel differently through water to air. And air is an unacceptable variable in reproducing music on domestic HiFi. The temperature and humidity can vary significantly. If there is high humidity the air is wet! It's well on the way to being water - and we know what the Mermaids egg sounded like:doh:

So - after extensive research I have produced the audiophile temperature and humidity stabiliser for the caravan, and will be releasing the domestic home version as soon as I get back

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/t582/oldpinkman/DSC_0014_zps7f9afb85.jpg (http://s1315.photobucket.com/user/oldpinkman/media/DSC_0014_zps7f9afb85.jpg.html)

Of course, this is only a partial con (sorry - audiophile revelation). I am experimenting with the composition of the air used for serious listening- along the lines of nitrogen tyre inflations. I have been varying the nitrogen and helium content for optimum consistent, Linn balanced reproduction. Early test have produced an Adele sounding like Micky Mouse, suggesting I have overdone the Helium, but once I have the formula right, I plan to bottle it and sell it as an accessory - bottled audiophile air, to be used to fill the listening room, for THE ULTIMATE home music reproduction experience.

Always assuming you have sorted the mains first.

And then maybe a nice suit of clothes for the emporer :eek:

[Barry]

Suggest you add a soupçon of ethane (ethylene) to your mix.

At the Oracle of Delphi, the oracle sat over a fissure in the ground through which eminated vapours thought to be the 'breath of the gods'. These vapours put the oracle into a trance-like state, during which she uttered gibberish answers to those questions put to her. Again it was though the "gibberish" was the language spoken by the gods. It was then up to the attendant priests to interpret and give meaning to these answers.

Modern analysis of the vapour has shown it to contain ethylene, a gas known to have hallucinogenic properties.

[Oldpinkman]

Suggest you add a soupçon of ethane (ethylene) to your mix.

At the Oracle of Delphi, the oracle sat over a fissure in the ground through which eminated vapours thought to be the 'breath of the gods'. These vapours put the oracle into a trance-like state, during which she uttered gibberish answers to those questions put to her. Again it was though the "gibberish" was the language spoken by the gods. It was then up to the attendant priests to interpret and give meaning to these answers.

Modern analysis of the vapour has shown it to contain ethylene, a gas known to have hallucinogenic properties.

Ah - Brilliant suggestion. Possibly overkill, since I'm not sure my target market needs ethylene to start hallucinating about benefits from HiFi enhancements such as my bottled air, or air-conditioning unit. A bit of peer pressure, -the syndrome recognised in The Emperors new clothes, and they start imagining things all by themselves. :lol:

[Rothchild]

Sorry to be all serious but it is indeed true that the quality of the air has an effect on sound quality. This is one of the reasons that in a live sound setup you'll often find crossovers loaded with delay lines. The thinking is that, because higher frequencies carry less energy, as the air thickens up in a night club (with it getting hotter and more humid) the phase relationship between the bass drivers and the trebles can change and you can use the delay in the crossover to compensate for this.

Of course this is far too sensible for a true audiophile to accept. I propose some variety of 'Audio Oust' a can of specially blended aerosol that calms the particle field in the air surrounding the speakers, for a more linear transfer of the recorded information, helping to reveal inner detail and putting you right in front of the real performer.....

[Oldpinkman]

Sorry to be all serious but it is indeed true that the quality of the air has an effect on sound quality. This is one of the reasons that in a live sound setup you'll often find crossovers loaded with delay lines. The thinking is that, because higher frequencies carry less energy, as the air thickens up in a night club (with it getting hotter and more humid) the phase relationship between the bass drivers and the trebles can change and you can use the delay in the crossover to compensate for this.

Of course this is far too sensible for a true audiophile to accept. I propose some variety of 'Audio Oust' a can of specially blended aerosol that calms the particle field in the air surrounding the speakers, for a more linear transfer of the recorded information, helping to reveal inner detail and putting you right in front of the real performer.....

I like your aerosol idea. Maybe we should form a business together. I too knew that air quality affects sound. I have been trying to keep this flippant, cos I have a tendency to get aggressive when I take things seriously. The points are - this DOES have a scientific basis - when mains cables appear not to (none found yet), AND even so it is a little OTT to start producing bottled air in response to it. It would be even more barmy to start taking it with you to concerts. There have to be limits. Music is real in a real environment. Worry about the records and CD's and the genuine equipment and not crystals, ley-lines and josh-sticks. :scratch:

[Rothchild]

Fair enough, I propose new product be called 'Air CON' ;-)

[Oldpinkman]

Fair enough, I propose new product be called 'Air CON' ;-)

:lol:

[Rothchild]

Indeed, there's a whole range of products here.

We can do a kettle lead; 'Special CONection', directional 'InterCONects' and a 'Power CONditioner' etc etc

[Oldpinkman]

Indeed, there's a whole range of products here.

We can do a kettle lead; 'Special CONection', directional 'InterCONects' and a 'Power CONditioner' etc etc

Oh stop it! You'll get us in trouble. I'm just waiting for someone to take the bait on directional cables so I can ask them in which direction they think the current flows through the cable . I nearly got Arthur, but he saw it coming, and opted for a tantrum instead. :)

[synsei]

I too was a mains cable skeptic up until a couple of years ago, ask any of the 'lifers' on here. Should a discussion break out about the various benefits of this cable or that cable I was all over it like a rash, posting sarchy but humorous comments concerning such delights as house trained electrons or whether raisins might produce a fruitier sound than current(s). Over time and after reading about the amazing improvements many members were reporting I bit the bullet and bought a very reasonably priced but highly regarded MCRU No14 shielded mains lead in order to hear for myself what all the fuss was about. Because the thick black snake with silver plated plugs at both ends only cost twenty six quid at the time, I reasoned that it wasn't a huge amount of money to lose should the whole mystic mains thing turn out to be utter bollocks. I fully expected to be proven right as I removed the standard kettle lead from my pre-amp and replaced it with MCRU's rather chunkier concoction. I was utterly blown away by the improvements I heard once I'd stoked the boiler and got up enough steam to play some music, and mine were not the only pair of ears to notice the sudden improvement in clarity, soundstaging and bass heft, my good ladies ears pricked up as well. "Oh, that's sounding rather good" said she as she looked up from doing her cross-stitching. Now, I am well aware that sometimes I can convince myself that Shane McGowan has the voice of an angel after repositioning my amp on the rack so it is sitting exactly square on its shelf, however when my missus notices an improvement in proceedings I tend to sit up and take note. Don't ask me about the science involved because I haven't a scooby doo how it all works, however mine and my partners ears report that it does work and that is good enough for me. Since then I have replaced all the kettle leads in my system with No14 mains cables and I have thrown a Belkin PF30 mains conditioner into the mix as well. All additions without exception have garnered an improvement in SQ. I rest my case M'Lud ;)

[Oldpinkman]

It's a good case Dave. I will explore a similar project on my return. A recommended current model sub £50 single kettle lead for the preamp which will give me the same result, before I have to rewire the house with this stuff will be appreciated. Tell me. Could your wife change the preamp lead safely and completely conceal it effectively with a couple of towels, so that for the next 2 weeks you don't know which power lead is being used? Could she then generate from a computer a pseudo- random list of a's and b's and withiut telling you connect the audiophile lead on days which are a and the kettle lead on days which are b. Could you then score each day a or b or don't know and puboish your 14 results. It helps if your wife is a good poker player.:)

[synsei]

I'd be willing to give it a go Richard although it would be a far easier exercise to swap the mains leads on the power amp as it is a two person operation to retrieve the power lead from the back of the pre. The power amp sits on a small unit away from the rack and is in easy reach. Below is a pic of the unit supporting my Valhalla ;)

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/DSC_0024.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/DSC_0024.jpg.html)

[Oldpinkman]

After I wrote I realised how involved it would be with mine - although how easy too. My cables run behind screwed panelling - but I could take the panelling off, run both cables, and either end is then easy to conceal.

Power amp is fine if you think you are going to hear a difference. If you are up for playing the game - it can also be played on a shorter term swap over. The key is blind and random (pseudo random). You can generate genuine random rolling a dice.

If you currently believe you will hear a difference with the power amp - that's as good as the preamp. If you are going to do the test, and should you not score well, conclude it was the wrong piece of equipment, you will have retained your faith and proved nothing.

I note MCRU offer a 30 day money back guarantee, and you can't say fairer than that. They have a £50 lead reduced from £99 (but several £300 + leads which are presumably better). Providing the £50 lead, in either my pre or power amp should make a difference, I am happy to give it a go. Problem is, if I conclude it makes no difference it will be my ears, the mains in kent, plugged into the wrong distribution block etc etc.

It needs one of the faithful to do it. And it then needs to be repeatable. I fully understand that we listen to this kit for the pleasure of listening to the music, not fannying around playing games for subtle differences, but

1) important differences will be so obvious they will pass any true blind test. I'd stake a small fortune I could get 100% on a comparison of FX3 and F5 with the rest of my ancilliaries. Or Arcam v Quad 405.
2) those other tiny hard to hear comparison differences may be important to others, but if they count for anything they will pass a blind test. Most don't. As I posted elsewhere we all have a capacity for wishful thinking, and I have heard differences before where nothing has changed - which is why long term tests (ie real listening instead of twitchy A:B's) are better.

If you fancy giving it a go I will be really interested in the results. To make it really count (in the final analysis you are only really proving this to yourself) you need to be scrupulously careful there are no clues - you'd be amazed what the subconscious mind can pick up without you ever being aware of it.

I'm back in September (may leave it till October, so I have time to do it justice in my 30 days, should I want to return it)

[Oldpinkman]

Designer kettle leads and the caravan addition of the audiophile mains hook-up are all very well. The early prototype of my new joint venture product with Rothschild ( a promising name for a business partner I feel) - Air CON, is working well. But some people take this stuff to ridiculous levels. One of my neighbours appears to be having custom electricity delivered by fork. I'll keep trying for a photo, but you know how it is - you always fail to anticipate. Makes me appreciate other peoples lightening photos all the more :youtheman:

Must have bloody good cables on the receiving end of bolts like that. Mind - its given me another idea for a HiFi product. The air is much clearer, and whilst the thunder interferes with the music a bit, in the gaps between rumbles, the sound is unquestionably enhanced. I haven't got the product name to fit our range yet - nearest I can do is ION- NICER, and I have no idea on packaging or pricing, but this has to be the future...:cool:

[Rothchild]

ION-NICER will improve your sOundZONE.

The basic product is the Forked variety, great for most systems but can occasionally lead to a few jagged edges, if this is the case you might like to upgrade to our Sheet version which will provide a more even coverage across the spectrum. However, for the ultimate ION-NICER experience, you should try the Ball variety, it's more expensive cos it's so rare but it will round out a system like no other product.

[Oldpinkman]

ION-NICER will improve your sOundZONE.

The basic product is the Forked variety, great for most systems but can occasionally lead to a few jagged edges, if this is the case you might like to upgrade to our Sheet version which will provide a more even coverage across the spectrum. However, for the ultimate ION-NICER experience, you should try the Ball variety, it's more expensive cos it's so rare but it will round out a system like no other product.

Teamwork! :)

[Oldpinkman]

Nothing to do with HiFi or snake oil, but this is my holiday thread so :ner:

We went to the bar last night to listen to a really good live band, 7 piece playing jazz songs. At a table near us was a french lady with her 2 older children and a beautiful 4 year old German Shepherd. At the interval, we got up to say "Hi". Sue had already met the dog earlier that day.

The owner looked a bit anxious as we approached, and the dog curled its lip and barked nervously at me. I backed off as she put a muzzle on the dog, explaining they were the fourth owners, the dog had been beaten by men before, and was nervous of men and the dark.

I sat on the floor about 2 feet from the dog, explained I was experienced with GS, it was my responsibility, and if she didn't mind I would like to help the dog because I have lots of experience with GS rescue. She looked a bit dubious, chatted about her concerns (its a class 2 dog - the muzzle is required - her responsibility in France) but in the end took off the muzzle. I explained what I was doing, which was just to sit there relaxed and calm, maintaining eye contact (which the dog avoided quite a lot to start with) and talk to her and the dog, but not move. It was for the dog to come to me if it wanted to, not for me to approach the dog, or her to hold the dog or restrain it while I petted it. A frightened dog has 2 responses - to flee or fight. It will expect the same of any frightened animal it encounters. If I were frightened, it would sense it, and if I wasnt running away, assume I wanted to fight - which is why it snarls to warn me it is prepared to defend itself. If it is muzzled and held on a tight leash, it knows it can neither run nor fight, and that is very frightening for a dog.

Anyway, after about 15 minutes chatting, the dog eventually edged over, licked my nose, and let me stroke it. I was completely absorbed in the dog - cos I had my face near hers, but when I stood up afterwards to leave, the owner thanked me and pointed out the dogs wagging tail, and to my considerable embarrassment, I got a round of applause from the neighbouring tables which had been watching. Sue had been watching the people, and the wife of the man who started the applause, had moved away when the dog snarled...

Lovely dog - maybe she can start to build her confidence now. Happy ending - and a big boost for the Brits :cool:

[Gordon Steadman]

Nice tale. I'm not too keen on dogs but they all seem to like me:doh:

I'm a cat person but its the same thing. You have to treat them in the right way. I see people patting cats and being surprised when they get scratched. All animals have a natural behaviour and react to humans accordingly. Its up to us to treat them right but so many people don't deserve the privilege of living with an animal. They are not there just for our amusement. Our cats are members of the family and give as much back as we give them if not more.

[Rothchild]

Oh no! It looks like there's already a competitor in play for the IoNicer product: http://www.eden-audio.com/Acoustic-Revive-RR-77.php

It's ok though they only want e380 for it, can't be very good, what with the forked IoNicer slated at e500 we'll put them out of business in no time I'm sure.

[Oldpinkman]

Oh no! It looks like there's already a competitor in play for the IoNicer product: http://www.eden-audio.com/Acoustic-Revive-RR-77.php

It's ok though they only want e380 for it, can't be very good, what with the forked IoNicer slated at e500 we'll put them out of business in no time I'm sure.

I'm glad you posted. Since we have a formal business partnership here, I wouldnt have wanted to post this product on my mains cable thread without your sayso, but having experienced the wonderful effect it had on lemon slices at a BNI meeting, I feel this has to improve the sound of hifi. Not sure how often it would be necessary to re-treat items being played, but we can see what the market thinks

http://www.eamega.com/en/uk-products/uk-personal-wellness/uk-amproducts/uk-am-wand

:eyebrows:

[Rothchild]

I'm glad you posted. Since we have a formal business partnership here, I wouldnt have wanted to post this product on my mains cable thread without your sayso, but having experienced the wonderful effect it had on lemon slices at a BNI meeting, I feel this has to improve the sound of hifi. Not sure how often it would be necessary to re-treat items being played, but we can see what the market thinks

http://www.eamega.com/en/uk-products/uk-personal-wellness/uk-amproducts/uk-am-wand

:eyebrows:

I might have to get one to aleviate the respitory issues I'm suffering having read that site, I just nealy choked laughing!

[Oldpinkman]

I might have to get one to aleviate the respitory issues I'm suffering having read that site, I just nealy choked laughing!

Hey - I had one demo'd on me at a BNI meeting. Followed by an extraordinary hijack of the meeting to demonstrate it could make lemon less bitter when you sucked a segment. And thereafter, every time someone had an issue like a broken telly, or mould growing on food left in the fridge, in unison we would chime "you need an Amega zero point energy wand".

Just get the packaging design finished ;)