Hifi plans for 2014

[Covenant]

I want to experiment a bit with preamplifiers. Up to now, I haven't experienced much benefit from them but I haven't spent much on them either!
What about you? What are your plans?

[Beobloke]

To move my hi-fi collection back from storage where it is currently residing whilst we have building work done.

Similarly, I also aim to improve the sound of the speakers in my listening room by removing the tables, chairs, bedside cabinets and duvets that are currently blocking their output.

:(

[Wakefield Turntables]

1. Get my tannoy cross over sorted.
2. Finish my garrard 301 project (95%) done
3. Experiment with a DAC
4. ENJOY MY VINYL COLLECTION!

[Yomanze]

To find a matching Mana Reference table for my current 4-tier rack as I can't fit both of my sources on my current one. Also, to find a new phono stage, and that's about it!

[StanleyB]

I am hoping to:
1. Replace my Caiman-1 preamp with the Caiman-2 preamp.
2. Sell my Thiel CS2.2 speakers and use the money to replace the TV in the dining room.
3. Part with my some of my tone arms. It's time others put them to actual use instead of me hoarding them any longer.
4. Figure out why I can't get the platter off my DDX-1000 TT. I want to swap the strobe light for a multi coloured version.

[Puffin]

I think that in 2014 I will finally be satisfied with what I have got......:scratch:



And spend no more time fiddling and fettling:rolleyes:



And to admit that if my lips are moving I am probably telling lies:D:mental:

[brian2957]

+1 Sounds good to me .

[Ali Tait]

Get the Aikido cathode follower pre up and running, get the new Mark Audio drivers fitted to my OB's and experiment with phono stages and SUT's.

Play lots of vinyl!

[chelsea]

Other than maybe a hammertone 301 i'll probably stick with what i have.

[loo]

Relieve the strain on my marriage
and get rid of some redundant stuff:(
or maybe not:ner:
Paul

[Roy S]

Finding some speakers that'll do justice to my Quads & maybe get my LP12 serviced.

[Yomanze]

Relieve the strain on my marriage

A woman is like HiFi in a critical way: mixing it up and no allowing of getting into ruts until personal nirvana is found!

[Yomanze]

...but then I thought about Jerry & sometimes box swapping is indeed the pleasure.

[chris@panteg]

Thinking of ditching my AV amp (Yamaha) and getting a puresound A30 or if I can stretch it the 2A3 , or similar?

[DaveK]

Although not mega expensive and not much more than mid-fi I think I'm probably 'sorted' with my present gear. Just had a dedicated spur supply installed for all my A/V gear and got the result you would expect (according to your pre-existing beliefs ;) ) and just fitted a home design and build carbon fibre tonearm to my Techie, again with the result you would expect from your pre-existing beliefs - I have no wish to 'convert' anyone :eyebrows: .
There is always the possibility that something might prove irresistible but not looking for anything ATM except perhaps some more hi-res music.
A top of the range pair of cans would not go amiss but I'm not willing to pay the asking price - very much subject to the law of rapidly diminishing returns IMHO.
Good luck with all your plans though, I hope they come to fruition and bring you the rewards you are hoping for.
Dave.

[synsei]

Nothing much on the horizon for me except a rewire and crossover fettling for the DM2's in early'ish 2014. Ancillary upgrades will include another set of Paul Coupes amazing Neptune IC's as funds become available and perhaps a new set of speaker cables :)

[Gazjam]

Lenco...Lenco...Lenco...

[struth]

not much; hes says quietly......possible new dac to replace the aging beresford, unless Stan has summat up his sleeve...other than that I am pretty happy with everything...

[Zoidburg]

Not too much for me really. I am collecting a new (to me) pair of speakers in a few weeks time so will give them a month or two to see if they improve things. Other than that next year I hope to really just improve / replace my currect dac and possibly change my tt arm. Its all very much dependant on funds tho.

[DaveK]

Lenco...Lenco...Lenco...

Isn't he a judge on Come Dancing or sommat? What's he got to do with upgrading SQ :lol: ;) .

[Thing Fish]

Go MC but it will be 2015 to be honest.

[Tim]

Maybe buy an SSD for my music server, but that's it - all my money goes on music and gigs ;)

[Joe]

Sell/give away some stuff, maybe do a bit of dusting.

[Mr Kipling]

Might plumb the old Amstrad back in snd have a '70s revivalist shindig.

Salavating just at thr thought of it.

[Reffc]

For me, only one really exciting hifi project which is the release of the new RFC speaker model (currently in design).

[The Black Adder]

For me, only one really exciting hifi project which is the release of the new RFC speaker model (currently in design).

When can we be expecting these Steve? Not sure if I've missed anything with these recently as I've been really busy.

[Beobloke]

My main system is all fine but I have the following projects awaiting that I really MUST sort out next year as some of them have been sat around for far too long:

(1) Ex BBC Technics SP-10 - service and build control box.
(2) Leak 3090s to restore
(3) AR66BX speakers to restore/re-foam
(4) B&O Beogram 4000 to repair after the arm was broken off in transit. :(
(5) Gates CB-77 and Gray Research arm to restore
(6) Re-assemble the amplifier on my MS Performance 9 subwoofer
(7) DIY Direct Drive turntable project
(8) Replace the dodgy relays on my B&O Beocord 8000 cassette deck

And finally - fettle and sell my 3 Rigonda radiograms!

[Covenant]

I don't believe that soldering iron will be locked away for the whole of 2014 Rob!

[Canetoad]

Set my system up in a new room, in a new house, in a new town, in a new country... :eyebrows:

[Marco]

England? :eek:

Marco.

[StanleyB]

That would only be an option after Nov 20014 then.

[Canetoad]

England? :eek:

Marco.

No, a lot further than that! :eyebrows:

[Canetoad]

That would only be an option after Nov 20014 then.

Sorry Stan, I'm not sure what you mean?

[Reffc]

When can we be expecting these Steve? Not sure if I've missed anything with these recently as I've been really busy.

Who's "Steve" Joe? ;)


Expect prototypes this side of Christmas, with the first pair being evaluated by a fellow few AoS members in early New Year. I can't give too much away but these will be very room-friendly (and wife friendly) speakers, similar in some respects to the Snell J's but with some major differences in design (ie, the J's are the nearest that I can think of that come close in size and shape but that's all). They'll be larger for a start at over 50 litres net volume and particular emphasis has been placed upon cabinet design. I've been working with some specialists in timber-craft to come up with the 3-D jigsaw puzzle for the internals. These will be exceptionally stiff cabinets, the idea to reduce amplitude of individual panel resonances way below what's normally considered significant in terms of additive distortion, especially around the mid range. They'll certainly be heavier and lower in panel resonance than a good deal of modern commercial box designs. Finishes include solid hardwood edging, rounded baffles and the use of 18mm slow grown dense Birch Ply for most of the panels, with extra thick front baffles. Production pairs can be finished in ANY combination of hardwood edging and panel veneer requested by the customer (current availability permitting) and finished to an exceptional standard. Alternatively, they can be hardwood edge-framed and left as oiled Class A/B Birch Ply as a reduced cost alternative.

The design will be a classic 2-way but using carefully selected drivers for exceptional off-axis response. They'll be ported and FR is expected to be 36Hz-20Khz from a box which stands just under 700mm tall. Crossovers will all be hand made and tuned for individual pairs using high quality components. I'm expecting good things from this design but the proof of the pudding will likely require some tinkering time to get spot on, hence I've invited a few discerning souls to see what they think of the prototype pair. They'll fit into most room spaces and are expected to be a very amp friendly load needing no more than 25Watts to get them singing.

[StanleyB]

Sorry Stan, I'm not sure what you mean?
Scotland might be a foreign country after that date;).

[RobbieGong]

Upgrade my Mission 752 Freedoms to Spendor S8e's ( Not sure how though as I'm skint !! :scratch: )

[Trumpton_Rioter]

Now I have my house back (been running a business from home for the last few years but moving into an industrial unit mid December) I can set up my LV speakers and Icon Audio amp again after it being in storage since I lost my music room to a store room.

Looking forward to having the choice of speakers or headphones but, depending how I feel, I may think about selling my headphone set up - Woo Audio 6 amp and Sennheiser 650 headphones.

[MartinT]

Upgrade my No. 9 power cables to Mk. III status.

That's it, I just want to enjoy my music and buy some more :)

[Macca]

I'm going to get me some big JBL PA speakers. I don't know why I just have a hankering...

A carbon fibre headshell for the SL1200

And maybe try a fancy mains lead...

[StanleyB]

I'm going to get me some big JBL PA speakers. I don't know why I just have a hankering...
Why didn't you mention that two weeks ago??? I just gave my JBL PA speakers to a mate for absolutely nothing. Cost me £1500 to buy, but an total nightmare to store.

[Macca]

Why didn't you mention that two weeks ago??? I just gave my JBL PA speakers to a mate for absolutely nothing. Cost me £1500 to buy, but an total nightmare to store.

Dammit that's just my luck. Although 2 weeeks ago I wasn't after some ;)

What were you using them for? Bit of DJ'ing on the side?

[StanleyB]

Originally for DJ purposes. But the air pressure levels from the 15" drivers were mesmerizing. You could put out a match with them.

[Macca]

You could ask him if he is interested in selling them. Maybe he is bored already?

[The Black Adder]

Who's "Steve" Joe? ;)


Expect prototypes this side of Christmas, with the first pair being evaluated by a fellow few AoS members in early New Year. I can't give too much away but these will be very room-friendly (and wife friendly) speakers, similar in some respects to the Snell J's but with some major differences in design (ie, the J's are the nearest that I can think of that come close in size and shape but that's all). They'll be larger for a start at over 50 litres net volume and particular emphasis has been placed upon cabinet design. I've been working with some specialists in timber-craft to come up with the 3-D jigsaw puzzle for the internals. These will be exceptionally stiff cabinets, the idea to reduce amplitude of individual panel resonances way below what's normally considered significant in terms of additive distortion, especially around the mid range. They'll certainly be heavier and lower in panel resonance than a good deal of modern commercial box designs. Finishes include solid hardwood edging, rounded baffles and the use of 18mm slow grown dense Birch Ply for most of the panels, with extra thick front baffles. Production pairs can be finished in ANY combination of hardwood edging and panel veneer requested by the customer (current availability permitting) and finished to an exceptional standard. Alternatively, they can be hardwood edge-framed and left as oiled Class A/B Birch Ply as a reduced cost alternative.

The design will be a classic 2-way but using carefully selected drivers for exceptional off-axis response. They'll be ported and FR is expected to be 36Hz-20Khz from a box which stands just under 700mm tall. Crossovers will all be hand made and tuned for individual pairs using high quality components. I'm expecting good things from this design but the proof of the pudding will likely require some tinkering time to get spot on, hence I've invited a few discerning souls to see what they think of the prototype pair. They'll fit into most room spaces and are expected to be a very amp friendly load needing no more than 25Watts to get them singing.


LOL... Steve is a client who I was about to email and so from now on your name is Steve... :) Call me Bob.

[Gordon Steadman]

As far as equipment is concerned, I am told that I have exceeded my budget for the next ten years so............its sort out the music room to try and integrate the Mac somehow. The room we use is temporary- in theory - until the main roof is fixed and then we can have the proper lounge upstairs where there is room for anything we would, could or might want to do (12m x 5 m up to 5 m ceiling and mezzanine)

The present room is awkward. Anywhere I try and put a screen between the speakers, something doesn't work. I end up covering a window or a door. I'll have to get creative but I'm not feeling much that way at the mo so it may have to wait.

Might just have to listen to more music:eek:

[Canetoad]

Scotland might be a foreign country after that date;).

It'll be a foreign country on the 25th December Stan.

[MartinT]

...so that we know when to pull the aid ;)

[kininigin]

I will be getting my Technics back up and running! So a psu,tonearm and bearing.Then lots of vinyl!!!

[Marco]

No, a lot further than that! :eyebrows:

Make sure that wherever it is sells, Irn Bru, square sausages, broon sauce and Buckie! :D

Marco.

[Marco]

System plans? Mmm... Depends on whether the sale of one of our properties in Tuscany goes through or not. If so, there could be some 'interesting' hi-fi toys landing, chez-Marco, next year - or I might spend the dosh on other stuff! :eyebrows:

Marco.

[337alant]

Finish my Paradise phono build, Priority number 1.
Clean up and test the Linn Sondek and sell it
Clean up and test the Rega P3 and sell it.
Build another B4 pre amp with wanky resistors / caps and compare with old one
Build a pair of mono power amps with NCC200 boards and a custom front end regulated supply or Hacker naps.
Finish off building a CD Pro transport kit that I bought and never finished.
service and calibrate a Revox PR99 Mk1 if it sound as good as my Tascam keep it if not sell it.
Teac 3440 R2R calibrate and sell
Techy 1200mk 2 try out some mods and see how it compares with my other turntables
Fix Tascam cassette deck and compare with Nakamichi BX 150, sell one of them
Build a better plinth for my 401.
Build a plinth for my Lenco GL75

That should keep me busy :eyebrows: :D

Alan

[Haselsh1]

I think maybe purchase a Rothwell Rialto phono stage to replace my very cheap Musical Fidelity VLPS unit and then buy an Ortofon OM40 stylus to upgrade my OM30 cartridge. Later on in the year around August time I intend to seriously upgrade the vinyl playing system.

[Spectral Morn]

Scotland might be a foreign country after that date;).

No Stan just reverting back to what it used to be, an independent country - not foreign ;)

It will be interesting to see what happens.



Regards Neil

[loo]

No Stan just reverting back to what it used to be, an independent country - not foreign ;)

It will be interesting to see what happens.



Regards Neil

Yep a giant 307 year leap backwards should be really interesting :scratch:
Paul

[synsei]

It will be interesting to watch what happens to the SNP if the referendum goes against them. Frankly I think it would be better for Scotland to stay in the union but with greater control over its own affairs, that way they can have their cake and eat it.

[wee tee cee]

System plans? Mmm... Depends on whether the sale of one of our properties in Tuscany goes through or not. If so, there could be some 'interesting' hi-fi toys landing, chez-Marco, next year - or I might spend the dosh on other stuff! :eyebrows:

Marco.If I get the eighty large on Friday I may take take that off yer hands....where abouts is the gaff= had some lovely r & r in that part of the world.

[User211]

Depends when the new speakers show up.

If they make it this year, I predict no changes for a damned long, long time. So 2014 could be pretty dull change wise.

TBH I'm amazingly happy with what I have. New speakers aren't required, but are coming for curiosity more than anything. I just love the idea of bettering an absolute classic.

[Marco]

If I get the eighty large on Friday I may take take that off yer hands....where abouts is the gaff= had some lovely r & r in that part of the world.

Lol, Tony... Have you been selling ya body again around Blythswood? :D It's a block of three flats in Tuscany, dude. £80k would get you one of them ;)

Yup, 'tis a lovely part of the world, no question!

Marco.

[loo]

Lol, Tony... Have you been selling ya body again around Blythswood? :D It's a block of three flats in Tuscany, dude. £80k would get you one of them ;)

Yup, 'tis a lovely part of the world, no question!

Marco.

Sounds loverly, I think the 80 large was a reference to the 80million euro millions jackpot:eyebrows:
Paul

[Marco]

Ha - lol... In that case, Tony, I'll accept your offer (£80m for all three) and I tell the other buyer he's been gazumped! :lol:

Marco.

[PaulStewart]

I'm looking at the crossovers for the MGs, not sure if I'm going to do it yet, they sound pretty awesome as they are, but I would like to have a play. In the mean time, I want to finish the £5 jumble sale GL78 and the £10 BC 1s (the £5 Leak Stereofetic is now finished and in the main system). Finished stripping down the Lenco today, I hope I can remember how it goes back together :ioi:

Other than that, I'm more or less done with the main system, I want to enjoy it. The edit suites on the other hand need to be constantly kept up to date. We are looking at two pairs of Stirling Broadcast LS3/5as for vocal balancing.

[wee tee cee]

Ha - lol... In that case, Tony, I'll accept your offer (£80m for all three) and I tell the other buyer he's been gazumped! :lol:.That sounds painfull, is the Scottish equivalent being fooked.......let me get back to you after the draw tonight!

[stupinder]

New speakers at some point ( I have no idea what!)and further adventures with the 1210 no doubt.
Will also have a play (again) with streaming and all that computer malarkey - SBT arrived this morning and was set up with absolutely zero shouting which I take as a very positive omen!!

[Marco]

That sounds painfull, is the Scottish equivalent being fooked.......let me get back to you after the draw tonight!

:lolsign:

Marco.

[struth]

not much; hes says quietly......possible new dac to replace the aging beresford, unless Stan has summat up his sleeve...other than that I am pretty happy with everything...

think I,all add to that possible upgrade of my mordant shorts if the right boxes become available
:)

[Floyddroid]

To chill with what i have. and pimp my lenco. I may even streamline a bit!

[The Barbarian]

Build my vinyl collection back up..{I think i'm doing well, over 500 LP's within a year}.. buying Hi-Fi has been history for a while now..

[doodoos]

Might look at another headamp for my cans eg Trilogy but that's all and a big maybe anyway.

[RichB]

Convert the loft into a dedicated man cave listening room, lavish lots of love and attention on my new TT and probably get a stack of new vinyl!

[Floyddroid]

Sounds good Richie lad.
Convert the loft into a dedicated man cave listening room, lavish lots of love and attention on my new TT and probably get a stack of new vinyl!

[PaulStewart]

I didn't have that many hi fi plans for 2014 let alone 13 but fate intervened. Just before the beginning of November, I had the heater on one of my Valve Art EL34s go O/C as previously posted. I replaced these in a hurry with the new Harma Retro EL34s from Watford Valve. I was so impressed I decided to re valve the whole ArtAudio Quintet 2 I used Harma Retro for the EC83s and a pair NOS Brimar EC82s. That now sounds top notch right across the frequency band with a really lucid mid band.

Tom Willis shipped me the parts to upgrade my Composer-1 TT, which I then fitted with my SME IV. While I was at it I fitted the damper. Tom had my VPS pre in for a service and called to say he was brining it back, he mentioned a further improvement he had made to the belt drive system and motor mounting. What we decided was that he would build up a new TT with the improvements and bring that down with the VPS. I then had to quickly take the new extra mass secondary sub platter of the first deck and move this and the arm to the new one. Reinstalled that with the pre and it all sounds sweet as a nut. The revision 3 motor system is great on the deck, just got the valve head amp to try, the new 5-10 system to play with and, and ,and..... It never stops really does it :lol:

Cheers

Paul S

[Clothears]

Its really about time that my trusty old Rega P3 was upgraded, but what with, and for how much, that is the question:scratch:, ,

I'll probably keep it, and buy more music instead :)

.

[Barry]

I'm happy with my system (have been for years), so the only item I'm likely to purchase in 2014 might be the Project R50 balanced phonostage, provided I'm satisfied with the SQ (it got pretty good reviews in the latest HFN). With it, my system will use completely balanced circuitry from cartridge through to speaker.

Apart from that, I'll be buying loads more music! :)

[Groove Junkie]

I was planning to get a phono stage next year but I got a little extra dosh come my way unexpectedly and I've got it on order now (Graham Slee Communicator) :carrot: so it's a Moss RCM instead for next year.
I quite fancy getting the DIY kit so I can give it a custom paint job and it's cheaper too.

[hifinutt]

possibly sell most of my system to buy a house !! but it would be a wrench because the martin logan summits are INCREDIBLE at imaging and its like being at a concert , one lady came round recently and wanted to know why the sound was coming out of the gas fire !

if I don`t sell then may go back to a valve pre which may sit slightly better with the absolutely brilliant msb power amp

[Yomanze]

possibly sell most of my system to buy a house !!

Cool, who ever said HiFi wasn't an investment, and can always start again!

[RMutt]

I don,t know what my plans are going to be. I've sort of reached the end of the line with cost effective tweaks and other such jiggerypokery. I have a Squeezebox Touch and a CD transport to a Rega DAC to a Rega Mira to Goodmans Magisters. All the wires are fine. I like the sound but maybe there is more to be had. So I'm throwing it over for suggestions as to what might plans might be. I think possibly the amp might be due for replacement, any ideas?

[awkwardbydesign]

Trying a new Tripath amp.

[synsei]

Big changes are afoot. Following on from my decision to go pure digital I've decided it is high time I stopped using my old gaming rig as a music server and begin the search for a purpose built item. It won't be happening until next year but I am already putting out the feelers ;)

[loo]

All the best with the changes Dave, there must be something in the air as after nearly 40 years collecting records I keep getting a digital biased elemental sitting on my shoulder whispering "go on you know you want to":scratch:
Paul

[synsei]

All the best with the changes Dave, there must be something in the air as after nearly 40 years collecting records I keep getting a digital biased elemental sitting on my shoulder whispering "go on you know you want to":scratch:
Paul

Give it a go Paul, I have been surprised at the quality of music reproduction a well sorted digital front end can deliver, it's definitely up there with a good vinyl set up. Sourcing a dedicated media server can only improve things which is exciting for me as my current rig is very capable as it stands ;)

[loo]

Yeah , I will be watching to see what you go for server wise , as thanks to you in a previous thread I realise that's what I am looking for
Paul

[vouk]

New tonearm
Record cleaner of the cheaper variety
Maybe a new DAC/headphone thingy
More music

[Oldpinkman]

Just been offered a buck-shee u205 body and tipped off a better than original replacement stylus - fancy diamond profile, boron cantilever , rare earth magnets. Be rude not to :)

[Haselsh1]

At long last I am going to buy myself a Croft Micro 25 preamp to use with my Rotel RB850 bridged monoblocks and get myself a brand shiny new Ortofon OM40 stylus. Bring it on...! I am waiting.

[pjdowns]

Hmm - I'm getting a BASE Starbase stand from a mate of my Dad's… so that for starters :)

Next up would probably be to replace my Naim CDI which seems to have given up the ghost :(

Might save up for a power supply for the Squeezebox and if I can convince wifey I might get a Bushmaster II from Stan :)

Paul.

[Covenant]

At long last I am going to buy myself a Croft Micro 25 preamp to use with my Rotel RB850 bridged monoblocks and get myself a brand shiny new Ortofon OM40 stylus. Bring it on...! I am waiting.
Get one for me as well please Shaun. Seriously though, I would like to know what improvement you get with the Croft.

[Haselsh1]

Get one for me as well please Shaun. Seriously though, I would like to know what improvement you get with the Croft.

The Croft upgrade is on for January so I may be getting in touch with a dealer then so that I can get a good deal or I may see what is available on ebay.

[Lee Henley]

Some new interconnects for me, the rest is sorted I hope!

[walpurgis]

To finally get my L Cao full range drivers into cabinets!

11117

[southall-1998]

Perhaps get a Roksan Caspian cd player, or the later M-series 1 version. Can't afford the today M2 version!!

If not, then a Meridian 508.24.

[stupinder]

New speakers and a NAS....possibly more messing around with the 1210 too.
Stu

[Mike - H]

Replace my novo headphone amp with a Graham Slee Solo Ultra-Linear, and buy a phono stage, possibly the Reflex M. I think I'll go back to my DM4s, the 2s are too big,:( which is why the headphone upgrade.:rolleyes:

[Gazjam]

Some fundamental changes for me.

They say get the best speakers you can and the rest will follow?
Big speaker upgrade, going for a set of Colin Topp's Eddingdales, which I heard at Owsten and totally blew me away.
Ticked every box for me.

Will get the Lenco up and running in 2014, lnew arm, proper plinth, rewire etc.
Looking fwd to getting back into vinyl.
Be interesting to see how it compares to my digital setup.

[Ammonite Audio]

Some fundamental changes for me.

They say get the best speakers you can and the rest will follow?
Big speaker upgrade, going for a set of Colin Topp's Eddingdales, which I heard at Owsten and totally blew me away.
Ticked every box for me.

Will get the Lenco up and running in 2014, lnew arm, proper plinth, rewire etc.
Looking fwd to getting back into vinyl.
Be interesting to see how it compares to my digital setup.

If your experience with your own music PC echoes mine, I predict that you will find yourself listening predominantly to digital.

[Gazjam]

If your experience with your own music PC echoes mine, I predict that you will find yourself listening predominantly to digital.

Aye, my Servers pretty good, maybe a case of different rather than better?
That said, the Lenco should sound pretty great too once set up.

Heard Ali's Gerrrard 401 recently and liking what vinyl does.
Well...apart from hearing my old worn out LPs not sounding as good as Ali's new 180g pressings!

Quite disappointing tbh, :rolleyes: guess that's an advantage digital has?

[Canetoad]

I'll be watching Gaz. I have a Lenco in the cupboard I want to do the same as you with. You're right about those LPs you bought over ;). Ali's 401 did sound lovely didn't it? So many turntables, so little time...

Picked up a mint Nils Lofgren LP off ebay the other day. It's always a gamble buying 2nd hand vinyl but it's also part of the charm.

[brian2957]

You got room in the suitcase for all this Bernie . Not taking any clothes mate :eyebrows:

[Canetoad]

Clothes! Who needs clothes. Too bloody hot for them anyway. ;)

Next week it all has to be packed up ready for the removalists. When I'll have it all unpacked and set up again is anybody's guess. I'll have to make do with my iPod and Neco headphone amp. :(

[Gazjam]

Posting off a parcel to you tommorow Bernie.
Been off work a couple of days with the squirts.

Visit to PO tommorow.

[wee tee cee]

Posting off a parcel to you tommorow Bernie.
Been off work a couple of days with the squirts.

Visit to PO tommorow.lack of booze....no doubt! -prescription for lidl bourbon forthcoming.

[Canetoad]

Posting off a parcel to you tommorow Bernie.
Been off work a couple of days with the squirts.

Visit to PO tommorow.

Gaz, the missus has had some sort of stomach bug the last few days as well. Seems to be something going around. Her flatulence has cleared the room several times! :lol:

Thanks for putting the parcel in the mail for me mate.

[Gazjam]

lack of booze....no doubt! -prescription for lidl bourbon forthcoming.

Amen Brother,
none of your white label pish though...

[Gazjam]

Gaz, the missus has had some sort of stomach bug the last few days as well. Seems to be something going around. Her flatulence has cleared the room several times! :lol:

Thanks for putting the parcel in the mail for me mate.

My dads got it too, new strain of Norovirus going about according to my medical better half.

*parp*
First real fart in days...phew.

[Macca]

My dads got it too, new strain of Norovirus going about according to my medical better half.

.

I've got it too. Although not that bad and I think it is wearing off now. One day a new strain will come along that will kill us all I suppose. Or nearly all of us and it will be like 'The Survivors'

[Gazjam]

Cheers Martin, that pepped me up! :)

Just found out this morning actually, everyone who visited my Mum in hospital has been laid out with this bug...
There's a note on the Ward door "NO NEW ADMISSIONS".

We all got it from there!

My Missus is spitting tacks about Infection Control and Standards.
"If it was my Ward I'd have them strung up!" she said.

Go to hospital to get better sheesh!

[Harry Hill]

New TT and move up to Ortofon 2M Black for main system, move old Rega with Ortofon 2M Red to second system.

Cyrus 3 amp (with the crappy 2.5mm cable sockets) to be replaced with a Cyrus 7 in the second system, if one turns up cheap enough.

At lest 2 new Vinyl LP's a month to satisfy the craving for both systems :eyebrows:

Maybe try a few cables to see if I still can't tell the difference:scratch:

:mental:

[icehockeyboy]

The only thing I will be trying (possibly) is another ic.

[SLS]

1. Stop spending money on hardware
2. Continue spending money on software (vinyl)
3. Learn to appreciate The Libertines and Queens of the Stone Age whilst my son dances around the room
4. Buy more vinyl
5. Hope the 300BXLS tubes don't blow.
6. Might have to buy a little bit more hardware - maybe a new cartridge?
7. Get that LP I was trying to resist.
8. Plan an upgrade for 2015

[Arkless Electronics]

Having deviant thoughts about making myself a super dooper class A amp over xmas..... have enough Sanken top of the range output transistors for 5 pairs per channel.... 16 x 22000uF caps.. transformers... cooling fans (essential!). maybe zero feedback and could even be hybrid :eyebrows:

[MartinT]

Now if you made it class AB for proper amounts of output power, sliding bias, some paralleled output transistors, the rest used in a highly regulated power supply, only one transformer, no fans, low feedback then you would be talking.

Oh yes, that would be something quite different, I guess :eyebrows:

[Arkless Electronics]

Now if you made it class AB for proper amounts of output power, sliding bias, some paralleled output transistors, the rest used in a highly regulated power supply, only one transformer, no fans, low feedback then you would be talking.

Oh yes, that would be something quite different, I guess :eyebrows:

Five pairs of output transistors not enough in parallel then? All stages other than output stage will have regulated supplies... even the driver stage. Zero feedback probably... or may even make it variable feedback.... ;)

[MartinT]

Ok, so how about regulating the DC for the output stage? I only say this as the best SS amps I know all have regulated output stage rails.

[Arkless Electronics]

Ok, so how about regulating the DC for the output stage? I only say this as the best SS amps I know all have regulated output stage rails.

It's doable of course but it's the least important stage to regulate and the most expensive so I'll probably not bother...
I can think of only a few amps that use output stage regulation and don't rate most of them very highly (Quad 303 and Naim NAP250 spring to mind as the most common ones) but there is probably more important reasons than the regulation to explain their sound.

[istari_knight]

I recall reading about the so called Baxandall papers, where Peter Baxandall revealed the need for a regulated supply to protect the vulnerable 2N3055 from over voltage. Peter did the redesign of the model 50, resulting in the 50E and worked on the 303. Apparently, if you replace the outputs and drivers the 303 could perform a lot better with a non regulated supply of 67 VAC. But then you end up with a highly modified 303...

[MartinT]

I can think of only a few amps that use output stage regulation

I was thinking of my Chord in particular, but that's a switched-mode supply so a whole world of additional pain to design. I do believe it's what helps make it special, though.

[Arkless Electronics]

I recall reading about the so called Baxandall papers, where Peter Baxandall revealed the need for a regulated supply to protect the vulnerable 2N3055 from over voltage. Peter did the redesign of the model 50, resulting in the 50E and worked on the 303. Apparently, if you replace the outputs and drivers the 303 could perform a lot better with a non regulated supply of 67 VAC. But then you end up with a highly modified 303...

I have "The Baxandall papers" and they are mainly about transitional Miller compensation, showing that there is nothing new under the sun and that PJB was there years ago on TMC! There's no mention of the 303. I think you are recalling an anecdote of Doug Self's regarding PJB and the 303.
I did once mod a pair of 303's for a mate and used better output transistors and a new regulator circuit to good effect.

It's a pity they are going for so much money these days on ebay. I've been on the lookout for a cheap 303 to demonstrate mods I can offer on these amps but good ones go for about £130 (probably fair enough) trouble is even the ropey ones in need of repair which I thought I may get for £40 or so still go for about £90!
I obviously don't need a good one as I'm going to gut it anyway and I ain't paying £90 for a broken one...

[istari_knight]

Ah, my memory was a bit fuzzy on that one glad you knew what I meant :)

If your thinking of playing with one "on the cheap" your probably best populating some of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390555975704?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 Just need a 65v secondary tranny. You wont be constrained to the tiny 303 chassis then :thumbsup:

All of the "cheap" £90 examples will need everything replacing inside anyway... I can understand why you havent bothered ! :lol:

[Arkless Electronics]

I was thinking of my Chord in particular, but that's a switched-mode supply so a whole world of additional pain to design. I do believe it's what helps make it special, though.

I think that's probably pretty tenuous Martin.... Although a SMPSU is obviously regulated it is pretty awful in regards to load transient reaction time as the control loop bandwidth is usually only a few tens of Hz. They can work well feeding a linear regulator though as the lack of mains ripple and fairly tightly controlled DC output means the linear reg can be a low drop out type and therefore the combination of the SMPSU and linear regulator can be quite efficient!

Am I right in thinking that Marco's coming to yours today and demoing my head amp?

[Arkless Electronics]

Ah, my memory was a bit fuzzy on that one glad you knew what I meant :)

If your thinking of playing with one "on the cheap" your probably best populating some of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390555975704?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 Just need a 65v secondary tranny. You wont be constrained to the tiny 303 chassis then :thumbsup:

All of the "cheap" £90 examples will need everything replacing inside anyway... I can understand why you havent bothered ! :lol:

Good idea! Only problem is if the demo unit doesn't at least look like a 303 I'll no doubt have problems persuading any potential customers that it IS a 303...

[istari_knight]

:hmm: Good point :doh:

[MartinT]

I think that's probably pretty tenuous Martin.... Although a SMPSU is obviously regulated it is pretty awful in regards to load transient reaction time as the control loop bandwidth is usually only a few tens of Hz.

I think the SMPS frequency in the Chord is 80kHz, so not quite the poxy circuit in your average laptop charger. They also dynamic couple the +ve and -ve rails together. My ears tell me it's a fast amp with a fast power supply.


Am I right in thinking that Marco's coming to yours today and demoing my head amp?

Yes, he is. Really looking forward to hearing it.

[Arkless Electronics]

I think the SMPS frequency in the Chord is 80kHz, so not quite the poxy circuit in your average laptop charger. They also dynamic couple the +ve and -ve rails together. My ears tell me it's a fast amp with a fast power supply.



Yes, he is. Really looking forward to hearing it.

80KHz is the switching frequency. The control loop frequency is unrelated to this...

Hope you enjoy the head amp :)

[Jonboy]

I have put out a commission to build a SE amp using 6B4G based around the Loftin White circuit :D

[Mr Kipling]

Think I'll re-cap me Amstrad.

[istari_knight]

Think I'll re-cap me Amstrad.

You've upgraded from the Sinclair then ?

[icehockeyboy]

At long last I am going to buy myself a Croft Micro 25 preamp to use with my Rotel RB850 bridged monoblocks and get myself a brand shiny new Ortofon OM40 stylus. Bring it on...! I am waiting.

Any chance you can increase the size of your tiny text?

[The Grand Wazoo]

I've got a short list of things I must do next year:
Finish my Goldring G99 plinth
Get the Ultracraft arm sorted out and mounted on it
Another speaker project in the pipeline.....if only the person who I've allegedly bought them from will reply to my messages about getting hold of them

....apart from that, who knows what might happen?

[Barry]

I've got a short list of things I must do next year:
Finish my Goldring G99 plinth
Get the Ultracraft arm sorted out and mounted on it
Another speaker project in the pipeline.....if only the person who I've allegedly bought them from will reply to my messages about getting hold of them

....apart from that, who knows what might happen?

Looking forward to reading that. Don't forget to fit the Decca ffss / H4E combination!

[The Grand Wazoo]

It already is, but I want to be able to play records that I really like twice!

[Marco]

I've got a short list of things I must do next year:
Finish my Goldring G99 plinth
Get the Ultracraft arm sorted out and mounted on it
Another speaker project in the pipeline.....if only the person who I've allegedly bought them from will reply to my messages about getting hold of them

....apart from that, who knows what might happen?

I would also like you to write-up your thoughts of the respective sonic and musical qualities between your Gyrodec and the G99. I've asked you this before, matey, but you always seem to avoid it! ;)

Marco.

[Barry]

I would also like you to write-up your thoughts of the respective sonic and musical qualities between your Gyrodec and the G99. I've asked you this before, matey, but you always seem to avoid it! ;)

Marco.

Pot - kettle? I seem to remember a certain cartridge and SUT comparison promised, eagerly awaited but nothing materialised! :eyebrows:

[The Grand Wazoo]

Because the G99 is not yet completed and therefore not performing as I hope it will. It's not going to oust the Michell though, they will coexist.

[Marco]

Pot - kettle? I seem to remember a certain cartridge and SUT comparison promised, eagerly awaited but nothing materialised! :eyebrows:

Lol - I know... I was just giving our Christof a wee dig-ette! :D

Marco.

[Marco]

Because the G99 is not yet completed and therefore not performing as I hope it will. It's not going to oust the Michell though, they will coexist.

Fairy muff, but when the G99 is completed, I'd appreciate your thoughts on both your T/Ts :)

Marco.

[The Grand Wazoo]

The Gyro sounds like a Genoa cake and the G99 like a carrot cake.

[Mr Kipling]

You've upgraded from the Sinclair then ?

How did you know James? I did actually have a power amp module.