View Full Version : Retrojoe's Hi-Fi Drum
The Black Adder
10-01-2014, 22:22
Hi all.
Been doing some pics today. Our place needs decorating so please excuse the wall.... lol
Some you may have seen on my strokes of genius thread regarding the new AOS amplifier but I thought I'd do some pics of the room as well.
So here we go...!
System:-
Digital - TEAC P-700 and D-700
Analogue - Thorens TD124 MKII - Schopper refurbed
Tone Arm - SME 3009 MKII (none improved) - AO updated
Cartridge - Nakaoka MP-10 & Goldring G800 (NWA re-tip and cantilever)
Pre-amplification - Croft Epoch Elite - Updated
Amplification - AOS Classic series - Upgraded by Anthony with external PSU running KT120's
Loudspeakers - Tannoy Monitor Gold in Lockwood universal cabinets
Crossovers - The crossovers are made by myself (pics below) utilising a nice mix of premium parts. New models out this year (2014) - Watch this space.
Cables - All Mark Grant inc. mains.
Posters:-
Pink Floyd original UFO club poster by Hapshash and the coloured coat - circa 1968
Brighton Beach - Sheffield city ball room - circa 1993-95
PYE - Electronic goddess - Original poster - Circa 1969
The system:
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08469.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08466.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08461.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08459.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08456.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08451.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08450.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08447.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08444.jpg
Digital source: Teac P-700 & D-700 - Twin TDA1541 S1 DAC
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08484.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/TEAC%20D-500%20-%20P-500%20-%20TDA1541A%20S1%20-%20DUAL/DSC07750a.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/TEAC%20D-500%20-%20P-500%20-%20TDA1541A%20S1%20-%20DUAL/DSC07751a.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/TEAC%20D-500%20-%20P-500%20-%20TDA1541A%20S1%20-%20DUAL/DSC07752a.jpg
Analogue Source: Thorens TD124 MKII (1966) - SME 3009 SERIES 2 (none improved) - Showing Nagaoka MP-10
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08486.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08487.jpg
Pre-amplification : Croft Epoch Elite / Phono - Upgraded
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08489.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/DSC08331.jpg
Loudspeakers: 15" Tannoy Monitor Golds in Lockwood universal cabinets (Original ceiling mounted)
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/LOCKWOODS/DSC06960copy.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/LOCKWOODS/Untitled-1.jpg
Here are the speakers in their previous home - Toe Rag Studios - Hackney, London - Previous to that they were in CTS studios in Wimbledon.
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive%202013/LOCKWOODS/3217872208_da40291040_b-1.jpg
Crossovers: - Currently behind the speakers - Custom made by myself - New updated versions for 2014 - Watch this space!
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive/DSC07260.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive/DSC07262.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/Archive/DSC07261.jpg
Posters:
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08472.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08471.jpg
http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/musical_submarine/AOS%20system_full/DSC08470.jpg
Ali Tait
10-01-2014, 22:30
Very nice Joe. Only thing missing is some nice low level shots of triodes glowing blue.
Needs decorating? Shit, you've been round my place, are you kidding? I really do love those vintage posters. And it never ceases to amaze me that you can put big Tannoys anywhere, in any room size or shape and they work just fine.
Very tidy, not a messy wire to be seen.
Love the posters too
Diana Rigg nom nom nom
When did 'yum yum' suddenly become 'nom nom'? Had to be explained to me what nom nom meant the first time I heard it a few months ago.
Audio Al
11-01-2014, 03:31
Very tidy and a nice selection of quality kit ;)
Thing Fish
11-01-2014, 08:21
Beautiful system.
The Black Adder
11-01-2014, 09:12
Very nice Joe. Only thing missing is some nice low level shots of triodes glowing blue.
lol.. need some more time to get some glowing done. will do though
Thanks chaps, more pics to come.
Cheers
Joe
The Black Adder
11-01-2014, 12:22
Many thanks Andy :) - More pics added.
Hi Joe,
Awesome pics, mate, as usual! Glad that you've now included some of your room, as I knew they'd look nice, showing how effectively it works as a comfortable space in which to indulge in some music listening, especially as the pics also show off your gorgeous Lockies.... ;)
Glad to see that you've now given the superb Teac D-700/P-700 the prominence it deserves, showing off the innards and those rather special TDA1541 S1 chips! Keep hold of that pairing, as along with the Technics SL-P1200, it comes from an era when digital sources were designed and built to the highest standards.
Furthermore, like the Technics, it also has a broadcast heritage, as the professional wing of Teac (Tascam) supplied many of the CDPs used at the BBC. Here's a modern professional example of what you have: http://www.soundbasemegastore.com/digital-players/28679-tascam-cd9010-professional-broadcast-cd-player-4907034120291.html
Here with its matching remote controller and stand: http://tascam-ca.com/product/cd-9010/
Trust me, with a few judicious mods, specifically upgrading the NE5534 opamps, in the output stage, along with the AD42712s, and with a few tweaks to the internal PSU arrangements, your D-700/P-700 will be capable of the highest level of performance, rivalling (and in some areas outperforming) currently produced CDPs in the £3-4k ball park - I kid you not! Speak to Mark, from Audiocom, about what I've outlined.
The only set-up tip I'd offer is that you may wish to consider giving some of your components (particularly your T/T) some extra isolation, in terms of utilising some support tables (there are a few different types available on the market), along with perhaps putting some large oak cone feet, from Russ Andrews, under the Croft and medium-sized cones between the Teac units, all of which should combine to increase performance further.
Anyway, you have a system now, which bar some light tweaking (and the fitting of a better cartridge to your T/T), should last you a lifetime, simply because its fundamentally 'well-sorted' at all levels and so should curb any desire to box-swap. Therefore, don't spoil the synergy you've got going on, as some people spend years and years, in that respect, trying to get where you are now. Instead, enjoy and treasure it! :)
Marco.
Loving those Tannoys Joe...
The Black Adder
11-01-2014, 16:07
Loving those Tannoys Joe...
Cheers Paul. Oh aye!.. They are something very special indeed.
It's been a long time coming has this system. I've basically now had it with box swapping because I realised that (for me) the best system is a system that has your own mark on it. Something that has become special to ones self sonically. A one off, as a collective of quality components made to measure. If you want Hi-Fi to be fun then this is where the fun really starts.
:exactly:
Hi Joe,
Awesome pics, mate, as usual! Glad that you've now included some of your room, as I knew they'd look nice, showing how effectively it works as a comfortable space in which to indulge in some music listening, especially as the pics also show off your gorgeous Lockies.... ;)
Glad to see that you've now given the superb Teac D-700/P-700 the prominence it deserves, showing off the innards and those rather special TDA1541 S1 chips! Keep hold of that pairing, as along with the Technics SL-P1200, it comes from an era when digital sources were designed and built to the highest standards.
Furthermore, like the Technics, it also has a broadcast heritage, as the professional wing of Teac (Tascam) supplied many of the CDPs used at the BBC. Here's a modern professional example of what you have: http://www.soundbasemegastore.com/digital-players/28679-tascam-cd9010-professional-broadcast-cd-player-4907034120291.html
Here with its matching remote controller and stand: http://tascam-ca.com/product/cd-9010/
Trust me, with a few judicious mods, specifically upgrading the NE5534 opamps, in the output stage, along with the AD42712s, and with a few tweaks to the internal PSU arrangements, your D-700/P-700 will be capable of the highest level of performance, rivalling (and in some areas outperforming) currently produced CDPs in the £3-4k ball park - I kid you not! Speak to Mark, from Audiocom, about what I've outlined.
The only set-up tip I'd offer is that you may wish to consider giving some of your components (particularly your T/T) some extra isolation, in terms of utilising some support tables (there are a few different types available on the market), along with perhaps putting some large oak cone feet, from Russ Andrews, under the Croft and medium-sized cones between the Teac units, all of which should combine to increase performance further.
Anyway, you have a system now, which bar some light tweaking (and the fitting of a better cartridge to your T/T), should last you a lifetime, simply because its fundamentally 'well-sorted' at all levels and so should curb any desire to box-swap. Therefore, don't spoil the synergy you've got going on, as some people spend years and years, in that respect, trying to get where you are now. Instead, enjoy and treasure it! :)
Marco.
Cheers Marco.. Yeah, this is it now for me... I'm having fun..! The mods on the digital side is certainly going to happen too. The CD9010 does look like serious kit though... YUMM!!!
I am looking in to some isolation platforms as the unit does shake with the bass quite a bit. Thanks for the recommendations there. The cones have always interested me.
The Black Adder
11-01-2014, 20:51
...Also if anyone has any recommendations on updating the Opamps that would be excellent.. please PM.
I'm sure that Nick (lurcher) would have a few ideas, if he saw the circuit :)
Marco.
The Black Adder
11-01-2014, 21:04
I'm sure that Nick (lurcher) would have a few ideas, if he saw the circuit :)
Marco.
Ooh yes.. Will do.. I do actually have the schematic.. Cheers Marco.. :)
Cool. When modifying vintage digital kit like that it's all about retaining what's best about it (the inherent musicality), whilst improving resolution by fitting the best of modern components, in order to combine the best of both worlds... That's how I've built my whole system :)
Btw, check out some of this stuff: http://www.fidelityart.co.uk/furniture/platforms/
One of those platforms under your TD-124 would work a treat, and I think compliment your existing furniture. Just a little plan for later, that's all. The dude's a trade member here, so you'd probably get a good deal... :cool:
Marco.
The Black Adder
12-01-2014, 09:20
I agree. They do look superb. Not seen those before. They are a bit minty though.
I do need to do some minimal WAF friendly room acoustic treatment but I'm flummoxed in who to ask.
Lovely, lovely system ... looks like you're pretty much finished ... enjoy the music!
The Black Adder
12-01-2014, 10:40
Hi Peter... many thanks. Yes, it's about done, just some tweaks to do here and there but the system as it stands now is complete, it has a wonderful synergy.
I agree. They do look superb. Not seen those before. They are a bit minty though.
I do need to do some minimal WAF friendly room acoustic treatment but I'm flummoxed in who to ask.
What about the picture panels Martin T uses? It depends on what room issues you're tyring to address. The PAB support tables are excellent. One of the wood options matches your furniture perfectly. Worth saving up for, I think, as your T/T would really benefit.
For a much cheaper tweak, in the meantime, try these under your Croft: http://www.russandrews.com/product-Big-Cone-Feet-4220.htm
Honestly, they work well and I think you'd like the effect! :)
Marco.
The Black Adder
12-01-2014, 12:45
Cheers Marco.
I'd like to bring the bass more in to the room. The problem I have is that the room is almost square and therefore has some standing LF waves around the edges of the room, I'd like to try and focus them a little more in to the listening position.. not sure if this is possible though.
I'll try some of those cones on the pre for sure, cheers for that fella. :) Ordered an M8214 today too!
Have a word with Martin about the room treatment, or maybe start a separate thread about it in Blank Canvas? The more folks who can get their heads around it, the better :)
Nice one on the Mullard - you're gonna *really* like that one (just be prepared for a long burn-in time)! :trust:
Marco.
The Black Adder
12-01-2014, 13:30
Have a word with Martin about the room treatment, or maybe start a separate thread about it in Blank Canvas? The more folks who can get their heads around it, the better :)
Nice one on the Mullard - you're gonna *really* like that one (just be prepared for a long burn-in time)! :trust:
Marco.
Cheers dude... Yeah, just checked... phew! Ordered the correct one.
I've been using a CV4004 borrowed from a mate and also been checking out a few ECC83's that Anthony had kindly lent me. I narrowed it down to a yellow print Mullard a Mazda (Made in England type) and the CV4004. All of which have a slightly different flavor so it would be interesting to see what the M8214 will compare.
I'll start a thread regarding room treatment.
What's happened to your pics, Joe? They've all been moved or deleted from your Photobucket account.....
Marco.
The Black Adder
16-01-2014, 08:49
What's happened to your pics, Joe? They've all been moved or deleted from your Photobucket account.....
Marco.
wtf!!!... let me check it. thanks...
+1 for the PAB platforms. I've only used the anti vibration feet to replace the spikes under a pair of ML Vantages, where they performed superbly. I'm actually intending ordering another set to use under my Technics, along with at least one of the platforms, people whose opinions I trust from a different forum swear by the platforms, one chap has them under his Shindo amps & JC Verdier TT (the TT one was a custom job, so whatever your needs, PAB will work with you I think), and they look stunning. I actually ordered direct as I needed non standard threads, and it was an easy transaction, but as Marco says, you can get them via Fidelity Arts or Lotus HiFi.
For acoustic panels, have a butcher's at GIK Acoustics, US company, but they have a UK branch. They do an Art panel that several people I trust highly recommend ......and you can either use a picture of your own, or any image from shutter stock etc, so WAF is sorted. They also seem very happy to work with you on how to best optimise your room. There's one guy who has a triptych of a violin that looks absolutely stunning.
wtf!!!... let me check it. thanks...
No worries, dude. There ain't no point in having a Gallery thread with no pics! ;)
Marco.
stupinder
16-01-2014, 15:00
Yep, from the comments I would love to see a few snaps.
The Black Adder
16-01-2014, 15:36
Righto chaps... sorry about that. I blame the wife... lol
The Black Adder
16-01-2014, 15:37
+1 for the PAB platforms. I've only used the anti vibration feet to replace the spikes under a pair of ML Vantages, where they performed superbly. I'm actually intending ordering another set to use under my Technics, along with at least one of the platforms, people whose opinions I trust from a different forum swear by the platforms, one chap has them under his Shindo amps & JC Verdier TT (the TT one was a custom job, so whatever your needs, PAB will work with you I think), and they look stunning. I actually ordered direct as I needed non standard threads, and it was an easy transaction, but as Marco says, you can get them via Fidelity Arts or Lotus HiFi.
For acoustic panels, have a butcher's at GIK Acoustics, US company, but they have a UK branch. They do an Art panel that several people I trust highly recommend ......and you can either use a picture of your own, or any image from shutter stock etc, so WAF is sorted. They also seem very happy to work with you on how to best optimise your room. There's one guy who has a triptych of a violin that looks absolutely stunning.
Nice one..., many thanks for that. I'll take a butchers. :)
Very nice system, and excellent pics too! That Thorens is just beautiful :)
RobbieGong
16-01-2014, 21:28
Very nice system, and excellent pics too! That Thorens is just beautiful :)
Ditto - Beautiful system !
trio leo
17-01-2014, 14:39
Beautiful looking system Joe,
I bet it sounds stunning and full of emotion.
Could I ask where you got the Thorens badge that's on the front of your 124?
I have a plinth that looks like yours and I have sorbothane feet under it, I'm going to try small acrylic feet and also some peek cones, just to have a play eh!
enjoy your music
regards Al
The Black Adder
17-01-2014, 22:16
Rob, Matt, Alan.. thanks very much.
Hi Alan..I got the badge from a guy on ebay who had some specially made by hand. Not sure if he has any left but if you would like me to find out for you please let me know.
Yeah.. the system has an uncanny wholesome sound to it, presence, emotion, space, weight... I'm so happy with it. I must say though that a lot of it has been pure insistence (with myself), that is I've stuck with components that I found had a soul to them and then with obvious help from some superb guys like Anthony, Glenn Croft, Marco, Adrian (at Audioflair), Nick (Lurcher) not forgetting the AOS community as a whole I improved on those qualities rather than box swapping...
I felt that doing it this way removes confusion in a lot of ways and turns out a lot more satisfying. Yes it costs but whoa!... Sounds sublime.
It has also been a great way of creating a reference system for my crossover builds for the Tannoys.
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