Most Prized Bit Of Equipment/Cable etc That You Own ? [Archive]

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 21:40

I was thinking the other day what bit of equipment/cable etc was the best in my system and one that I would just not part with ?

I think in my case it is probably my Audio Note Oto SE amp... to think that a short while ago I put it up for sale makes me go all cold!!.. thank goodness nobody offered me the right amount for it... what on earth would I have replaced it with ?? :doh:

Secondly I think my Klipsch Heresy's, they just seem to suit the AN so well.... 10w of AN is more than enough for the Klipsch to shine.... :)

So what is your most prized piece of equipment/cable's etc that you think you would NOT part with ??

walpurgis

10-09-2014, 22:16

My wallet! :)

It contributes an awful lot!

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 22:21

My wallet! :)

It contributes an awful lot!

Oh I like it Geoff.... he he he...... :D:D

Roy S

10-09-2014, 22:21

All the stuff people have given me... I can't sell it, they might want a cut!

Graeme

10-09-2014, 22:21

My rega apheta. Love it, has the added apeal of being made by my wife :)

Everything else is replaceable.

jandl100

10-09-2014, 22:23

:)

http://www.canhifi.com/Resources/ProductImage/ImageFile/116_F_1_Large.jpg

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 22:24

My rega apheta. Love it, has the added apeal of being made by my wife :)

Everything else is replaceable.

I know nothing about cartridges.. So I would have no idea about it, sorry ..... ;)

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 22:25

:)

http://www.canhifi.com/Resources/ProductImage/ImageFile/116_F_1_Large.jpg

Jerry what are they as I don't recognise them at all...

walpurgis

10-09-2014, 22:27

Jerry what are they as I don't recognise them at all...

I think it's a coffee machine. :eyebrows:

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 22:30

I think it's a coffee machine. :eyebrows:

Well I thought it was a bit big for that.... but what do I know ?? :)

Ah... I think these are the MBL 116F Speakers.... are these really £20k + ???? My god no wonder why you don't want to part with them Jerry...

struth

10-09-2014, 22:52

Audio alchemy dac

trio leo

10-09-2014, 23:01

I couldn't stand losing any of my gear, it's taken years to save up for, I suppose I could make improvements changing my interconnects and speaker cables, but all in good time, the most prized bit I suppose is the driving force, my Albarry amps, tbh the best I've ever heard.

enjoy your music :)

cheers Al

Andrei

10-09-2014, 23:04

Jerry what are they as I don't recognise them at all...
Its the new Dalek, their method of communicating radiates via petals so that it is omnidirectional.

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 23:05

Some really different items coming up here.... very interesting indeed...!!

I think it is not necessary the most expensive item in your system that is not replaceable....!!

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 23:08

Audio alchemy dac

Grant... have you tried the Rega Dac against the Audio Alchemy dac ? Just curious...

Andrei

10-09-2014, 23:13

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y530/Andrei_nz/fosgate_signature_top_zps976c1a77.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Andrei_nz/media/fosgate_signature_top_zps976c1a77.jpg.html)

It sounds even better than it looks

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 23:16

walpurgis

10-09-2014, 23:25

Audio alchemy dac

Which one? I had two and my various Thetas ran circles round 'em. I had the DIB and DDE.

walpurgis

10-09-2014, 23:36

If you want to know what items had a huge 'WOW' factor when I first found them?

Well, the following (not in any order):

Decca London Cartridge (what a shock that was). ADC 10E Mk. IV (just so good). My first 'proper' Tannoys, IIILZs. ZYX R50 Bloom H MC cartridge (amazing) and Ming Da MC-9 TVC pre-amp (still got both. They're staying). My first Leak Stereo 20. Meridian 507 CDP (still got it, that stays too). Graham Slee ERA 5 Gold (absolutely amazing for the money. It totally outclassed my valve EAR 834P MC, I've now bought the Reflex stage, but the V Gold is superb).

synsei

10-09-2014, 23:36

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 23:44

I remember you putting the OTO up for sale Bev, you got a PM pretty damn sharpish from me asking WTH you were doing... :lol:

I think in my case it would be the BTE passive and Quad 306, although my JVC AX-A3 is catching up fast... :D

Yes Dave I think your comments, and some others, made me see sense about the AN Oto SE.... if I wanted to replace it and better it I think I would have to spend quite a lot of money... so I am grateful that you, and some others, made me see sense to keep the Oto...I am so glad I kept it... phew !!!

synsei

10-09-2014, 23:45

Yes Dave I think your comments, and some others, made me see sense about the AN Oto SE.... if I wanted to replace it and better it I think I would have to spend quite a lot of money... so I am grateful that you, and some others, made me see sense to keep the Oto...I am so glad I kept it... phew !!!

It's a lovely thing for sure and you are right, you would have to spend a fair bit to better it :)

EDIT: Have you ever tried any Croft gear Bev?

Andrei

10-09-2014, 23:46

That looks gorgeous Andrei, what is it ??
Ta, Bev- it's a generic photo but it the thing looks better in the flesh in low light with a bit of tube glow. It's a phono pre-amp that sits between the TT and my integrated amp. No transistors anywhere. I would like a valve amplifier as well but can't afford anything decent.

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 23:49

Ta, Bev- it's a generic photo but it the thing looks better in the flesh in low light with a bit of tube glow. It's a phono pre-amp that sits between the TT and my integrated amp. No transistors anywhere. I would like a valve amplifier as well but can't afford anything decent.
Nice looking... lovely...

synsei

10-09-2014, 23:51

On looks alone I really miss the Valhalla, however my system was going through a lot of changes at the time and the Valhalla fell out of favour with some of the new equipment... :(

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/DSC_0028.jpg (http://s1019.photobucket.com/user/Sgtgrash/media/Hifi%20Stuff/DSC_0028.jpg.html)

Ninanina

10-09-2014, 23:53

It's a lovely thing for sure and you are right, you would have to spend a fair bit to better it :)

EDIT: Have you ever tried any Croft gear Bev?

Dave... Since your comments, and some others, I just cannot see me swapping out the AN Oto Se... I think I would have to spend thousands of £'s to better it...It just took me a while to really appreciate it with the right speakers, currently Klipsch, to show it off at it's best...

Thanks soooooo much Dave for your comments about keeping it... you are a star... !!! I simply love the Oto SE with Klipsch Heresy's...

daytona600

11-09-2014, 00:35

http://snvinyl.co.uk/WebRoot/Daily/Shops/eshop943300/51A4/F121/2CB7/D31F/B9E4/C0A8/0ADD/C4B6/vinyl-cleaner.jpg

Love this little toy

jandl100

11-09-2014, 06:06

Its the new Dalek, their method of communicating radiates via petals so that it is omnidirectional.

Yep, they exterminate the opposition. ;)

I think they look a lot like Robby the Robot. :)

Spot the difference ...

http://www.angelfire.com/ca/xanadu55/images/Robby_1.JPG http://hifipig.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/MBL-1.jpg

Robby gets the girl, while my MBLs get me. :lol:

Firebottle

11-09-2014, 06:07

My ESL 57s would have to top the list, followed by my little OTL valve amp:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt97/Paramotorpilot/Valve%20amp/OuTLawfinished.jpg

Most people seem to like the look of it and make a comment,

:cool: Alan

Andrei

11-09-2014, 06:17

Yep, they exterminate the opposition. ;)

I think they look a lot like Robby the Robot. :)

Spot the difference ...

Robby gets the girl, while my MBLs get me. :lol:

Well that dude knows how to pull the chicks. I've not heard radialstrahlers (sp?) but would certainly like to. What I gather from the reviews is that they actually do exterminate the opposition. Question though, can they do 'loud'? I have heard that Quad ESLs are accurate with timbre but struggle with climaxes. I was wondering if the MBLs have that issue?

jandl100

11-09-2014, 06:23

Oh yeah - they can do LOUD. :thumbsup: Mine are rated up to 400 watts. They fill very large dem rooms at Shows without sweating. They aren't delicate items at all.
Very easy to drive as well, in my 12x20ft room they flex the walls with a 10wpc Leak Stereo 20 for example, or an Amptastic Mini-1 at about 6wpc! With higher powered amps they can pump out massive amounts of sound that you feel in your gut as well as hear.

But they sound good at moderate and low levels, too. :)

Boxswapper that I am, I've had mine for 4 and half years now and would feel bereft without them!

CageyH

11-09-2014, 06:36

I'd rather lose some of my gear than my hearing.
I can replace my gear....

Gordon Steadman

11-09-2014, 07:33

I'd rather lose some of my gear than my hearing.
I can replace my gear....

You are 100% correct.

My hearing is down to about 30% now in level. With hearing aids that have a speaker in the ear canal, I can still clearly hear the differences between equipment and performance. You do adjust to the way everything sounds. Any further degradation and it will have to be headphones only. The family are already squabbling about who gets the Quads but they are out of luck as Ronnie still have the ears of a bat and they will have to wait until she goes.

So for the moment, its still the Quads that the whole system is based around.

As a guitar maker and music fan, losing the hearing is about as bad as it gets, short of losing Ronnie.

CageyH

11-09-2014, 08:15

My father is in a similar position regarding his hearing.
He still enjoys listening to my HiFi. He can tell the difference between good and bad sounding equipment, and also QED silver anniversary and good cable.

synsei

11-09-2014, 08:22

You are 100% correct.

My hearing is down to about 30% now in level. With hearing aids that have a speaker in the ear canal, I can still clearly hear the differences between equipment and performance. You do adjust to the way everything sounds. Any further degradation and it will have to be headphones only. The family are already squabbling about who gets the Quads but they are out of luck as Ronnie still have the ears of a bat and they will have to wait until she goes.

So for the moment, its still the Quads that the whole system is based around.

As a guitar maker and music fan, losing the hearing is about as bad as it gets, short of losing Ronnie.

Not sure what to say, this post touched me Gordon... :eyebrows:

Reffc

11-09-2014, 09:42

Kit can easily be replaced. My most prized possession is my music collection.

Gordon Steadman

11-09-2014, 09:42

Not sure what to say, this post touched me Gordon... :eyebrows:

Where?:lol:

synsei

11-09-2014, 09:53

Where?:lol:

I asked for that, didn't I? :lol:

Spectral Morn

11-09-2014, 10:04

Gazjam

11-09-2014, 10:11

For me, Darth Michell...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/orbe.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/user/gazjamster/media/orbe.jpg.html)

synsei

11-09-2014, 10:20

For me, Darth Michell...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/orbe.jpg (http://s434.photobucket.com/user/gazjamster/media/orbe.jpg.html)

The VTF is strong in this one... :D

struth

11-09-2014, 10:23

Grant... have you tried the Rega Dac against the Audio Alchemy dac ? Just curious...
Not tried the rega but also have an mf m1 and an audio note. Both good but the alchemy with CDs is really lovely. It has its detractors of course but it suits me.
Probably should add the mighty yaqin to that as I love that big beaut too...oh and the copper clone. Had it up for swaps but am kinda pleased no one bit:)

That's a pretty amp Andre

struth

11-09-2014, 10:25

Oh and love Gary,s g,or be

Gordon Steadman

11-09-2014, 10:26

I asked for that, didn't I? :lol:

Yup!

Yomanze

11-09-2014, 10:26

Everything in my system is replaceable apart from:

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj516/Waka54321/Royd%20Sorcerer/Royd1.jpg

Royd Sorcerers with Revelation Drivers. I got them for £350, they have over £10k of HiFi behind them, they're THAT good. They disappear and have a magical sense of timing & holding the music together, not the most refined speakers by any stretch (much more so than Kans though), they are a very "front row" speaker that get straight to the heart & soul of any music.

EDIT: by replaceable I mean I can buy or make a new one vs. the never to be repeated and obsolete Royds.

Marco

11-09-2014, 10:43

Nice. Sounds like my type of speaker, Neil! :thumbsup:

Almost nothing is replaceable in my system, as I’ve pretty much reached the stage now where I’ve got all the ‘bits’ in place that I need. What I need most is more space to house my (ever-growing) music collection…!

[Says he with a pile of about 300 new records sitting on the floor, which need running through the RCM].

Marco.

Marco

11-09-2014, 10:45

The VTF is strong in this one... :D

VTF? :scratch:

Marco.

Gazjam

11-09-2014, 10:47

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/gazjamster/vader.jpeg (http://s434.photobucket.com/user/gazjamster/media/vader.jpeg.html)
Vertical tracking Force....

synsei

11-09-2014, 10:48

VTF? :scratch:

Marco.

Oops... :o Meant tracking force of course... :lol:

walpurgis

11-09-2014, 11:02

Could be 'very tantalising frillies' :D

Marco

11-09-2014, 11:06

Oops... :o Meant tracking force of course... :lol:

No, you were right first time, I just didn’t realise that you were making a reference to Darth Vader! :doh:

Marco.

synsei

11-09-2014, 11:07

No, you were right first time, I just didn’t realise that you were making a reference to Darth Vader! :doh:

Marco.

Oh dear, you're in trouble with the Sith now... :D

Beobloke

11-09-2014, 11:52

Whilst I like to think that quite a few of my 25 turntables are "keepers", I think the only one that would have to be prized out of my cold, dead hands would be my Garrard 301.

Bought new in 1964 by my uncle; lusted over by me as a child every time we visited; my pride and joy for the last 20-odd years.

Yomanze

11-09-2014, 12:21

dantheman91

11-09-2014, 13:40

My Audio Notes :) & My Rogers LS7's :interesting: Totally different sound wise but will be staying for the foreseeable future & not forgetting my Quad 33 & 303 bought in late 2010 and i cant see myself ever selling it......:)

StuN

11-09-2014, 14:15

My Grace F9E Ruby - bought it new and it still makes the most beautiful music.

struth

11-09-2014, 14:34

Could be 'very tantalising frillies' :D

Or very tight. Fit!

Wakefield Turntables

11-09-2014, 15:05

My garrard 301 and of course my 1210 they do very different things depending on what mood I'm in, the 301 for jazz and single malt, the 1210 for an all out mosh attack!

ff1d1l

11-09-2014, 16:34

My 80's JVC Victor Laboratory Series pre and power amps M-L10 and P-L10 - worldwide they're not common, and I'm not even sure they were formally released in the UK for 240 volt operation - the preamp says sample on the rear.
So probably not replaceable.
Beautiful ergonomics, brick ****house build, timeless design and awesome sound (and I've had some gear in my time, me, you know!).
Here's a link to the Vintage Knob write up:
http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-M-L10.html

jandl100

11-09-2014, 16:51

My 80's JVC Victor Laboratory Series pre and power amps M-L10 and P-L10 - ---- http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-M-L10.html

Cor :drool:

http://bilder.hifi-forum.de/medium/69843/victor-m-l10-p-l10_237547.jpg

The Barbarian

11-09-2014, 17:05

Im with Dan love mi Quad '33'/'FM-3'/'303' set.. o & mi Ferrograph 'F307'

walpurgis

11-09-2014, 17:06

What turntable are you using these days Andr'e?

The Barbarian

11-09-2014, 17:24

Hi Geoff
J.A Michell 'Syncro' Mk.I /SME 3009/Goldring 'G900 IGC'

Barry

11-09-2014, 18:41

Without a doubt the Quad 57s:

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/quadesl_sml2_zps799c5fd1.jpg

powered by Mark Levinson ML-2 monoblock amplifiers:

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/010-6_zps11710bf0.jpg

Followed by EMT deck and cartridges:
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/_571_zpsbc157879.jpg

followed by Thorens TD124/II with Breuer Dynamic 5A arm,

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/013-4_zpsdfcefe68.jpg

then the Quad series 3 and 4 electronics and Radford STA15 Mk.111 amp.

Finally the Nagra IV-S reel-to-reel:

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/021.jpg

Marco

11-09-2014, 18:59

walpurgis

11-09-2014, 19:15

Hi Geoff
J.A Michell 'Syncro' Mk.I /SME 3009/Goldring 'G900 IGC'

I bet the Goldring works well in that setup.

The Barbarian

11-09-2014, 19:29

Hi Geoff:
Yeh it does this version is high compliance. with the fixed shell SME '3009 S2, Imp' Pick-Up arm it's a super match.. but when the IGC {VDH} Styli goes im in the lurch

walpurgis

11-09-2014, 19:45

Hi Geoff:
Yeh it does this version is high compliance. with the fixed shell SME '3009 S2, Imp' Pick-Up arm it's a super match.. but when the IGC {VDH} Styli goes im in the lurch

I believe these have been retipped with very good results. At a cost, but may well be worth it.

BTH K10A

11-09-2014, 19:51

Followed by EMT deck and cartridges:
http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/_571_zpsbc157879.jpg

That's an early 930 with the later 929 arm like mine Barry. I thought you had a later one?

The Barbarian

11-09-2014, 20:02

I believe these have been retipped with very good results. At a cost, but may well be worth it.

Hi Geoff
Instead of getting it Re-Tipped im gonna sit on it until a NOS Styli turns up. I'll probably buy another Pickering 'XLZ 7500S' with 'PLZ' unit..Save mi pennies

http://www.pickeringuk.com/XLZ7500.html

struth

11-09-2014, 20:08

A lovely piece of unobtainable

Oldpinkman

11-09-2014, 20:25

A bit predictable I guess, but my pink triangle turntable cos I built it. It is I think my 3rd, and it's hardly like I hand crafted it from bare raw materials, but I did assemble it. So massive sentimental value. Hence my desire to pimp it, and not just swap it for a sapphire. Hard to pick another since all except perhaps the 405 are special. Maybe the dynavector. I have struggled with mac's in the past, but this cartridge is utterly without sin.

Lodgesound

11-09-2014, 22:05

Barry

11-09-2014, 23:27

That's an early 930 with the later 929 arm like mine Barry. I thought you had a later one?

It's a stock photo Andy. Mine is a 9 930 000, s/n 26242 with a 155st equalisation amplifier, s/n 27268. According to Stefano Pastini's book 'Deutsche Perfektion' that dates it to May 1974. I bought mine from a seller in Hungary, mid 2007.

Apart from the two cartridge docking cradles (which mine does not have), the two decks are identical. There were several 930s available with the Eymann SUT in place of the 155st, or indeed the 153 and 139 equalisation amplifiers.

At the moment I do use the TSD15/155st combination, but given the opportunity to use other phono stages (viz. the Mark Levinson ML 25 and a modified Linn LINNK, as well as the Quad 4E cards for the Quad 44 preamp), I may well experiment with taking the output from the arm base connector directly to one of these.

Barry

11-09-2014, 23:55

Hi Barry,

If the EMT is ahead of the TD124 in the pecking order, then why is the former not actively in use, daily, in your system (or at least it didn’t use to be) - a position currently enjoyed by the Thorens? :)

Marco.

Good question Marco. I place it higher in the 'pecking order' since they do not appear that often on eBay, or other internet auction sites that frequently at the price I paid for mine (or indeed in such a good condition).

But I tend to use one of my Thorens 124/II more frequently, because as you know, I'm interested in trying different cartridges (as I am interested in trying out different camera lenses or, indeed, drinking different clarets. :)) The EMT 930/929 limits me to the EMT cartridges and to others, such as the Denon DL103, that have been installed in the EMT TSD-G headshell, and as such, is not as versatile an environment as using say the the Thorens with a range of arms. I singled out the Breuer arm as they are a very rare, but an excellent, arm. I could have cited the SME 9" and 12" arms as well as others I have, but none of those are as rare, or perhaps as good. None of this is to say that, for example, the Garrard 301/401 or indeed other some decks would not interest me; I can only speak from experience.

If you were to ask me to rank the Thorens vs. the EMT using the same arm and cartridge that would be impossible (I don't have a spare EMT 929 arm): all I could do would be to compare the two using the same cartridge (such as the EMT, Denon DL103 or Decca (!)) but in different arms.

Regards

Barry

11-09-2014, 23:59

Would have to be this - the most sublime sounding tape recorder it has ever been my pleasure to use......

http://i582.photobucket.com/albums/ss270/Lodgesound/IMG_0106_zpsacd4a252.jpg (http://s582.photobucket.com/user/Lodgesound/media/IMG_0106_zpsacd4a252.jpg.html)

Oh! - that's lovely.

I have, at times, got very close to acquiring a Studer A62, A80 or a C37 machine, but my head ruled my heart: I just wouldn't have used them to their full capability.

Barry

12-09-2014, 00:02

Hi Geoff
J.A Michell 'Syncro' Mk.I /SME 3009/Goldring 'G900 IGC'

The Goldring G900 IGC always was a bit of a 'sleeper'. Value yours André; I believe replacement stylii are still available.

PaulStewart

12-09-2014, 01:22

My 80's JVC Victor Laboratory Series pre and power amps M-L10 and P-L10 - worldwide they're not common, and I'm not even sure they were formally released in the UK for 240 volt operation - the preamp says sample on the rear. So probably not replaceable.

Nial, they were on the market officially in the UK, but we only brought in FIVE sets plus two samples. I remember setting them up in the JVC trade show room in Staples Corner with a QL10, MC1 cart and a pair of Zero 5s and being blown away. As the other sample set was sent to BEAB for approval where it got a 2000 volt flash test, it's unlikely that you have that one :lol: So I was almost certainly the first person to set your amps up. When I left JVC the only set we had sold was to Ossie Byrne, the Bee Gees and the New Seekers original producer he used them at home to drive a pair of JBL L200s and the sound was staggering. Small world audio :)

BTH K10A

12-09-2014, 05:09

It's a stock photo Andy. Mine is a 9 930 000, s/n 26242 with a 155st equalisation amplifier, s/n 27268. According to Stefano Pastini's book 'Deutsche Perfektion' that dates it to May 1974. I bought mine from a seller in Hungary, mid 2007.

Apart from the two cartridge docking cradles (which mine does not have), the two decks are identical. There were several 930s available with the Eymann SUT in place of the 155st, or indeed the 153 and 139 equalisation amplifiers.

At the moment I do use the TSD15/155st combination, but given the opportunity to use other phono stages (viz. the Mark Levinson ML 25 and a modified Linn LINNK, as well as the Quad 4E cards for the Quad 44 preamp), I may well experiment with taking the output from the arm base connector directly to one of these.

Mine is s/n 7202 Barry which is early August 1962. Like the one in your stock photo it has a hole to the right of the tonearm collar where the stop post for the RMA229 would hav been. Mine also has the cartridge cradles. One other difference is that 930's from s/n 14725 on no longer had the power supply for the 139 or 139st phono equalisers. I bought mine in 1997 direct from a rcording studio in Germany along with a Telefunken M10.

Marco

12-09-2014, 07:00

Good question Marco. I place it higher in the 'pecking order' since they do not appear that often on eBay, or other internet auction sites that frequently at the price I paid for mine (or indeed in such a good condition).

But I tend to use one of my Thorens 124/II more frequently, because as you know, I'm interested in trying different cartridges (as I am interested in trying out different camera lenses or, indeed, drinking different clarets. :)) The EMT 930/929 limits me to the EMT cartridges and to others, such as the Denon DL103, that have been installed in the EMT TSD-G headshell, and as such, is not as versatile an environment as using say the the Thorens with a range of arms. I singled out the Breuer arm as they are a very rare, but an excellent, arm. I could have cited the SME 9" and 12" arms as well as others I have, but none of those are as rare, or perhaps as good. None of this is to say that, for example, the Garrard 301/401 or indeed other some decks would not interest me; I can only speak from experience.

If you were to ask me to rank the Thorens vs. the EMT using the same arm and cartridge that would be impossible (I don't have a spare EMT 929 arm): all I could do would be to compare the two using the same cartridge (such as the EMT, Denon DL103 or Decca (!)) but in different arms.

Niento problemos :)

Simply because you’d listed the EMT ahead of the Thorens, I presumed that you considered it the superior T/T.

Marco.

YNWaN

12-09-2014, 08:27

powered by Mark Levinson ML-2 monoblock amplifiers:

http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/barrydhunt/010-6_zps11710bf0.jpg

Now that's what I call a POWER amp :) - blends inconspicuously into any décor...
---------
I guess my most prized bit of gear is whatever I've most recently built (turntable, phonostage, speakers, stands, crossovers, super-tweeters, assorted accessories)

Marco

12-09-2014, 08:57

Indeed… However, I’d like to have seen it properly isolated from the effects of vibration, by being placed on an equipment support/table designed for the job!

Me no likey kit just plonked on the floor (as it will never reveal its full sonic potential)…

I think I know what to get Barry for Christmas ;)

Marco.

walpurgis

12-09-2014, 09:27

Hi Geoff
Instead of getting it Re-Tipped im gonna sit on it until a NOS Styli turns up. I'll probably buy another Pickering 'XLZ 7500S' with 'PLZ' unit..Save mi pennies

http://www.pickeringuk.com/XLZ7500.html

An ADC would be nice in the SME.

take5

12-09-2014, 09:40

My kit is a forever evolving process. So my prized kit today is tomorrows history.

However, at the moment, turntables and associated kit are my big thing and I have a few "prized" bits.

1) Thorens 124. I bought this one year ago and although in near mint condition, it came as just the motor unit and wasnt working at all. My project last winter was to put all the bits together and get it up and running. Finally completed a few months ago, Im very pleased with it, and myself.
It has an SME 12" 3012 on it at the moment, but I hope to put one of my other "prized" arms on it.

2) Audio Origami 12" PU7 arm. Top of the range, kondo wired etc etc.
A thing of beauty, which sadly I havent heard for over a year now. It just sits there, pleading with me to let it show what it can do. I have just bought a cartridge for it ( see below).
So, soon, my beauty.

3) Fidelity Research FR64fx arm. Had this for a year now and used it until recently on an Oracle. It sounds great and I really like it. Especially the option to quickly change headshells/cartridges.

4) Matching cartridge for the FR arm. It is part of the "7" series from the late 80's. Mine is the 702 version. One piece cartridge and headshell. ie you cant remove the cartridge.
A rare beast, which I feel very lucky to own. It sounds really great.

5) My latest cartridge. An Audio Note IO (J). It is the original Kondo, Japanese version, from the 1980's. I bought it to go on the PU7, but sadly it doesnt work yet and needs some attention. One day, soon, hopefully.

Not sure of which direction to go in with these prizes. Nice problem though!

dantheman91

12-09-2014, 10:21

Im with Dan love mi Quad '33'/'FM-3'/'303' set.. o & mi Ferrograph 'F307'

I know dude just giving mine a run and the love is still there just playing vinyl on my dual 1019 & :D sounds really really good.

Barry

12-09-2014, 18:28

Now that's what I call a POWER amp :) - blends inconspicuously into any décor...
---------
I guess my most prized bit of gear is whatever I've most recently built (turntable, phonostage, speakers, stands, crossovers, super-tweeters, assorted accessories)

Worse than that: they are 25W Class A amplifiers, with an idling dissipation of 400W!

YNWaN

12-09-2014, 19:42

Yes, proper Class A amps :) - none of this Devaliet - 200W faux class A rubbish!

Andrei

13-09-2014, 02:44

Almost nothing is replaceable in my system, as I’ve pretty much reached the stage now where I’ve got all the ‘bits’ in place that I need. What I need most is more space to house my (ever-growing) music collection…!

Marco.
I've been waiting for you to say that Marco. We need to have a little chat about something new and exciting. I'll give you a hint. It rhymes with 'commuter'

mr sneff

13-09-2014, 05:35

I've been waiting for you to say that Marco. We need to have a little chat about something new and exciting. I'll give you a hint. It rhymes with 'commuter'

Peashooter? :scratch:

Clive197

13-09-2014, 07:47

Marco

13-09-2014, 11:37

I've been waiting for you to say that Marco. We need to have a little chat about something new and exciting. I'll give you a hint. It rhymes with 'commuter'

Lol, Andrei, sorry you’ve lost me there… :scratch:

Marco.

Macca

13-09-2014, 11:40

Lol, Andrei, sorry you’ve lost me there… :scratch:

Marco.

He's talking about this new-fangled thing called 'computer audio'. It's all the rage, I understand.

Marco

13-09-2014, 11:47

Lol… Not sure I really need that in my life, especially being a staunchly 'physical music media' sort of chap :)

Marco.

brian2957

13-09-2014, 11:55

You know you want to Marco :) go on go on go on go on :lol:

Marco

13-09-2014, 11:56

Hehehehe… £50 says you’ll end up with a T/T before I allow a compy-choota to grace my listening room! :D

All you need to do is get yer telly mounted onto the wall, and there’ll be a nice wee space on that unit winking at you……….. :eyebrows:

Marco.

brian2957

13-09-2014, 12:06

Hah ! Yes the thought did cross my mind and you put that thought back in there when you paid a visit .:rolleyes: I have to admit that Garys and Ali Taits adventures with their new turntables has had me thinking the last while . The problem is that I don't think a budget turntable would do it for me . It would have to be something pretty decent which costs money and there's also the cost of new vinyl , a decent phono stage , and all the other accessories associated with vinyl replay . I just can't afford it at the moment . :rolleyes:

synsei

13-09-2014, 12:08

Ah but Marco, a music server is just an additional source to listen to which would add yet another rich layer of musical enjoyment to yer loife :D

brian2957

13-09-2014, 12:21

Nah Dave , once he spent some time with one the t/t would be a gonner :lol:

Marco

13-09-2014, 12:49

Sound quality wise, I could certainly live with yours, but for me nothing would ever replace my treasured vinyl :)

Marco.

Andrei

13-09-2014, 13:17

He's talking about this new-fangled thing called 'computer audio'. It's all the rage, I understand.

That's right Martin. It magic, think: 5,000 black disks all shrunk onto one silver disk. They are very small, like germs - you can't see them, but they do exist. The only draw-back is having to learn a new vocabulary. Marco would have to give up on some of his favourite vocab; words like 'synergy' and 'bias' would have to go. 'SPPV' would have a whole new meaning. And then there are the new words like Convenience, Hi-Rez, Hurts, Mega-hurtz, Bits, 24Bits, Download, Tags, Dithering, Foobar, Resolution, Monkeys Audio, APE, PCM, DSD, DSP, DAC, EAC, WMA, WAV, RAM, Ram-Disk, Flac, LAME, WASAPI, Colonel Streaming, Asio, Replay Gain, JRiver, Buffer, Playlist, Convenience, oops I already said that.

Marco

13-09-2014, 13:25

brian2957

13-09-2014, 13:25

Yes I understand your attachment mate . I held an LP and had a good look over it , cover , writing , pictures and actual LP , for the first time in many years , at Garys place a while back . Brought back some pleasant memories :)
The point I'm trying to make is that after many years of getting the digital ' right ' I would have to purchase a decent vinyll set up or it would just gather dust.

Marco

13-09-2014, 13:31

I totally understand that, mate. However, you might be surprised at just how good, say, a Lenco could sound, fitted with a decent (but not too expensive) arm and cartridge…..

The key to achieving top-notch vinyl replay isn’t necessarily about how much the hardware costs, but how well it’s set-up and how pristine/well produced the software is! ;)

Marco.

The Black Adder

13-09-2014, 13:34

My records
My speakers
My crossovers
My turntable
My tonearm
My cartridge
My amplifier
My pre-amplifier

Nuff said. :) :eyebrows:

brian2957

13-09-2014, 13:37

That's right Martin. It magic, think: 5,000 black disks all shrunk onto one silver disk. They are very small, like germs - you can't see them, but they do exist. The only draw-back is having to learn a new vocabulary. Marco would have to give up on some of his favourite vocab; words like 'synergy' and 'bias' would have to go. 'SPPV' would have a whole new meaning. And then there are the new words like Convenience, Hi-Rez, Hurts, Mega-hurtz, Bits, 24Bits, Download, Tags, Dithering, Foobar, Resolution, Monkeys Audio, APE, PCM, DSD, DSP, DAC, EAC, WMA, WAV, RAM, Ram-Disk, Flac, LAME, WASAPI, Colonel Streaming, Asio, Replay Gain, JRiver, Buffer, Playlist, Convenience, oops I already said that.

Mmmm Not sure I agree with some of your statements Andrei . The computer/server is still only one component within the system . I believe you still have to achieve synergy between server - DAC- amp - speakers . Also cables play a big part in achieving this . Having achieved what I believe to be synergy in my system, including interconnects and speaker cables , I've now moved on to building my own USB cables . At the moment I'm listening to my system using a 99.99% pure silver USB cable which I build from scratch and not only does it sound different to the copper one I've made , it also sounds amazing. Synergy in my digital system , yes I believe so . Cables don't make a difference BTW and it's only 0s and 1s . Maybe me and the other 2 guys who have heard these cables are deaf :lol:

brian2957

13-09-2014, 13:41

Andrei

13-09-2014, 13:51

Mmmm Not sure I agree with some of your statements Andrei .
I don't agree with all my statements either, but then I don't take myself too seriously. Just having a go at Marco - it is a sport that should be played more often.
On more serious note: V interested in your homebrew Silver USB. What gauge did you use? I still recall my surprise at the first time I heard a difference in cables. I had some older Nordost Co-axial running from my PC soundcard to my DAC. I put in Oyaide DB-510, a silver cable, and I could not believe my ears. I would hazard a guess and say you would have to have some decent equipment and be pretty handy at soldering to make those tiny connections.

Marco

13-09-2014, 13:55

I don't agree with all my statements either, but then I don't take myself too seriously. Just having a go at Marco - it is a sport that should be played more often.

:lolsign:

Always up for a bit of banter, dahling!

Marco.

simon e

13-09-2014, 13:57

I don't think I could ever sell my leak stereo 20 which belonged to my grandfather.

Thetiminator

13-09-2014, 14:16

My wife.....
I perish the thought at how dusty my beloved Hifi would be without her :sofa:

Ninanina

14-09-2014, 01:08

It's a lovely thing for sure and you are right, you would have to spend a fair bit to better it :)

EDIT: Have you ever tried any Croft gear Bev?

Dave I've only just seen your edit...

Yes I have tried some Croft gear. I had a new Vitale pre-amp that I used with a few power amps some years ago and very good it was too

I also had a home trial, from Glenn, of the 'Line Integrated' amp and did not get along with it at all; I found it totally flat sounding....it's tricky to put into words but it somehow seemed as if it had the life sucked out if it....it's very unfortunate as I love the way Glenn builds his amps and I really wanted to love the amp, it was also a bargain of an amp for a hand built item, but unfortunately I just couldn't gel with it one little bit :(

Andrei

14-09-2014, 04:22

My Origin Live Encounter Mk3A arm which I have just bought off 'fonomac'. It blew the OL Silver that I previously owned off the planet. Only difficulty was a faff setting up as you can't dial in the weight and to get that accurate was difficult due to the very small amount of movement needed to adjust. Once done the sound just opened out with more detail and wider soundstage. I didn't realise the difference an arm could make, biggest single improvement I've made so far. Oh, did I say how good looking it is on my Teccy.

Clive
Clive, in the fullness of time you may like to do a full review of the Live Encounter*. I'm getting good results with my Jelco but an SME M2-9 or something up the OL line could be a decent upgrade.

(*Note to Synsei - don't get excited)

Ammonite Audio

16-09-2014, 16:38

My TD-124 and Quad 57s are, of course, prized and will hopefully stay with me to the end. But, recently I've come to realise that the Avalon NP2.0 speakers in my office system are real stars that have equal staying power. Avalon discontinued them a few years back, presumably because they were too good at their modest price point, and because it makes better sense to sell speakers at four times that price.

Clive197

16-09-2014, 17:39

Clive, in the fullness of time you may like to do a full review of the Live Encounter*. I'm getting good results with my Jelco but an SME M2-9 or something up the OL line could be a decent upgrade.

(*Note to Synsei - don't get excited)

Andrei, your wish for a full review is granted. See Strokes of Genius.

:):):)

Mr. C

17-09-2014, 13:22

Very tricky question, it would have to be a three way split between speakers, the PC digital transport and my personal pre-amplifier

f1eng

17-09-2014, 14:18

Lol…. When you can virtually reach out and touch your music collection (that in alphabetical order, and in terms of genre, surrounds your seating position inside a dedicated listening room, which also houses your system), and can select and play a piece of music on vinyl or CD, quicker than it takes a computer hard-drive to boot up, convenience, muchacho, is not an issue! ;)

There are valid reasons why some form of computer audio could eventually make it into my system, but convenience isn't one of them.

Marco.

My experience too.
I almost only listen to classical music and I have yet to come across a streaming solution which conveniently tags classical music so you can conveniently find what you want.
I never track hop, or sit there hoping for a bit of software to suggest something I might like to listen to next, so after trying streaming quite a few different ways over the last 4 years I am pretty well back to CD, with an occasional LP too.
Frank

f1eng

17-09-2014, 14:28

The most difficult item to replace in my system would be the Goldmund Reference TT and T3f arm. I haven't seen one for sale for yonks.
OTOH I don't use it that often, I even bought a new cartridge a few months ago and haven't tried it yet.
As an engineer I was taught that an engineer needs to be clever enough to do for 5 bob what any damn fool could do for 5 quid. On that basis the most impressive kit I own is a Devialet amplifier. Not cheap but better than anything else I have heard at several times the price.
And simple, small and gets rid of loads of cables.
Only down side is it stops experimenting with different bits of kit. Which is also one of its up-sides, of course :)

Andrei

20-09-2014, 04:44

I have heard a Devialet, the 200 I think. Impressive! If I was starting from scratch then I would likely go for one. Amp, preamp, DAC, phono-stage, all sorts of inputs, small size, good looks, upgradability, no cable mess and that's just the extras! It sounded similar to my ATC that operates to Class A to 100 watts. Although expensive you are getting so much in one package much of its price can be clawed back.