A Martian Ate My Speakers! [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

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Alex_UK

03-08-2009, 21:12

Sorry about the title, but thought I'd be a bit different to "Hello Everyone". Um, Hello everyone, decided to register and see how we go, probably won't be able to help people very much as I'm very much an amateur Hi-Fi enthusiast, who sees the music as the source and everything else in the chain is their to try and get closer to it. Probably like most of you. I've dabbled with kit for the last 25 years, and also play around doing my own music now mainly software based but still dig out the electric guitar or old Casio synth now and then! As you can tell from the title, I also wear a tinfoil hat...

Although too old really having just had "life begin" I'm also into gaming so the sound also gets piped through my system - I remember in the early days the magazines saying that is a big "no no" though I could never see why...

I've been reading a few threads on DACs on here and took the plunge and ordered a Beresford 7520 this morning - pretty much exactly the same time Stanley was launching the new Caiman to the world, and which I hadn't picked up on - he so kindly rang me and gave me the chance to cancel the order and go for the new one if I wanted (but with no pressure) - suffice to say that after reading a few of the comments on here it was a "no brainer" and a Caiman will hopefully be winging it's way to Suffolk as we "speak!" I've been putting it off for a while, but now I'm using the Roku Soundbridge more and more as well as the laptop for Spotify etc, not to mention the xbox 360 & PS3, it seems the next logical step, though I've no intention of getting rid of my 1,000 odd vinyl collection and 2,000 odd CD albums either - but being able to search and play millions of songs from the laptop is very addictive, and now hopefully the sound will be improved. Will be interesting to see if it improves my Marantz SA7001 KI Signature CD player, although I'm not intending on using it for that, I may be surprised!

I've also just auditioned and ordered a Creek Evo Integrated amp to replace my 13yr old Audiolab 8000S which is literally disintegrating - so maybe I'll learn some soldering skills as it would make the perfect first amp for my 10 month old daughter - I think that's about the only room that doesn't have old kit in it, so that's the excuse lined up for SWMBO!

With the rekindled interest I've been trying another Hi-Fi forum that I won't name, but found them so unfriendly and introverted that I've given up pretty much - I noticed that any newbie who's posted a question gets very little attention if any, while they've got their own cliques and private jokes - I understand that there will be relationships that develop over time, but we all have to start somewhere... talking of which, this post is probably far too long and a good place to stop!

I look forward to some friendly banter and to learning lots and lots.

Beechwoods

03-08-2009, 21:19

I look forward to some friendly banter and to learning lots and lots.

Well hello Alex! I hope you'll find what you're after here. We like to think we're a friendly bunch with the occasional nugget of useful information thrown in ;)

If you've made it as far as the Welcome forum you probably already have a good feel for what we're about. Get stuck in and enjoy posting.

With a record and CD collection the size of yours it's probably a quick question and long answer to say 'what kind of music do you like' but I like quick questions so how goes it?!

Hope you enjoy your Beresford when it arrives!

DSJR

03-08-2009, 21:27

Hi Alex. what part of Suffolk are you from? We're east of Ipswich in "Signals" country...

Alex_UK

03-08-2009, 21:30

Thanks for the welcome Nick. I always say I like anything that I like - but that's not going to help much! I hope I am in no way a music snob, is probably what I mean - my favourite genre is probably downtempo electronica - or "chillout" type music, but I literally have everything from Britney Spears to Benjamin Britten, Popular Jazz (Coltrane, Davis, Hancock etc.) Indie, Hip Hop, Dance - really is everything, but "chilled" is probably my favourite style.

Alex_UK

03-08-2009, 21:36

Hi Alex. what part of Suffolk are you from? We're east of Ipswich in "Signals" country...

Hi Dave, well although I was born in in Northamtpon I spent most of my life across the border where football teams are run by cooks and the earth really is flat, but the love of a good woman changed all that about 5 years ago... We live right in the town - a newish house on the old Tolly Cobbold recreation ground if you know it? Just behind the Rivers club, and a stones throw away from the Brewery Tap, if you know your Ipswich pubs! So where is "signals country" - Martlesham way? Sorry if I'm being dim! :doh:

Beechwoods

03-08-2009, 21:51

I always had a secret thing about the manager of Norwich City :doh: I've done it now...

DSJR

03-08-2009, 21:54

Look to the bottom of the A14, turn left and go up the hill guvnor :) Signals is in Bucklesham - on the way...

You know, since I married I've hardly ever been out for a drink and never alone. I had most of a bottle of wine on Saturday (wifey's birthday and we entertained) but these days, that's a lot. When I look back to the copious pints of Guiness, Abbott (yum) and scotch I got through in the eighties, sometimes in the same session............................ Must have been the effect of the Linn/Naim equipment I owned mangling the music. I swear I'm getting a FAR better sound at home these days :)

symon

03-08-2009, 21:56

I always had a secret thing about the manager of Norwich City :doh: I've done it now...

:uhho:

symon

03-08-2009, 22:06

Sorry, how rude of me, hello Alex!

Alex_UK

03-08-2009, 22:07

I always had a secret thing about the manager of Norwich City :doh: I've done it now...

I'm assuming you mean the OWNER - not the manager, :confused: (who is a strapping bald bloke called Brian, but each to their own, this is the 21st century after all... )

Alex_UK

03-08-2009, 22:15

I swear I'm getting a FAR better sound at home these days :)

That's my next upgrade sorted then, and that's just to my liver! :lol:

Actually that reminds me of a story. About a month after peruading Mrs Alex to let me get Sky HD (when it first came out, and was fairly expensive) I had my eyes tested, and found I needed glasses - needless to say, I was ribbed that I didn't need HD just glasses - "should've gone to Specsavers" wore a bit thin after a while!

DaveK

03-08-2009, 22:23

Hi Alex and Welcome,
Judging by the general tone of your intro you'll fit in very well here. We (almost) all share a genteel sense of humour, banter is rife, as is the free flow of information and practical help. Even the ones that don't confine themselves to a genteel sense of humour but go off on their own tangent are extremely friendly and helpful and, although sometimes weird, are harmless enough - (no names, no pack drill but you'll probably work it out for yourself soon enough, key words to look out for are "frilly dress" or something similar :lolsign::confused::scratch::mental:).
Hope your stay is long, rewarding and enjoyable.
Cheers,

Spectral Morn

03-08-2009, 22:48

Hi Alex

Welcome to AoS.

There you go even Daleks are friendly on this forum.

Regards D S D L

Alex_UK

03-08-2009, 23:20

Thanks Dave & Dalek - already enjoying soaking up the info, and some great "hellos" so thanks everyone and sorry to the other half as I may well have another "bloody forum" - but hey, she has facebook!

Barry

03-08-2009, 23:55

twelvebears

04-08-2009, 05:59

Hi Alex, welcome to AOS.

From the title of your opening message, I think you'll fit right on in here. And no worries about being ignored as a newbie here on AOS, in fact I'd go as far as to say that the guys here go out of their way to be supportive of new members, especially the admin team.

Also Alex, being new to the forum has nothing to do with the validity of your views and knowledge. A 25yr hi-fi obsession and 3000 albums tells me that you've got plenty to offer, probably more than a lot of us! The only thing you're new to is the forum itself and the various characters (and oh lordy have we got a few of those, but not in a bad way ;))

Sounds like we've plenty in common on the music front, and the attraction to music streaming, so I look forward to getting to know you.

Oh and you're not the only one who get's a bit of friendly stick about 'your forum friends' :)

p.s. Oh and don't be scared if you come across any threads (there are quite a few) where Marco is going on about wearing dresses, he's mostly harmless. :lol:

Dave Cawley

04-08-2009, 06:33

Welcome Alex!!

Although I love it here in Dartmouth and moved here out of choice, I spent most of my working life in Wickhambrook in West Suffolk. Suffolk and Margaret Thatcher were good to me, the Golden Years in fact.

But my life in Dartmouth as web designer/internet guru and Sound Hi Fi is the best yet. Lived here 12 years and married 10 years ago. With 14 bars we do go out frequently.................

Regards

Dave

Marco

04-08-2009, 07:05

A very warm welcome to AOS, Alex - great introduction! I think you'll fit in here very nicely :)

I look forward to reading your contributions in the main parts of the forum :cool:

Enjoy!

Marco.

Alex_UK

04-08-2009, 08:27

If you like to 'chill out' you might like to try some Ben Webster or Yusef Lateef

Thanks Barry, they both seem to have a fair bit on Spotify so I'll give them a try there before buying. Much appreciated.

Alex_UK

04-08-2009, 08:42

I'd go as far as to say that the guys here go out of their way to be supportive of new members, especially the admin team.

Thanks for the welcome - in the showing so far, I 110% agree - thanks everyone.

Oh and you're not the only one who get's a bit of friendly stick about 'your forum friends' :)

I did call her bluff with one of my car forums and we arranged a get together - "look they're real, look they're real!" (One of them was an axe-murderer, another had escaped from the loonie bin but I'm sure none of you lot are like that...)

p.s. Oh and don't be scared if you come across any threads (there are quite a few) where Marco is going on about wearing dresses, he's mostly harmless. :lol:

Ah, and there was me thinking CD stood for Compact Disk! Still, "Alice" at the weekends could work... I'm open minded - I've even just bought a mains conditioner!

Alex_UK

04-08-2009, 08:49

And not to forget Dave and Marco - thanks Guys, I can already feel the virtual Guinness being supped (bit early I know, but it must be 6pm somewhere in the world...)

BTW, love both your avatars, especially your hat Dave, but don't the model planes get in the way a bit? Sorry, you can probably tell why I didn't fit in too well on the other very serious forum...! :mental:

Spectral Morn

04-08-2009, 09:14

Alex you are 100% going to fit in here. Enjoying reading your replies on this thread, so I am looking forward to reading your contributions on the main part of the forum.

Enjoy yourself............

Regards D S D L