Please Remind Me NOT To Change !

[Ninanina]

What is it with this hifi malarkey a ???

I have a perfectly good system (to my ears anyway!!) which I enjoy greatly... It's taken quite a while to get to the sound that I like..

So why is it that I am still looking into changing/upgrading things within my system ? I have absolutely no idea why that is... I am sure it is an illness to be honest ;)

So can I ask everyone that if I mention changing some part of my system that you post saying 'Be Happy With What You Have Bev'!! ? or something like that !

I might just try a pair of Tannoy DC's of some description shortly BUT apart from that please do post if you see me mentioning anything else for a change... thanks so much

It'll also probably save me a fortune... :D

[walpurgis]

How about a nice Class A solid state amp for a change Bev? Some sound lovely.

[struth]

Stick with what you have ....grass only sounds greener...it aint really:eyebrows:

[Barry]

The second line in your post says it all Bev. You are fortunate to have assembled a system you are happy with, so relax and enjoy! I stopped chopping and changing years ago, not that I went through many changes of equipment: four amplifiers; two speaker systems; two tuners; two turntables - but many cartridges (and still do! :lol:).

Whilst I have a fair amount of audio gear lying around, much of it is there in reserve should any of my kit need to be repaired. Some of it is in my "museum": kit I lusted after when I was an impecunous student and can now afford - but there are only a few music lovers who do this sort of daft thing.

So "Be Happy With What You Have Bev"!

[Ninanina]

How about a nice Class A solid state amp for a change Bev? Some sound lovely.

:rfl::rfl:

Actually I did have a Sugden A21a on trial for a while and it sounded pretty good.... however I much prefer my Oto...so I won't be swapping it for a while...:D

[southall-1998]

Soon I'll be aiming for the Sugden A21SE.

S.

[Ninanina]

Soon I'll be aiming for the Sugden A21SE.
S.

Shane I see that the Sugden A21SE is about £2,400 ' ish new and you could buy an Oto or other similar valve amp for that, have you considered valves ? ;)

[southall-1998]

Shane I see that the Sugden A21SE is about £2,400 ' ish new and you could buy an Oto or other similar valve amp for that, have you considered valves ? ;)


I rarely buy 'new' Hi-Fi, Bev. Would most likely be second hand.

Strange that you mention the Oto. Was thinking about the Oto ''Phono Signature SE'' a few nights ago!

S.

[Ninanina]

Strange that you mention the Oto. Was thinking about the Oto ''Phono Signature SE'' a few nights ago!
S.

I believe that the Oto Signature is a superb amp...funnily enough I had a quote to spec my own Oto to Signature spec recently and it was a lot of money.. over £1k for everything including new faceplate.. I won't be doing that for a while but may consider it if I feel flushed in a few months (which is unlikely!)

However the stock Oto is, in my opinion, a very good amp if you have the right speakers, they must be super sensitive and an easy load...;)

[jandl100]

Nah, change the lot, Bev. :thumbsup:

Think of all the fun you will have trying to regain the Magic. ;)

[Ninanina]

Nah, change the lot, Bev. :thumbsup:

Think of all the fun you will have trying to regain the Magic. ;)

:rfl::rfl:

[The Barbarian]

Bev your getting ill just face it. I know, ive been in & out of the clinic for over 30 years. :eyebrows:

[Ninanina]

Bev your getting ill just face it. I know, ive been in & out of the clinic for over 30 years. :eyebrows:

I might well be ill, I wonder if there is any cure ? :doh:

[The Barbarian]

It's a slow process but the penny will drop one day.

[Ninanina]

It's a slow process but the penny will drop one day.

When will I know that the 'penny has dropped' Andr'e ? :D

[walpurgis]

I might well be ill, I wonder if there is any cure ? :doh:

Send me all your Hi-Fi. You'll have nothing to worry about then. ;)

[struth]

You have to sign the pledge Bev. if your an addict then its a must; if not then get a karaoke machine and enjoy :lol:

[Ninanina]

You lot always crack me up ! :D

[Ninanina]

I got to thinking that MAYBE the 'penny has dropped' hence the reason for this thread... so maybe I'm cured now.. :lol:

[struth]

I got to thinking that MAYBE the 'penny has dropped' hence the reason for this thread... so maybe I'm cured now.. :lol:

Maybe...............NOT;)

[Ninanina]

Maybe...............NOT;)

Oh damn it... so there is more to go yet then... :doh::doh:

[struth]

I remember not that long ago starting a thread in gallery "I think I'm Finished" ...well I meant it and now nearly everything has changed....best intentions etc mean nowt with this condition;)

[Ninanina]

I remember not that long ago starting a thread in gallery "I think I'm Finished" ...well I meant it and now nearly everything has changed....best intentions etc mean nowt with this condition;)

Oh dear that doesn't bode well for me then...:(

[The Barbarian]

You have to sign the pledge Bev.

That brings back memories, the wife asked me to sign a paper a few years back never to buy anymore 'TT's Reel To Reels or amps, i did sign it but broke the agreement two days later on. Glad she saw the funny side of it. Sad thing is i really meant what i agreed to :D

[struth]

FROM

http://imageshack.us/a/img19/1632/0d65.jpg


TO

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/1024x768q90/538/529fXU.jpg

:doh::doh:

[walpurgis]

I remember not that long ago starting a thread in gallery "I think I'm Finished" ...well I meant it and now nearly everything has changed....best intentions etc mean nowt with this condition;)

Few major changes occur in my system proper. It's been as good as I can reasonably want in most ways for some years. Last 'upgrade' was from a a ZYX R100 H2 MC cartridge to a ZYX R100 Yatra. Better, but quite similar in character.

[The Barbarian]

Presently designing a wall of my fav amps i can switch in/out of service as & when, im just devising some kind of Patch bay so i don't have to keep plugging & unplugging as and when..Ultimate visual neatness is of paramount importance tho..I had three seperate systems but decided to consolidate the lot into my man cave..

Don't wanna over do it so i decided to keep a few classics, nothing else amp wise. These are the only amps i tend to use anyway...I just keep the matching tuners for match sake, never use em..

Quad '33'/'303'/FM-3'
Ferrograph 'F307/2'
A&R Cambridge Ltd 'A60'/'T21'
Trio 'KA2000a'/'KT1000a'

[Ninanina]

Quite a few changes then Grant... ;)

I guess I've not changed too much over the last year... the amp is still intact as are the speakers and transport, which I consider the 'heart' of the system, however the Dac has changed... and definitely cables have changed, although as time flys by, and I forget exactly when things changed, it may not have actually changed too much over the last year...

I think it's been more of 'tweaks' for a while, which I think is a good sign, things like different stands for the Klipsch and different isolation thingys and nothing too expensive either....;)

[struth]

Not making the mistake of saying I'm finished....but I hope I am close......ish:eyebrows:

[Ninanina]

Not making the mistake of saying I'm finished....but I hope I am close......ish:eyebrows:

Me too Grant.... I also have to get my head round decorating my entire house, it really does need it, so hifi will probably take second place for a while... oh how boring does that all sound !! I hate house stuff with a passion, it's not what turns me on at all !!... probably unlike 'most' women in that respect......:rolleyes:

[struth]

Mine needs done too. but I now cant do such stuff....cant do anything much alas. I actually quite liked decorating, especially papering which I found very relaxing.

[walpurgis]

Not making the mistake of saying I'm finished....but I hope I am close......ish:eyebrows:

Nope. I reckon you are just stepping over the threshold.

(Is that a set of valve pre & power amps I see on the horizon? And a Graham Slee ERA Gold V phono stage would go lovely with that DL-160. I know 'cos I've tried them together. Perhaps a Pioneer PD-S505 Precision player would love pairing up with that nice Monarchy DAC. Sounds superb here ;))

[Ninanina]

I hate it all.... luckily Colin is an ex professional painter and decorator (however he now hates it as well!!) but I said I'd give him a hand... wasn't that big of me?? I loath it but I guess I can be of some help... ;)

[struth]

Nope. I reckon you are just stepping over the threshold.

(Is that a set of valve pre & power amps I see on the horizon? And a Graham Slee ERA Gold V phono stage would go lovely with that DL-160. I know 'cos I've tried them together. Perhaps a Pioneer PD-S505 Precision player would love pairing up with that nice Monarchy DAC. Sounds superb here ;))

Got both but cannot fit them in without a major change in layout etc. I'm not up to it at mo so dont think it'll happen....he says unconvincingly. . . Fancy a couple of ss monoblocks instead of the Atoll, mind;)

[walpurgis]

Me too Grant.... I also have to get my head round decorating my entire house, it really does need it, so hifi will probably take second place for a while... oh how boring does that all sound !! I hate house stuff with a passion, it's not what turns me on at all !!... probably unlike 'most' women in that respect......:rolleyes:

I'm about 1/3 way through re-vamping the house. Started in autumn, but the family has so much clutter I have to keep moving stuff about to decorate around it, 'cos there's nowhere else to put it. A nightmare! :rolleyes:

Try laying a laminate wood floor with all the furniture still in the room. I deserve a bleedin' medal for what I've been through! :eek:

[walpurgis]

Fancy a couple of ss monoblocks instead of the Atoll, mind;)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121574477966?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[struth]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121574477966?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

How did I miss those :doh: Look nice!! Wonder what they'll go for

[walpurgis]

How did I miss those :doh: Look nice!! Wonder what they'll go for

They normally go for £400 to £500 each. But this pair is on it's second listing, they didn't sell first time around. They can be used individually as stereo amps or as monoblocks and sound superb.

I have one and it drives the big Tannoys effortlessly used as a single stereo amp. Most of the time I use the slightly larger Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro I also have. I reckon if this pair sell for less than £750, somebody has a bargain.

[southall-1998]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121574477966?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


Very good amps!

Shame, the make never did an integrated pure class A :(

S.

[The Barbarian]

Dunno if you ever heard them but i used own a Linx 'Stratos' Pre/Mono's they were good amps.. You don't see them much for sale these days...They were made in New Zealand not the later UK made Linx models although i did have a 'Nebula' later on

[walpurgis]

Dunno if you ever heard them but i used own a Linx 'Stratos' Pre/Mono's they were good amps.. You don't see them much for sale these days...They were made in New Zealand not the later UK made Linx models although i did have a 'Nebula' later on

I remember the originals. Only heard them at Hi-Fi shows though. They were beautifully finished (along with the lovely Perreaux gear that came from there too I believe).

[walpurgis]

Very good amps!

Shame, the make never did an integrated pure class A :(

S.

Yes. You heard my Pro version driving the Cheviots. It just doesn't get a lot better than that (I might just be tempted if a Pass Labs Aleph 3 comes along though).

As you say, Monarchy Audio don't offer an integrated, but there is the superb M22C DAC pre-amp, which I also have (you didn't get to see that) and it works wonderfully with the power amps.

[The Barbarian]

Aye those illuminated touch controls on the amps were real nice touch..

[The Barbarian]

Here Geoff thats em

http://soundjulia.up.n.seesaa.net/soundjulia/image/720170.jpg?d=a6

[The Barbarian]

& 'Nebula' there

http://www.on-off-hifi.de/index.php?rex_resize=900a__amp08293.jpg&rex_filter%5B%5D=

[walpurgis]

Lovely! Although Lynx did not use not true touch controls like the Philips turntables did as I recall. They were flex bars in the panels with microswitches I believe.

[The Barbarian]

Thats right they were like fine laser cut in the acrylic. They did get frusrtrating to use for me tbh. Still they were very nice at the time..

[southall-1998]

Yes. You heard my Pro version driving the Cheviots. It just doesn't get a lot better than that (I might just be tempted if a Pass Labs Aleph 3 comes along though).

As you say, Monarchy Audio don't offer an integrated, but there is the superb M22C DAC pre-amp, which I also have (you didn't get to see that) and it works wonderfully with the power amps.


I still remember hearing your ''Pro'' SM-70. Not even sure if I heard the non Pro version.

How do they differ in sound, Geoff?

S.

[walpurgis]

I still remember hearing your ''Pro'' SM-70. Not even sure if I heard the non Pro version.

How do they differ in sound, Geoff?

S.

The Pro sounds just marginally 'softer', but both versions are lovely.

[southall-1998]

The Pro sounds just marginally 'softer', but both versions are lovely.


Interesting! I'd always think of the ''non Pro'' being softer. Just a slight stereotype thought!

S.

[Ninanina]

I'm about 1/3 way through re-vamping the house. Started in autumn, but the family has so much clutter I have to keep moving stuff about to decorate around it, 'cos there's nowhere else to put it. A nightmare! :rolleyes:

Try laying a laminate wood floor with all the furniture still in the room. I deserve a bleedin' medal for what I've been through! :eek:
I am in the same position in that there is soo much stuff to move in the front room before any decorating can take place let alone the laying of a new carpet.. I don't know where I am going to put everything.. ;)

[Barry]

I am in the same position in that there is soo much stuff to move in the front room before any decorating can take place let alone the laying of a new carpet.. I don't know where I am going to put everything.. ;)

Simple - leave everything where it is and forget about redecorating! A new carpet will probably change the acoustics, so you'll be off again with the chopping and changing.

[Ninanina]

Simple - leave everything where it is and forget about redecorating! A new carpet will probably change the acoustics, so you'll be off again with the chopping and changing.

Good point nicely presented Barry.... that could be the answer ;)

[Ninanina]

I just might leave everything alone until I have re-decorated and had a new carpet put down as well.... having said that I am on the trail of some Tannoy System 600's but apart from that I won't change anything yet... ;)

[southall-1998]

Good girl ;)

S.

[Stiffy]

I feel your pain too.

I've chopped and changed that many things in my set up over the last 5 years I think I've ruined it.
The only difference for me is my kit is all budget stuff and not big boys toys like most of you guys n gals on here have so hasn't cost me too much really.

Still annoying though :mental:

[orbscure]

My names Peter and I'm a hifi boxswapahollic.... and I need help :doh:

[Ninanina]

I've chopped and changed that many things in my set up over the last 5 years I think I've ruined it

Sorry to hear that John.. I know all about chopping and changing things but eventually it does 'click' and all start to work well together, and I'm more than happy with my current set up. I hope you get there soon.. ;)

[Ninanina]

My names Peter and I'm a hifi boxswapahollic.... and I need help :doh:

Peter I know all about boxswapping.. it's a real pain in the bot... But i've found that eventually you get some boxes that will always stay in the system and the swapping decreases.. I think you may have it bad though and need some help... :)

[walpurgis]

My names Peter and I'm a hifi boxswapahollic.... and I need help :doh:

How's the Densen working out with the SM-70 Pro Peter?

[orbscure]

Peter I know all about boxswapping.. it's a real pain in the bot... But i've found that eventually you get some boxes that will always stay in the system and the swapping decreases.. I think you may have it bad though and need some help... :)

Thats the problem for me Bev, its not as if what I have doesn't tick all the boxes (the most important being that it sounds good) it just doesn't stop me from trying to make improvement which may not be achievable at my price point.


How's the Densen working out with the SM-70 Pro Peter?

It really has blown my mind Geoff... its only been 48 hours since it arrived but it appears to be seriously good! So good that I've shelled out another large wad on a Graham Slee Reflex M & PSU-1 in an attempt to get as much from my LP12/DL110 as is possible with the funds I have...

I'd like to think that this is going to be my last big spend (other than a bespoke rack)... but I've been here before and temptation, tinged with the hope that the musical reproduction can be improved on, its still very difficult to ignore...

[walpurgis]

It really has blown my mind Geoff... its only been 48 hours since it arrived but it appears to be seriously good! So good that I've shelled out another large wad on a Graham Slee Reflex M & PSU-1 in an attempt to get as much from my LP12/DL110 as is possible with the funds I have...

I remember telling you that the SM-70 Pro sounds better with each pre-amp upgrade. I've found that.

The Reflex M & PSU-1 is a good move, it's the combination I use (with an SUT for my MCs). All you need then is a Decca cartridge for that Akito to make friends with. :) (it'll blow your mind even further ;))

[orbscure]

I can feel the farce Obi-Wan Geoffobi! I must resist the temptation of Darth Harbeth and the need to go down the monoblock road...and please don't elaborate on the Decca cart, I really need to settle on what I have and give it a chance to bed in :lol:

[walpurgis]

please don't elaborate on the Decca cart

Ah, but can you resist reading this:

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?7107-Being-reminded-once-again-of-the-Decca-%91magic%92

[orbscure]

Your right Geoff, I couldn't resist, but many thanks nonetheless... thankfully, the cart discussed is out of my price range, so I can sleep well tonight knowing that thanks to James/Sovereign, my next purchase will be a nice bespoke oak rack for all my current kit to sit on... :)

[Ninanina]

I THINK I've decided to keep with my current set up...

I was considering a pair of Tannoy System 600's but I believe they might be a compromise compared to the 800's..... SO unless a fair priced pair of 800's turn up I will definitely be sticking with what I already have

Like I said I am really happy with the system how it is...which has had numerous little tweaks with cables and 'feet' recently ' ish... I really don't think I can improve on the sound without spending a small fortune so I think I will keep what I have...

And again if I mention a change you lot should be telling me "NO DON'T DO IT".... I am relying on you all ....:D

[struth]

Think that's a wise decision. No point in change for changes sake.