Hello from a rather cool Peterborough

[Arion]

Steve here.

I've been away from my love of hi-fi for a while due to the other half wanting a miimalist look in the lounge. So sold were the Tannoys, the Kenwood 5.1, the Kef surrounds and all my other joy.

But my plan worked, I had the conservatory fitted, and now it's largely unused I have myself a sound room again.

I'm having built a DAC by someone who is so clever when it comes to electrickery, and after converting my iPod Classic to optical output (yes it can be done) I should have a decent source for my rather unusual amplifier and Kef floorstanders.

OK, its not brilliant, and I'm having teething problems which I shall share in the relevant parts of the forum, but that's my system...not brilliant, but I am poor so forgive me and don't laugh too loud. :)

[DSJR]

Welcome indeed!

Pics and info please..

[The Vinyl Adventure]

welcome steve
i wouldbe very interested to see a picture of and hear more about this ipod classic with optical output!
and whats this unusual amp?

all the best

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Arion


Welcome to AOS.


Whats your first name? We like to encourage members to use that as their/or part of their signature...keeps the forum friendly.


Whats sort of music do you like?


Regards D S D L

[The Vinyl Adventure]

neil... duh! re read his post ;) first line!

[Arion]

Forgive me for not sharing so much in my initial post. I filled out a part of the CP which asked for my system details, but it doesn't seem to show up, so.....as I say, please don't laugh....

iPod Classic

This is currently as Apple intended: On an Apple Dock with a QED 3.5mm to phono lead. I am in the process of a conversion process to optical using the standard 3.5mm jack out. It's in the initial stages and could be a while away, but until I'm sure it'll work, I daren't share my ideas just yet. But rest assured, I will do it, and you will know when I have done it.

Arion Acoustics "Tycho" valve amp.

A strange beast. Semi SS as it has rectifier diodes instead of a valve. It runs 8 x 6551 CVC valves and is rated 50 watt class A. For what it cost me, it's an ok beast that performs close to my friends highly modified and very sweet Leak Stereo 20, but costing me significantly less than it would cost me to buy one and modify it.

QED Anniversary Bi-Wire cables take the amp to the

Kef iQ7 floorstanders which, if I had taken delivery of them, I would comment on them, but they arrive tomorrow and my friend can have his Kef C40s back when they get here!

Forgive me, but I have no pics as yet. I'm in the process of cleaning the Arion of accumulated dust. but when I'm all set up, I will post.

Music wise, I have an eclectic range that goes from classical and Opera to Green Day. But I'm keen on Robert Miles, Mike Oldfield, Dire Straits and much much more.

Thanks to all for the welcomes. :)

[DSJR]

Get that QED silver coloured rubbish in the bin IMMEDIATELY!!!

If you replace the above with anything - 13A mains wire would do, although the Mark Grant "Belden" is better suited perhaps. The Silver Anniversary stuff is harsh, tinny, dynamically constricted and most unpleasant, despite what WTF used to say..

[The Vinyl Adventure]

lol! i was saying to someone the other day about how many people have beef with the qed silver stuff in this place! i am also one of those people.. made my system sound very dull

[Arion]

How bizarre!
I listened to around 8 different sets of speaker cables around 4 weeks ago in a shop in York and found the differences to be.....non-existent!
I personally feel a lot of twaddle is talked about cables, and agree that 13amp mains cable will do, but the Anniversary will go back to my neighbour when my iQ7's arrive.
Or perhaps my ears are so much junk after all these many years!

I appreciate the suggestion though, it looks cheap enough for me to afford. I am happy to take your suggestion as I couldn't afford these outrageously priced cables I see at many £1000s, they might be fantastic, but I'll never know!

[Themis]

Welcome to the AoS forums Steve ! :)

No worry, no-one laughs about setups here.

Btw, I thought that getting the digital out of the iPod needed a proprietary handshake... Like Hamish, I'm also interested in you iPod digital experiments. ;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

maybe the system in the shop wasnt god enough to resolve any difference?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Welcome to the AoS forums Steve ! :)

No worry, no-one laughs about setups here.

Btw, I thought that getting the digital out of the iPod needed a proprietary handshake... Like Hamish, I'm also interested in you iPod digital experiments. ;)

yes it could make a very interesting thread if you have pictures of your progress.. we do like the piccys round these parts!.. best f luck with your tinkering

[Themis]

I guess its too hard to discern "anything but enormous" changes in a brand new listening environment like in a shop...

[Jonboy]

Hello Arion and welcome

I have a classic too so will be interested in your developments as i currently run a Wadia Ipod transport for my Ipod duties, my wife has a Ipod touch, not as good sound but very nice to play with, oo er misses

[The Vinyl Adventure]

i work in a hifi shop that only sells qed.. i actuallyfeel guilty selling it to the unexpecting customer.. i often recomend other stuff to people who dont just come in ask ask for "some speaker cable"

[Alex_UK]

Welcome aboard Steve, from another former owner of QED Silver Anniversary who was lambasted for same, and now uses Mark Grant Belden... To my ears, the QED wasn't as bad as people say, but the MG stuff IS an improvement in my system...

Anyway, have fun here!

[Dave Cawley]

iPod Classic to optical output

Wow! How?

Dave

[Arion]

My iPod Classic conversion to optical is very early days guys. I have the theory sorted, but I've yet to purchase an iPod Classic to practise on. Once I have something concrete I'll let you all know :-)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

My iPod Classic conversion to optical is very early days guys. I have the theory sorted, but I've yet to purchase an iPod Classic to practise on. Once I have something concrete I'll let you all know :-)

good stuff! very intriged!

[Alex_UK]

Indeed - this really could be truly innovative DIY - good luck Steve!