Hi from Nottingham

[Jenna]

Hello

I'm Jenna. I make, mend and modify stringed instruments for a living, which makes me a Luthier. When I'm not making or mending, I'm playing. Naturally, a lot of listening gets done too.

Over the years, much audio equipment has been gathered together so I have several systems in constant use.

Room 1 (or MySpace, as I like to call it)
A much-modded Rega P3/RB300 with Shure, Grado, Goldring and AKG cartridges, as needed.
Arcam CD192

Creek phono preamp, Creek passive preamp, 2 Arcam Delta 290 Power Amps output to PMC TB2+

Quad 44 / Quad 405-2 (I've modified it greatly from stock) output to Tannoy T185 Dorsets bought slightly used back in 1980. They have never had grilles since I bought them, but finally I've decided to make them some, since it looks like they're keepers :)

Room 2 (Somewhat More Visitor-Friendly)
Quad CDP2 / Quad99 / Quad909 / Quad11L / Quad23L

Computer DAW Setup
iMac27 / Universal Audio Apollo Quad Firewire / Adam A5 and Adam A5 sub or PMC TB2+
... and a ton of vintage analogue, channel strips, guitars, synths, patchbays etc.

All cables are my own design and build - and are made with 99.99999% bullsh*t-free everything.

And that's pretty much it for me, but I might be looking for advice on my Dorsets as I think that apart from making grilles, they could benefit from some TLC imminently.

Jenna

[The Black Adder]

Welcome to AOS. Jenna.

How interesting. I've only ever met one other Luthier before. What a great thing to do for a living. :)

You have a great setup of systems too! Almost a system for every occasion. :)

I've no doubt you will find help with your Dorsets, too.

Hope you enjoy! :)
Josie

[jollyfix]

Hi Jenna, welcome to AOS. Enjoy the forum.

[Jimbo]

Welcome to AOS Jenna and thanks for your comprehensive equipment introduction. I see you prefer older classic cartridges in your first system.:thumbsup:

[walpurgis]

Hi Jenna. Welcome to AOS.

That's a great skill to have being a Luthier. I'd imagine we'd have a few members who'd like to chat about that.

Like many of us, you certainly have a fair selection of Hi-Fi. There are many Quad users here.

You are in the right place for advice on your Tannoys. Tell us what you had in mind for them.

Have a look around the site, there's a lot going on and feel free to join in the chat and ask questions.


Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.

[Jenna]

Wow, what a friendly bunch... and such diverse equipment too. I do see some mention of dual concentrics and Lockwood Majors with Gold 15's... Very nice, Josie. I grew up in Northwood through the 60's and 70's, so I got to know Lockwoods pretty well. I called them a few weeks back only to be told that Roger has been gone for some years. I'd hoped to make a trip down south with my Dorsets to leave them for a proper overhaul and to have a catch-up.

I forgot to mention that I also have a few squeezeboxes dotted around too, mostly hooked up to powered monitors. I knocked up a Squeezebox server using a Pi B+ running headless on my network. I had the place rewired to improve the mains and got the electrician to pull Cat5 through everywhere while he was renewing the cables. Turns out to have been a very good move.

Lately, I've been trying to get a bit more organised with the digital side of things, after much messing with Linux / Foobar2000 there's a now a NAS on the network and Audirvana on the Mac, which is sounding promising.

No doubt I'll run into some of you elsewhere on the Forum looking for suggestions about how get the best out of my Dorsets. And then there's a Michell Reference which I plan to restore to its former glory... one day.

Jenna

[walpurgis]

Jenna. If you want to talk Tannoys, have a chat with Paul at RFC: http://www.referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/

He posts in our trade section: http://theartofsound.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?78-Reference-Fidelity-Components You may find some of this interesting.

He is the 'go to' guy for Tannoys these days. Paul is a regular contributor to the forum in general and very approachable. .

[AlfaGTV]

Welcome Jenna!

[Puffin]

Luthier, what a great series. I love Idris Elba.

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Jenna.

Fascinating occupation you have. I too have never met a luthier, but I did know someone who made harpsichords as a hobby. Although only related, I love the sound of the oud. Clearly you know the sound of musical instruments intimately, so it is interesting to read you use Quad gear.

How have you modified your 405-2 and which version of the 44 do you use? Also which model AKG cartridge do you use?

Enjoy the Forum
Barry

[Bonky]

Hi, rather unexpectedly , I have a Quad 99 power amp winging my way. How do you find it? Have you done any mods (There don't seem to be any on the DADA website)
Thanks,
Richard.