Hello From RMaster

[RMaster]

Hello all,

This is my first post here. Been a ‘ghost’ reader for some time now. Its great to see so many reviews, perspectives and products showcased on one forum!

Set up as of now,

Itunes+Airport Express/Marantz dv6500/Sky HD -> Beresford Toslink -> Beresford Caiman (Just ordered!) -> Van Den Hul Bay C5 Interconnect -> Cambridge Audio 640A V2 -> Mordaunt Short MS 914 – Biwired and mass loaded (Very much due an upgrade)

Cans mobile set up:
Ipod -> ibasso CB03 -> Graham Slee Voyager -> Grado RS1i

Cans home set up (probably my main setup till I can afford better speakers):
As soon as I get my hands on the Caiman -
Itunes+AE -> Beresford Toslink -> Beresford Caiman -> Grado RS1i

My Grado’s are new (5 days) so I am still burning them in. Overall, very excited as I hope to hear a big change in quality from using the Airport Express’s built in DAC!

As source, I have a B&W Society of sound subscription which I use to download some great FLAC 24bit/48K tracks along with the customary external HDD filled (to the brim, if I may add) with mp3’s.

P

[MartinT]

Welcome to AoS 'P' - you might want to put a notice in the welcome section and let us have your first name. How do you find the offerings in the B&W SoS subscriptions? I've wondered about joining it myself.

[RMaster]

Hi Martin,

The B&W Society of Sound subscription is good! It is by far the clearest piece of (non CD) digital music I have heard both by recording and fidelity.

Best of all, they tend to give new artists a go, so every month you hear things from classical to world music. I download the 24bit FLAC and burn them to a DVD audio to listen. When I get my hands on the Caiman, I will stream through Foobar+AirTunes+AExp.

Additionally, they have just opened up their catalogue so I can download old albums too which is a definite plus.

Would I recommend B&W S&S? Well, if you like trying new music, yes. Otherwise, as I am sure you know, linn records is the place to go.

Paul

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Paul welcome to AOS.

Have fun and enjoy the forum. What kind of music do you like ?


Regards D S D L

[RMaster]

Thanks!

I mostly enjoy classic rock but of late been tending more towards world music, so Putumayo features very high on the list now. Love Seasick Steve who I heard recently on BBC! He's fantastic! I would love to hear a vinyl recording of his albums played using decent valve amps.

Had a chance to test some Sonus Fabers today at a local hifi dealer. My god, are they awesome.

[Alex_UK]

Hi Paul and welcome aboard!

Enjoy the forum, and enjoy the Caiman (sure you will!)

[Beechwoods]

Welcome Paul. Glad you found us. Get stuck in!

[Jonboy]

Thanks!

Love Seasick Steve who I heard recently on BBC! He's fantastic! I would love to hear a vinyl recording of his albums played using decent valve amps.



Hi Paul and welcome, SeaSick Steve does sound good indeed through a valve amp, i have got the 180 gram Album of " I started with nothing", i do love the Album "Dog House Music" but the quility is crap, i havn't tried it on vinyl though:)

Cheers

[RMaster]

Thanks all!

Jonboy: From the very little I know about vinyl's, aren't '180g's' supposed to be the best of the lot?

Really enjoy reading some of the threads here. I have to set up a HT/Hifi system at my parents place and am looking at Artcoustic 65-55's/monitors vs B&W in walls. Will try searching for a relevant thread.

Paul

[Jonboy]

Thanks all!

Jonboy: From the very little I know about vinyl's, aren't '180g's' supposed to be the best of the lot?.

Paul

Pretty much Paul, they are worth hunting down:)

[Beechwoods]

IMHO Japanese issue vinyl really is the best to get. You can still get poor pressings / releases on 180g vinyl - I suspect that the heavy vinyl is more of a sales ploy than a real benefit sometimes. The old Japanese releases not only had great pressings, the sleeves were built to last with thick, thick card and great presentation / inserts etc inside. They hold their own on price, but they are worth it.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I'll second that Beechy! Although I own some excellent 180 grammers, I've got several bog standard Japanese issues that are so much better than the average heavyweight Western release.

I also have a copy of this:

http://images.hhv.de/catalog/old_detail/00154/154249.jpg

......on 220 gramme vinyl.

[Barry]

I'll second that Beechy! Although I own some excellent 180 grammers, I've got several bog standard Japanese issues that are so much better than the average heavyweight Western release.

I also have a copy of this:

http://images.hhv.de/catalog/old_detail/00154/154249.jpg

......on 220 gramme vinyl.

Since at that weight it must be about double the thickness of a 'standard' weight LP, do you alter the VTA of your arm/cartridge as some fanatics would have you do?

Regards

[The Grand Wazoo]

Not a chance, it's too tricky to make the change for just one LP & know you're going to return back to exactly the same setting for everything else.
Besides, the album's not that good!
Maybe if I owned a Graham or something.........

[Jonboy]

IMHO Japanese issue vinyl really is the best to get. You can still get poor pressings / releases on 180g vinyl - I suspect that the heavy vinyl is more of a sales ploy than a real benefit sometimes. The old Japanese releases not only had great pressings, the sleeves were built to last with thick, thick card and great presentation / inserts etc inside. They hold their own on price, but they are worth it.

I was a bit tentative in my reply about 180 g stuff knowing that they went over 200, but i was asured that someone would know for sure;)

Thanks Nick and Chris to back it up:)