View Full Version : FS; Dad's old hifi (Linn, Ortofon, Vertex, Nordost, ANT, and more)
My father died a couple of months ago. He was fairly seriously into his hifi (vinyl mainly) but mum's not, and I'm not, so there's some stuff to be sold.
I don't want to put it on eBay and waste my time dealing with the scammers just so that I can pay eBay and PayPal a big chunk of the proceeds, so I signed up here to (a) ask some dumb questions about it all, and (b) offer it for sale to people who might appreciate it.
A lot of it seems fairly esoteric, so getting sensible valuations hasn't been easy. The prices below are probably high, because I'd rather price it high and take an offer than price it too low. Which means that I am open to offers. I'd prefer offers to be on the thread rather than via PM just so that its all transparent to all. I'm also happy for "comments" on the pricing, because if my prices are mad so that I can adjust them. I'd rather it sold than collected dust.
I don't know much more detail about any of it, and certainly not to questions that have already been asked (like how many hours playing time on the cartridge or when the amp was last serviced). The only person who will have an idea abut that stuff isn't answering. I do know that he was fairly obsessive about his set-up (as the components probably indicate), so I'm assuming that it was all properly cared for.
It's all based in South Cheshire and I'm in Norfolk, so taking additional photos isn't going to be quick or easy. I'd prefer collection from either location, or from somewhere along the A14/M6 route.
I'll add the various bits to this post as I get the photos and details sorted out, which is why I've "reserved" the next couple of posts in this thread.
Here goes ...
First up, some real oddities.
ANT Audio Kora 3T Phono Preamplifier £350.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4362/36463504082_2daf13b6e7_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/35823408853_23ea0316cf_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/36463502772_d884ff6d99_b.jpg
Vertexaq Taga distribution block £550. <<< SOLD<<< subject to payment.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/35823398573_e1a35e7c83_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4368/36494586961_f9d062b9ed_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4442/36463501752_4715657d21_b.jpg
Nordost power cables (x4) £150 <<<SOLD
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/36494593761_a6090efe41_b.jpg
Lengths are (approx) 35, 40, 90 & 95 cm.
detail2
Quad 909 £500. Pretty sure that I saw the box for this in the loft. <<< SOLD <<<
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4427/36463505692_837ef6b3ed_b.jpg
Audiolab 8000C £150. Don't have to risk going into the loft for the box for this one. <<<SOLD <<<
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/36632345135_ae4ab58995_b.jpg
PRICE REDUCED by £500 ...
I had some comments suggesting that this was over-priced, so on the basis that it's really of no value at all sat under a table, I'll try tempting someone at a lower price ...
Linn Sondek LP12, Ittok LVII, Ortofon Cadenza Red £2250 now £1750 . Box for the TT also in the loft.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4334/36463500212_e7c655abf7_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4337/36494583181_db1994c70e_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/36632347025_cb23fb65b4_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4424/36585941376_e015ffbfe0_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4414/36585942016_13e26348f0_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4367/36494581391_4c38e41e39_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/36494580631_3616c9f196_b.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4346/36585942476_44a763e6b8_b.jpg
I've been told to take the cartridge off the arm, and the arm off the deck and sell them all separately to maximise the value. But I don't need/want the hassle, and risk of my hammer slipping as I'm taking it all apart.
Thick chunk of perspex can go with the TT if buyer wants it.
I realise that I'm new here, and have no bona fides to support sales of this value. I'm an admin / owner of a similar site (for a different hobby) which is the UK's largest / busiest site for that hobby, so if anyone is interested in any of this stuff, but wary of dealing with a noob, I can provide some evidence of who I am and my general good chappiness.
;)
He also had a Marantz SA-KI-Pearl-Lite CD player, boxed and looking like new, but I might just keep that for myself.
walpurgis
17-08-2017, 17:58
Please read the selling rules Tony. Prices have to be quoted.
To be honest, if you are unsure of what an item is or of its value, I really think you'd be best advised to open a thread in the Blank Canvas section and discuss what you have with members and ask for values before placing sales listings here.
Sorry to hear of your dad's passing.
Please read the selling rules Tony. Prices have to be quoted.
I did, and I have?
jandl100
17-08-2017, 18:01
Sorry to hear about your father's passing, Tony.
Yes, some esoteric gear there!
Three of those power cables look like the excellent Nordost Blue Heaven. Not sure what the one different colour is.
Good luck with the sales.
I'll be keeping an eye on the thread for anything of interest to me. (I'm not into vinyl any more).
jandl100
17-08-2017, 18:02
I did, and I have?
Yes, I can see prices for all the gear.
Other power cable is a Puple Flare
walpurgis
17-08-2017, 18:49
I did, and I have?
They are there now. Missing when I looked earlier and only the ANT was shown.
@alcarmichael - your PM inbox is full.
WESTLOWER
17-08-2017, 22:37
What power supply is used on the LP12 ?
Is there any additional info on the deck?
What power supply is used on the LP12 ?
Is there any additional info on the deck?
I fear this is going to be an "uneducated" answer; the TT was plugged into the Taga distribution block. I've no idea what's within the deck itself.
'Valhalla' is the answer going by the on/off switch and if the deck was plugged into the distribution block directly.
The next question people will ask is whether it has the 'Cirkus' bearing upgrade. Looking at the age of the deck and the armboard I suspect it has but can't really tell without seeing a picture of the bearing with the outer and inner inner platters removed (if you do remove these use a cloth or wear gloves - don't get fingerprints on them).
Edit: on closer inspection the power supply could be a 'Mose Hercules', this is similar to the Valhalla but also offers 45rpm. Again, very difficult to tell the 'Valhalla' and 'Hercules' apart without looking inside the deck - it's definitely one of those two though.
A closer look at the pics does show that the plinth is one of the later 'corner braced' designs, which is good.
Even though I have no understanding of any of that, I'm pretty sure that thanks are due @YNWan !
WESTLOWER
18-08-2017, 08:45
Good detective work Mark.. You reckon you can guess at the sub chassis?:scratch:
You can see the on/off switch has 2 lights, I don't think it's a Valhalla
Almost certainly Hercules power supply, should be a red and a blue LED.
Re the power supply to the Linn, I've enlarged a different photo and cropped it to show just the switch on top of the deck.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4356/36645408825_ebdaf72f9c_b.jpg
Looks like red and blue LEDs to me?
Haselsh1
18-08-2017, 10:25
Some very precious and highly sentimental items here. I hope you do well.
Audiolab amp and 4x cables sold.
:)
Yes, a 'Hercules', the 'Valhalla' option would have a red and a green LEDs.
I'll have to check the armboard logo - this subtly changed a few years ago. If it is the current one it's very likely the chassis is the mid period bonded one. The Cirkus upgrade used to include the bearing, inner platter, bonded steel chassis and armboard, plus springs, grommets and two drive belts.
No speakers?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
No speakers?
He had a pair of AE1s.
I now have a pair of AE1s.
;)
killie99
18-08-2017, 19:03
Hope you have a nice hefty amp to drive them :)
walpurgis
18-08-2017, 19:05
Hope you have a nice hefty amp to drive them :)
Yes. They need upwards of 50 watts to come alive. Transients seem to shut down a bit otherwise.
Yes. They need upwards of 50 watts to come alive. Transients seem to shut down a bit otherwise.
It's fair to say that my amp is having to work a fair bit harder nowadays. I'm probably not getting the best out of the speakers, but they still sound better than what I had before (which are currently acting as speaker stands for the AE1s!)
It's fair to say that my amp is having to work a fair bit harder nowadays. I'm probably not getting the best out of the speakers, but they still sound better than what I had before (which are currently acting as speaker stands for the AE1s!)
So why not use the Quad amp of your Dad's? Maybe a good match for them?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
walpurgis
18-08-2017, 20:55
So why not use the Quad amp of your Dad's? Maybe a good match for them?
Good suggestion. AE1's need top quality stands too.
So why not use the Quad amp of your Dad's? Maybe a good match for them?
1. Because I've nowhere to put it.
2. Because my current amp doesn't have an output for a power amp.
I did wonder about keeping some of his kit, but I'd not appreciate it enough to justify its cost. Plus our current room set up isn't ideal for quality acoustics. The speakers are a noticeable upgrade on what I had before, even though I'm not using them to their best effect.
AE1's need top quality stands too.
Positioning is another challenge.
:(
walpurgis
18-08-2017, 21:11
Because my current amp doesn't have an output for a power amp
The Quad 909 should be rather good with the AE1's and it will work well with a passive pre-amp, which need not be expensive.
Whereabouts in south cheshire is the kit located?
I fully understand your reasons for keeping your rig, and just changing the speakers. It may turn out great?
But! If it were me, I'd sell my stuff, and keep your Dad's stuff. And buy a CD player, and tuner to go with it, with the money from selling your kit. But that's just me, I don't blame you one bit for not doing that, it's a lot of trouble.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Whereabouts in south cheshire is the kit located?
Just outside Crewe @Bourney - easy access from the M6 Jn17 (to the extent that any journey is "easy" on the M6!).
But! If it were me, I'd sell my stuff, and keep your Dad's stuff. And buy a CD player, and tuner to go with it, with the money from selling your kit. But that's just me, I don't blame you one bit for not doing that, it's a lot of trouble.
The value in his hifi was the TT. I'm not going to go back to vinyl, hence little point me keeping the TT, nor the phono pre-amp.
I'm reasonably happy with what I've got at the moment (old Sony CD, recent Marantz amp, Sonos Connect), as it serves my purposes. I borrowed the speakers to see what they'd be like as they always sounded good where he had them. They certainly sounded better than what I had before (AE Aegis 3) and are also somewhat smaller, which is a good thing.
I realise that I'm not optimising the AE1s without the power amp, but then they're also compromised by placement constraints which won't be easy to resolve. So there doesn't seem a lot of point in re-jigging my set up to incorporate a power amp when that won't resolve all the issues.
At least, that was my thinking.
I think you're doing the right thing personally. I have the Mk3 version of the AE1 which is different so maybe this is irrelevant but mine work surprisingly well with the most unlikely amps, from a 1.5w flea amp (quietly!) through a Linear A to a 250w muscle amp, all clearly different. Yes, for belting it out watts are king, but for realistic volumes I don't think any reasonable solid state amp should be rejected. Enjoy your new speakers and good luck with the sale :)
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Just outside Crewe @Bourney - easy access from the M6 Jn17 (to the extent that any journey is "easy" on the M6!).
I'm in Stoke so a500 for me
I'm in Stoke so a500 for me
Handy!
If the quad has its box and is as tidy as it looks, I'll take it and collect from Crewe, Tony. Always wanted to try one.
Have PM'd you @Bourney. Quad has its box
:)
Have PM'd you @Bourney. Quad has its box
:)
@Bourney - don't want to hassle you, but I'll need to sort out my trip North for tomorrow if that's all OK with you (as PM'd).
Thread updated to reflect sold items (and remove some of the pics of what's gone).
Also, cut the price of the Linn TT in line with advice received.
:)
Taga distribution block now sold, subject to delivery & payment.
:)
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