Lurch
23-09-2017, 18:26
As stated in my welcome post I'm a born again audiophile, Having originally contracted this "expensive desease" in 1987, during a visit to a neighbour. (Mr Richard Motson you have a lot to answer for!!) where I listened a Planar 3, A&R A60 and I think it was warfedale diamonds or maybe a small pair of Linns??.
Anyway a few months later off I went to Freetime Audio in Portsmouth and purchased my first proper hifi, which consisted of:
Manticore Mantra, with A&R P77mg
Rotel RA810A and Celestion DL6, Sennhieser SL414 headphones, with Target stands and 3 tier rack.
I still have the Mantra (photo 1) though it now languishes under my bed, (In its original box) and the Sennhiesers, which were a waste of money as they've probably had about 5 hours use in 30 years.
A few additions and upgrades in the intervening years; binning the 2.5mm T&E for Mission solid core then QED original Bi-wire. Changing from the Rotel & DL6s to Cambridge Audio C50 + A50 with 0.5M Monster cable IC and ArCam Alpha 2s, I also added a Sansuii T500L Tuner and a Sony TC-FX150 cassette deck. A CDP finally snuck into the mix in late 94, a Technics SL-PG440, then in 2001 I swapped the Alpha 2s for Kef Cresta 3s and added an RB300 to the Mantra.
With the tuner and cassette deck long gone and the Technics CDP finally expiring in March Last year after 22 years of sterling service, and the C50/A50 combo becoming temprimental, I had a small splurge on eBay to keep costs down. So picked a full set of Cambridge Audio 500 series kit. C500, 2x A500, D500SE, DAB500, T500, all for around £400 :)
This small spending spree on slighty more modern, and to me atleast, better sounding kit, had, unfortunately whet my appetite once more. So following the demise of an elderly Uncle last May and the subsequent receipt of an inheritence, I decided I would move up from the Budget hifi kit I was used to, into what was originally planned as the "mid-range". I of course made some big mistakes in my purchases as I knew nothing about most of the new modern brands so stupidly used my 80s brand knowledge. My first purchase in mid August after some research and deciding my max budget for speakers, was a pair of B&W 683 S2. I then decided I needed better amplification, and using my 80s brand knowledge bought from fleaBay a Linn Wakonda and a Pair of LK140s, well Linn was supposed to be good (well back then atleast).
Also having bought a Cambridge CXC transport I needed a DAC and consequently bought a heavily modified DacMagic plus from Fleabay.
About 3 weeks after installing the Linns I was offered a pair of Tag Maclaren 125M monoblocs, which I didnt like at first but on putting the Linns back in I relised how shite they were, and how good the TAGs really were. The TAGS were detailed, and neutral, as opposed to thin and screachy like the Linns. Anyway I decided I ought to do something about the Wakonda aswell and duly purchased an Icon audio LA4 mk1 and Cambridge 551P for MM duties, and moved the Linn kit to pastures new.
So here's my setup as of September 2016
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4476/36549190084_664d799f06_k.jpg
In October, besides scoring a 2nd pair of 125Ms, I had a real piece of luck, I had gone to a local carboot sale and was perusing records on a stall full of the usual tat, when I spotted a really tired 70s cheapo Jap record deck with something rather special attached to it. It was ovious the stallholder didnt have a clue, when having spotted me looking at it she said " it works love, we've even fitted a 'New Needle' how much do you want for it says I. Fifteen quid she says. Ive never got my wallet out so quickly, having paid for it I promptly ripped the arm off it, chucked the deck under her table and got my multi-tool and removed the 'New Needle' and then threw the cheap plastic arm under the table aswell.
And what was this 'New Needle' I picked up for £15 I hear you ask, It was A Hana SL complete with sylus guard.:):lol::)
Only one problem the 551P is MM only so after a hunt round, in came an Icon Audio PS1.2SE, Also at this time I decided to move up the TT ladder so in came the OL Aurora gold Mk2 with upgraded motor, Ultra PSU and Transformer + Ecounter 3C. Damn this system is the dogs danglies me thinks, and being on the WAM at the time decided to host a bake off in mid November. People also brought their kit along to build a rig in my 2nd lounge, and near the end of the day some nice kind soul plugged their Araurasound Vida into my system. BUGGER!! I so whish I hadn't heard it, so of I go trawling eBay and the forum classifieds looking for something a bit special to replace the 1.2SE. Having built a shortlist I decided to ring Jamie (BatteredHaggis) who had attended my BO to see which of my shortlist he thought would be my best option. It was then explained to me that the 1.2SE was a good PS and capable of far more, it was my speakers that where letting the side down, as the components preceding them where far better than the speakers.
I mentioned that I had seen a pair of Usher Dancer Mini2s in the classifieds that I thought were gorgeous, Jamie said that I should go for them if I had the ££s as I would not regret it as they were great speakers. This then saw me drive all the way to Cardiff and back on the Wednesday between Xmas & New year to collect these Beauties.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4348/36549222764_74cd4dbda2_k.jpg
I had a 2nd BO in February, and sure enough my PS defended itself very well against some stiff competition, but another fly landed in the ointment when a Modwright 36.5 got plugged in, and whilst my pre wasn't that far behind to my ears it showed how veiled my LA4 was. About a week later, at my request a friend brought over his Acoustic Research SP26, and without the distraction of loads of people in the room I was more able to hear the LA4s shortcomings. I therefore reverted to plugging the 1.2SE direct into the TAGs for vinyl duties.
Now whilst I had decided I had spent more than enough money over the last 6 months, (who hasn't said that at some point during their audiophilia) in the same week as listening to wizmaxs SP26 I had the opportunity to audition not 1 but 2 components. Speedracer was in possesion of an Icon Audio PS3.SE which he had on loan from the seller, and there was a MasterSound PHL5 v1 pre, for sale locally, which the seller was happy to bring over. Needless to say neither of them made there escape from my clutches once plugged in to my system.
My system, up until 3 weeks ago.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4358/36589982483_d63a2b8367_k.jpg
I pretty much thought that was going to be that apart from maybe upgrading my cart when something came along at a cheeky price, but no. Being a bit bored one night I went on fleaBay and had a quick skim through a few items from specific brands I like, and, up popped something I never thought I would be able to afford at this point in time. I had never heard them, but for the last year they had been on my LUST List. There they were, viciously tempting me:eek: and they were only 30 miles away:eek: A pair of Icon Audio MB845 mk1s, I just had to go and listen to them to see if the matched up to the reviews and hype. The following morning saw me driving off to Hifi Hangar in Bordon for an audition, and YES, they sounded superb, and more than justified their reputation and reviews. Okay so I hadn't heard them in my system and my room, but at the price he was asking I knew I couldn't lose if I needed to move them on, so naturally I had to have them. Another bonus, something I didn't know at the time of purchase, was that these weren't the ordinary vanilla 845s, on checking the paperwork when boxing them up I discovered these had the full upgrades added taking them to 845SE spec.
My system as it now stands (23/9/17) and will hopefully remain for a good while.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4423/37402043305_d89081ea55_k.jpg
Well I say hopefully:rolleyes: I would like a better cart.
Anyway a few months later off I went to Freetime Audio in Portsmouth and purchased my first proper hifi, which consisted of:
Manticore Mantra, with A&R P77mg
Rotel RA810A and Celestion DL6, Sennhieser SL414 headphones, with Target stands and 3 tier rack.
I still have the Mantra (photo 1) though it now languishes under my bed, (In its original box) and the Sennhiesers, which were a waste of money as they've probably had about 5 hours use in 30 years.
A few additions and upgrades in the intervening years; binning the 2.5mm T&E for Mission solid core then QED original Bi-wire. Changing from the Rotel & DL6s to Cambridge Audio C50 + A50 with 0.5M Monster cable IC and ArCam Alpha 2s, I also added a Sansuii T500L Tuner and a Sony TC-FX150 cassette deck. A CDP finally snuck into the mix in late 94, a Technics SL-PG440, then in 2001 I swapped the Alpha 2s for Kef Cresta 3s and added an RB300 to the Mantra.
With the tuner and cassette deck long gone and the Technics CDP finally expiring in March Last year after 22 years of sterling service, and the C50/A50 combo becoming temprimental, I had a small splurge on eBay to keep costs down. So picked a full set of Cambridge Audio 500 series kit. C500, 2x A500, D500SE, DAB500, T500, all for around £400 :)
This small spending spree on slighty more modern, and to me atleast, better sounding kit, had, unfortunately whet my appetite once more. So following the demise of an elderly Uncle last May and the subsequent receipt of an inheritence, I decided I would move up from the Budget hifi kit I was used to, into what was originally planned as the "mid-range". I of course made some big mistakes in my purchases as I knew nothing about most of the new modern brands so stupidly used my 80s brand knowledge. My first purchase in mid August after some research and deciding my max budget for speakers, was a pair of B&W 683 S2. I then decided I needed better amplification, and using my 80s brand knowledge bought from fleaBay a Linn Wakonda and a Pair of LK140s, well Linn was supposed to be good (well back then atleast).
Also having bought a Cambridge CXC transport I needed a DAC and consequently bought a heavily modified DacMagic plus from Fleabay.
About 3 weeks after installing the Linns I was offered a pair of Tag Maclaren 125M monoblocs, which I didnt like at first but on putting the Linns back in I relised how shite they were, and how good the TAGs really were. The TAGS were detailed, and neutral, as opposed to thin and screachy like the Linns. Anyway I decided I ought to do something about the Wakonda aswell and duly purchased an Icon audio LA4 mk1 and Cambridge 551P for MM duties, and moved the Linn kit to pastures new.
So here's my setup as of September 2016
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4476/36549190084_664d799f06_k.jpg
In October, besides scoring a 2nd pair of 125Ms, I had a real piece of luck, I had gone to a local carboot sale and was perusing records on a stall full of the usual tat, when I spotted a really tired 70s cheapo Jap record deck with something rather special attached to it. It was ovious the stallholder didnt have a clue, when having spotted me looking at it she said " it works love, we've even fitted a 'New Needle' how much do you want for it says I. Fifteen quid she says. Ive never got my wallet out so quickly, having paid for it I promptly ripped the arm off it, chucked the deck under her table and got my multi-tool and removed the 'New Needle' and then threw the cheap plastic arm under the table aswell.
And what was this 'New Needle' I picked up for £15 I hear you ask, It was A Hana SL complete with sylus guard.:):lol::)
Only one problem the 551P is MM only so after a hunt round, in came an Icon Audio PS1.2SE, Also at this time I decided to move up the TT ladder so in came the OL Aurora gold Mk2 with upgraded motor, Ultra PSU and Transformer + Ecounter 3C. Damn this system is the dogs danglies me thinks, and being on the WAM at the time decided to host a bake off in mid November. People also brought their kit along to build a rig in my 2nd lounge, and near the end of the day some nice kind soul plugged their Araurasound Vida into my system. BUGGER!! I so whish I hadn't heard it, so of I go trawling eBay and the forum classifieds looking for something a bit special to replace the 1.2SE. Having built a shortlist I decided to ring Jamie (BatteredHaggis) who had attended my BO to see which of my shortlist he thought would be my best option. It was then explained to me that the 1.2SE was a good PS and capable of far more, it was my speakers that where letting the side down, as the components preceding them where far better than the speakers.
I mentioned that I had seen a pair of Usher Dancer Mini2s in the classifieds that I thought were gorgeous, Jamie said that I should go for them if I had the ££s as I would not regret it as they were great speakers. This then saw me drive all the way to Cardiff and back on the Wednesday between Xmas & New year to collect these Beauties.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4348/36549222764_74cd4dbda2_k.jpg
I had a 2nd BO in February, and sure enough my PS defended itself very well against some stiff competition, but another fly landed in the ointment when a Modwright 36.5 got plugged in, and whilst my pre wasn't that far behind to my ears it showed how veiled my LA4 was. About a week later, at my request a friend brought over his Acoustic Research SP26, and without the distraction of loads of people in the room I was more able to hear the LA4s shortcomings. I therefore reverted to plugging the 1.2SE direct into the TAGs for vinyl duties.
Now whilst I had decided I had spent more than enough money over the last 6 months, (who hasn't said that at some point during their audiophilia) in the same week as listening to wizmaxs SP26 I had the opportunity to audition not 1 but 2 components. Speedracer was in possesion of an Icon Audio PS3.SE which he had on loan from the seller, and there was a MasterSound PHL5 v1 pre, for sale locally, which the seller was happy to bring over. Needless to say neither of them made there escape from my clutches once plugged in to my system.
My system, up until 3 weeks ago.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4358/36589982483_d63a2b8367_k.jpg
I pretty much thought that was going to be that apart from maybe upgrading my cart when something came along at a cheeky price, but no. Being a bit bored one night I went on fleaBay and had a quick skim through a few items from specific brands I like, and, up popped something I never thought I would be able to afford at this point in time. I had never heard them, but for the last year they had been on my LUST List. There they were, viciously tempting me:eek: and they were only 30 miles away:eek: A pair of Icon Audio MB845 mk1s, I just had to go and listen to them to see if the matched up to the reviews and hype. The following morning saw me driving off to Hifi Hangar in Bordon for an audition, and YES, they sounded superb, and more than justified their reputation and reviews. Okay so I hadn't heard them in my system and my room, but at the price he was asking I knew I couldn't lose if I needed to move them on, so naturally I had to have them. Another bonus, something I didn't know at the time of purchase, was that these weren't the ordinary vanilla 845s, on checking the paperwork when boxing them up I discovered these had the full upgrades added taking them to 845SE spec.
My system as it now stands (23/9/17) and will hopefully remain for a good while.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4423/37402043305_d89081ea55_k.jpg
Well I say hopefully:rolleyes: I would like a better cart.