Hello from the Black Country

[MrB71]

Hi everyone,

My name is Wayne Bull from Tipton in the Black Country, UK.

Been a long time viewer of the forum, specifically the Analogue Art section.

My system consists of an Onkyo A9010 amp, Technics Sl1210 mk2 turntable and Dynaudio Emit M10 speakers.

Nothing spectacular but I love listening to it.

I'm 48 and my music interests have changed dramatically as I've aged.

As a youth all I would listen to was Hip Hop and House music but as I've aged my tastes have progressed to indie music and since I hit my 40s my new love is Jazz.

It's odd because when I was young I just thought Jazz sounded like a row. But age as taught me to appreciate how beautiful and soulful it can be.

A good night out for me used to be out clubbing till some ridiculous hour but now it's lights out on the sofa with a slice of jazz on the platter.

My current preamp is a basic Project Phono box and I'm very much looking to upgrade it.

Any advice on an upgrade would be most welcome as it seems to be a minefield out there for different ones.

I've heard great talk about the firebottle on here but can't find it on Internet.

I'm mostly using mm carts varying from At440mlb to Nagaoka Mp-110 but my current love is for conicals.

Currently using a lowly At3600l which just gives a perfect blend of warmth and detail I like.

Anyway lovely to be here and all the best....


Wayne

[Crackles]

Alan (Firebottle) is on here so he can tell you everything you need to know.

Funny you say that with Jazz, I am the same. Been really getting into it lately at age 50. Never thought I would say that in my younger years listening to dancehall reggae.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[MrB71]

Thanks for replying.....

Yes, funny what age brings with it isn't it.

I'm currently loving the new Blue Note Tone Poet series.

[Stryder5]

Hi and welcome,

Firebottle is a member on here and must be very close to you.

As far as I know he doesn't advertise.

I'm sure he'll be along shortly.

Gary


Hi everyone,

My name is Wayne Bull from Tipton in the Black Country, UK.

Been a long time viewer of the forum, specifically the Analogue Art section.

My system consists of an Onkyo A9010 amp, Technics Sl1210 mk2 turntable and Dynaudio Emit M10 speakers.

Nothing spectacular but I love listening to it.

I'm 48 and my music interests have changed dramatically as I've aged.

As a youth all I would listen to was Hip Hop and House music but as I've aged my tastes have progressed to indie music and since I hit my 40s my new love is Jazz.

It's odd because when I was young I just thought Jazz sounded like a row. But age as taught me to appreciate how beautiful and soulful it can be.

A good night out for me used to be out clubbing till some ridiculous hour but now it's lights out on the sofa with a slice of jazz on the platter.

My current preamp is a basic Project Phono box and I'm very much looking to upgrade it.

Any advice on an upgrade would be most welcome as it seems to be a minefield out there for different ones.

I've heard great talk about the firebottle on here but can't find it on Internet.

I'm mostly using mm carts varying from At440mlb to Nagaoka Mp-110 but my current love is for conicals.

Currently using a lowly At3600l which just gives a perfect blend of warmth and detail I like.

Anyway lovely to be here and all the best....


Wayne

[MrB71]

Thanks Gary

[Bigman80]

Hi Wayne!

Welcome to AoS.

Any relation to Steve? I bet you get that all the time lol

I'm in Wolverhampton so if you fancy a listen to my system here, give me a shout. Alan's a good guy and helped me massively when I was designing my Phonostage.

Enjoy the forums.

Oliver.

[MrB71]

Hi Oliver,

Yes, he's my cousin... Dont see him too much now though with how busy he is.

Appreciate the offer, Thankyou.

Yes I'm a bit unsure about phono stages. I know you can easily tell differences with cart changes but I'm kind of worried about forking out too much on a preamp incase I don't hear a difference.

Thanks for the welcome

[Bigman80]

Hi Oliver,

Yes, he's my cousin... Dont see him too much now though with how busy he is.

Appreciate the offer, Thankyou.

Yes I'm a bit unsure about phono stages. I know you can easily tell differences with cart changes but I'm kind of worried about forking out too much on a preamp incase I don't hear a difference.

Thanks for the welcomeHa! He's a legend round these parts.

Yes, it's a minefield where phonostages are concerned. My advice is to listen to as many as you can before making any long term decisions.

Get yourself out and about, visiting the fraternity here and listen to what is available. I've got a DIY Valve phonostage here, Alan has Solid-state and Valve and the. There's LCRs by Valab and the like. There's a few of us in the West Midlands area so we have most bases covered between us. We may also do a Bakeoff or Meetup in the summer but I'm waiting for someone else to organise that this year [emoji23]

Its a great adventure and I recommend taking your time and getting as much listening done as possible.

[MrB71]

That's great advice, thanks.

All kind of new to me to be honest as I've never been involved in a forum community before and all my friends have zero interest in music.

Would you say good phono stages make a big difference even with low budget gear as my own Oliver?

[Crackles]

Thanks for replying.....

Yes, funny what age brings with it isn't it.

I'm currently loving the new Blue Note Tone Poet series.Will have a listen out for that, cheers.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Bigman80]

That's great advice, thanks.

All kind of new to me to be honest as I've never been involved in a forum community before and all my friends have zero interest in music.

Would you say good phono stages make a big difference even with low budget gear as my own Oliver?I think that when you start on the upgrade path, it's a never ending pursuit of getting that "last 10%" out of every piece in the system.

If you're happy with the sound you have, don't start the chase!!!!

Honest, I went as far as designing (with help) my own phonostage so I could get *exactly* what I wanted from vinyl. Its a long, expensive journey.

Trouble is, once you hear that improvement, you cannot go back. So think carefully about listening to ANYONE'S system lol

[MrB71]

I think that when you start on the upgrade path, it's a never ending pursuit of getting that "last 10%" out of every piece in the system.

If you're happy with the sound you have, don't start the chase!!!!

Honest, I went as far as designing (with help) my own phonostage so I could get *exactly* what I wanted from vinyl. Its a long, expensive journey.

Trouble is, once you hear that improvement, you cannot go back. So think carefully about listening to ANYONE'S system lol

Yes, I believe you on the upgrade advice.

Thing is though, if it keeps us happy that's all that matters.

[southall-1998_mk2]

Howdy! Welcome to AOS.

Have fun.

S.

[Firebottle]

Hi Wayne, a big welcome to the best forum.
I am also in Tipton so you really need to get around here for some quality sound and unbiased advice.

I will send a PM with my contact details.

[MrB71]

Howdy!

Thanks for the welcome

[MrB71]

A fellow Tiptonite... Now I feel very welcome.

Cheers

[crimsondonkey]

Welcome Wayne, from another Wayne. I’m just down the road a bit near Worcester.

I can highly recommend Alan F from the work he’s done on my Pioneer amps and Technics R2R.

I’ll confess I’m 48 too and used to enjoy electro hip hop in my yoof and now finding some selective jazz is becoming more appealing with age!

[MrB71]

Welcome Wayne, from another Wayne. I’m just down the road a bit near Worcester.

I can highly recommend Alan F from the work he’s done on my Pioneer amps and Technics R2R.

I’ll confess I’m 48 too and used to enjoy electro hip hop in my yoof and now finding some selective jazz is becoming more appealing with age!

Hey Wayne,

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm down near Worcester now and again as the in laws live near Hartlebury by the mitre Oak pub.

Must be a Wayne thing with the electro and Jazz.

Yes, Alan has kindly invited me round his to advise on preamps.

Compared to most people's kit here I do feel a bit overwhelmed with my budget gear but would just like to make the most of it with a nice preamp.

Does Alan do other gear then apart from preamps?

I'm looking to get my Sl1210 serviced soon.

All the best

[crimsondonkey]

Mitre Oak is not far from me, I live close to Hartlebury Common. Lots of great long country dog walks so it’s a perfect spot for me.

No one’s a gear snob and if they are then ignore them - music always comes first in my book.

[Pigmy Pony]

Welcome to AoS Wayne,

You use the word 'aged' an awful lot for a 48 year old, wish I was 48 again! And I would say your system is far from 'budget', but if you're looking to improve things you are within shouting distance of some real enthusiasts.

Take advantage of Alan's invitation, he's helped me before, and him and Shirley are good people :)

[MrB71]

Welcome to AoS Wayne,

You use the word 'aged' an awful lot for a 48 year old, wish I was 48 again! And I would say your system is far from 'budget', but if you're looking to improve things you are within shouting distance of some real enthusiasts.

Take advantage of Alan's invitation, he's helped me before, and him and Shirley are good people :)

Hello there and thanks for the warm welcome.

Your right, just re reading my original post lol....must keep that in check. I certainly feel younger than 48, which is a bonus I suppose.

I actually visited Alan and Shirley last night and was overwhelmed by there hospitality.

Also, seriously bowled over by Alan's system and vast knowledge of Hi-Fi and electronics.

As I was saying to Alan, its so nice talking to like minded people as all my mates couldn't really care less about music. I feel Im definetley the lucky one.

All the best