Knowing Andre's views on this from old, which are completely immovable, I think you guys are destined to strongly disagree, so it's probably best just to 'agree to disagree' and move on :)
Marco.
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Knowing Andre's views on this from old, which are completely immovable, I think you guys are destined to strongly disagree, so it's probably best just to 'agree to disagree' and move on :)
Marco.
Typical USA sounding eamples Krell, Wadia..
Well, that'll be nothing that Martin uses then... ;)
Marco.
Not hi-fi any more. It's got to be AV with a brand like Pioneer to impress them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Watch it, I have a nice BMW parked outside :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
However, when I buy a new car with my own hard-earned cash, believe me I test all the brands and buy the one that drives best. I couldn't give a monkeys what the Audi- and Mercedes- owning neighbours (really) think.
Do you have inside information on this? :lol: ;)Quote:
Not hi-fi any more. It's got to be AV with a brand like Pioneer to impress them.
As for the BMW thing, enjoy it mate - I'm sure you've worked hard for it!
I used to lease all sorts of 'executive class' cars through my business when I was hard at it driving hundreds of miles a week all over the country, making my way in life. Buying them outright wasn't a smart move at the time in terms of my self-employed tax status.
These days, I take things much easier (semi-retired to be honest, at 44) and potter around the country lanes in a second-hand Mercedes. It does the job nicely..... :)
Marco.
We have had this blanket condemnation of all things American before. Rather silly really.
No, keep it going - it might kill the prices on ebay, and I can pick up a cheap McIntosh valve amp... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Toy
Well, the opposite must be true then, everything made in Britain is fantastic - the prices on ebay would certainly have you think so! :lol:
I think that perhaps Andre needs to hide his (in some respects unfair) bias against American and Jap gear a little better than he's managing at the moment... ;)
Marco.
OK, lets name some Jap and American hi-fi we actually like. I'll begin:
Accuphase (CD players)
Pioneer (older amps and tuners)
Sony (CD players and tuners)
Technics (turntables)
Marantz (CD players and amps)
Spectral (amplification)
Bel Canto (CD players, DACs, amplifiers)
Hahaha,
My entire system except TT & arm are either Japanese or American / Canadian - Koetsu / Accuphase / ARC / Levinson / Bent Audio / Mirage
So I wonder what Andre's ......... prog - nosis would be on that then?
Nakamichi, Denon, Sony (TVs), Marantz, Bel Canto, Lavry, SlimDevices (bought by Logitech), PS Audio, Audio Technica, Yamaha, Grado, Sherwood Newcastle, Accuphase, AirTight, Wadia, TEAC, Rotel, Luxman, Jolida... the list is too long, really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Toy
Stax (headphone systems)
Magnum Dynalab (tuners)
i have not one piece of japanese or american equipment in my system!
how's that andre :eyebrows::)
A...
Yesh you have, boyo... The transport mechanism in your Eikos CD player was 'stolen' from a Pioneer, and you've got an Audio Technica cartridge fitted to your Rock!! :ner: :ner: :ner:
:lolsign:
Marco.
bugger!!!:doh:
A...
My system's power amp keeps up the British end. Otherwise it's all American/Japanese/Taiwanese.
Special brands for me: Ayre, Pass Labs, PS Audio, Wilson, Pioneer Elite, Teac Esoteric, Luxman, Usher. A tear for Apogee.
Brand suffering the worst downfall in quality: Infinity.
Just worst brand: Bose
Just the headphones, I have 3 US (Portapro+Grado+Shure) and 6 Jap (5 AudioTechnicas and my 30-years-old Yamaha) but only 2 EU (Senns)...
Or people who claim they're unable to pay off loans, whilst wandering around chatting on their brand new iphones.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Everywhere I turn it seems every teenager has one, or am I just getting old? :scratch:
Well, you're not getting young, so you must be getting old.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spur07
O god you lot have a great old time while i've been down at the boozer tasting the good old brew!!
Good thread this Marco. It's digressed a bit, but good thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
I've been off the site for a while due to 'life' getting in the way so i didn't see it when it started.
Re the quote above; I see your point but there are a few caveats in there aren't there? For me, people genuinely into music will have a system other than an ipod/mp3 dock system, but I don't think lot of people are 'genuinely' into music in the way that say us lot on here are. People, ok younger people, nowadays consume music, like it's fast food. It's just there isn't it, wherever you go, blaring distortedly out of mobile phones and shops. There is no emotional connection to it.
I think people need to be more informed about what a system can do for them. When I was younger and started listening to music, I used my Dad's old music centre, one of those single unit things about 2ft wide with a record player, a cassette player and a radio. The key for me though was that I had a cousin a few years older than me and he had a large music collection and he had hifi separates. He had all sorts of gear and this was a huge influence on me. After that, I knew I didn't want a mini system or any kind of all in one unit. The separates just sounded better and, to me, and a lot of boys/men they have that certain electronics lab feel about them. You know, us guys love to unplug things, mess around with wires etc etc, doesn't matter what it looks like!
The thing is, the whole way that music is sold and listened to now has changed. If I was 14 now, I can't be sure that I wouldn't be buying an ipod dock system. Young kids probably have no idea about bit rates and compression when they download their music. They probably take it for what it is; they have nothing to compare it to, unless they have someone to show them that is.
So, what is your idea to show them? :)
I agree Webby, but I'm not sure people are any less passionate about music than the rest of us, it just manifests itself in a different way. I think it represents a cultural shift. Not many of my friends of the younger generations have any concept of a CD as a physical entity - they play music on their computers and MP3 players, and as you say, they take it for what it is. Yet they all religiously attend music festivals, the latest gigs, and many play in their own bands. Some of them are open to new ideas or suggestions for music they might not of heard, and others are perfectly happy with what they've got and seek nothing more. I guess the question of how they listen to their music runs along similar lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by webby
I haven't trawled through all this, but picking up on the earlier posts, an old Rega 2/R200/AT95E or NAD CD player at similar price, NAD 7020 receiver (to keep box numbers down over the identical 3020/4020) and Mission/KEF/B&W/Heybrook speakers (and similar) from the early eighties would make a wonderful cheap setup half the price of a "Zeppelin" and far better sounding. You can still plug an i-pod in via the aux inputs IMO
The Heybrook 'HB-1' on 'HSB-1' Stands were amazing speakers for the low price they were, if i remember both the speakers & Stands reaped every award going back then in the '80's.
I recall them as fuzzy, boxy and closed -in sounding...I wouldn't have had 'em even for free!Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre
You must have the wrang Speeka Martin ;)
Mmmm... Can't say I've ever heard what you describe from HB-1s either, Martin :scratch:
I've always rated (most) Heybrook speakers, along with their superb TT2 turntable, which I'd use anyday before an LP12.
Marco.
P.S Lee and Spursy, I'll come back to you later regarding your earlier observations :)
Hmm - maybe! It was along time ago - and who wants to remember the 'eighties anyway?:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre
Me! It was my favourite era on a number of levels... Remember the TV progs we discussed, for starters! ;)
Marco.
Yes - but all of those were made in the 'sixties and 'seventies and we watched them in the 'seventies, not the '80s...and I know you are a big fan of the '80s synth-pop scene which I hated with a passion!Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
It would be a dull world if we all like the same things eh?
Just looked up the Heybrook HB1 and it is not the one I am thinking of - God knows what model it was - my pal's father was a doctor and had a set up in his study for listening to opera and suchlike- we used to sneak in and play rock n roll when he went out!
Absolutely! :)Quote:
It would be a dull world if we all like the same things eh?
But some of the 80s programmes I liked were actually made in the 80s...
I thought you must've been thinking about another pair of speakers :eyebrows:
Marco.
I wouldn't have said the large number of HB1's I had on dem from different batches sounded like that Macca, although we didn't like the cast-base HBS1 stands. We sold so many that Heybrook made a few batches of the original HBS1's for us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Macca
HB1's could sound ssssssspiteful in the treble (easily seen why on measurement), but they were so forgiving otherwise, that they more than justified the awards they won IMO.
Some of the "decoupled bass-unit" KEF's sounded muffled on percussion though.
These ones pictured below, construction & finish was a bit medicore but you got a lot for your money sound wise..I loved the 'HB-3' Speaker aswellQuote:
Originally Posted by Macca
I always thought Heybrook were pants when JPW took over tho...
:lolsign:Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe
Yes, they were probably the best speaker for the money and size,(although Missions were pretty good).Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre
The speaker cones weren't that robust, either. I remember installing a private swimming pool set-up (powered by Quad 405s) with one in each corner, but had to replace a few in the following year or three. They were played loudly, I believe, on account of the incumbents being totally rat-arsed most of the time.
Great R & R speakers, however.
Didn't know they continued under JPW, though! Their own little speakers punch way above their financial weight, too!
Whenever I see JPW mentioned I have a little chuckle. I'd ordered up four pairs or something of the little one (Sonata ?) and a few days later, this sodd*ng great articulated lorry pulled up outside and the driver came in enquiring if we had a forklift. Cut a long story short, there had been a mix up at the factory and our little order had been turned into a lorry load...:doh:
That one kept us laughing for days.:lolsign:
You should have kept schtum!
Could I have half a ton of speakers, please ? :doh:
From the Grave