The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

Some pics of my main system, which I haven't posted any of in a long time. Not the best light conditions unfortunately today, in what is a darkish room normally anyway. I haven't been using this system for nearly two years (mainly due to just being involved with other things), but have recently kicked it into life, so thought I post a few pics!

Ok, first up....

Heavily modified Croft Charisma-X preamp (lid off, as it's always being tweaked:D):

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/lg59RX.jpg

Paul Hynes MC head amp is above, all on Mana Acoustics supports.

Some rare NOS 6SL7/VT229 valves, including at the forefront, 1940s military-spec black base RCAs, as used in my phono stage, in professionally tested, closely-matched pairs:

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Mad, hardwired and dedicated, 'Marco Mains' in individual junction boxes (fed from the CU with 16mm armoured cable, outputting massively over-specced heavy-duty mains leads), plus unfused Schukos, with Tube Distinctions noise filter for digital components in the foreground, and MCRU 'Ultimate' mains leads fitted with Furutech FI-1363 rhodium plugs:

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Vintage Sony DAS-R1 DAC, Sony's flagship model from 1987), using the fabled double-crown TDA 1541 multibit chips, heavily modified by Audiocom International, and weighing in at 30kg:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/M9QmJ4.jpg

No other DAC I've heard to date does digital *so right*, and possesses its bass authority or highly addictive 'analog' sound...

Koss PRO-4AA headphones (an updated version of the original classics), which sound fab, but weigh a bloody ton! As used by Radio 1 DJs during the 1970s:D:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/HAifVX.jpg

And my heavily modified Technics SL-1210MK5G - mods and partnering components listed as follows:

Mike New ETP platter and high-precision bearing/base plate, plus Paul Hynes internal regulator modules. Yannis Tome Gaia 423.5 Phono-Litz tonearm cables, Nagaoka GL-602 glass mat, Bruil record weight, Ortofon RS-212D tonearm/Magna Audio custom-made ebony armboard. Arm currently fitted with a NOS (ex-BBC stock) Shure SC35C broadcast cartridge, produced in Evanston USA (not the inferior 'made in Mexico' version) fitted with an original NOS Shure Dynetic Stylus (imported from the US), installed in a high-mass Audio-Technica AT TI-15 50th Anniversary solid-titanium headshell, fitted with Quad Hybrid leadwire and a Mpingo wood cartridge isolator. The T/T has Isonoe feet with Technoboots, and is supported on a Hi-Fi Racks wall shelf:

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You can see how clean I keep my records, baring in mind that's a 12" single of '19', by Paul Hardcastle, I've had since it was bought new in 1985!:eyebrows:

Close up of arm and cartridge (I have many others, including a DL-103, but this one is a hoot to listen to with 'radio friendly' pop music, which is underpinned with rock-solid weight and authority, coupled with consummate assuredness, detail and clarity, tracking at 4.5g, and also stupidly good for the money with all other types of music:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/OI4Pcb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/SU6xr0.jpg

And its massively over-engineered, and extremely effective Paul Hynes SR7-EHD power supply (with DC7FS annealed fine-silver DC lead):

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/F3O5VP.jpg

Under the hood:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/e9ZfnJ.jpg

Lockwood Major speakers, circa 1967, as used in various recording studios of the day, fitted with Tannoy 15" Monitor Golds:

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A Locky with its 'dress off', along with some of my physical music collection:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/hi24s2.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/HmIBQT.jpg

All sounding superb, having been 'woken up' after 2 years of non-use... And after hearing it again, I intend to start using it more!

I'll post pics of my copper valve amp, once I've cleaned all the dust off it, lol! :cool:

Marco.

Nice one Marco, some quality kit there.

I remember your copper amp and its a beaut.

Good to see you back on things hifi .... :D

Cheers, mate, and I'm loving it... It was just a matter of getting my head 'back in the zone'!:D

Are you using an SP10 now? Thought I seen summat about that...

The copper amp is arguably my favourite component and something I would never, ever sell, unless back again to Anthony!

Marco.

Very impressive Marco, with a decent amount of music to play with and I noted the Audio Origami sticker on the turntable.

Cheers, mate. Only as a nod to Johnny, as he and I go back a long way. He's a top bloke and someone who fundamentally understands turntables inside out!:)

I believe he's working in Loud & Clear now? I also know Alan Boyd, the owner there, quite well. It's a proper hi-fi shop, run by knowledgeable and professional staff:cool:

Marco.

About bloody time, it's been nearly 3 years, we started ripping your Kitchen out November 2017!!

Glad you're firing it up again, I'll have to pop round for a sesh, it might light a fire under my arse.

Hope you're both good.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Cheers, mate. Only as a nod to Johnny, as he and I go back a long way. He's a top bloke and someone who fundamentally understands turntables inside out!:)

I believe he's working in Loud & Clear now? I also know Alan Boyd, the owner there, quite well. It's a proper hi-fi shop, run by knowledgeable and professional staff:cool:

Marco.

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I first met Johnny in the mid 80’s when he had his own hi fi store, I bought some stuff from him when I came back to Scotland, these days he mainly works from home, which is interesting if you ever visit, plus he does all the turntable set ups for loud and clear.

Good to see you've still got it. I heard you sold it all and bought a boat :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Macca

Good to see you've still got it. I heard you sold it all and bought a boat :D

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There's a Seaman pun there somewhere, but I'm too distracted eating my dinner to find it.

Looks great .... not quite finished my Berkeleys yet but already the GAS is tugging at me with your Lockwoods .... hoping one day when CV19 is behind us i might get an invite to visit and hear as well as see your gear in action ...