I've definitely got one this time and wish I didn't bother

[Haselsh1]

Shaun, what's behind that statement? Not happy with digital photography? (asks he who is a die-hard film user )

Check out any exhibitions that may be in your country as I have in mine. The quality of film based photography is just so stunning compared to digital. If the exhibition contains both film and digital side by side it is just so obvious which is which. In film photography I love the fact that there are so many films to choose from (black and white of course) with so many different qualities held within each film. On top of that you can then mess around with development to get an even broader set of qualities. My favourite was always Ilford FP4+ developed in Tetenal Neofin Blue on 120 roll film. After this of course you then have a wide choice of papers on which to print and even though the powers that be have effectively ruined printing papers by forcing the removal of heavy metals like cadmium, there are still some fine papers out there.

Lets check out digital shall we..?

Well, effectively you have what the CCD gives you. Yes you can manipulate with software but all that gives you is what the software programmer put into it and you'll always get those people who say that "If I want grain I just add it in Photoshop". Sorry but that is simply not grain. That is a very poor imitation of the real thing. When it comes to printing there are indeed some stunning cotton fibre papers out there on which to present your images but sadly these images have almost zero depth to them in a way that a silver halide print excels. Yes OK, if you want your images to look more like a graphic representation then fine, you'll be happy with that but if you are only interested in quality fine art you're not going to beat a silver halide print.

I guess in a way it depends on whether you are involved in photography because it is convenient or whether you are interested in photography because it is art.

Sorry to bust in on this thread. Just answering a question with a personal view.

[Haselsh1]

Charging a customer to cover retailer's fees is not allowed but unfortunately, the retailer still pays the card processing company a fee. As I said above, I pay 3% for each and every transaction, not sure what I pay for debit cards but it isn't a "pittance".

When I had my business I paid 2% through HSBC. I thought that was a bloody good deal.

[hifi_dave]

Like everything else, prices have gone up. I think all processing companies charge very similar fees.

[GrahamS]

Didn't realise the deck in question has an inbuilt phono stage. I bet that is pretty grim. Can it be bypassed as the one in the Pioneer amp will be loads better, I'd bet any money.

Is it possible that the output from the deck's phono stage is being fed to the amp's phono stage, resulting in double equalisation?

[montesquieu]

. 3 Cheers to that Sir !

Is it possible that the output from the deck's phono stage is being fed to the amp's phono stage, resulting in double equalisation?

That would me more than just equalisation it would likely overload the phono stage on the amp.

[Stryder5]

Is it possible that the output from the deck's phono stage is being fed to the amp's phono stage, resulting in double equalisation?

I didn't think the deck had a built in phono stage? Just phono plugs for connecting to amp?

Gary

[Jason P]

Update

Having tried a very eclectic variety of records (which are in far better condition than expected having spent many years in the loft) I am much happier with the sound, I'm actually quite liking it in fact, I can't put my finger on it but although overall SQ may not be technically as good as CD there's a naturalness (is that a word?) about it.
Happy bunny now

Glad this is the case Gaz, and Rumours is a funny old one. I've three different pressings that all sound uniquely underwhelming. Considering it's a classic from the golden age of LPs, all the pressings I've heard, apart from certain audiophile re-issues, have sounded recessed, flat and a bit 'meh'. Fast forward to 'Mirage' and you end up with brightness and sibilance (with the 'wrong' cart) that can strip paint off walls.

So much is down to the pressing.

[RobbieGong]

Glad this is the case Gaz, and Rumours is a funny old one. I've three different pressings that all sound uniquely underwhelming. Considering it's a classic from the golden age of LPs, all the pressings I've heard, apart from certain audiophile re-issues, have sounded recessed, flat and a bit 'meh'. Fast forward to 'Mirage' and you end up with brightness and sibilance (with the 'wrong' cart) that can strip paint off walls.

So much is down to the pressing.

Good point Jason.

The fact that we are playing, listening too, amplifying and hearing recorded music is so often forgotten.

We build these great high end systems to do what they should proeperly and in true audiophile / hifi sense, and by the nature of the beast, means they reveal and present what has been recorded, it's that simple.

Music that has been recorded well will sound as such, on the same hand if the recording has flaws those will be revealed too - Thats true hi-fi in my book.

Problem is some of us want our cake but dont like what's in it and then go round in circles trying to have a system that plays everything sounding completely fab.....

[Mikeandvan]

Glad this is the case Gaz, and Rumours is a funny old one. I've three different pressings that all sound uniquely underwhelming. Considering it's a classic from the golden age of LPs, all the pressings I've heard, apart from certain audiophile re-issues, have sounded recessed, flat and a bit 'meh'. Fast forward to 'Mirage' and you end up with brightness and sibilance (with the 'wrong' cart) that can strip paint off walls.

So much is down to the pressing.

I love playing Rumours on vinyl, one of my fave vinyl spins. Really clear and crisp, I have an original copy.

[Marco]

I pay near enough everything with my debit card.

Bought two light bulbs and a pack of dog treats on Saturday for around four quid and paid via card. That's what it's for!

I seldom use cash, thirty quid lasts me a month. It may be different elsewhere, but I never get refused or charged extra for card payments.

Same here, although I also use cash, but have never been told there was an extra charge for cards, especially these days with 'contactless' payments. The shop Macca was in needs to get with the times!

Marco.