The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[Marco]

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):



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:



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:



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:



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:



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:





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!

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:



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



Under the hood:



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





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



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!

Marco.

[RobbieGong]

Nice one Marco, some quality kit there.

I remember your copper amp and its a beaut.

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

[Marco]

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

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.

[Marco]

Yo Robbie,

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

Marco.

[RobbieGong]

Yo Robbie,







Marco.

Sorry Marcy boy, been up to mi pretty little neck in work - soz man.

Yeah, SP10, serviced and fine tuned by Angus,

It's a lovely thing. Doesn't have a sound if i am totally honest which is how it should be.

What you get is the perfect platform for which to showcase your cart/system, so neutrality in itself and of course that thing that really matters to you and I which is pin point timing - The music drives along with such great rhythm, pace and timing.

When I have nailed the cart/set up sweet-spot, I can only describe it is as the sheer delight of '*accurate' vinyl replay. *accurate as in the only true sense we can evaluate/determine which is when you here the individuality of each track, album, recording.... when your system resolves what is being played, properly...

That's probably the best way I can put it

[Marco]

Nice one. Yeah, I know *exactly* what you mean, as it's fundamentally how any well-sorted direct-drive T/T reproduces music!

So how would you say your SP10 (which arm and cartridge do you have on it, and also plinth?) compares in that respect, and musically overall, with your heavily-modded Techy, which I think was pretty much identical to mine, certainly in terms of the MN bearing/base plate, ETP platter and all the Paul Hynes stuff?

We'll need to have a little shoot-out/bake-off when this Covid shite is over!

Marco.

[rmcin626]

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

[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

Marco.

[rmcin626]

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

Marco.

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.

[Marco]

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.

Nice one. I've been to Johnny's place a few times, climbing up that ladder to the 'treasure trove' in his loft!

I believe that things have changed somewhat now though! He's certainly one of the industry's good guys

Marco.