Hello to all, I am a hifi addict.

[wzevon1951]

Hi there, I will give myself a brief introduction:

I have been collecting Hifi since the early seventies, I still have the first Dual 1219 I bought in 1972! Only really could afford reasonably ordinary hifis until the '90's but then got the collecting bug big time. Particularly vintage English and Japanese stuff. Chartwell loudspeakers- not LS35/a's- and early mechanical Dual decks are a particular interest. I bought my first pair of Chartwell PM400's in the seventies, and have been collecting Chartwell's ever since.
I listen to CD's but high end vintage decks are a preoccupation. I've used my woodworking skills to create new oak plinths for Thorens decks, and have modified a pair of Quad electrostatic loudspeakers (serviced in Huntingdon) so that they can be used in my very cosy workshop.
I also modified a pair of JR149's so that they were held in a plywood press...it had always struck me that their weakness was the wooden circular end caps held together with a tensioned metal brace down the middle.
During lockdown, I embarked on a slightly obsessive production line of SME 3009's (not improved!), including one 3012, that are now partnered with (mainly) the Thorens's in the new plinths, a very satisfying marriage. Oh and I created my first homemade Sondek from Linn parts....the second Sondek will appear over the coming year, God willing. That build started as a casual enquiry to myself about the mystique of the Sondek, vis a vis other suspended chassis turntables..Thorens obviously and my lone Ariston.
I am now in my mid seventies, and am burdened with failing hearing. But the love of the gadgets stays with me. And as someone wrote about McIntosh gear, it always sounds better with a big V/U meter flickering away. I might add a nicely made teak cabinet makes the machinery sound superb.
I have spent the last few years equipping friends and family with retro hi fi outfits, and have responded to domestic pressure (!) to thin out some of the bigger loudspeakers by giving some away. By doing that I think I give away the gift of listening to great music on decent sounding gear.
Sorry this has gone on a bit, perhaps I should try to get out more..

[Macca]

Great introduction, Terry, welcome to the forum.

[Jimbo]

Nice introduction and great to hear a quick tour of your equipment since 1972!

You had some great stuff and some of it is still highly regarded today.

Welcome

[Barry]

Welcome to AoS Terry.

Sounds like you are about the same age as me. Agree with you about the Quad 57s (I have used a pair for the last 50 years) and Thorens decks. However I dislike VU meters on amplifiers (they are distracting and serve no purpose at all), and having lived with a Linn Sondek LP12 for a year, could never see what the fuss was about. We also have a shared interest in SME arms.

You have told us about the equipment you use , but what are your tastes in music?

Welcome again
Barry

[Wakefield Turntables]

Welcome Terry, I hope you find this place welcoming and you make many friends!

[wzevon1951]

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

Faded hippy here, Im afraid. Born in '51 i could be a hippy and then a punk. Mainly I listen to classical music, first love. But serious rock music too, Joni, Neil, the usual guys. Richard Thompson, Nick Cave, Ryan Adams, Shostakovitch. I'm very happy to have finally enrolled with the Art of Sound. I think being a hifi person makes you a bit introspective, as I say I should get out more. But I look forward to productive and good natured exchanges under this banner.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hi Terry,

Fellow classical music fan here altough not really sure I know that much about it! I mainly just buy 2nd hand LP's as they are cheap, plentiful and can always be re-donated at the charity shops. I'm always on the look out for DECCA's especially cheapy SXL's!

[Barry]

Delighted to have another lover of Classical music here, sadly we're a bit thin on the ground at the moment, so we would love to hear what you are listening to and what you might recommend.

Regarding the other artists you mention, no complaints there; pleased to see someone else who likes Ryan Adams.

[Puffin]

Welcome Terry. So which iof the big speakers do you still have and are using with your kit?

[Alex_UK]

Welcome from me too, Terry, hope you enjoy the forum.