Macca's Lash Up 2: Lash Harder

[Marco]

What do you think of the Thoeress stuff? If it sounded amazing, it's the only thing I'd swap my Croft and Copper amp for!

Marco.

[Macca]

What do you think of the Thoeress stuff? If it sounded amazing, it's the only thing I'd swap my Croft and Copper amp for!

Marco.

Not that keen on how they look. The pre amp is okay but that power amp - just no!

I think that is where we differ. If we're talking 'retro' I like the 1970s sci-fi look not the 1950s sci-fi look, if that makes sense?

[Barry]

Overall I like the appearence, but don't like the plastic knobs. When Japanese gear appeared in the UK in the mid '60s, I was impressed with the 'turned-from-solid' metal knobs; compared to the 'toothpaste' cap knobs of most UK gear at the time. This phonostage looks a bit better IMO:



or this:





I do like the look of the TdP preamp - save the use of italic script lettering. I hate italic lettering on any audio gear, regardles of its sound quality.



If you like the TdP preamp Marco, what do you think of the EMT JPA66 preamp (in hammer finish grey of course)? Maybe a bit too industrial looking.

[Macca]

That's more like it Barry. I agree about the plastic knobs on the Thoeresse - first thing I noticed. Cheapens the whole look.

[Marco]

Not that keen on how they look. The pre amp is okay but that power amp - just no!

I think that is where we differ. If we're talking 'retro' I like the 1970s sci-fi look not the 1950s sci-fi look, if that makes sense?

Lol, totally! For me though, the 1950s 'science-lab' look, for gear, is much more interesting and 'proper', as that's largely when the best equipment was made!

However, we broadly have similar tastes, In that respect, you could cite any number of 1970s versions of what we're discussing, and I would like them - I just don't 'do' bling (or indeed) gold of ANY description on audio equipment...

I especially hate it on turntables (gold tonearms, platters, weights, etc), as for me it's too 'showy', crass and smacks of the rather vulgar nouveau riche.. It's like guys with 'mahogany tans' who adorn themselves in gold jewellery, such as chains, blingy gold watches and sovereign rings, have a questionable taste in tailoring and stink of Old Spice, who probably also like bling-fi!

Yes... Otherwise known as 'Key-janglers'

Marco.

[Macca]

Another thing is equipment having names instead of alpha-numeric designations. I've got a house full of equipment here and I don't have anything that has a name.

If an audio product has a name instead of a designation that rings alarm bells with me right away. Doesn't automatically mean it will be crap but there's more chance of it being crap.

[Marco]

Overall I like the appearence, but don't like the plastic knobs. When Japanese gear appeared in the UK in the mid '60s, I was impressed with the 'turned-from-solid' metal knobs; compared to the 'toothpaste' cap knobs of most UK gear at the time. This phonostage looks a bit better IMO:

Yes, totally take your point about the plastic knobs. Although I find them charming, in their own way, I'd much prefer them to be beautifully milled solid billets of aluminium, or some such, which delivered the 'knob feel' of, say, a Copland. However, that aside, I love their 'purposeful' look and eschewing of vacuous fashion trends or 'WAF factor'!

If you like the TdP preamp Marco, what do you think of the EMT JPA66 preamp (in hammer finish grey of course)? Maybe a bit too industrial looking.

No, not at all.. It's awesome,, The EMT is one of my fav bits of kit! And really what I as thinking of when I posted a pic of the E.A.R, although I do also like that. However, I *LOVE* the EMT's 'industrial' look, which is also why a hammered grey Garrard 301, a la BBC, is my favourite vintage turntable!

I'm also attracted to the styling of Nagra gear, as I know you are, and Braun, as I dig it's nod to Bauhaus

Not a fan of the 'Levinson look' though, sorry, although I love vintage Quad!

Marco.

[struth]

Another thing is equipment having names instead of alpha-numeric designations. I've got a house full of equipment here and I don't have anything that has a name.

If an audio product has a name instead of a designation that rings alarm bells with me right away. Doesn't automatically mean it will be crap but there's more chance of it being crap.

cant say i agree, but each to their own. numbers are a bit souless imo, or can be.. as for the plastic on the raven; looks ok to me actually and fits the design

[Barry]

Another thing is equipment having names instead of alpha-numeric designations. I've got a house full of equipment here and I don't have anything that has a name.

If an audio product has a name instead of a designation that rings alarm bells with me right away. Doesn't automatically mean it will be crap but there's more chance of it being crap.

I had to think for a moment there - surely every product has a name; the name of the manufacturer? But of course you meant how you designate a particular model.

Well in the past I once briefly used a Linn 'Asak' cartridge (though it did have a model number: DC2100K, "DC to 100K" ). Most Linn cartridges have 'names', though I await the Linn 'Krap'. Likewise I have tried out a Sumiko 'Bluepoint Stereo' cartridge. And of course all the Koetsu cartridges only have names.

I once had a Decca 'London International', and you are right it was crap: very shoddy construction. But I still have an Infinity 'Black Widow II' arm in my collection; perhaps the Mk. II appellation excuses it?


But the most Zen of items in my system is a buffer amplifier. This has no markings on it whatsoever, not even the connectors are marked: the only way of distinguishing the inputs from the outputs is by the gender of the XLR connectors.

[Macca]

Trying to think if I have ever owned anything with a name and the only one I can come up with is KEF 'Calinda' speakers. Although they were quite good so doesn't help my theory much.