Gromit's music centre...

[Prince of Darkness]

I can't comment on what you've said because that is the first I've heard of it unless this is some confusion around the early WAD KeL84's that I think used torroidal O/P Tx's.

Definitely not the KEL84's, these were EI from the start. WAD did use torroidal PSU and O/P transformers for one of their earlier budget amps, not sure which one (may have been KEL34), but as you say they later changed to EI's for the O/P's. Interestingly, WAD continued to use torroids for PSU transformers on several other power amps.
Certainly all the views I have read seem to rate the WD transformers as better than WAD.

[Gromit]

Oi, Richard, I asked you a question earlier about belt-drives vs. direct-drives! When you've got a moment, like

Marco.

Difficult one this - the DD decks do get so much of the fundamental aspects of music (ie pitch/rhythm) very right, and for the money the sound quality available is a genuine shock. Of course with the upgrade-ability of the 1210 in particular it can make a for a formidable front end, at what is a bargain price.

Am I enjoying my records more than I ever have? Is the music speaking to me as well as it ever has? This is where things aren't necessarily so clear-cut...

The one thing I look out for with a hifi system is its ability to communicate - can I catch the phrashing/intentions of the performer for example? The almost miniscule dynamic separations which comprise the musical phrase - the build and release of tension (I could go on for hours but will spare folk the boredom!) etc etc. This is where the NAS always scored for me - and to some extent it's still the best turntable I've had at home, or heard for any real length of time over an hour or 2. Where it tended to fall down vs the DD decks is in portrayal of transient dynamics - of course one could blame the arm/cartridge/mounting set-up etc but I feel that, fundamentally, a turntable's character is a major influence on the final result and doesn't tend to change drastically. It just gets diluted or concentrated depending on its ancillaries.

The bottom line is, and I believe quite firmly in this, that a good turntable is a good turntable, and a bad one a bad etc.

[Marco]

Interesting, Richard, and I agree with much of what you say.

However, if the Spacedeck is as good as you say then why has the P-71 been your turntable of choice for quite some time now? If you missed the Spacedeck enough you'd be using it - it's as simple as that, mate

I would contend that the 'best' turntable (when one has a selection to use) is that which one chooses to listen to music on the most - that's the acid test... You're hardly going to (long term) deprive yourself of that pleasure, are you?

The fact that the Spacedeck remains unplugged and the PL-71 is spinning tunes I suspect tells us all we need to know. You're enjoying music more on it, pure and simple.

If I see future pictures of 'Gromit's music centre' with the Spacedeck regularly taking pride of place instead of the P-71 then I'll hold my hands up and say I was wrong!

Marco.

[Gromit]

The NAS isn't being used because it's been sold - needed to free up the cash otherwise I'd still have it. I'll have to blame spending money on the new house for that.

[Marco]

Ah, it's a goner. I didn't know that. That's even more conclusive then, mate.

Money spent on houses is always worthwhile though in my experience. I hope things are moving along nicely for you

Marco.

[Gromit]

Ah, it's a goner. I didn't know that. That's even more conclusive then, mate.

Money spent on houses is always worthwhile though in my experience. I hope things are moving along nicely for you

Marco.

Thanks Marco - here's hoping.

We can't move in for quite some time but this is going to be our family home up near Cambridge once I finish working in London.

I'm thinking of doing a deal on my mate's WAD, just to have something to swap around every so often. The NVA pre works so well with it that I'm inclined to go for it.

[jandl100]

Jerry has my WAD 300b PP at the moment.Not a current kit,but if he would care to post his impressions it may give you an idea of what to expect from WD,given it's the first kit he's heard.

Hi Ali

Sorry, not been following this thread for a while. Big mistake! - some interesting stuff here.

To be perfectly honest, the hum and buzz that were coming from your WAD 300B amp were just too much to hear the music through - the S/N wasn't at all alarge number, so I really can't make any fair and sensible comment about sound quality. Shame the new 300Bs didn't turn up before I returned the amp, that might have sorted it.

[Ali Tait]

Still trying to get them Have mailed seller to see if he can sort it out.

[Gromit]

The P90sa pre has now arrived...so of course there's the obligatory pic. I call this one 'Black Magic'....



Looks better without the CD player mucking up the rack aswell.

The P90's s/a pots need running in (I found the 50sa took a week or 2 to really come on song) but already the increase in clarity and information is acutely apparent.

[Marco]

Yeah, Richard, who needs that digital crap getting in the way...

Looking good, mate. Your thoughts on the new preamp in detail would be appreciated when you get a proper handle on what it's doing.

Btw, are you going to RD's D/D bake-off? It's a shame that a fully fettled KAB 1210 won't be there to represent the Techy at its best.

Marco.