Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Linn-basik-turntable-/331321451458?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item4d244c23c2

I was watching that. Grrr

Dicki s right, look at decent second hand and budget for a decent needle to start with, learn to set the player up correctly.

If you want new look at richer sounds. There is a place on the A20 just outside lewisham before the Sainsburies called ,bobby vee I think, are really helpful.

With the DAC conversation, how good is the cheap converter?

I've got proper fucking gear-envy going on at the moment. I have always been content with the set up that i have, thinking that i won't ever need anything else, but went to my brother-in-law's joint the other week and his vintage system sounds so fucking good that i need to get rid of the ever faithful a400 and the tannoys and go big and old. ARGH.

what did he have ? lots of valves and speakers the size of wardrobes ?

Speakers the size of wardrobes you say...

bass much ?

I have a pair of close numbered leak stereo 20, also a pair of TL12 valve amps...inherited. Dads friend left them to me under the understanding that they would be used for records and left for a few hours to warm up. Have some beautiful Rodger BBC monitors that sound amazing, and a pair of DIY built transsmission speakers (pro 9tl design, you bought the instructions to build them) that are beautifully made by a mutual friend who was a retired carpenter.

Then I hardly use them as they are at my folks and it takes a while to set up. But then I do once and a while and drink chivas regal. Toasting my friend.

Every day I use a a leak stereo 30 for a rega planner 2 and a to some small ariston monitor that sound lovely in the bedroom. These speakers were a tenner in richer sounds and were bought as a stop gap for a workshop and then another pair bought for the bedroom. While the TV sitting room has a 70's Rotel rx403, european spec so silver instead of black, with a pro ject debut hooked up to it to some gale floorstanders.

I rate the as it just looks good, case made of real wood and the sound is amazing. The amp are cheap to pick up both mine were sub £20 collected of Ebay

Even the insides look lovely to me

Finally 12 yes 12 gain clone chip amps that are in a modified cambridge audio a1 amp case. Sort of, four A1 amps heat sinks, two of the early round power supplies. On the left is the A1 amp look at that lovely power supply and the heat sinks compared to the MK3. The MK1 can burn the TDA1514 chips on one channel and repair is difficult and being cheap amps many were just thrown away and replaced. So were easy to find and making an LM chip amp is quite straight forward with instructions and kit supplies on the net.

Ok you got me, it is one amplifier but with 12 individual amplifiers 2 for each speaker (one for each channel) on a home cinema set up. With either gale or eltax book shelf speakers! Stupid thing is I rarely use the set up and it is easier just to watch it on my laptop.

This makes me sad. Suspect the most fun I had was making it.

So the Cambridgfe Audio Air 200 was suggested to me - whilst I'm still keen to sort out my Hi-fi at my new gaff, I really liked the idea of having a nice wireless option for the living room.

Is there somewhere I can go listen to one or anyone have experience of one?

Cambridge audio is richer sounds brand I think so give them a buzz and see what they can set up in their audio rooms. You may have to go further than central for a shop with a decent sized room.

His speakers aren't huge, but his rare rotel is amazing.

I think my amp just lacks bass. The phono stage isn't great either. I don't know whether to try and upgrade the set up I have or to put it towards a new system.

It is amazing how the budget creep sets in once you start looking. I thought maybe some new speakers and a separate phone stage/ maybe a DAC, then before i know it, I am looking at an 800 quid upgraded vintage amp and some tannoy golds!

older nads for bass < loudness button > < on >

if you can find a 3240 PE i'd recommend it

Older NADs are great. 3150 here, still holding on, balances nicely with the Linn turntable and speakers

Finally got round to putting up a proper shelf this evening, the floors here are so rickety. 18mm pine board. Sound seems good so far!

which linn deck ?

some tannoy golds!

Get them. Sell your bikes. dual concentrics rule!

Axis with Basik Plus arm

What's the platter?

Just the standard one. There's probably all sorts of tasty upgrades I could acquire, but really all I could actually do with is a replacement mat and a record cleaning machine of some sort.

billy vee , lee high road

I hope like the 15 boxes 0f records are out of the picture.

Not quite :( That's about half of it. Most of what I listen to still is digital, I'm going to go mad on the vinyl shopping when I have actual disposable income

Incidentally, I'm looking to pick up a Pro-Ject 1 Expression turntable with the carbon tonearm and an Ortofon cartridge for a friend. Dependent on good condition and the exact cartridge model, does 145 sound like a good deal?

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Useful. Thanks.