Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Google the model and check you are using the right tracking weight (vtf).

Give the stylus a clean (carefully!).

If it still sounds bad, replacement styli seem to be available for these cart.

what arm are you loading it onto?

So I upgraded my turntable (and hopefully @BRM is enjoying the old one) I've gone for a Garrard 401. It's an early one/low serial number that was serviced by Loricraft a few years ago and runs like a rock. RB250 arm and ortofon mc15 cart. The granite plinth weighs a tonne. Very pleased so far.

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Idler drive FTW!
Love my replinthed Lenco :)

it is a beast, a beautiful beast...

I spent many months looking for a nice one with a known history that wasn't crazy money. most of the ones on ebay etc you have no idea if you are going to get it home only to find a expensive servicing is needed.

So, I bought a won Boston Acoustics SoundWare XS Digital Cinema Subwoofer which has bluetooth streaming and optical digital audio, analogue stereo and 3.5mm minijack inputs, the latter allowing you to connect MP3 players and other portable devices. It looked like it was in amazing condition too.

I won it for a cracking £40 which compared to others on the fleabay is a good score i think. I have other BA equipment and have always been happy.

I then get a non working item. he wants me to return, saying if he can get it working will return it, else (most likely) will refund me. I said i was annoyed as i won what was advertised as working which he says is a mistake.

Without sounding sceptical, why do i feel like I'm being conned?

How expensive would it be for me to have a someone try get it working?

What's wrong with it? Have you tried all the obvious stuff with fuses/etc? If you have a friend handy with a multimeter it would be worth letting them look at it, otherwise I reckon you might well pay at least the same again in benchfees, only to be told that a DSP is fried and there's nothing they can do.

All I have is that its dead.

Sounds like i will have to take this knock on the chin.

MEH...

Distance selling regulations, if it's within 14 days he has to let you return it for a refund.

I get that...

What annoys me is that I suspect he didnt want to give it to me at £40 so sent me a dud forcing the refund at best for me. A minor loss so he can sell the one in the picture for mass loads

Someone down my way is selling a pair of Cobalt 815 speakers (and a JVC stereo receiver) for £50. I probably don't have space for them. Should I try to make space?

Anyone know of any active speakers or small/inexpensive amps that will auto-power on when they receive a digital signal?

For that money, YES.
Provided the speaker foams aren't completely rotted
Speakers look great (never heard them)

Assuming they are JMLab Cobalt 815's then hell yes - ridiculously cheap.
They were nearly $2000 new.

Yes, that's what they are. I have expressed a willingness to buy them and shall await a reply.

Hey everyone. My mate has an amazing CD collection, and I've been hassling him for years as he plays them on his PS3 through the speakers in his TV. And suggestions on a setup that'll:

a) Sound better than a TV
b) Can play CDs
c) Can connect to a phone if needed
d) Can plug into the TV*
e) Costs £250-300.

*only preferrential, not necessary.

Cheers. If anyone has a system they want to flog that fits the bill too, let me know.

PS3 -> integrated amp -> speakers.

You can also plug the TV into the amp. You can use a headphone jack -> phono lead to plug a phone in, if that's how you mean "connect to a phone".

Many, many things in the amp / speakers area but a quick look at Richer will get you:

amp:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/amplifiers-receivers/cambridge-audio/topaz-am5/camb-topaz-am5-blk

speakers:
http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/mordaunt-short/m20/mord-short-m20-blk

And cash left over.

Boom. Perfect. Cheers mate. I'll pass that on.

Just realised that there is a minor complication as the PS3 apparently doesn't have a dedicated audio out - seems like there is a work around though:

https://rocksmith.ubisoft.com/rocksmith/en-us/setup/

Does the TV need to be turned on to see what you're doing with regards to playing music on ps3 anyway? If so, ps3 - hdmi - TV - audio out from TV to amp - speakers. Would that work?

@photoben if your mate is happy with TV sound he's probably not keen on complicated setups. Maybe suggest a sound bar or TV sound Base... Should plug into TV and provide much better sound from all sources. Cambridge audio have a good one called TV2 soundbase or a similar thing from yamaha. They are under £200 and work well in a smaller room. Check out richer sounds

Chromecast Audio's are at £15 again at Currys.

I have accidentally let my wife into talking me into buying a desk made of metal. I assumed it would be decoratice brass cladding on a wooden frame but when it arrived it was manufactured entirely of folded mild steel with brass paint on the drawers. Opening a drawer clangs and bangs like an empty oil drum hit with a piece of 2x4 and putting a running laptop on it set sthe whole thing humming. This is the desk on which I need to perch a 27" imac and my Adam A5X monitors. Isolation is going to be a problem.

Are floor standing speaker stands out of the question?

I'm trying to imagine the desk - could you add mass under the top? Otherwise some kind of ugly rubber matting might be the only option!