Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

The beauty of using an AV amp is you can have half a dozen different HDMIs going into it (virgin box, console, chromecast, PC, etc) and then only one wire coming out of it to go into the TV as it handles all the switching of sources. Makes it much neater than a shit load of stuff plugged into the TV.

Obviously you then need wires to your speakers, not necessarily that big an issue if you're redecorating (all my speaker wires run under the skirting board and just pop out behind the speaker stands.

The difficult one can be the centre speaker (which is probably the most important for dialogue) which ideally should be above/below your tv.

They are generally pretty big though. There's a very limited number of smaller ones but you pay for it. Sticking it in a cupboard is the best bet

Cheers for the reply... off the top of my head... I dont expect to have many inputs into the TV. Arial and Apple TV only I think, although what you describe sounds quite good and means I would have expandability. I slightly worry an AV amp will add one too many remote controls for Mrs 116, but thats a different problem. I plan on building a custom cupboard to hide as much as possible.

Any recommendations for set ups? I dont know where to start...

edit: im really into these actually... https://www.richersounds.com/hi-fi/in-wall-ceiling-speakers/kef-ci160qr.html but how many would I need?

Logitech Harmony remote is definitely the solution to too many remote controls. They're not that cheap (although up for sale pretty often) but really simplify controlling everything.

Like everything, it depends how much you want to spend and the physical limits (speaker size/location, cabling, etc) and what you require (number of inputs, what your source is, etc)

I'd imagine those in-ceiling speakers are only for the Atmos part of a surround sound setup, not the main speakers.

I have a C J Walker CJ55 suspended chassis deck with Linn LVX arm and Entré 1 MC cartridge, which is quite a rarity. With a Project phono box, 300 potatoes. Probs a bit steep for you but a nice deck

Apparently there's some Samsung sound bars that are exceptional for their ability to do movies/ vocals and a decent music performance too. Some super trickery in them makes a sub redundant.

Any recommendations for set ups? I dont know where to start...

There is no simple answer. Get yourself over to avforums.com and do some reading. Dolby Atmos guide, for example:

https://www.avforums.com/article/a-guide-to-dolby-atmos-home-cinema-surround-sound.10476

Cheers! Will get reading...

@TRA A Samsung sound bar would match my TV which would be good, any idea what models? Will also do some googling. Although I prefer the Sonos aesthetic.

https://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/samsung-hw-ms650-soundbar

I've read a few similar reviews.... A lot of marketing fluff but could be a good option. I'm yet to hear one is isolation from a loud shop environment but the one box prospect is very appealing. Probably all you need for a small flat.

What's the going rate for an SL1200 mk2? I'm looking to get a second one (first was a gift) but don't want to overpay.

Varies quite a bit based on condition. £300-£400 seems to buy a reasonable looking one but you have to bear in mind they are almost all in need of some tlc. Worst thing that could happen is some twat has played with the arm bearings, otherwise it's main bearing oil, resetting pitch sliders, new led light bulbs, cartridge connector screw tightened, cosmetic damage, missing lids etc. Luckily most of the parts are easily available these days.

Personally I have the Mk3D with the pitch reset button, it just works better for me but some people miss the centre detent on the pitch slider.

Thanks. I'm looking at one locally that's around that price range, claiming a recent service but I wouldn't really know how to verify it.

Anyone got SUTs? I want to test the phono stage of the Pioneers with my Hana SL

Back again with my low end chat (sorry). Mission LX-1s, worth £69?

If possible, plug it in and get it playing. Use your own cartridge and records so you know what it should sound like (no warbles or warps unless in original track) and check the arm tracks properly throughout the possible range (one of mine can float a bit with 7s but is fine with 12s). Play with it a bit too if you're going to be mixing/scratching/etc - they're pretty robust but a bent tone arm isn't always obvious until you've seen how it tracks under manipulation.

It's very likely fine. They are pretty bombproof. There's a difference between a working deck and a properly set up one but most problems can be solved for reasonable money. If you're the kind of person who needs things to be 'perfect' then the new SL GR is £1100 so that's a consideration if budget allows. Otherwise it's a lot of quality for little money in record deck terms.

How long can you wait? I will have some LX-2's for sale soon at around that price. Maybe a teeny bit more.

Edit. £75 and they're yours. Will probably not be getting rid of them until the first week of October though. Will also have a lovely little, Cambridge Audio Minx Xi to part ways with at the same time.

Anyone here into building speakers? Looking to customize/rebuild a pair of vintage speakers with new drivers, crossover and all that. Will be modding the cabinet/box slightly too.

1 Attachment

/me raises hand

In the midst of building a pair of Das Viech horns this week. Going to be part of - hopefully - a mobile/house party DJ system with the Technics that @Airhead and @Dramatic_Hammer have been advising me on.

Nice, what drivers are you using.

Also on the DIY speaker thing here.

Fostex fe167 in mass loaded transmission line enclosures.

Always fancied trying some (back loaded) horns

Is there not a PA system thread, I'd be into that. Just picked up an A&H SQ5 for my studio and PA stuff. Used it once in anger a couple of weeks ago, had a great time with it hooked up to my PA system. I keep thinking about building some decent size subs but everything ends up in the 40kilo weight range and there's the room in the van to consider too. The Das Veich look neat, what kind of SPL do you expect them to deliver.

I don't use the decks for gigs, too much fuss keeping everything setup just right and looking after the vinyl. Sad to say I just run traktor or recently iDJpro with needledrops, it's good enough for most PA system resolution though.

Just the standard Beyma 8AG/N from the original design.

I have some Mark Audio Alpair 10.3M's in a Pensil 10 cabinet, they sound incredible. But they're a little bit too expensive to cart around.

From the designer:

The sensitivity of the speaker is 96 dB/W/m and the RMS power rating is 35W, so the SPLmax is near 120 dB. Thats the reason for nicknaming this horn "das Viech", which means something like "the animal".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZW5Q8l7Jw0

As you might be able to tell, they won't do much in the low end if they're outside, but for a house party I'm sure they'd be plenty.

Will probably be powering them with a TPA3116D2 and a 65W laptop charger.

I have a DDJ-SR with Serato as well, probably easier to bring around.

I just felt like posting an update of my ‘streaming’ project.
I have finally found a solution that I’m happy with.
It allow me to play a record in the living room and listen to it in the kitchen. Analogue and lagless!
Cost around 40 pounds, not factoring in old inherited kitchen speakers.
Added benefits are bluetooth receiver in the kitchen and a disco rave in the cabinet.

FM radio is the future!

Before you ask: I do plan to hide the cable and mount the speakers on the walls.

4 Attachments

Thanks for the advice and help people.

Tannoy Dorset t185 from 1980 paired with an Arcam A85 from early 21st century. Might get the power amp to go with it.

Sounded OK to begin but after the amp had been on quite a while it really warmed up.

I need some new cables and that Bluetooth dingle, but being able to control spotify across devices I'm using the laptop.

Giving me the listening experience I've been craving.

1 Attachment

Good job.