Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Have heard good things about these: https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-and-headphones/audio/hifi-systems-and-speakers/turntables/audio-technica-at-lp120xusb-direct-drive-turntable-black-10195358-pdt.html

New setup

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Neat. How you finding the Hypex?

I was worried about them being too clinical but I needn't have. I've upgraded the DAC at the same time so it's difficult to say exactly how much improvement is from the amps alone. Also the new DAC and amp now outclass my speakers (Kef R300s). Otherwise... they're very precise, add a real dimensionality to the sound, grip is really impressive. I'm smiling :)

How are you getting on with yours?

Likewise. It's still operating out of a cardboard box so doesn't look great, but it sounds brilliant. Much bigger soundstage, everything just has more space around it. Handy for measuring different speaker cabinets too - I can rely on it have a ruler straight frequency response. Now I know one Tannoy has a peaky tweeter, next thing on the list to sort out.

It's certainly not a deal breaker for me but I have had one of my hypex repaired/upgraded under warranty by PMC (they did both of course!), so keep hold of your receipts for warranty stuff.

One other thing I've learnt over time is heat can be a bit of a killer over the years. Try not to keep them on all the time. I did that with my early ones but eventually PMC let me know that it can shorten the lifespan, not especially with Hypex but I'm careful about not leaving them on 24/7.

Good to know. I have been leaving my class D stuff on 24/7 as it's such low standby power.

i have just got my pre/power amps back from their maker. new cases/knobs/switches and some supercharging, so it is now putting out it's first 20w in class a and the rest in a/b.

absolutely transformed the amp. the lf extension is incredible. it also doesn't look like a high school electronics project anymore.

i have also been fucking around with the opamps in my dac. that has been a bit of a revelation too.

i can honestly say that i am done for the foreseeable. just need to put the tannoys together and flog them

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The case for my Hypex amp is stuck at Stansted customs :(

^ They look interesting. How did you come to choose them?

Anyone any experience of the Bluesound Powernode 2i? Looks like a nice neat option for amp & DAC plus various streaming options. https://www.bluesound.com/products/powernode/

Any other, preferably cheaper, suggestions with that kind of footprint?

Not sure what they'll be paired with but more likely bookshelf size speakers.

i've had amps designed by him before (by accident). these got raved about when they came out (the power amp anyway) so this prototype pair came up cheap, so i nabbed them.

Audio Pro C10 are decent. I have the earlier non wireless version and it's very good. I didn't like the Bluesound Powernode when I heard them. Music didn't sound right on a few levels to me.

Libratone are also very good.

If you wanted the 96/24 capacity I would say it doesn't mean much with this style of speaker.

Lush.

Rolling opamps is where it’s at right now. What are you playing with?

Cheers. I'm not sure if I'm looking at the wrong thing but the Audio Pro C10 and Libratone both seem to be active speakers rather than amps.

My mistake, I didn't check your link and thought the blue sound was the small active speaker.

Sparkos and Burson V6

Ah no, it's small amp & DAC. I'm pondering making everything a bit smaller and neater and wondering what's out there.

Sometimes helps to keep them separate. If the amp fails at least the dac survives or you can upgrade the dac without having to trouble the amp.

The Marantz PM7000N seems to be in the same price bracket but full size. Probably built like a tank though. Has Airplay 2 apparently.

I came across this (limited feedback) polish seller on eBay which makes open frame stands to order.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tewo-Audio-custom-openwork-speaker-stands-/164209281688

Not exactly budget but reasonable for custom made stands. No idea of quality obvs.

I have a mig welder, so I'm temped to make some myself.

Those look nicely finished, including all the hardware and delivery that’s a good price. They’re even full of lead shot.

Easy to make yourself though, just order all the steel pre-cut from Metals4U or someone similar. I’d probably go for RHS rather than ERW - heavier and much less likely to blow a hole in it if you’re not too careful with the welding.

They’re even full of lead steel shot.

ftfy

Massive noob/idiot question. Is there a (preferred) Bluetooth receiver thing I can plug into the phono sockets of my hifi amp so I can play music off devices through decent speakers?

https://www.lfgss.com/search/?q=Bluetooth&type=conversation&type=comment&id=156217&sort=date

Try this https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/156217/?offset=7600#comment15274983

are you still looking for a turntable? i have something that could be of interest.