Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Yes, I have a WTL Simplex (with Dynavector DV 10X5) paired to Naim Uniti Nova and Neat SX2 speakers, this was a step up from a Linn Basik turntable with some upgrades. Audibly so.

It doesn't feel fiddly at all, although the hair-thin (and just knotted together) drive 'belt' keeps amazing me. And the build quality is good although it has a bit of a DIY feel to it, compared to more robust turntables like a Thorens or LP12.

thanks, this is all a way off but i’m looking at a similar end game as i currently have a rega P3 that needs a sevice and a new cart (i don’t even have a phono stage now) but i need to decide on sticking with a unitiqute and adding a NAP100 or flogging it and getting a serviced NAC72/NAP140 plus whatever streaming box that does tidal/internet radio.
sold a 90/92 and went for the streaming option but the olive pre/power is an itch i want to scratch.
Speakers are Leema xero which are great but i will need something bigger.
i just want better bass (better not necessarily deeper) and that means a different deck or lots of mods along with improvements down the signal path.

Seen a couple of classifieds on this thread, so if anyone needs a nice/clean entry-level turntable for not much, I've got one going here.

Appreciate most on this thread will already have a far better deck, but you never know.

Need a new Bluetooth streaming dongle thing for the office. Need to be decent sounding but not super high end. Is there a census on what’s best?

Or should I skip Bluetooth and go for something AirPlay?

What are you plugging it into? As you've mentioned AirPlay, I presume you're in the Apple eco system, so in that case, a second hand Airport Express (A1392 version) if that works with your system? Has a 3.5mm out that doubles as analogue or mini-toslink for digital.

Bluetooth with Apple stuff is limited to 264Kb/s AAC, whilst Airplay does lossless CD quality.

It'll plug into a small T-amp, or a dj-mixer that goes into the T-amp.

Already have an airport express but it refuses to speak with our new wifi hence the question. Some googling tells me the Belkin Soundform Connect should be decent so will give that a go

Found some pro ject monos with external power block, and I like them with the ATCs.
Got them as the price was nice, and because black cubes is best.
Old Linn majik in pre amp duty, maybe will get a passive preamp. Other option is a headphone amp that doubles as preamp. Tons of choices, no idea.
Placement and everything still very provisional.

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[whole thread immediately googling Bisley+filing+cabinet+vibration+damping+review]

There is a glass plate on top of the bisley!
Mass! Damping!
Bisley needs to go anyway, but there's just too much stuff.

Brand new 1210 mk 5, because all black and cables not fixed, or mint 1210 MK2 for the same (900€!) price?
Or look for a cheaper MK2, and maybe have problems.
Pretty sure I want a Technics because everything else becomes either even more expensive, will probably need parts that don't exist, or would be belt drive/esoteric.
And for either version, which system?
Would be great to get some opinions because I have no idea.

Also no phono preamp yet apart from a very budget one, so open for suggestions there also.

Have you seen those passive pre amps made in Hastings? look amazing, price is spicy though!

No, but I have now. Beautiful!
https://www.thebespokeaudiocompany.com/
Price I found is 9000£ in 2014, so probably 18000£ now.

NAD or Cambridge Audio at different entry level price points or DIY one if you can.

On the decks<I’ve had a couple of mk. 4’s for years but just got a Rega 3 to try and I like the sound from it. If you are playing a lot of dance 12”, 7” and switching between speeds the 1210’s are perfect. If you’re playing jazz lp’s the rega is worth a look. Cart’s make a big difference, I think £250 is around the sweet spot for bang for buck.

https://www.kjwestone.co.uk/product/bespoke-audio-company-preamplifier/

£15-18k apparently. Would love to know the thought processes of people that buy this stuff.

£15-18k apparently. Would love to know the thought processes of people that buy this stuff.

Have you seen the watch thread? It's the same mentality.

I don't really have any problem with it... if this is how people want to spend their money then sure. I can recognise the appreciation for what it takes to build these things.

Would love to know the thought processes of people that buy this stuff

The same mix of delusion and sociopathy which makes people buy any of the luxury products where the price tag is the main, and sometimes only, attraction.

Looking to buy a cd player off ebay budget of about 80 to 100. Any stand out bargains to be had.
I was reading up and the Rotel RCD-965BX had good
reviews but any other suggestions welcome.

Arcam cd72. Tiny bit over your budget though. What about a dvd player like the FMJ dv27?
Marantz do some nice players too. If you could stretch to 200 notes you could get the catchily-named CD63 Mkii KI Sig.
Fabulous sound, wish I still had mine.

Thanks I'll have a look at your suggestions. Hadn't thought of a dvd player. The MKii KI Sig sounds good

Try and get a Marantz if you want to listen to the analog outputs. Otherwise a cd spinner and dac is a good option.

Yeah it will be via the analogue outs maybe I'll save up a bit more for a marantz

Yeah I guess it must be. But having seen what’s inside and what’s needed for the case and quality of build etc, as nice as it is, there’s no where near £15k of parts and labour in that thing. Looks like the experience of buying it and the white gloves justify the price.

I bought an aluminium box containing an ALPS potentiometer to do the same job, about £30 off of Amazon. I defy anybody to tell the difference in a blind test. Add a good selector switch, some nicer connectors and a bigger prettier box with custom engraving and it's still hard to see how it comes to more than £1k, maybe £2k if you really think custom wound audio transformers are a better idea than a potentiometer.

Responding to the MD chat from a year ago....Going through an old drawer I have 2 Sony Minidisc players. I seem to remember really enjoying the sound of the MZ-N1. Then I got the MZ-NH900 which was "Hi-MD" (basically could play discs that stored something like 7 x the data of standard MDs) but which didn't sound as good. Looking to test the MZ-N1 but don't have any standard discs. Anyone have any MDs or know where I could get one (preferably with music on) just to check whether it's still working?