Audiophiles hifi appreciation thread old and new

Thanks guys. Those solutions make sense!

Turns out there is a preamp on/off underneath the turntable. Fail.

Try the turntable preamp and the amplifier preamp. Decide which you prefer.

Amplifier preamp doesn't appear to be switchable.

No, but you can eliminate it from the equation by using one of the other inputs. Chances are the amp preamp will sound better but you never know.

^ this

Ive got a DD33 WALKMAN coming. To play TDK MA on. #nostalgia #obsolete

Still sounds Crisp though.

No, but you can eliminate it from the equation by using one of the other inputs. Chances are the amp preamp will sound better but you never know.

^ this

Thanks guys. Amp preamp seems better. Speakers are the weak point and next for the shopping list.

you bought it?!

nutter!

In other news, I bought a blu ray player, but it only has optical audio out - my soundbar only takes RCA/Phono - have ordered one of these - is this correct?

High Grade DAC - Digital / Optical to Analogue Stereo: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Ok, another problem... Turntable not playing stereo, both speakers are fine (other inputs play fine) and both play fine in mono mode. I switched the sockets on the back round (as in connecting bits) and it changes which speaker doesn't work (when playing stereo one plays and one is dead).
Does that make any sense? Any idea what the problem could be? With my near ZERO knowledge of such things I would guess one of the two inputs from the turntable are dead hence why one speaker works?

In other news, I bought a blu ray player, but it only has optical audio out - my soundbar only takes RCA/Phono - have ordered one of these - is this correct?

High Grade DAC - Digital / Optical to Analogue Stereo: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Looks correct.

Ok, another problem... Turntable not playing stereo, both speakers are fine (other inputs play fine) and both play fine in mono mode. I switched the sockets on the back round (as in connecting bits) and it changes which speaker doesn't work (when playing stereo one plays and one is dead).
Does that make any sense? Any idea what the problem could be? With my near ZERO knowledge of such things I would guess one of the two inputs from the turntable are dead hence why one speaker works?

Sounds like, as you suggest, one of the two turntable outputs is dead. Is it the same result if you use the in-built turntable preamp or not?

Ok, another problem... Turntable not playing stereo, both speakers are fine (other inputs play fine) and both play fine in mono mode. I switched the sockets on the back round (as in connecting bits) and it changes which speaker doesn't work (when playing stereo one plays and one is dead).
Does that make any sense? Any idea what the problem could be? With my near ZERO knowledge of such things I would guess one of the two inputs from the turntable are dead hence why one speaker works?

Have you checked the earth? If turntable not earthed properly it will come out mono

Have you tried rotating the driver 180 degrees round?

hmm will have a look at that ! ta rodabod

Sounds like, as you suggest, one of the two turntable outputs is dead. Is it the same result if you use the in-built turntable preamp or not?

Have you checked the earth? If turntable not earthed properly it will come out mono

thanks for the replies chaps.... reg preamp... not really sure what the deal is with that, might have one, might be in the amp, all over my head... reg earth, interesting one, it used to have a 9 pin din but has been converted to the normal input things... maybe somethings come loose... oddly enough its started spinning at the correct speed again I think so might try and hold off buying a new one (and I love the design/build too much to ever let it go- Beogram 1203).

Check the connections at the cartridge - if one is duff that will be your problem.

If you have a spare one try that.

^ That would be my route too - removable headshell?

Oh boy, if I had a clue what a headshell was... will remove cartridge and give the connections a dust though... cheers!

like a Technics deck? The headshell with the cartridge attached unscrews from the tone arm (hence often you get audio problems, as either the headshell isn't screwed on tight enough, or the connections are dirty)

You'd know if it was a removable head, so take it it's not?!

My work kindly gave me some Amazon vouchers for Christmas. Need a new DAB radio and am thinking of using the amazon vouchers plus £50 of my own cash to buy the Geneva World Radio. All the reviews are brilliant but was wondering if anyone on here had any experience. It's fucking pricey for a radio.

^^Sweet! Cassettes can sound great despite being a massive pain in the bollocks. Sony made some really good decks but the Nakamichi Dragon is meant to be the be-all and end-all of tape decks.

I mentioned on the last page upgrading my speakers.

I have a modest bedroom setup. I don't need massive volume or bass as I live in a block of flats. I'm currently using an old pair of speakers from a aiwa midi hifi complete set up. The sound is OK but very flat.

So, do I go for cheap but well regarded: http://www.richersounds.com/product/standmount-speakers/wharfedale/diamond-9.0/whar-9.0-blk

Or more expensive and all round better: http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/q-q2010i-4872.aspx

I'm skint and I guess I want to know if I can be cheap and get the Wharfedale and still meet my modest needs. Any advice or experience with these?

I've never heard of Q Acoustics, though I'm more into studio equipment than HiFi.

One thing to bear in mind is that the Wharfedales have their ports mounted on the front, whereas the others have them on the rear. Ports mounted on the rear can end up sounding not so good if you have the speakers backed up against a wall or into a corner. You'd want maybe three feet or more distance from the boundaries, otherwise the bass will "tip-up" (ie. it'll get boomy).

I wouldn't trust anything you read at Richer Sounds, but they do sell good kit.

I wouldn't trust anything you read at Richer Sounds, but they do sell good kit.

They are good for cheap, decent gear but I've noticed that they are going down the 'premium' cable sell now.

It's amusing to try to get the sales person to explain why I need a HDMI lead that costs £20+ :-/

I use mains twin-core, and any decent quality interconnects (even the ones you get supplied free with new kit). I'm an engineer at the BBC, and it's one of the first things they tell you when you start training.

I think this has been argued here before, and some will disagree, but in my opinion loudspeakers are probably the most important link in the chain, given that they have the very difficult job of converting electricity to air pressure.

If you compare the variation in actual distortion figures of various loudspeakers compared to amps, you'll see that quiet often the distortion figures of even cheap amps pales into insignificance compared to that of loudspeakers.