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Hi-Fi systems

chrismpw

chrismpw

Player Valuation: £70m
In one or two threads people have lamented on the passing of old style audio systems. Now it seems vinyl is (quite rightly) making a comeback, as is the turntable. In recent years, the budget end has made huge improvements in quality on the back of digital music. There's no doubt digital is hugely convenient, and I use it myself. But when I want to sit and really listen, I stoke up the proper system and pour myself a beer.

In fact every time I moved house , or flat as a student, the second thing I would do on arrival (after making a mug of tea) is put the hi-fi together. . . . Then it was home.

So is there anybody out there who shares an interest in getting the best out of their music collection ?

Currently running: Elite Rock mk2 which I've had since 1986 (as a student I worked all summer and spent the lot on this! ) rega tonearm and orthofon mc15 cartridge . Micromega stage 6 cd player bought in 1995 straight after after a divorce (!) , Lumley valve power amp.

The pre-amp and (concrete transmission line) speakers are ones I've built and developed myself over the years. I had the fortune to meet a loudspeaker designer when I was at uni and learned a lot - from both him, and consequently the uni library in a rabid search for perfection. Still trying after all these years.
 
chrismpw said:
In one or two threads people have lamented on the passing of old style audio systems. Now it seems vinyl is (quite rightly) making a comeback, as is the turntable. In recent years, the budget end has made huge improvements in quality on the back of digital music. There's no doubt digital is hugely convenient, and I use it myself. But when I want to sit and really listen, I stoke up the proper system and pour myself a beer.

In fact every time I moved house , or flat as a student, the second thing I would do on arrival (after making a mug of tea) is put the hi-fi together. . . . Then it was home.

So is there anybody out there who shares an interest in getting the best out of their music collection ?

Currently running: Elite Rock mk2 which I've had since 1986 (as a student I worked all summer and spent the lot on this! ) rega tonearm and orthofon mc15 cartridge . Micromega stage 6 cd player bought in 1995 straight after after a divorce (!) , Lumley valve power amp.

The pre-amp and (concrete transmission line) speakers are ones I've built and developed myself over the years. I had the fortune to meet a loudspeaker designer when I was at uni and learned a lot - from both him, and consequently the uni library in a rabid search for perfection. Still trying after all these years.
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Welcome to the 21st century Chris.

I jest, I've been thinking about getting a turntable, but I'll make do with my Bose Soundlink Mini and Spotify.
 
chrismpw said:
In one or two threads people have lamented on the passing of old style audio systems. Now it seems vinyl is (quite rightly) making a comeback, as is the turntable. In recent years, the budget end has made huge improvements in quality on the back of digital music. There's no doubt digital is hugely convenient, and I use it myself. But when I want to sit and really listen, I stoke up the proper system and pour myself a beer.

In fact every time I moved house , or flat as a student, the second thing I would do on arrival (after making a mug of tea) is put the hi-fi together. . . . Then it was home.

So is there anybody out there who shares an interest in getting the best out of their music collection ?

Currently running: Elite Rock mk2 which I've had since 1986 (as a student I worked all summer and spent the lot on this! ) rega tonearm and orthofon mc15 cartridge . Micromega stage 6 cd player bought in 1995 straight after after a divorce (!) , Lumley valve power amp.

The pre-amp and (concrete transmission line) speakers are ones I've built and developed myself over the years. I had the fortune to meet a loudspeaker designer when I was at uni and learned a lot - from both him, and consequently the uni library in a rabid search for perfection. Still trying after all these years.
Click to expand...
I agree with the process of setting the hi fi up, had a 5 disk changing one which i took everywhere, from house to house. Used to love it, despite it being crap and it took like 45 seconds to change cds when cycling songs. But yeah, music is really music when it is coming from a stereo rather than digitally. I think that is where my love of music waned over the years, when there was more demand on it being through an Ipod rather than on Cd in a stereo.
 
I've been collecting vinyl for about 2 years now and it's a cracking hobby and is really rather addictive.

I have strict rules on which ones I collect, but I couldn't describe what it is to anyone. Just the ones that feel right. Soundtracks are key. Got quite a few first press versions of some 80's movies which i'm very proud of.

Totally agree wth @chrismpw - in a new gaff first thing is to set up the music. Makes everything else easier from then on.
 
The Cowboy said:
Welcome to the 21st century Chris.

I jest, I've been thinking about getting a turntable, but I'll make do with my Bose Soundlink Mini and Spotify.
Click to expand...
I have a bose soundlink which I decided to buy the moment I heard the daughter's boyfriend's one. Its brilliant for its size, but not as clinical and detailed as I'd like for sit down with a beer listening.
 

chrismpw said:
I have a bose soundlink which I decided to buy the moment I heard the daughter's boyfriend's one. Its brilliant for its size, but not as clinical and detailed as I'd like for sit down with a beer listening.
Click to expand...
Tbh if I'm looking to appreciate the textures and layers of songs, I'll get my headphones on. Perhaps I've never been exposed to a properly tuned system so I can't compare.
 
ijjysmith said:
I've been collecting vinyl for about 2 years now and it's a cracking hobby and is really rather addictive.

I have strict rules on which ones I collect, but I couldn't describe what it is to anyone. Just the ones that feel right. Soundtracks are key. Got quite a few first press versions of some 80's movies which i'm very proud of.

Totally agree wth @chrismpw - in a new gaff first thing is to set up the music. Makes everything else easier from then on.
Click to expand...
The main problem with vinyl is keeping it clean. Charity shops are a good source of old vinyl if you're one pared to wade through all the cliff Richard and 70s top of the pops stuff. A few years ago I bought a "disco antistat" wet record cleaner through Amazon for around £50. It does amazing things cleaning up old vinyl.
 
chrismpw said:
The main problem with vinyl is keeping it clean. Charity shops are a good source of old vinyl if you're one pared to wade through all the cliff Richard and 70s top of the pops stuff. A few years ago I bought a "disco antistat" wet record cleaner through Amazon for around £50. It does amazing things cleaning up old vinyl.
Click to expand...

I reckon I've been really lucky so far.

Bought a lot off eBay and every single one has been great. Even if the sleeve has been a little off the actual record has been perfect.
 

bigjonny said:
I've just bought a new valve amp, so my system is Audio Note amp, cd player and speakers. The turntable started life as a Rega P5, but I had it modded and fitted into a maple plinth by Inspire in Chesterfield.
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Sounds decent . Is it your first valve kit? What do you think?
 
jal123 said:
Sonos is king in this house.

Vinyl is for old fuddy duddies and music bores.
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That's fine if you don't want to hear all of what the artist put down on their tracks. Spect you'll be telling the world you don't listen to albums all the way through next.
Even the ones you don't like apart from one track :coffee:
 

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