All Discussions - Audio Chews: the hi-fi and music community

H.T. Baker Audio site live

RobHolt — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:52:26 -0400

Just a new little venture to keep me busy :)

Specialising in Quad servicing and modification but everything considered.

If it's good kit (and we like it :) ) we'll take a look at it.

Baker Audio products also available with more being added through 2013:

www.bakeraudio.org

RFC News

PAC — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:05:13 -0400

RFC's website has undergone some improvements and changes so please do visit http://referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/ for a look around!

The latest hifi blog can be found HERE

With the resurgence of that scratchy old groove on a plastic disc called vinyl replay, I thought I'd run a small series of articles dedicated to LP replay of which the one linked above is the first. I'm sure that Doc will be captivated!

;) :D

Joke Of The Day

Alan — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:51:27 -0500

Keep it nice & clean please - no nasties!

Caption competition #5

Docfoster — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:13 -0400

Listening to ...

Jim — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:57:52 -0500

Donald Byrd - Off to the Races

Would you....

coops — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:28:59 -0400

If you knew a manufturer or distributor was sponsoring / financing a magazine/magazines would you still read it and believe it?

New Record Player

Alan — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:56:49 -0400

Thrusters on full...

New Cessaro Liszt

coops — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:16:20 -0400

Ralph showed these in Munich, four ways with active bass, new double skinned horn filled with some kind of liquid polymer.

Munich HiEnd show starts tomorrow!

coops — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:40:39 -0400

Just a quick reminder that the Munich HiEnd show starts tomorrow, open to the Public Friday until Sunday evening 10-6 pm.
There is also the De Luxe show held at the Marriott , really worth a visit.
Keith.

A Visit To Memory Alpha

Alan — Tue, 14 May 2013 07:09:30 -0400

Last Friday, I went over to Somerset to see our resident tame audio designer, Col ( @Brain_Dead ). I had a poorly amp to deliver to him, and the promise of something new to listen to. I was anticipating great things from the new TQ amps - we have been joking for a while on 'Chews about wanting to hear the new Claymore, for one. Well, it alone was worth the 3.5 hour drive each way... (If you haven't already, click on Brain_Dead s name, and view his profile page, to see a selection of his previous products, including the largest single ended class A (SECA) amps ever built.)

Having opened up my little amp, we found the problem quickly. What wasn't so quick was the fix, so Col will send my baby back at a later time. However, the new amp I was to hear is a beautiful little SECA amp, about 10 - 15w. It's a design Col has been playing about with for years, and it sounds quite lovely. This is now keeping me happy at home while my little amp is having surgery. It has a real 'reach out and touch' element to the way it sounds (but you'd better not unless you have oven gloves on!), I never heard an amp sound so real before. It does have a subtle softness to the bass in my system, but given it's so low powered that isn't surprising. My speakers are 83db/1w sensitivity, and used to make a pair of 40watt, high current transistor amps clip, so that fact it drives them so well (with a passive pre as well) is simply amazing.

The little SECA (or "Baby Blob", as Dave has christened it) was a real treat to listen to, but the other amps in Col's den demanded some attention as well. First up was the lovely SECA 20w, as reviewed in 6 Moons recently. This is the beastie Dave fell in love and I got to see why. If I feel like waxing lyrical about the little 10W SECA, the TQ Iridium 20 was probably a whole street or two ahead. It has such presence and drive, and urgency, yet a beautiful tone about it and truly holographic imaging. Honestly, it goes beyond what I considered was possible from a single component in a hifi system. I am really astonished by it - it just connects you so well with musical reality, in terms of timing, tone, speed, detail (more detail than I ever heard) - really it brings the emotion of the music out to meet you.

There are plans for monoblock versions too, I think - they weren't quite ready when I visited. What was ready though, albeit without casework, was the Claymore. Col seems unduly pleased with the Claymore, given his previous achievements, so I was interested to see why. It apparently shares quite a bit of its DNA with the early Claymore, but is now able to reach the potential Col always saw in the original. It does this because of what modern electronic components are able to do, at lower cost and at a smaller size than was possible 20 years ago, and of course, a few new ideas also. ;)

Looking at the feature set on the new Claymore, it obviously going to give Naim's successful SuperNait a hard time. It is a similar product, but a good deal more powerful. As for sound quality, I cannot see for the life of me what the Supernait could do that the Claymore doesn't do better, but, to be fair I haven't heard one. (However, I know a man who has. ;) ) More to the point, if the SuperNait was as good as the Claymore is, it would be just about the last amplifier anyone would ever need, and for all it's reported strengths, it just doesn't seem to be regarded in that way. It looks like the Claymore will be the product that puts TQ 'on the map' for amplifiers, not just cables. For all their strengths, the big SECA amps will always be a niche product, one that builds reputation for audio excellence. The Claymore, though, ought to sell by the lorryload. Especially as it looks like being a good deal more affordable than the SN.

It sounds rather like the SECA in many ways, huge 3d imagining, great tone (very slightly on the warmer side), but it goes one better than the SECA in terms of power, and grip in the bass. It goes so low, and is so clean - if ever an amplifier could pin you to the opposite wall, this is it. I reckon this amplifier is an absolute thug - I haven't heard this level of grip and slam before, such utter control even at very high volume. It really does the concert hall scale thing very well too. Yet it does have a softer side, the power is just a first impression. For a start, because of that power, it plays really really well at low volumes, even through low sensitivity speakers. It was truly beautiful playing some choral material, really quite an emotional experience. Col reckons that although it is capable of playing anything, however complex, it really shines with Rock and Opera because of its outright speed. I have heard muscle amps before, even detailed ones, but they have never managed the subtlety at the same time. Not like this.

I can't decide whether the Claymore is a muscle amp or a subtle, detailed one. It does both things so convincingly at the same time. Neither quality dominates, yet both really define this outstanding amplifier. I think I now know why Col is developing bigger and bigger A class designs - he wants this same level of bass control (thuggery), the ability to drive any loudspeaker (and a brick wall) as the Claymore, along with the absolutely sublime tonal qualities and other worldly finesse of the SECA. Both designs are iron fists in velvet gloves, it's just the SECA wears much softer gloves than the Claymore.

He is doing other things as well, which look like truly groundbreaking achievements that will have impact far beyond the world of audio. I hadn't better say anything about that, but these things are probably even more exciting. Having spent time with Col on several occasions now, I feel that recent debates about his work with TQ (on other forums) are nothing more that hot air. His development process is rooted in physics, chemistry, and lateral thinking, Some components are even made from the ground up for his applications (even the alloy for the cables - it is not at all 'off the shelf'). Debates will always rage where there is no understanding (TBH - it's also far beyond my understanding, so I claim no great insight for myself). Maybe the fact that TQ product is (apparently necessarily) expensive puts people off - that's fair enough. Maybe, the fact that Col won't disclose what his ideas are in order to prevent them being stolen, causes speculation that TQ's claims are all smoke and mirrors, just marketing. Well, that may be understandable, but it's not justifiable. The proof is in the equipment. Listen to it, then decide for yourself. You don't have to be a genius then.

Fascinating

Alan — Wed, 08 May 2013 11:43:13 -0400

(Looks like Youtube has done away with the old embed code on some videos - I don't know how to embed these particular ones)

Old Spock vs New Spock (Audi ad, but very good)

Audirvana+ 1.5beta

Alan — Mon, 06 May 2013 06:42:52 -0400

This from Damien @ Audirvana HQ: New release, with benefits. I doubt I'll get to play with it this week, but I look forward to it. Download it here!

I've just released the public beta for 1.5 with Multichannel playback, and Audio Units plugins support.

The user manual is up to date.

It also includes:

Add command to scroll playlist to the currently playing track
DSD128 support for DoP 1.1 4x176.4kHz devices (Mytek)
In
iTunes integrated mode, use the track start and finish settings (in
iTunes track info settings) to play only the wished subset of the track
Remaining time display (toggle with total track time by clicking on it)
Bug fixes:

Fix gapless playback in Cue Sheets and when using dithered volume control
Fix last seconds of the last of a playlist being cut off in iTunes integrated mode
Airplay fix applied also for 10.8.3
Gapless playback even when using filters (sample rate converter and/or Audio Units)

And also sound quality improvement

Do you scoff at audio fashion?

uglymusic — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:56:47 -0400

Roger Skoff does:

"LP recordings CAN sound better than their digital successors or counterparts; tubes can certainly make for great-sounding electronics; and horns (still except for deep bass) can be wonderful and thoroughly exciting speakers. I even own a pair that images! The problem is not that people are using and enjoying these things; it's that the form seems now to have surpassed the function in importance.

You've seen it yourself, with people on the Internet showing pictures of vast pretty glass bottles, the size of a small fish tank that turn out to be exotic, hideously expensive and largely irreplaceable, RF transmitting tubes, and asking if they might not make a nice amplifier. Or the never-ending parade of ever more baroque, grandiose, complicated, and viciously expensive turntables, tonearms, and phono cartridges—including, now, a super deluxe and pricey cartridge just for MONO! Or the horns: What a truly amazing array of ever larger, ever weirder, and ever more costly horns we are treated to every day; made of thousand-year-old wood or other materials equally strange and exotic.

Don't they understand that tubes are just devices more or less suited to the task they are set to perform, and that some designers, notably Tim de Paravicini, use both tubes and solid-state, where and as appropriate, with equal facility? Don't they know that it's possible for an LP playback system to not look like it was designed by Rube Goldberg's rich uncle and still sound good? Don't they know that it's the shape, size, and length of a horn that determines how well it works, and that exotic materials aren't likely to improve it, but could very well, by adding spurious resonances, make it worse.

All of these things and many more seem to me to be like long hair on a musician: If it's worn for style or beauty or—for marketing purposes—to make a memorable impression, then GOOD! Go for it! But if it's intended somehow to make a real improvement, that's not likely: How well you play is how well you play, regardless of what your hair looks like.

It's the same for High-End audio: If what we're after is looks, or a membership card, or bragging rights, any of those things are fine with me. I love 'em all and want every one! But, just as with a musician's long hair, I really shouldn't expect any of them to make my system sound better!"

The full piece can be read at Positive Feedback.

How to digitize your LPs

uglymusic — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:47:57 -0400

Red rag to a bull time, folks!

Don't blame me, but I thought you people on the dark side might get something from this how-to.

X_X

New from TQ

Brain_Dead — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:59:30 -0500

The new Tellurium Q patented "Waveform" (patent applied for in UK, number:1223346.6) digital cable has already sold out after only two weeks.

And a new speaker cable which is placed above the Tellurium Q "Graphite" is now in production it has been named Tellurium Q "Black Diamond"

We have had good feed back on both from customers here and abroad using either "Tube Technology" and "Solid State".

I'm getting to the stage where I want to nuke iTunes

uglymusic — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:46:07 -0400

As my digital collection grows, iTunes' propensity to mangle its library file, resulting in missing albums (still there on the NAS) and duplicated file names (not duplicated files) gets more and more of a PITA.

Before I spend a lot of time trawling the Interwebs for solutions, I wonder if any of you have found a way to make iTunes behave?

IMPORTANT: Houston, we have a problem... (probably)

uglymusic — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:21:58 -0400

Yesterday, I posted:

Audio Chews is now on its new host and the DNS is propagating. If you can see this message, then you're still looking at the old server and you'll need to make your posts again on the new version.

But there's no sign of the migration happening. This could be because:

The DNS change is taking its time - I have to leave it for 48hours, strictly
There is a problem with the domain host
There is a problem with the server set-up

My bet is that it's No 3, but I won't have any chance to set it up again until this evening at the earliest.

In the meantime, continue posting here as normal.

Sorry about this, folks.

Alacrity Audio Caterthuns

uglymusic — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:31:23 -0400

I wonder how they stack up against the RR3s of this parish (or any other, for that matter):

http://hifipig.com/alacrity-audio-caterthun-loudspeakers/

Reference Fidelity Components Loudspeakers

Docfoster — Sat, 04 May 2013 05:21:31 -0400

My first encounter with Paul's components was several years before I met him and was not audio related. Had I known the man back then I would have walked and driven over it with even greater confidence.

Well, Gloucester's St. Ann Way Bascule Bridge was a small-fry project when compared to Paul's recent speaker build. Less heavy lifting gear certainly.

Paul is definitely an engineer. When I visited him last weekend to listen to his vast Tannoy driver based speakers, he shared with me his design note book for the project. It was fascinating to see the design process unfolding as the pages of the book turned through time. Thoughts, sketches and scribbles evolved into clear annotated diagrams, figures and calculations. When Paul speaks about his products he does so with an excitement about technique and method. I am too much of technical numpty to catch the meaning of every detail of what is being said, but his passion about attention to detail would be clear to all. As I drive over his bridge with my family on a daily basis, this is reassuring.

So the speakers. Well they are big. I wish I could remember the exact figures Paul gave me (in gallons), but I didn't take notes. I must confess that this was partly because I knew that it would give me an excuse for not writing about the technical details of the speakers, and not understanding them, here. I am sure that Paul can fill in any technical details regarding the speakers should they be required.
Having said that I do remember Paul saying "This is 20Hz" as he put on the first CD track of our listening session. Now even I know that that's low down bass. Some subterranean synthesised bass kicked in.
"Hey I was listening to that!" I shouted as the sofa on which I was sitting vibrated in the direction of the listening room's door. The bass really was something terrifying to behold. Unbelievably deep and powerful, but also held in a vice like grip. The kind of bass that can have only some dark and devastating origin. But then came into the mix some acoustic instruments and vocals, delicately and discretely presented. A delightful contrast to the entirely different bass rumbles that continued somewhere underneath the rest of the mix. Incredible texture. Incredible separation.

and with trousers down...

As the listening session rolled on it was clear that Paul had achieved something rather special with his project build around the refurbed drivers. It was as if whatever Paul played the speakers said "Righto fellas, I'll go an make a cup of tea, I'll leave you alone to listen to the music". Everything that one would want was there. An apparently completely flat frequency response, powerful dynamics and utterly realistic separation. All that cliché stuff.

I felt that the speakers were, as they should be, completely revealing of everything else that came before. The recording quality, the music carrier format (we listened to CD and to vinyl), the source quality and the amplification. In Paul's system I preferred the sound of the CD. To me the transparency of the speakers showed up vinyl's slight lack of distinction (shapes of percussive events -- Dave). Also Paul uses valve amps... I'm not even going to go there. He did say that he would be interested in hearing his speakers on the end of something solid state. Very generously I offered to borrow them and report back. Paul pointed out that we would need a transit van (literally) to transport them up the road to Gloucester.

Anyway, suffice it to say that I was utterly blown away by Paul's project. The speakers are a triumph for Paul's approach to design, craftsmanship and engineering. They sound just right in every way.
In my mind I have a list of components that at the time of hearing I felt were the best that I have ever heard. In that list were 2 pairs of speakers. Some big Tannoy monitors in a studio where a band I was in recorded a demo many years ago, and some active Meridian speakers that I head at a show in Bristol a couple of years back. That list has now grown to 3.

The crossover, as viewed through one of the ports. (Paul believes that there may be some benefit from placing the crossover outside of the cabinet in future designs.)

Paul has put a £7500 price tag on the speakers. Given the cost of materials, the value of the expertise involved, the time taken to hand craft these things by hand and above all the sound, if you have the money for this calibre of product, it's worth giving Paul and Reference Fidelity Components a ring.

Oh, btw for the shill-sensitive amongst us, Paul gave me his time, friendship and 4 mini-muffins. I neither own, nor have been offered any Reference Fidelity Components products.

Setting up a Mac mini server for Noobs

uglymusic — Sat, 04 May 2013 09:08:30 -0400

Whilst Googling around to the accompaniment of Messrs Ellington, Mingus and Roach, I found this on Computer Audiophile, and though it may be useful to anyone setting up a Mac as a server for the first time.

Well, that's set the cat amongst the pigeons - forward planning for an audiophile server

uglymusic — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:06:03 -0400

I was almost starting to be convinced that I needed to move on from Mac to something like a CAPS server or an Item Audio server, running Windows and JRiver.

But having been underwhelmed by JRiver on the Mac, I'm left feeling completely unconvinced about moving back to the horrors of Windows.

The servers will have to be really good to more than claw back the difference between Audirvana+ and JRiver.

I feel a Mac mini purchase coming on later in the year, even with iTunes' problems.

JRiver Mac Alpha

uglymusic — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:21:12 -0400

This discussion was created from comments split from: I'm getting to the stage where I want to nuke iTunes.

Audio 4 Soul Xtreme 16

Stupinder — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:14:05 -0400

Its an interesting box of tricks that sounds great.
http://hifipig.com/audio4soul-xtreme-16/

eBay Watch

Alan — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:15:03 -0400

A thread for interesting stuff appearing on eBay. We already do this for Royd speakers, but that's a minority interest - this is for anything you like. It doesn't even have to be HiFi - funny listings are welcome as well. Basically anything worth us wasting our time reading, in your opinion....

Mostly stuff you'd quite like to buy if you weren't so sensible. And poor. And married.

Fela Kuti Comes Home

uglymusic — Wed, 01 May 2013 06:27:46 -0400

For one week only, on the BBC website.

The Return of Henry Grimes - A Memoir

uglymusic — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:08:05 -0400

Bassist Henry Grimes went to Julliard, and played with Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp and others.

He disappeared for over 30 years from 1970 in LA. It was assumed he was dead.

Here's a wonderful account of his rediscovery and return to playing.

New Toys!

PAC — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:33:15 -0400

Don't know if DIY is the right place for this but somehow appropriate!

Growing tired of just how big a compromise most loudspeakers are, I decided to design and build my own, based on using the venerable Tannoy 12 inch HPD units with modern custom built crossovers (including the necessary addition of a notch filter at the crossover point). They have modelled very well indeed and after close on 200 hours work (design and current build time) I am close to finishing these...just another week or two to go. An artistic impression can be seen below:

And progress "on the ground"

1.28m tall, 525mm wide front baffle reducing to 275mm at rear with curved side panels. Weight estimated to be 70kg per cabinet when completed. response modelled as 34Hz to 20Khz +/-3dB, so better than the Prestige Turnberry and with a smoother response through the crossover point.

This is my prototype pair and these will be finished in Fiddleback Birch (aslo referred to as Ripple Birch) with Black Walnut baffle edge strips. Twin ported bass reflex design.

The idea is then to custom build these for RFC with finishes in a wide variety of timbers as specified by customers, but this first pair is very much a DIY R&D pair. I may have a "naming" competition with the lucky winner walking away with a pair of RFC interconnects!

The second little project in the pipeline is something I am delighted to announce here. RFC is shortly launching its very own custom wound high bandwidth step up transformers, 1:10 step up and custom loaded at no extra cost for individual MC cartridges. It will be followed by a higher gain SUT depending on how well the first batch goes down. I have a prototype taking shape (the transformers have just been bench tested and perform very well indeed...exceptionally wide bandwidth (up to 100KHz!!). Details and photos of the initial unit to follow! Been a busy time which is why I've not been able to contribute more to discussions. Hopefully will have some time freed up soon!

Using a Raspberry Pi as a Network Player

uglymusic — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:49:26 -0400

Here's a cheap way for getting into digital.

Has anyone tried it?

More thoughts on the Green Goddess

uglymusic — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 17:07:40 -0400

OK. I'm smitten.

This is the most seductive sound I've ever had in my system - save for the TQ Iridium 20 Colin brought round for the afternoon. There's a certain amount in common between the two amps, but the Iridium has more sophisticated and larger power supplies.

I'll get the one downside out the way quickly - she doesn't have the sheer low-end destroy-the-foundations ability that the Iridium has. She's maybe not the best amp for a heavy rock fan.

But I soon forget that when I listen.

As far as I can work out, Colin's Class As (and there are one or two other examples around in this forum) are the best of all possible worlds. They have the naturalness of the best valve amps, without the rose-coloured specs. The precision, poise and get-up-and-go of the best tranny amps, without any hint of grittiness.

They somehow transmit more detail than any other I've heard, yet without shouting or false aggression. And the huge soundstage the TQ Atoms have impressed me (and visitors to Ugly Towers) with is belittled by the Class A's. Where the recording calls for it, the musicians are right in your face. On others, the soundstage extends back to infinity and beyond (that's enough, Buzz).

Timing, rhythm and just to please Ben, the shape of percussive events ;) are all there, but at the same time as a sense of ease and air.

OK. She gets a bit hot, and is rated at a mere 12 watts per channel, but neither really matter.

As I said, I'm in love!

choose me a new amp

Stupinder — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 11:59:53 -0400

New speakers on the way 95db. Using 300Bs in PSE at the moment but fancy a change.
Need to be 15w a side minimum and sadly it's unlikely I'll get to audition...
Suggestions please.
Budget up to about 1500 -2k...depending on if and when my kit sells...

FS: MAGNUM REFERENCE MF125 monoblocks

itsjustme — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:33:29 -0400

Having collected too many amps I am reluctantly letting these go. In nice condition and working properly £450 plus postage.

Acoustic fabric questions

Alan — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 08:32:09 -0400

'Lo.

Can anyone point me towards a suppplier of 'acoustic material' of the type used to cover wall hanging panels? I undersatand it needs to be of an appropriate open weave, although more googling is required here.

Also, would it be possible to have art/photos printed onto such material? Usually prints are put onto a tightly weaved canvas type material, but I wonder if it can be done on 'acoustic fabric'?

Thank you for any pointers. :)

NVA LS6 2.5m starting @ £155 on ebay

Docfoster — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:21:29 -0400

Great cables, but can't afford not to sell them now the TQs have established themselves.
Check out my listing on ebay (starting bid £155) HERE.

For the Zep fans amongst you

uglymusic — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:59:02 -0400

Nearly an hour of jazzbo-period Tom Waits

uglymusic — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:04:30 -0400

The Nazis' Jazz rules

uglymusic — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:13:17 -0400

Just to prove to Ben that I'm not Mr Hilter:

Pieces in foxtrot rhythm (so-called swing) are not to exceed 20% of the repertoires of light orchestras and dance bands;
In this so-called jazz type repertoire, preference is to be given to compositions in a major key and to lyrics expressing joy in life rather than Jewishly gloomy lyrics;
As to tempo, preference is also to be given to brisk compositions over slow ones (so-called blues); however, the pace must not exceed a certain degree of allegro, commensurate with the Aryan sense of discipline and moderation. On no account will Negroid excesses in tempo (so-called hot jazz) or in solo performances (so-called breaks) be tolerated;
So-called jazz compositions may contain at most 10% syncopation; the remainder must consist of a natural legato movement devoid of the hysterical rhythmic reverses characteristic of the barbarian races and conductive to dark instincts alien to the German people (so-called riffs);
Strictly prohibited is the use of instruments alien to the German spirit (so-called cowbells, flexatone, brushes, etc.) as well as all mutes which turn the noble sound of wind and brass instruments into a Jewish-Freemasonic yowl (so-called wa-wa, hat, etc.);
Also prohibited are so-called drum breaks longer than half a bar in four-quarter beat (except in stylized military marches);

From: http://www.openculture.com/2013/03/the_nazis_10_control-freak_rules_for_jazz_performers_.html

Cookie Monster: Share it Maybe

uglymusic — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:56:29 -0400

Now you can have it embedded in your brain, too.

Frank Zappa reads William Burroughs

uglymusic — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:52:05 -0400

A bit of culture for you vultures :-D:

The rumour on the street is that Colin is working on a ghetto-blaster

uglymusic — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:56:00 -0400

It's on this site.

System building priorities - do you agree?

uglymusic — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 03:39:45 -0400

Here's a view of sytem building:

http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2013/04/07/how-to-spend-your-money-revised-revisiting-the-stack-ranking/

It sounds sound, but I don't think it's my experience. Is it yours?

Humanity

Docfoster — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 14:22:53 -0400

Spent a while watching the news and going through some hifi forums this week. At many turns I was reminded of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gb_qHP7VaZE

Am I smug? Probably. Am I depressed? Certainly.

Interesting Covers

Jim — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 10:49:26 -0500

To kick off:

Rachelle Ferrell - You Send Me (First Instrument)
Bobby McFerrin - From Me To You (Spontaneous Inventions)
Patti Smith - Gimme Shelter (Twelve)
Pater Gabriel - Waterloo Sunset (Scratch My Back)
Paul Anka - Black Hole Sun (Rock Swings)

The best amplifier ever to come out of Britain?

trioleo — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:44:56 -0500

In my opinion the Albarry M608 Mono-bloc amplifiers are a beautiful combination of speed, articulation and musical dexterity, giving a sonically pictorial image of spacial harmony, to boot, incredible value for money.

However, we now have the Flagship M1108's, whilst almost twice the power of the M608's, they are much more, I had these at home for a week and at the end I did not want to give them back.

The easiest way to explain my experience, is that there was just more of Everything!!

I have been involved in the HiFi trade one way or another for decades and the M1108's are the best power amps I've ever heard.

I hope some of you get to hear them at a dealer or a HiFi show.

Just my observation.

regards Al

A little bit of [musical] politics ladies and gentleman...

Docfoster — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:35:43 -0400

Judy Garland’s celebratory ditty ‘Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead’ from
‘The Wizard of Oz’ is heading for the Top 40 in the Official Singles
Chart in the wake of Margaret Thatcher’s death.

More here.

Gainclone and a Headphone amplifier review

Stupinder — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:13:37 -0400

Hi guys, a couple of reviews that may be of interest to you. first off is Stewart's review of the Clone Audio 25i integrated amplifier which he liked a lot and secondly there's Jerry's review of the King Rex HQ-1 headphone amp...which he also liked :-)

John Coltrane documentary

uglymusic — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:33:38 -0400

I may have posted this before, but I can't find it. Maybe it was on my blog.

jPlay? Dual booting a Mac for Windows playback?

uglymusic — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:13:32 -0400

Here's an interesting review of JPlay.

TBH, I hadn't thought of setting my Mac up to dual boot to run Windows playback software. I'd tried Parallels when I had it installed, but it didn't work.

Sometimes the mind only runs on tramlines!

Anyone running Windows playback on a Mac?

M4a & M4A to MP3 free converter.

Brain_Dead — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:19:25 -0400

http://www.maniactools.com/soft/m4a-to-mp3-converter/?ref=m4a-home&version=7.2&b=7200

This seems to work well and it is free.

This week's mystery object

uglymusic — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:18:37 -0400

Name that amp!

The TQ express to NVA town

Docfoster — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:38:37 -0400

I thought I should make a few concluding remarks about the past few days spent Tellurium Q Ultra Black speaker cable. "No need Ben. Not interested"? Well tough, I'm going to anyway.

Obviously when I plugged in the TQs between my NVA TSS power amplifier and NVA Cube 1 speakers I was aware that there was a drop or two of less-than-good-blood between some aspects of the 2 companies. Indeed, the cables and amplifier eyed each other suspiciously as I introduced them for the first time...

There is a serious point here too. NVA will not guarantee their products if used with TQ cable due to concerns about potential damage to the amp due to some possible electrical mismatch. Or something like that. So this loss of guaruntee is something to consider when bringing these 2 products together. As I have personally been removed from the guarantee list anyway, this did not effect me. More importantly, I was reassured by the reports of others who have tried out this combination of product type that no problems had been encountered, so I pressed on. Cautiously. So far no apparent problems of any kind...

The TQ Ultra Blacks were taking over from NVA LS6. I have been using NVA speaker cables for many years, progressing from LS3 to LS5 and recently to the LS6. Every one of these has represented the best I could find for my money. The 2.5m LS6 that I have cost £310. The same run of TQ Ultra Black would cost £1275 I think. More of the price thing later. The pair I actually have is more like 2m and are a set of used seconds. They are being offered to me for a suitably sized donation to charity by our noble leader here Dave (uglymusic).

My first impression when I pressed play with the Ultra Blacks in place was that the sound was different to that to which I am used. As we all know different does not necessarily equal better, so being on my Easter break, I set about a few days of careful listening. I did some quick A-B switching, and some day long sessions with each cable.

My final thoughts are that the TQ Ultra Black is very impressive. It has an eerily smooth and realistic presentation. Quite unlike anything I've heard. Vocals in the midrange are also impressive - detailed but full bodied. Bass is also worth a mention: Powerful and controlled in equal measure. The texture of double bass sounds is remarkable.

It's important to point out that it's not the TQ doing all this on its own of course. Everything else in the system is NVA. So really it's a synergy thang. I've always been after just one thing with my hifi: realistic sounds. If there is a snare drum in the mix I want it to sound like a snare drum. Simples. Over time, I have edged closer to this, most recently via a succession of NVA products. The TQ is merely the most recent useful addition to the pleasing mix. In fact in my system this week I think the NVA-TQ partnership is now coming along swimmingly...

So price...£1275 new. Is a 2.5m stereo run of UItra Black worth it? Well I have no idea what it's made of, how many hours went into its development or the market value of the expertise that made it possible. With these imponderables, value is in the eye of the beholder, determined by how much one wants something combined with how much disposable income one has. The Ultra Black is the speaker cable that I have most enjoyed in my system. But, I would not (could not) pay £1275 for the Ultra Black; I am being made redundant at the end of the month (thanks Mr. Gove). Given how much I like the Ultra Black, and my finances, I am very lucky to be able to access this product at a price that makes it irresistible. And for charity to boot! :-) For this, thanks to Dave and Colin!

Hollies and the Iphone

Brain_Dead — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:38:11 -0400

Both full of prickles, and not a decent fruit among them.

Moving hosts

uglymusic — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:12:23 -0400

I'm going to be moving Audio Chews to a new host sometime over the next 48hrs.

Hopefully the site will be faster and more reliable, but there may be some hiccups along the way.

Adam Audio Tensor Epsilon Active Speakers and Weiss DAC202 for sale

Justin — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:59:12 -0400

Both mint condition, £2,800 for Weiss, and £2,300 for Adam's (inc free Partington Dreadnought stands). PM for any further details. Thanks Justin

Take away hifi...?

Docfoster — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:03:06 -0400

Is it a pizza...?

Tubes or Valves information

Brain_Dead — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:03:02 -0400

A few tube/valve companies

http://www.docteurtubes.com/

http://www.chelmervalve.com/

http://archive.org/search.php?query=transistor%20AND%20mediatype%3Atexts&page=1

inca tech the claymore

schwantz34 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:05:56 -0500

Hi guys , tomorrow i will buy this amp, do you think it needs a
recap, changing something? Is it in good (and original) conditions? :

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSC_1074.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSC_1075.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSC_1076.jpg

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...r/DSC_1078.jpg

thank you very much for your help !

cheers

s.

Added Toys on Audiophile Systems.

Brain_Dead — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 03:58:01 -0400

Just a few questions.

1) How many people think "White Coloured Kit" is a better buy than Black/Silver ?

2) Are "Remote Controls" a unnecessary function on audiofile kit?

3) Would a built in "DAC" into a Pre-amp or Integrated Amp be a useful function or just added cost?

Can you please give your points of view.

Please introduce yourself

uglymusic — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:43:25 -0500

Please tell us about yourself and your hi-fi system and/or musical tastes.

Thieving Toerags!

Brumjam — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 09:41:32 -0500

Got a call from my builder this morning to say that our house (currently under renovation/extension) was broken into last night.

You should see the state of the place.....rooms turned upside down, attempt made to steal our new boiler, all power tools stolen plus new extractor hood, cabinets etc. I didn't bother with contents insurance as there was little of value in the house until last week when I had to start ordering stuff to keep the builders busy......we are only three weeks from the finish line.

Police came round and have been very nice but we all know nobody will be caught for this.

So frustrated and concerned they will come back at some point soon for the boiler now that they've seen it.

It's not clear how they got in at this stage.....the SOC officer was round earlier so I'm waiting for a call from them to find out.....no smashed glass or bent door frames.

Annoyed.com

Your Favourite Cartridge...Past or Present.

PAC — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:29:47 -0500

I'm slightly embarrassed by the shear number of cartridges that have been through my paws over the years but of those (many) only two really stand out as remarkable in their own way:

1. Sumiko BPS EvoIII

2. Shelter 5000

The first is a HO MC design and unlike with its predecessors, Sumiko finally managed to address the pretty awful flux damping to get rid of the renowned shrill upper register of earlier Blue Point models. I'v read many rave reviews on the original versions, mainly state-side, but all I can say is they must need their ears de-waxed, because there's very little to recommend an early Bluepoint, especially when put up against something like a Denon DL110 or DL106.

The unusual thing about the BPS EvoII is the variation that can exist between carts depending upon how they were wound, but get a good one and you're in for a treat. Think Lyra presentation and clarity for a fraction of the cost...they can be that good. I found though that they're pretty fussy to set up and benefit from a slightly tail down mounting and VTF set on the heavier side of the recommended scale. Detailed and atmospheric with the right material and something of a bargain at just over £200 these days.

The Shelter's in another league completely. In fact it's almost in a league of its own. At £1700 it isn;t cheap, but neither is a Zyx Airy or a Koetsu Black. Anyone familiar with the 501 will know just how beguiling Shelter carts can be. The 901 was famously the subject of a bitter lawsuit in the USA when it was re-branded and sold under a different name at twice the cost of the genuine one....Shelter won that case I believe. Its the measure of just how good it was, and still is. The 5000 takes the best bits of the 501 and the 901 without adding any of the colouration the former was known for and offers one of the most, if not the most dynamic MC cartridges made today. It;s dynamic range and frequency response are staggeringly good and it tracks as well as the best of the rest. It remains my all time favourite moving coil cartridge and I reckon is set to become a future classic.

Calling all Decca fans - you must get one of these !!

Mervyn — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:01:11 -0500

For the unclean this is a Decca C4E or Mk IV FFSS in a universal fitting (the FFSS was designed to fit only on Decca arms). It is a stunning cartridge and having been just re-tipped by John Wright Audio Services it simply blew away my current Decca Supergold from the off. It is just more Decca with dynamics that scare you and details that should not be there. You can 'see' Art Pepper moving his alto sax to and from the mike. For a 45 year old cartridge it is more than a classic. I reckon it would give a London Reference a good run for its money as well as make modern day MC's sound like toys !

Naim sbl foam gaskets

dany — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:52:13 -0500

Has any one any details, of the gasket material and suppliers of self adhesive sheeting to make the gaskets,

for the sbl speakers .also the silicon to apply,

Naim want over 90 pounds for a kit

The Beatles - Paul McCartney bass work

Docfoster — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 06:45:21 -0400

Listening to some of the later Beatles albums this morning. I'm always impressed by McCartney's bass playing. It's very unconventional; striking a good balance between behind-scenes-not-in-your-face-pop-style and doing-lots-of-interesting-things-and-keeping-me-engaged-stuff. Underrated as a bass player imho. Probably overrated as a song writer.

Okki Nokki RCM

trioleo — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:30:02 -0400

I have just bought a white Okki Nokki record cleaning machine (with lid) and I am so pleased with it, once I had mastered how much cleaning fluid to apply it is simple and quick to use.

I like the fact it rotates in both directions, the soft brush seems gentle enough and the overall build of the machine is quite robust.

Once the fluid has done it's job the vacuum sucks the dirty liquid off the disc very effectively.

To be fair I've always used an anti static brush and stylus cleaner, making clicks and pops a rare problem, however, now records definitely look and sound cleaner and certainly more revealing, with the Okki Nokki and new inner sleeves it makes me feel I'm preserving my vinyl collection.

regards Al

Wigwam Show - 03/03/13

Brumjam — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:39:37 -0400

Yes it's a long way off, but if you haven't been before I highly recommend coming along to the next Scalford show. I'll be there along with my system if I'm selected to exhibit. More information here:

http://www.thehifishow.com/

Reaction shot...

Docfoster — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:44:49 -0400

Better performance than jazz

Docfoster — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 16:33:00 -0400

Wales imperious today. Dropped neither a note nor a beat.

Hi-Fi Hunter Competition! Win some Bowie Vinyl

Arfa — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:03:13 -0400

Hi-Fi Hunter is running a competition to win David Bowie's The Next Day on vinyl. Pop along and try your luck.

Graphene Super Capacitors: Bye Bye Batteries!

Alan — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 07:27:47 -0500

Audirvana+ is Computer Audiophile's Readers' Product of the Year

uglymusic — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:14:28 -0400

Just noticed this. Proves we A+ users may not have cloth ears ;-)

Peter Qvortrup on Audio Note $300,000 amplifiers

uglymusic — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:52:47 -0400

Miles Davis at Ronnie Scott's - 2 November 1969

uglymusic — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:29:02 -0400

With Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, Dave Holand and Jack DeJohnette. What a band!

"Let's all join hands and contact the living", as Scott used to say.

Guy Builds Solar Powered Death Ray in his Back Yard

uglymusic — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:59:47 -0400

Michael Manring at the bass!

uglymusic — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:35:40 -0400

This discussion was created from comments split from: The Beatles - Paul McCartney bass work.

That man Wonfor is approaching Ugly Towers from the West

uglymusic — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 05:59:31 -0500

He comes bearing temptation, which he says he's going to take away again.

I have to say, I don't like it! I know I won't like it!

;;)

Royd RR3 Replacement Drive Units

Alan — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:23:43 -0500

Revelation speakers are a worry to maintain. When Joe Ackroyd closed Royd, he sold all the Royd spares to Phonography, a dealer in Hampshire - but the Revelation spares are now long gone (they still have a little Royd spares from other ranges).

As I understand it, Revelation bass drivers are somewhat unique, either being modified (from what I don't know - does anyone have an idea?), or custom made. The tweeters, though, are Vifa units. Having dismantled one, I can't see it being modified in any way ( although Joe did modify other tweeters he used).

The original tweeter is this: Vifa D26NC - 15 - 06. It is a 6 ohm unit, and also has the following numbers on it: 27022002 (probably manufacturing date - 27 feb, 2002).

There is a very useful page here, explaining how to understand the Vifa codes. It seems that the '15' element of the code is a customer code, so the manufacturer 'customised' the tweeter for clients. The only thing that seems to change is the face-plate.

I have been in touch with the manufacturer (Vifa has been bought by Scanspeak), who directed me to their main distributor. There I was told there are no D26NC-15-06 left now.

Some research has revealed that this particular tweeter was replaced by another variant, the D26NC - 55 - 06.

This tweeter has slightly different specification, but appears to be an improved version of the Revelation tweeter, release a little later. Look at the two PDF data sheets, here:

D26NC - 15 - 06. (Old)
D26NC - 55 - 06. (New)

It seems every electrical and mechanical measurement is identical between the two tweeters. More interestingly, look at the freq plots. The later tweeter (DN26-55-06) has a slightly smoother response; the peak around 14 - 16khz is flatter.

It seems reasonable to conclude the newer Vifa is a better choice, and Royd may very well have fitted them had they been available (or cheaper?) at the time the Revelation series was designed.

Sadly, the Vifa D26-55-06 is also out of production now. After Vifa stopped making it in house, it was produced under license in China, as far as I can tell. It had the exact same specifications, and one assumes Vifa kept tight quality control over their design.

There are a number (78, as of today) of new, Chinese manufactured Vifa D26NC-55-06 available from Solen, in Canada. I bought a pair myself, and they arrived at reasonable cost (just under £50GBP).

I have compared them with the very last D26-15-06 from the factory (I bought that as well - sorry!), and they seem identical so far. I shall measure them again shortly, they have been running for several weeks now.

One last thing - a slight hitch: The circular heatsink of the Chinese made D26-55-06 is slightly larger that the square one of the in-house Vifa units. The inner hole, behind the faceplate rebate, on the RR3 cabinet is slightly too small to insert the D26-55-06. I enlarged mine carefully with a sharp Stanley knife, carving away the corners. Also, the faceplate is a little tight, but can be 'persuaded' to fit without surgery. All is now well, and I have brand new tweeters in my RR3.

Your hearing: better than Fourier uncertainty principle?

Alan — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:02:05 -0500

An article discussing results of an experiement in time/freq and our perception of it, and why MP3 (and, by implication, digital to analogue conversion) has been on a hiding to nothing for years.

Article here.

In conclusion:

"Mr. Lee closes with this jab, "I don't have a lot of time for
audiophiles with gold-coated connectors and 'unidirectional' coaxial
cable, but this data is something I could buy into." But these findings
can also point to why different people, especially audiophiles who spend
a lot of time and energy just listening, may respond to the same hi-fi
gear differently since some people are more in tune with frequency,
others more in tune with time/timing, and others still perceive both
better than most and different hi-fi gear excels more and less in
reproducing these same values. It also helps explain why for some people
MP3s are good enough while for others they aren't"

Interesting comments at the bottom also.

FS Royd RR2 in cherry

Bourney01 — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 06:26:02 -0500

In reasonably tidy condition. Some sun fading in top of one. Two brand new tweeters as per Alans thread and one spare original tweeter.

£550 ono

Can deliver to Scalford this weekend

Audirvana+ 1.4

Alan — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 06:53:20 -0500

The new release of Audirvana+ is out now; I shall download and try it later. First reports on Computer Audiophile are that it sounds great, even an improvement over previous releases.

One of them things...

Docfoster — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:00:44 -0500

Been meaning to get one of these for a while...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121063681898?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Last week I did. Only £23 delivered.
Allowed me to feed several components (amps and TFS) directly out of my mains regenerator without the additional connections/fuses of a block. For good measure I soldered all of the live and neutral connections.
Crickey where did all this bass come from...? Bring on the foo !!!

Ben

Docfoster - guest performance with 7Suns :-)

Docfoster — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:37:23 -0500

For all you funksters out there, I've been asked to guest with Afro Beat outfit 7 Suns in a couple of weeks, at:
The Bread and Roses, Clapham
Saturday 2nd March. 8pm.

7Suns are very good, even with me shuffling about on stage for a few minutes.

(Only allowed in if you can shake your ass.)

Tellurium Q black Jumper leads for sale (Z plugs > Bare wire)

Alan — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:46:37 -0500

I got these earlier this week, but found out I can't really use them, so moving them on for what they cost me: £35 delivered in UK (Will post abroad but you'll have to cover postage).

Apologies for nasty cameraphone pics!

Apple Aluminium & Glass keyboard & Mouse for sale - works with Windoze as well!

Alan — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:57:28 -0500

Don't need these anymore - Keyboard has seen light use, was bought new by me two years go. RRP was £60. I think I have the box. £25 delivered in UK.

Also a glass top 'magic mouse' - very tactile, you'll just want to stroke it! On MAC, you stroke the glass in any direction like the roller on top of a normal mouse. On my PC, the stroking action is gone - maybe a setting somewhere, or maybe not possible on a PC?

I bought this second hand, it has a couple of marks on it. If you knock it unsympathetically, the battery cover pops off - but you classy punters wouldn't ever do a thing like that?! £10 + post, or no postage if you tke the keyboard as well. No original box with this one.

Apologies for the atrocious cameraphone pictures - I have a really bad dose of man-flue this week so it's the best you're going to get!

impulse lai /toca 20w

chrisb — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:50:43 -0500

lali's unmarked sound splendid boxed . 495gbp Also regretably mr wonfors wonderful 20watt toca seca amp completely overhauled by paul [quickie]unmarked and also sounding tremendous, will give the passive pot colin did for me with it. 850gbp

http://m1249.photobucket.com/albums/christray1/

Some more Royd magazine reviews

Arfa — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:35:02 -0500

Just a quick update to let you all know I've put a few more magazine reviews of Royds on the site. All from What Hi-Fi? covering the A7 Ii, Sapphire II and Merlin's. Go have a gander.

Royd What Hi-Fi reviews.

There's also some fresh pics of the Squires and their usual (for Royd) bass driver (anyone know what it is?) Also some new pics of the Coniston Mk 1's.

Royd Audio

Dave's Review of the Resonessence Concero Dac

Stupinder — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 05:31:31 -0500

First of all massive thanks to Dave for agreeing to do this review for Hifi Pig.
The Invicta DAC from the company got a rave review when we looked at it sometime ago.
How will this somewhat trimmed down version perform?
You can read his full review here

Royd - Let's Dance.

Alan — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:17:56 -0500

By way of a public service announcement: A pair of very interesting Royd listings on eBay at the moment, after a while of nothing of much note...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ROYD-EDEN-Hi-Fi-Loudspeakers-New-/180633337666?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item2a0e95ff42

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Royd-Sintra-High-Quality-2-Way-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers-/280637894224?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item4157526e50

Some nice abbots as well, but they're a bit boring really....

Audio Chews IP Hang Up

Brain_Dead — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 03:44:50 -0500

Hi Admin,

In the last few days the Audio Chews site keeps hanging up and I get messages back saying site closed or IP address fault.

Now I also had this problem on other forum sites a few month ago, it came to light that they were under attack by hackers.

Oh the same problem also occurs at times on the NVA , Pinkfish, AOS forums not checked Hifi in a Tent forum.

All seem to be based on the same SW structure maybe a problem with phpbb can you please check.

Col

Happy Birthday Max

Brain_Dead — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:15:15 -0500

Happy 70th Birthday Max Townsend.

I chatted with Max today at the Bristol Show we have known each other now for over thirty year, he looks just the same as he did when we first met at Ramda. Maybe a few more grey hairs, so keep going Max.

HELLO

dany — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:37:49 -0500

Hi to all Audio Chew members

I am Dany a new member from Lancashire

Naim 32.5 , hi cap, 140 l/ kans .ariston tt .cd3 ,cd5,

On the upgrade path ,but away from my naim gear

FS: NVA LS3 Speaker Cable - 4 x 2.5m Lengths - A Stereo Pair Ready To Use

aishy — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:26:47 -0500

It actually measures over 2.5m

Terminated with standard NVA plugs

Excellent condition

£40 + p&p

sbl

dany — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:06:24 -0500

Wanted naim sbl speakers late 1998 /99 in black

Wasapi Event Style

Alan — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:20:30 -0500

Got around to a new install of Foobar today, along with a nice looking skin. It's been a good while since my office system was up 'n running, and I see Wasapi event is now a component. This is great, as the previous Wasapi components periodically scared me with a burst of white noize every hour or so - I stuck wiv da old skool Asio for ages. Here it is:

Now I find the office system sounding a lot nicer than before (and I can still compare the older configuration with an Asio component). I have been surprised several times today by how good Foobar now sounds with Wasapi event, rather like the improvement Audirvana+ gives over iTunes. Very similar, in fact.

Wassup to you all!

FS: AVID ASC Reference speaker cable

gtatum — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 12:57:42 -0500

Fantastic 5 metre pair of AVID ASC Reference speaker cable, condition 9/10. Factory terminated with gold plated locking bananas.

See specifications on www.avidhifi.co.uk

Would cost £1950 new. I'm selling these for £750 plus p&p if required.

Contact me at tatumg@blueyonder.co.uk

'Build a Better Audio Computer'

Alan — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 07:52:21 -0500

The following is from the FAQ section at Item Audio's online shop. Mark has put together a guide to self-build a computer audio transport that he puts together and sells.

This knowledge obviously has taken a while to put in writing, but that's nothing compared with the time and effort (and expense) that must have gone into gaining this experience. I like the fact he is sharing this with the wider audio community, that he puts his ideals where his mouth is and is pushing computer audio forward.

He has already posted the same thing at pfm, and it got a pretty heated response from those who can see no good motive or sound logic here. "Bits are bits, all computers are good enough", etc. However, while I cannot comment on whether this approach has merit due to my own lack of experience, it still seems a generous step to publish instructions on how to build your own audio computer, based on the Item T1 computer transport.

Hopefully the benefits of this approach will come full circle; more people will engage with a controversial subject, more people try it for themselves, knowledge increases, audio quality may increase also. Computer audio is the future, so why not smooth the way a little? Mark is definitely to be applauded for this step in my opinion, and though he may lose a few sales of built units he hopefully will make up for that in component sales as newbies have a go. Although I am still to finish modifying my Apple mini, I am very interested in following the T1 recipe next year, which has superseded the CAPS as my preference for a self build.

FS- Torlyte Hi Fi Rack

sovereign — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:26:38 -0500

For sale is my Torlyte rack.
If you haven't heard the difference this stuff makes then I would highly recommend it!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261168278869? ... 1555.l2649

TELLURIUM Q BLACK JUMPER CABLE BI-WIRE LINKS

sovereign — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 14:53:38 -0500

TELLURIUM Q BLACK JUMPER CABLE BI-WIRE LINKS
In good order, they make a massive difference in place of the standard brass jumper links.

£45

(FS) T-amp, Muse m20 Ex2 Ta2020

sovereign — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 14:00:34 -0500

This is a MUSE M20 EX2 TA2020 power Digital Amplifier T-Amp 2*20W- Black

I have been using this whilst my monoblocs are being repaired, I honestly can't believe the sound coming out of this amp, totally ridiculously good.

This is absolutely mint, with all packaging, even down to the cable tie.

£30

Take 2 systems into the shower...?

Docfoster — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:16:08 -0500

I recently posted that I've picked up a pair of large Goodmans Goodwood speakers, after reading Alan and Sovereign's musings on the (even) larger Magisters.
I used them with my NVA P90SA > TSS mk3 for a few days and enjoyed their musical bassiness. However, they're not as precise/accurate as my Cubes, so they were never going to be a replacement. But then I thought, why should the 2 pairs of speakers be alternatives...? I wanted to try them together...
The Goodwoods came as part of a system, but the bundled 1970s receiver though charming, was a bit rubbish. So, I was on the lookout for alternative amplification. I like NVA so looked out for some cheapish integrated. Well once again, Alan to the rescue. A friend of Mr. Brown was selling an AP30. We came to an agreement on price and it arrived today...

Things are certainly...fun... :D Not a setup for late night listening. >:)
Tbh the Cubes are not bass-shy, but you can't beat a full 12 inches... With the 2 parallel systems now working well together, I'm still not quite sure what's going on - it is an interesting combination. With the Cubes 'leading' the performance the Goodmans can be gently brought up into the mix to provide some definite bass slam, but I'm still playing around with levels to get the best balance.

A couple of tweaks I've had to bring to the party...
With the Cubes playing on their own, sitting on top of the Goodmans the sound was worse than when on their speaker stands. some clarity was lost. I wondered whether this was because the big Goodmans cabinets may be resonating (or something). I dug out 8 foculpods from by bits and bobs box and stuck them under the Cubes and..bingo...they were sounding better than ever. (You can just make out the pods on the pictures.)
Also, the Goodmans sit on rounded feet which cannot be adjusted. Unfortunately my floor is somewhat uneven and the big boys were rocking all over the place. So I built a couple of spiked MDF plinths that I could level off for the stack to sit on. Again you can just make out these in the pic.

Will post again when I've done some proper listening.

Dynaudio: advice sought

Gingernutt — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 07:30:03 -0500

Not been about for a while.
After my last visit, I bought a dynavector 20x2 for my lp12, and wow, it's great, so I thought I'd ask for more advice.......

Am considering changing my Spendor s6e speakers as they are physically too big for their new room.
Have auditioned dynaudio excite 12 s, which I am very impressed with, as well as neat motive 2, which were equally good, just different, looser in the bass.

Anyone got any opinions on the excites?,

Perhaps someones got longer term relationship with them?

Thanks

Ginge