What's in your Hi-Fi?

[rappard]

Follow-up re Totem: http://totemacoustic.com/en/find-a-dealer/NL/ lists quite a few dealers near me. As soon as I've moved house I'll go listen. Any particular faves?

[motorbike guy]

A friend has MLs and they sound awesome - but I also think you need a higher-wattage amp to drive them properly?

not really. they don't go super loud, but they are of average efficiency. the biggest problem with planar/electrostatic speakers is that you have to have a fair amount of air around them, because just as much sound comes out the front as comes out the back. So if you back them up against a wall, the sound from the rear of the speaker bounces off the back wall and interferes with the membrane and the sound coming out the front.

They are truly wonderful (I like Martin Logan CLSs, myself) in the right room. Great for not so heavy stuff. Not big bass extension. But what they do, they do very very well. Small ensemble acoustic jazz is wonderful on them. Folky acoustic guitar stuff is truly captivating.

If you like Neurosis (and I do), you are probably not going to get your rocks off with planar speakers.

[motorbike guy]

Follow-up re Totem: http://totemacoustic.com/en/find-a-dealer/NL/ lists quite a few dealers near me. As soon as I've moved house I'll go listen. Any particular faves?

I have heard and liked the Model 1s, the Mani-2s (amazing bass from a small speaker). The Arro, Hawk and Forest models are floorstanders that I liked.

Be advised that these are all going to be way more than 800euros new. like, more than three times that. when i suggested the brand, it was as a good used buy.

[rappard]

A friend has MLs and they sound awesome - but I also think you need a higher-wattage amp to drive them properly?

not really. they don't go super loud, but they are of average efficiency. the biggest problem with planar/electrostatic speakers is that you have to have a fair amount of air around them, because just as much sound comes out the front as comes out the back. So if you back them up against a wall, the sound from the rear of the speaker bounces off the back wall and interferes with the membrane and the sound coming out the front.

They are truly wonderful (I like Martin Logan CLSs, myself) in the right room. Great for not so heavy stuff. Not big bass extension. But what they do, they do very very well. Small ensemble acoustic jazz is wonderful on them. Folky acoustic guitar stuff is truly captivating.

If you like Neurosis (and I do), you are probably not going to get your rocks off with planar speakers.

That's odd - a substantial part of my friend's collection is heavy drone. Think Ufomammut, Sunn 0))) and their ilk.

That said, his taste is pretty catholic (right expression?), so he might just have gone for speakers that handle a lot of things well.

[rappard]

Follow-up re Totem: http://totemacoustic.com/en/find-a-dealer/NL/ lists quite a few dealers near me. As soon as I've moved house I'll go listen. Any particular faves?

I have heard and liked the Model 1s, the Mani-2s (amazing bass from a small speaker). The Arro, Hawk and Forest models are floorstanders that I liked.

Be advised that these are all going to be way more than 800euros new. like, more than three times that. when i suggested the brand, it was as a good used buy.

Thanks. I always buy used - most dealers here offer 3-6 months warranty on used kit.

[Some minutes later....] Even second-hand they're pricey:
http://audio-tv-foto.marktplaats.nl/lui ... inish.html
Hm....

[Richard]

ok not exactly a high end system but
Receiver Kenwood KA-4006
Tuner Kenwood KT-6007
CD Marantz CD5003
TT Technics SL-1200 MK2 w/ Grado Gold
Infinity P162 bookshelf speakers
no-name nothing cables all around

so if I told you I had between $500 and 1000 then can someone point me to a nice receiver upgrade? I'm leaning toward http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html any thoughts on that?

and also has anyone with an SL1200 had any of those KAB upgrades?

thanks

[enframed]

so if I told you I had between $500 and 1000 then can someone point me to a nice receiver upgrade?

Either one less than $500. Personally, I'd go for the Marantz; all things else being equal, it looks badass.

[LBx]

has anyone with an SL1200 had any of those KAB upgrades?

Totally happy with my 2nd hand/out-of-the-box 1200. But I have come across that page before. Would consider one as a replacement if it were necessary.

[motorbike guy]

for $1000 I would go for a Rotel or NAD integrated.

there are some bryston and adcom power amps on ebay and audiogon right now for $800ish. If you can find a good preamp for a few hundred, that might be a good way to go as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NAD-M3-Dual-Mono-Integrated-Amplifier-/170843433939?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item27c70febd3

this is a megawatt NAD integrated. I bet it kicks ass. Probably no phono section though.

this tandberg is a real serious piece of work. Only $500.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Super-Rare-Vintage-Tandberg-3012-Stereo-Integrated-Amplifier-With-Manual-/110872763266?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item19d0881b82

[eephour]

Those Tandbergs are amazing.

[SitUpandListen]

Hello there to all. New to this forum...
Been buying audio equipment since early 72 - 1st receiver was a JVC; most impressive pieces of (now gone)audio gear was my Acoustat 2+2's, and my Stromberg Carlson ASP-422...

Presently:
Marantz 8001 SACD
Pioneer Elite DV-37 CD
Sanyo Plus T35 Tuner
Wolze Triode Line Level Preamp
Kenwood KA-3500 Integrated
Onkyo A7 Integrated
Nikko Alpha 230 amp
Onkyo TX-6500 MKII Receiver
Pair University S6 Master Series Speakers
Pair Ohm Model Four Speakers
Pair Peak/Coral 8" coax in Watterson cabinets
Soon to be listened to: Pioneer Pax drivers in some as-of-yet-undetermined cabinet
Various interconnects - my favs: Silnote Audio

Saw "genginni " uses a Decca Hifonic to play 78s - I have one of these tabletop record 'players' and would like to contact him and find out more about this Decca unit and how he wired this up... can't figure out how to contact him: any help PLEASE?

Good Luck and Good Health to all you kats out there in Tuneland - SitUpandListen (Bill)

Saw that

[madmanmunt]

I picked up a Sony STR-DH100 today as a stop-gap until I figure out what to do with my beleaguered Nikko amplifier. Thought I was being really clever.



Pros:

It is absolutely silent when it is supposed to be.

It does not crackle, fart or hum intermittently. The sound does not suddenly drop out from one speaker or the other just when you are getting into the music.

I don't have to reach around the back and unplug the connectors when I want to change from the CD player to the radio. And maybe I'll set up the tape deck as well, give ...And Justice for All a whirl...

Cons:

It sounds like shit. Total shit.

I cannot believe how shitty this thing sounds. I am ready after 20 minutes to swap back the Nikko with it's dropouts, crackles, farts and intermittent hum. Just last night I was listening to Histoire de Melody Nelson and thinking to myself, "Man, this thing sounds pretty good when it wants to work!"

Am I turning into a audiophile? I always got my stuff from the rubbish, thrift stores, or as hand-me-downs...

[Speedie]

The old Harman Kardon finally died, the front right channel is distorted, all the time, any volume.

Ebay and $160 later, I scored me one of these:



I like it. pretty good actually.

[enframed]

Is that Sony that bad? Funny. I picked up a STR-DG500 at an estate sale down the block. $20.



Got it for the shop/garage system. I'm sure it'll be fine for that purpose. No remote but I'm only using two-channel stereo anyway.

[MatthewK]

Models 2285B (1978) and RCD971 (2001) respectively. Through a pair of VAF DC7 Ultra (a high end kit company from Australia). Also a Denon TT and a bunch of other sources.
The Marantz has had new caps in the audio path and the power supply - rock solid, immensely loud, neutral but warm somehow. My search ended a few years back!

[steve]

Always liked those big boat-anchor Marantz integrated amps and receivers. Used to have one, will probably be in the market for one when we get to the new digs. Might get an old Thorens and some Cerwin Vegas and have a proper 70s frathouse setup for the games room.

You heard me. Games room.

[AnthonyVillalobos]

You heard me. Games room.

That's how it's done dude! Early congrats.

[MatthewK]

Always liked those big boat-anchor Marantz integrated amps and receivers. Used to have one, will probably be in the market for one when we get to the new digs.

Not only do they sound fantastic, they can be fixed by replacing actual parts, not ICs. The phono stage in mine is beautiful.

[Brinkman]

Models 2285B (1978) and RCD971 (2001) respectively. Through a pair of VAF DC7 Ultra (a high end kit company from Australia). Also a Denon TT and a bunch of other sources.
The Marantz has had new caps in the audio path and the power supply - rock solid, immensely loud, neutral but warm somehow. My search ended a few years back!

A couple years back I picked up a Marantz 2220 in the original walnut enclosure. I've been using it in the summers when it's too hot to use my modified Dynakit ST70. Anyway, the 22XX series are great, even better that you were lucky to score a 22XXB model. When I'm not too lazy I'll get around to the recap I still haven't gotten around to doing.

[sleepkid]

Well, since we're talking about them...

...my kitchen boat anchor:



Model 2230. Great solid state. Have had it forever. Don't ask me where the original selector knob went. It's not a pretty story. I never use the tuner, so don't try and sell me a lamp kit. In the low price range, these things are the bees knees.