Your hi-fi (or not!) history...from the beginning

[red eye]

Mission MX3

I got the mx surround set. I'm still in two minds about the gray plastic, dont know to spray them a darker gary or not

 

[red eye]

Thats what I call speakers. Can I ask where you got you rack from?

 

[jbloggs]

Can't really remember the exact order in my hi-fi history:

1) Amstrad tun/amp, Goldring GL75 (don't know the cartridge), Wharfdale Celestion (of some sort)

2) Trio (record deck), Pioneer amp, Acoustic Research AR18's

3) Ariston RD11s (with SME arm and Ortofon VMS20E), Denon amp, B&W speakers, Yamaha tuner, Aiwa cassette deck (the wedge shaped one).

Then took a quite a long break from it, then...

4) Logitech SB3, NAD C320BEE (upgraded to Marantz PM7001), Wharfedale Diamond 9.1 (then changed speakers to Wharfedale Diamond 10.1's)

DAC's: ZeroDAC, DACMagic

5) Logitech Touch, Audio-GD DAC-19MK3, Roksan kandy K2 (integ amp), PMC DB1S+, with Mark Grant interconnects and power cables and Van Damme 4mm speaker cable...

Think that's about it, pretty sure I have missed out some stuff I had decades ago...

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I'd tend to agree with Mr Sukebe. You need to go quite high in the Naim lineup to tame all of that - although I've not really listened to the newer stuff. I do know speaker choice is critical - I heard a 555/552/500 through some £4k B&Ws which was horrific to listen to.

Good digital is great through my Naim setup though - particularly the DBLs as they just "do" bass right IMHO. I don't think I could live with another speaker (except probably some ATCs).

Funny you mention ATCs, know a guy with a pair of active 100s. They're brill. If horns didn't exist, it's where my money would go. Funny how I've never been impressed by the Meridian actives, even the big ones. Always sounded a bit overly controlled in the low end.

 

[sHo0sH]

My first was a christmas gift when I was about 12...

Currently running a Denon AV amp and B&W 603s1, CC6, B&W 501s1

 

[marl]

Here goes, it would probadly be easier for me to list the components I've owned and sold over the years-:


1978 - Phillips Music Center
1983 - Aiwi Separates system which included a very cool automatic turntable with slide out tray to set LP on.

1989 - First separates system comprising
Thownsend Avalon Turntable
Audiolab 8000a integrated amp
Diesis soliatire speakers

Lots of changes since then-:

Turntables - Source with 3D power supply then Avid Acutus.
Tonearms - SME 309, Graham series, 2 SME IV
Cartridges - Goldring Eroica, Ortofon Quartz, Sumiko Bluepoint Special, Audiotechnica ART 1, Lyra Lydian, Lyra Clavis DC Capo

Phono stages - Carver step-up, Audio Innovations P2. PassLabs XONO

Pre-Amps - Arion x2 valve pres, can't remember their exact names. Croft Micro, BAT VK3-ix, VTL 5.5 series 2 signature with phono stage

Power-amps - Marantz MA 24 monoblocs, dumbest thing I ever did was sell these! Arion Nemesis 300b valve, Boulder 500AE.

Speakers- Heco can't remember name, Mission 753's, Tannoy D700's, Living Voice Avatar, Living Voice Avatar 0BX's

CD player - Yamaha CDR HD 1500.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

Here goes, it would probadly be easier for me to list the components I've owned and sold over the years-:


1978 - Phillips Music Center
1983 - Aiwi Separates system which included a very cool automatic turntable with slide out tray to set LP on.

1989 - First separates system comprising
Thownsend Avalon Turntable
Audiolab 8000a integrated amp
Diesis soliatire speakers

Lots of changes since then-:

Turntables - Source with 3D power supply then Avid Acutus.
Tonearms - SME 309, Graham series, 2 SME IV
Cartridges - Goldring Eroica, Ortofon Quartz, Sumiko Bluepoint Special, Audiotechnica ART 1, Lyra Lydian, Lyra Clavis D, Benz LP.

Phono stages - Carver step-up, Audio Innovations P2. PassLabs XONO

Pre-Amps - Arion x2 valve pres, can't remember their exact names. Croft Micro, BAT VK3-ix, VTL 5.5 series 2 signature with phono stage

Power-amps - Marantz MA 24 monoblocs, dumbest thing I ever did was sell these! Arion Nemesis 300b valve, Boulder 500AE.

Speakers- Heco can't remember name, Mission 753's, Tannoy D700's, Living Voice Avatar, Living Voice Avatar 0BX's

CD player - Yamaha CDR HD 1500.

Some interesting kit. What is your present system?

 

[marl]

Some interesting kit. What is your present system?

My present, and probably will be until the day I die, as i've maxed out is-:

Turntable -: Avid Acutus SP
Tonearm-: SME IV
Cartridges-: Clavis DC
Pre/Phono -: VTL 5.5 Series II Signature
Power -: Boulder 500AE
Speakers-: Living Voice Avatar OBX's
Cables-: Ayre Tonearm, Atlas Interconnect/Speaker cables.
CD player Yamaha CDR-HD1500

The only thing I'm likely change in the next year or so is the cart as they don't last forever!

 

[arad85]

Thats what I call speakers.

A few people do a double take when the come into the room.

Can I ask where you got you rack from?

The rack is a Mana amp rack (on phase 2 soundstage). Bought second hand in 1997 and no longer available as Mana shut up shop some 6+ years ago. Sometimes come up on e-bay but since they are solid angle iron, they are normally "local pickup only"...

 

[arad85]

Can I ask where you got you rack from?

Or do you mean the TV Stand? IIRC, it's an alphason, but no longer made.

 

[divuk83]

When I was 17 I had some Sony midi system, which I can't remember the name of however I really started getting hi-fi stuff at 18.

I started out with a Marantz PM57 amp, a second hand Rotel RCD955AX CD player with my old Sony Speakers. I got a second hand Aiwa tape deck and a Technics Record Deck.

Next upgrade was a pair of B&W 601s2 speakers followed by an Arcam CD62 cd player.

I went a bit mad and bought a Denon AV amp, B&W sub and a pair of Kef Cresta 1's as rear speakers. (note the ON/ITV digital box in the pictures below!)

I then bought a sound org rack to store it all and replaced the technics with a project deck.

I can't remember why I made the change to surround but a few years later I suddenly decided to make the change back to 2 channel and I'm glad I did. The Denon was replaced with a Naim Nait 5i then I got bit by the upgrade bug again. The Arcam was replaced by first a Naim CD5i then a CDX2. The B&W speakers were replaced with N-Sats and later an REL Stampede sub. The nait5i was replaced with a NAC202, PSC then to a NAC82 with PSC. Used first with a NAP150X, then a NAP200 then a HICAP was added to the 82. I also briefly owned a NAT02 tuner however it was replaced with a far cheaper NAD tuner as I'm not a big radio listener. I still sold my NAT02 for a tidy profit on the bay.

I then realised that amazing as it all sounded I had got a bit carried away and needed some money for a house deposit so I decided to downgrade. All the kit bar the speakers and the sub were sold and I bought a Naim Uniti to replace it all. Despite being a bit reluctant to give up CD's I'm really enjoying streaming and like having an iPad to use a a remote.

Apologies for all the pictures, but if you clicked on this thread you should have expected that!

Dave

BTW, love the DBLs!

 

[Martynt74]

Ah Lost Cause, an absolutely fantastic song!

 

[NirK]

That naim stuff looks sweet. Shame it is so expensive!

 

[Somnambulist]

Portable:

When I was younger I had a couple of Sony Walkman cassette players w/various buds
In my teens I upgraded to a Discman, again w/buds

First DAP was a Rio Karma which unfortunately got stolen, started using cheap IEMs

Next DAP was a Sony NW-HD5, along with some UE Super Fi. Pro 5s (I'd found Head-Fi at this point):

After a few years I upgraded the player to Teclast T51/Nationite S:Flo2:

Been through various IEMs, now settled with Future Sonics MG6pro custom dynamic drivers:

And playing through this, which I'm waiting on - iBasso DX100 (ESS Sabre chip based portable player):

Full size:

Teens = some rubbish CD player thing w/speakers

Then got a Sony separates thing from Argos

I also had a few different rubbish computer speakers, can't remember what exactly.

It wasn't until the 00's and my mid 20's that I started doing stuff properly. I sold all the above, got my Mac and eventually got a Yulong D100 desktop amp/DAC:

At first I was using this w/my IEMs, but I then got myself some proper desktop speakers, Focal CMS 50's:

With one of these between the DAC and speakers to control the volume:

I found I wasn't using my IEMs at home at all, and was itching to upgrade, so I got a pure DAC - the Yulong D18:

I'm currently moving away from the Mac for playback and removing the desk entirely and going for NAS to a modded one of these:

(that's a linear PSU in the pic)

Outputting into a USB to S/PDIF converter (e.g. Audiophilleo2)

Then going into my newest toy - for which I've sold the TC E Level Pilot and D18 and will be selling the Focals eventually, the NAD M51 DAC:

I'm building my newest speakers currently, to replace the Focals. Linkwitz Plutos (version 2.1):

All controlled via iPad. Should be enough for nearish field bedroom listening and slaughter the Focals in every way. A 5" woofer, but they don't start rolling off till 45hz which is considerably lower than the Focals at the same cone size. Imaging should be immense. They're also active and the amp is build into the base of the speaker (the M51 has one of the finest digital volume controls available).

One day, when I have more room, I'm going to build their big brothers, the Orions:
http://www.theorionspeakers.com/speakers-and-cabinets/release-orion-4.html

Yum yum.

I'll post my own pics when I've
a) decorated my room properly
b) got everything set up
c) built my Plutos - right now the boards still need to be populated so got a way to go yet!

I wouldn't mind owning some Event Opals too but I need to build a 5.1 home theater system as well as get a projector, so I think the Pluto's will be my only 2.0 set up for the time being!

 

[red eye]

Or do you mean the TV Stand? IIRC, it's an alphason, but no longer made.

I meant the hi fi rack although I do like the tv stand but I see my little boy climbing all over that. I need to toddler proof my gear he's already cost me an Xbox.

 

[NirK]

How do you find the Yulong dac? Can you buy it in the UK? I was looking at that but not too keen on imported electronics due to warranty etc. How is the sound on that? Does it have smooth treble?

I think you will be lucky to get an actual 45hz from 5" drivers tbh.... My 7" drivers roll off at 40hz...

 

[Somnambulist]

How do you find the Yulong dac? Can you buy it in the UK? I was looking at that but not too keen on imported electronics due to warranty etc. How is the sound on that? Does it have smooth treble?

I think you will be lucky to get an actual 45hz from 5" drivers tbh.... My 7" drivers roll off at 40hz...

The D100 was faultless. The D18 was a step up in terms of quality, but unfortunately used a different transformer and it buzzed audibly no matter what I did. Yulong confirmed this was something to do with the electronics not being tested with UK voltages. Other UK buyers here haven't had this problem - it seems location dependant, maybe I'm just unlucky (SE London). In the end I returned it and ordered the M51.

Actually that was a typo - the Plutos are a true 40hz speaker, not 45hz. The original Pluto design only went to 60hz, and the 40hz region could be covered by the addition of the 'Pluto+' DIY subwoofers. However this doubled the cost, and Linkwitz decided that it would be better value for money if he could get a better driver for the stereo pair. Thus, the Peerless driver was replaced with a special Seas one which is specifically made for the Plutos (the perks of being one of the guys who invented the Linkwitz/Riley crossover ) and can exert more without introducing any distortion (meaning it can go lower at the same volume). It isn't capable of the kind of output hat say, the Orions are, but this would be in 'neighbours won't like it' territory anyway.

 

[NirK]

Hmmm well that is impressive if a 5" driver can go that low... I know SEAS are excellent drivers but that does seem a little optimistic lol. What is the M51 dac?

 

[Shamrock]

My hi-fi history has been brief and limited to mainly headphones/earphones because I don't have the space or money for a proper setup. Although I do have a very modest system consisting of Mission M72s, NAD C315BEE and BK Gemini II.

I've owned around 10 different IEMs and maybe 15 headphones during my short time being interested in personal audio so I'll just show what's left at the end of my journey as I'm now dedicating funds to other hobbys.

Portable

Home headphones

Amps/DAC

 

[Somnambulist]

Hmmm well that is impressive if a 5" driver can go that low... I know SEAS are excellent drivers but that does seem a little optimistic lol. What is the M51 dac?

It's due to the driver and clever design:

Pluto has sealed baffles, but unlike the majority of box speakers it has no significant sound coming off flexing panels or through the driver membrane from the inside of a box. Structure borne panel vibrations and the difficulty to attenuate air borne sound inside an enclosure are two major problem areas for conventional box speakers that are extremely difficult to avoid. Just look at the effort it takes to build extremely stiff and inert enclosures, and yet the paper thin driver membrane cannot block what is happening on the inside from coming out. These two problems drove me to open baffle speaker design before I even considered benefits from their directional behavior. Plutp, though, minimizes the box problems by using pipes. They are extremely stiff, so there is no panel radiation. The length of the pipe enclosure makes it possible to build a fairly decent acoustic absorber. Thus, little of the sound which travels inside the pipe comes back out through the cone again after it has been reflected at the closed end of the pipe.
The other problem with boxes is their shape and the panel area to which drivers are mounted. These cause the speaker to be omni-directional at low frequencies or long wavelengths, and to become forward directional at high frequencies. Thus their off-axis response rolls down from low to high frequencies by over 10 dB, the room is illuminated unevenly, and the replicas of the direct sound lack high frequencies causing a dull rather than open sound. PLUTO fires upwards, downwards, and uniformly around over most of its frequency range. In terms of the absence of secondary radiation through the cone, the enclosure walls, and edge diffraction, Pluto behaves like a box-less speaker.

It's also a sealed design, obviously.

My DAC is this:
http://nadelectronics.com/products/masters-series/M51-Direct-Digital-DAC
http://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-m51-direct-digital-da-converter

Saved a bit via a special occasion price which lessened the pain. The awesome pre-amp will work beautifully with my active speakers and I can use the HDMI for Bluray/DVDs of music performances which are in PCM stereo only.