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Your most recent audio purchases

108.209.49.136
Posted on September 18, 2016 at 20:20:59
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016




Pictures of your most recent audio purchases. I've been on kind of a buying spree the past few months, my most recent prompted this thread. It's funny the reasons we reason ourselves with to justify our purchases.
I have a terrific box radio, National RX-7000, but I reasoned it was just too much radio to bring on the job. So I've had my eBay account searching for a particular box radio I have personal experience with, a Panasonic RX-5080. Well, I had kind of forgotten about it, I had been looking for one that wasn't an arm and a leg for more than a yr.

My most recent purchase. This radio rivals my holy grail RX-7000 in SQ, not all the bells and whistles but it's a meat and potatoes thing. Inherited one many yrs ago from my father in law, and it's a real unassuming sleeper.

Martin

 

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RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 18, 2016 at 20:31:40
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016






One of my recent purchases one of four power amps, a Belles I Stereo Power Amplifier serial #260. Not much on the net about this amp but I understand David Belles is very highly respected in the audio world. And looking inside I can see why.

Only a quick listen for functionality, will post a thread on its sonic pros and cons once set up.

Martin

 

For my desktop audio, Topping TP30, posted on September 19, 2016 at 07:39:18
Feanor
Audiophile

Posts: 9849
Location: London, Ontario
Joined: June 17, 2003
Contributor
  Since: March 12, 2004
 The little Topping TP30, (which is yet to arrive from Amazon.ca), will driver Realistic Minimus 7 speakers.

The TP30 has built-in USB DAC and a headphone amp. It's all I need for my computer listening which is non-critical in nature.

?




Dmitri Shostakovich

 

Most recent audio purchase... , posted on September 19, 2016 at 09:18:43
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31871
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004



aa
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

I bought an expensive piece of wire. Wanted it 2 years, kept sayin' NO to myself.. finally did it, posted on September 19, 2016 at 11:15:33
Smelly_Socks
 So it cost a lot. (So for the price of six months rent, or a whole year's worth of food, I bought some wire last week.)

That was the main reason I baulked.
I wanted it two years ago, but just refused to spend the money. So, instead I wasted $1,200 on some other crap being 'frugal'. Foolish.

The madness of audiophilia.

PS yes the new wire is worth every penny, this wire makes my system sound better than ever before... and I should have gone for this a long time ago.

The down side is now I want to buy more of them.. The old: "If one of good, a bunch would be better".. At least I do not need more seven meters long.. But the first meter is the part which is really expensive. (sigh)

I pretend to myself I never bought them, nor spent any unusual amount of money recently. Well, maybe $500. I can live with $500... Instead of three grand.

What money?? Not me.


PS I normally never double post. But this question was asked here. Previously I did write about buying the wire in Cable Asylum.

 

Tease!, posted on September 19, 2016 at 11:54:13
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 So you got the new more expensive wire and said its worth it but didn't tell us what it is and what you used it for! Bulk wire you made into something or pre made cables?


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

Ok..., posted on September 19, 2016 at 13:28:45
Smelly_Socks
 Kimber Kable KS1116 XLR seven meter for preamp to amp link $3,106

I have used a seven meter IC in this place for many years.
I have my rack next to my listening position, and the amp between the speakers.
The first wire I used was Kimber PBJ. Back when I had cheaper electronics.
When I went to better electronics I bought a Kimber Hero, also 7 meters.
(though break in, but was good)

A few years ago I bought some 1 meter Cardas Parsec. And loved them, Thinking a long one would work, I spent $1,200 or so on a 7 meter Parsec. total fail, and I returned it, since it was worthless at seven meters. Bought some Kimber bulk wire (for $500!) and made my own.
That was OK but not great. Even back when I bought the Parsec and returned it, I knew I wanted the KS1116. But.. I was too cheap.

It is really hard for me to wrap my head around $3000 for one damn wire.
First meter is $1K then each additional meter is $330 or so.. The cheaper additional meters made it possible.
I did it since I wanted it for over two years.. Finally yeah, I have the money, close my eyes and buy it.
Pretend it never happened..

What wire? what money? hah ha you have me confused with someone else...
I am a certified cheapskate.

 

The good news is you can prop the new wires up on your toilet paper cylinders. Nt, posted on September 19, 2016 at 14:01:56
geoffkait
 Nt

 

RE: Ok..., posted on September 19, 2016 at 14:53:12
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 I am proud of you- Smelly

you overcame your fears about cabling. Now, enjoy the MUSIC!

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 19, 2016 at 14:54:43
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Martin,

earlier this year, I bought my reference loudspeakers;
Thiel CS 2.4SE. Starting next year, I will build the remainder of my reference system. Happy Listening!

 

RE: Ok..., posted on September 19, 2016 at 15:24:41
genungo
 Mind over matter!(?)

 

This is true! And totally appropriate. nt, posted on September 19, 2016 at 16:37:05
Smelly_Socks
 .

 

QUAD 63s serviced and good spkr cables. One Perreaux 600C 380wpc power amp., posted on September 19, 2016 at 16:50:46
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 One Fostex 300 pro 100wpc Power amp. Both amps serviced and checked. Perreaux given RCa inputs and Banana spkr posts.

Spkr cable sets with polarity switching relays in line - for QUADs and subs.






Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

Two purchases and..., posted on September 19, 2016 at 16:54:47
Jim Treanor
Audiophile

Posts: 2167
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: June 1, 2003



a very unexpected yesterday-afternoon gift, all shown here:

The purchases, both within the last two months:

1. a pair of eBay-auctioned customer-returned Paradigm Studio 20 v.5 speakers for the bedroom system.

2. an eBay-auctioned customer-returned Teac UD-501 USB DAC for the bedroom system.

And yesterday's surprise birthday present:

A vintage Teac A-1200U reel-to-reel tape recorder that formerly belonged to an Altec-Lansing technician. Also slated for the bedroom system.



Jim

 

Happy B-day. Nt, posted on September 19, 2016 at 17:55:11
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8474
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023
 .
Gsquared

 

Thank you. Nt, posted on September 19, 2016 at 20:50:04
Jim Treanor
Audiophile

Posts: 2167
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: June 1, 2003
 .

Jim

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 19, 2016 at 21:40:02
cloudwalker
Audiophile

Posts: 634
Location: central wa
Joined: September 27, 2012



 

I love your purchase!, posted on September 20, 2016 at 03:10:15
Quint
Dealer

Posts: 3657
Joined: June 21, 2003
 That is one of my favorite Al Green albums. It's actually the first Al record I ever bought. I didn't have a very good system at the time, so I brought it over my friend's, who had a pair of Quad 63s, Audible Illusions pre, big Krell amp, an LP12, and an EAD CD player. Hearing that and the Beatles on his rig soon convinced me to start ponying up the big bucks for the high end.
This is a public service announcement . . . WITH GUITARS!!!

 

RE:Hi Jim!..., posted on September 20, 2016 at 05:37:38
Land Shark
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Location: South Florida
Joined: April 26, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 6, 2000
 How goes it? I can't post a picture of my new (2 months) Audio Engine D-1 USB DAC. It's a great sounding little gem.

That TEAC is gorgeous. Enjoy!

Best regards, Ralph

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 20, 2016 at 05:42:53
Jack G
Audiophile

Posts: 9739
Joined: September 24, 1999

Martin Logan Montis. Since they just expanded the Impression series, you've been able to get the Montis and Summit X for a fraction of the retail price.
Nice speakers.
Jack

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 20, 2016 at 07:03:59
samac
Audiophile

Posts: 780
Location: midwest
Joined: August 28, 2004

Bluesound Node 2. I really like this streamer. Unexpectantly it has become my main source.

 

RE: I changed my Biases, posted on September 20, 2016 at 07:05:55
kitch29
 Probably it was the power tube that took out the resistor but I didn't want to take a chance with my Bucket List build so I replaced the
scary-solder PCB type pots that allowed fancy knobs for the bias:





With solder lug types with slotted shafts; less aesthetic but greater peace of mind:





Mullard 5-20 style 60 Watt'ers I'll be buried with:





 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 20, 2016 at 07:41:03
G Squared
Audiophile

Posts: 8474
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Joined: November 16, 2004
Contributor
  Since: May 23, 2023



.
Gsquared

 

I've practically worn out side one on LP copies..., posted on September 20, 2016 at 08:49:28
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31871
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 now I'll start discovering side two PLUS the bonus tracks.

A major stylistic change for AG, Belle holds up and shows new layers of an artist
being unfolded. GREAT band and AG's acoustic guitar playing is dynamite.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Hi Ralph!..., posted on September 20, 2016 at 14:10:14
Jim Treanor
Audiophile

Posts: 2167
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: June 1, 2003
 As you can probably tell, it goes well here. Sounds like it's the same for you.

Congrats on the D-1. I bet you're having fun with it.

Best,
Jim

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 20, 2016 at 18:04:20
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016
 Great company, they make a great product. I've recommended their subs to many asking about what sub to buy when music is the main concern.

Martin

 

cartridge..., posted on September 20, 2016 at 18:53:25
kuma
Audiophile

Posts: 10272
Location: IN
Joined: July 8, 2001
 Audio Technica AT-F7 Moving Coil.


 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 21, 2016 at 03:20:56
Quint
Dealer

Posts: 3657
Joined: June 21, 2003
 No pictures, but I recently purchased a pair of High Fidelity Cables MC-0.5 Magnetic Waveguide plug-ins. I had been auditioning them for a while and finally decided that they did enough good to warrant buying 'em. I've been done with component purchases for a while. Now it's about occasional tweaking to get that last few percentage points.
This is a public service announcement . . . WITH GUITARS!!!

 

RE: Hi Ralph!..., posted on September 21, 2016 at 06:06:29
Land Shark
Audiophile

Posts: 504
Location: South Florida
Joined: April 26, 2000
Contributor
  Since: September 6, 2000
 Yeah, I'm enjoying the D-1 a lot. Not as good as the Counterpoint, but an amazing performer for the money.

Best regards, Ralph

 

FM antenna..., posted on September 21, 2016 at 06:52:55
tketcham
Audiophile

Posts: 6701
Location: East of the 100th meridian USofA
Joined: March 21, 2005
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2005



It's a C.Crane FM Reflect Dipole Antenna $34.95 USD. A lot of money for a dipole antenna but it's made from quality materials with lots of copper in the antenna. Most importantly, it works!

I've been trying to find a way to get decent FM reception on our Boston Acoustics table radio (upstairs bedroom) and this antenna does the trick. The problem was that you'd find a spot where reception was pretty good and then the next day there would be lots of interference. The stock radio antenna just didn't work very well so I tried a Terk Edge and a Magnum Dynalab ST-2 antenna; no go. The Terk Edge wouldn't lock on to a signal very well and just amplified the interference noise. The Magnum Dynalab ST-2 would have to be suspended horizontally in the middle of the room with a different location for each station!

The C.Crane antenna seems to lock onto the new HD FM signal better than the old dipole and mast antennas. I haven't tried to find the optimum shape or placement yet; seems to work just fine where it is, draped over a chair in the corner.

Highly recommended if you have problems with indoor FM reception.

Tom

 

RE: FM antenna..., posted on September 21, 2016 at 16:47:01
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016
 This is why I started this thread, I like this. I've been looking for a good indoor antenna, I think I might have to order one of these.

Martin

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 21, 2016 at 17:39:32
bcowen
Audiophile

Posts: 1076
Location: North Carolina
Joined: December 19, 2015
 Sweeeeet! I heard these at a dealer a couple months ago and began salivating. Awesome speakers.`

Congrats!

 

How would you define a good FM antenna?, posted on September 21, 2016 at 21:16:39
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
 My definition is one that is strong enough to drive your FM front end into full quieting, on all desired stations, with a signal free of multipath additions caused by reflections.

Noting that no tuner made can eliminate multi-path.

By definition there are only two indoor FM antennas that can guarantee that are a Moxon or way better a wire rhombic. The Moxon can be pointed, but hasn't anywhere near the gain of a rhombic, but more gain than the folded dipole from Crane.

Powered indoor antennas usually add noise.












Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

RE: FM antenna..., posted on September 22, 2016 at 06:44:51
tketcham
Audiophile

Posts: 6701
Location: East of the 100th meridian USofA
Joined: March 21, 2005
Contributor
  Since: October 1, 2005
 Hi, Martin,

No guarantees, but it's the most practical solution that I've come across for a problem radio location. Of course, you could try one of Timbo's suggestions. Have fun with those. '-)

Regards,
Tom

 

One true old audio adage, posted on September 23, 2016 at 12:39:48
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 You will be better off with a good antenna feeding an average turner than you will with a crappy antenna and highly rated tuner.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 23, 2016 at 15:34:40
hcalland@gte.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: November 6, 2011



George-Warren turntable and Graham 2.2 Tonearm.

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on September 26, 2016 at 15:40:40
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016



Another Carver TFM-15, not the bridgeable cb version. Still in the box, if not DOA due to poor packing like the one I returned Saturday it should be the final piece in my Carver system. This system comes close to replacing one purchased new in 1991, and lost in the great sell off of 2012 when the music had gone out of my life for a time.

Maybe one day I will be in a place to replace my Mac gear also gone in the great sell off of 2012.

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on October 3, 2016 at 07:33:03
Picklesnapper
Audiophile

Posts: 492
Location: East Coast U.S.
Joined: January 16, 2010
 Just ordered a Sota Star Sapphire III with a Rega RB303 tonearm. Hopefully it will beat my Ariston Icon II hands down. It arrives on Wednesday.

 

Equi=Core Balanced Power Conditioning n/t, posted on October 4, 2016 at 19:13:22
panhead
Audiophile

Posts: 920
Location: chicago
Joined: January 20, 2007
 n/t

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on October 8, 2016 at 09:01:25
Kingshead
Audiophile

Posts: 574
Location: Florida
Joined: September 14, 2016





This may seem like an odd audio related purchase, but it's quite beneficial. It was also very handy during the recent power outage from hurricane Matthew recently, The Big Larry flashlight. It has two intensity levels if one is too bright, and a flashing red warning signal if used in the car etc.

This is the greatest little flashlight I've owned, it easily lit up my whole living rm when I needed it to.

Martin

 

RE: Ok..., posted on October 11, 2016 at 20:47:24
A.Wayne
Audiophile

Posts: 2527
Location: Front row center
Joined: November 30, 2011
 Have you compared them to Mogami digital ( analog use dont know why they named it digital) cable , designed for long studio runs ...?


Good and inexpensive ...

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on October 11, 2016 at 20:54:31
A.Wayne
Audiophile

Posts: 2527
Location: Front row center
Joined: November 30, 2011
 Sweeet TT

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on October 12, 2016 at 02:43:22
hcalland@gte.net
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: November 6, 2011
 Thanks

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on October 12, 2016 at 12:15:25
gordguide
Audiophile

Posts: 302
Joined: January 20, 2002
 Parts for my Modulus-86 amp project ... will be built as two monoblocks, probably about 40 watts/8ohms although that will be a measured value once finished and will depend on heat sinking effectiveness. 35watts for sure I would think.

So, last purchase (September) was all the resistors for two amps, with extras in most cases to allow some measure & matching.

In a few days will order the capacitors (also in enough quantity to match values). Need transformers (November) and some ICs yet (December).

I have connectors for the AC cables, but not the AC cable itself yet, and still need 2 Female Canon (XLR) input connectors and the binding posts. AC will be Rhodium plated copper and Audio will be silver over copper.

The unknown about the heatsinks is because I have decided to build my own from aluminum plate and rod (TIG welded). They will form the overall theme of the appearance.

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on January 27, 2017 at 06:39:31
cawson@onetel.com
Audiophile

Posts: 2378
Joined: September 27, 2004
 Hi Jack

Could you let me know roughly how much these Summit X speakers go for and which dealer may have them? I've seen them at $8500, but that doesn't seem a bargain buy!

Thanks Peter

 

RE: Your most recent audio purchases , posted on January 27, 2017 at 14:27:30
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 15518
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 Nice pics! Guys.

 

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