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24.61.2.50
Posted by rvb100@comcast.net (A) on March 31, 2021 at 17:43:57
Loving the banter over here....Was out of the world of HiFi for last 15 yuears or so. Although I made my living for 40 years selling the stuff. I was convinced that after many years of Rock n Roll. Motorcycles, Firearms....my hearing would not appreciate anything approaching a good system. I visited a good friend that just built a system costing north of $250,000.....I was totally blown away. Although I have zero hearing above about 15K. I easily could hear quality of stage, air around instruments, depth of field....I was hooked again.
Duig out my mothballed Cambridge Audio Azur 840, Cambridge Audio DVD/CD-89 and KEF 103.2 speakers....Sounded great, but not good enough.
My friends system was all tubes....I wanted tubes.
But I wanted to see how good I could build a system for absolutely minimum expenditure.
First I bought a DOUK TwoTube preamplifier for a whooping $109....Then an Emotiva BASX 100 amp ($229)....using my KEF 103.2 speakers. Much better than the CA, but not there yet.
The Emotiva was retuned and I bought a Bob Latino VTA ST-120 Dynaco Clone kit.($1200) Built it in two nights and it is simply magnificient. The difference between it and the Emotiva was "like Night and Day"....Huge difference. The Emotiva sounded like a good car stereo....The VTA sounds like, well, perfect!
But still not there....I thought maybe the $109 Preamp was holding the vocals back. The vocals were thin and a bit receding.
Bought a used Schiit Saga ($270) and it came with a bunch of tubes to roll. Honestly, not much of a difference over the DOUK. In fact, because the DOUK has bass and treble controls I could "fix" the room a little bit and it sounded better than the Saga.
So I added a Schiit Loki EQ to the Saga ($149)....BINGO! Not we are getting somewhere.
But I wanted to try other speakers
Always was a fan of B&W DM601 with a subwoofer....Found a set of DM601 ($150) and a B&W Subwoofer ($200).....FANTASTIC! Fits the room and spouse acceptance factor!
And to just see what all the hype was about I bought a set of ELAN 2.0/6.2 speakers on sale for $229.....Amazing speaker for the price. Compared to the B&W DM601 WITHOUT the subwoofer, they are actually better....
But then it happened, like new Magnapan MMGs, 30 minutes away for $490....You must own a Corvette, a Porsche and Magnapans once in your life before you die!
Holy Schiit! Are they amazing with the subwoofer and the VTA amplifier! I listen to this system and it nearly brings me to tears.
During all this I was using a Andover Songbird streamer ($129)...Great sound and sold me on streaming....But I lucked into a Bluesound Node2i for $179!....More bettah! Love this whole streaming thing...Qobuz and Amazon HD are my sources.....The B&O RX turntable and all the records are in the closet.....
So that's my story and I'm sticking to it....Love the end result.
And my goal of INEXPENSIVE....$2339.00.....I think I nailed it!
roy Bertalotto
South of Boston
VTA ST120
Schiit Saga
Schiit Loki
Schiit Modi
Bluesound Node2i
Speakers..too many to list
Follow Ups:
- RE: New Here..My System - fantja 05:51:35 04/03/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Welcome! back. Enjoy the Music.
- RE: New Here..My System - Dave_K 05:15:43 04/03/21 (2)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
That amplifier is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
I also noticed you've owned some of the same motorcycles as I have including a couple BMWs, VFR, even a CB-1 which is pretty rare. I'm curious, what stuck with you? Which are you riding these days? I still have my CB-1, but haven't ridden it in years and it needs some TLC.
- RE: New Here..My System - rvb100@comcast.net 12:23:22 04/03/21 (1)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by Dave_K on April 03, 2021 at 05:15:43
Yup, had a pretty sever motorcycle addiction. My CB1 went to a museum, as most of my motorcycles were rare or unusual in one way or another. The VFR motorcycles, of any year, have always been a favorite. One of the best motorcycles ever built in my book. Currently I only have two bikes...A 1972 Honda CT90 and a 2007 Suzuki V-Strom.....The CT90 was in my wifes family since new and is in perfect condirion with under 300 miles! The V-Strom has been my touring ride since 2004. An amazing, long distance bike. Reliable as tomorrow, cheap to buy and cheap to keep and just does everything to 99%....What more could you ask for. I rode the 2004 over 40,000 miles including a 11K mile trip to Alaska.
Roy Bertalotto
South of Boston
VTA ST120
Schiit Saga
Schiit Loki
Schiit Modi
Bluesound Node2i
Speakers..too many to list
- RE: New Here..My System - TEA FOR ONE 06:19:02 04/09/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on April 03, 2021 at 12:23:22
Very,very nice system! You have a great set of skills! Welcome,and enjoy!
- RE: Very clever execution of the amplifier case - B. Scarpia 04:13:09 04/02/21 (2)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
The finishing is first class.
You do have interests! Your album page inspired me to update my meager photo gallery here.
Sapiens, My Ass
- RE: Very clever execution of the amplifier case - rvb100@comcast.net 04:44:18 04/02/21 (1)
In Reply to: RE: Very clever execution of the amplifier case posted by B. Scarpia on April 02, 2021 at 04:13:09
Thanks!
"You do have interests! "
Yup, very eclectic! www.rvbprecision.com
Roy Bertalotto
South of Boston
VTA ST120
Schiit Saga
Schiit Loki
Schiit Modi
Bluesound Node2i
Speakers..too many to list
- RE: Very clever execution of the amplifier case - B. Scarpia 05:12:48 04/02/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: Very clever execution of the amplifier case posted by rvb100@comcast.net on April 02, 2021 at 04:44:18
Would you buy the Wen 3962 Bandsaw again? Quiet enough to run in my condo bedroom workshop? The back deck storage closet is already filled with Bosch table saw and other messy/loud tools
I've always wanted but never had a bandsaw. The $349 price is a great temptation.
Sapiens, My Ass
- RE: New Here..My System - geoffkait 04:07:57 04/02/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
I've heard the Dynaco reissue amp (from about 20 years ago) with Quads and they are fantastic. I owned the original big Dynaco mono amps, modified with aircraft tubes, also used with Quads. True story: I actually got the original Dynaco company owner's coffee table at a yard sale once upon a time his son was selling.
- RE: New Here..My System - JohnKutheRN 17:34:50 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Nice! :-)
And Welcome!
John Kuthe...
- I bought an emotiva and gave it away after a month - LtMandella 14:01:47 04/01/21 (1)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Couldn't in good conciense ask any money for it.
Their stuff all sounds like 1980 cheapo japanese mass market- all kinds of bells and whistles and fancy faceplates, but crappy sound. Never again for me.
. I judge any sound system by how tiring it is to listen to.
Linkwitz
- RE: I bought an emotiva and gave it away after a month - Joe Farmer 08:35:54 04/05/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: I bought an emotiva and gave it away after a month posted by LtMandella on April 01, 2021 at 14:01:47
Great idea! I have been wondering what to do with mine.
- Welcome to the asylum! - E-Stat 13:31:52 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Appears you're already part of the craziness here. ;)
- High quality execution of design and implementation for both amp stands - Edp 10:26:36 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
The stands show a degree of complex details to make it look "simple and clean"
Choice 2nd stand for grain/finish and meter/control layout was well worth effort
Think you might want to use same skills on Maggie stands at some point.
Especially since you may have found a quick end to the search many in this hobby are still looking/spending. Tubes and Maggie's have that affect of ending search
Welcome to the Asylum
- Welcome and thanks for sharing! (nt) - Jonesy 10:18:03 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
nt
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
- Welcome to the Asylum! Nice amp - nt - AbeCollins 09:45:36 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
.
- Welcome - great looking Dynaco kit amp - Rocket_Powered 08:40:58 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Welcome to the forum, a lot of knowledge here. Am newish here myself - been here on and off for the past couple of decades being a spectator mostly.
That's a cool case for that Dynaco kit.
As long as it sounds good to you, that's all that matters.
- applause for your wisdom and wallet /nt - Story 06:54:19 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Ptolomy Almagest
- Welcome. Nice work. Nt - srdavis2000 06:07:46 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Nt
- RE: New Here..My System - Ozzy 04:46:09 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
Welcome to the forum. System looks good, especially that kit tube amp you built. Good job!
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
- Lookin' good: welcome -nt - Feanor 04:35:25 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
nt
Dmitri Shostakovich
- A new Loonytic that takes nice pics... - musetap 00:48:21 04/01/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
and has a nice system to picture is always welcome!
That's the best looking Dynaco I've ever seen, clone or not!
Have fun hear!
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
- RE: New Here..My System - KanedaK 22:47:09 03/31/21 (0)
In Reply to: RE: New Here..My System posted by rvb100@comcast.net on March 31, 2021 at 17:49:02
welcome! cool system!
I also own a "high end system on the cheap": massive DIY horn speakers, multi amped with tiny class D amps, vintage preamp that I completely modded and overhauled, great value active crossover, second hand Focal subwoofers, vintage CD player + Chinese DAC... Chinese high-end cables... the system as a whole sounds much, much better than the price would indicate. It's a lot of fun ;-)
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