Show us Your Kit!

She tore it up, but i managed to stick it together

 

Just joined. Current system as follows:

CD player: Marantz CD7
Pre amp: Van den Hul Array A-1
Power amp: Van den Hul Array S-1
Speakers: Harbeth Compact 7ES-2

This might ring bells with a couple of you, whom I bought the CD player and speakers from. (Hi Alan and Matt!)

Like many of you, the system is the outcome of many years buying (and selling) gear to play music on. I've had a fair range over the years, including:

Turntables:
AR77XB,
Systemdek (original),
Linn Sondek,
Michell Focus 1 'S'.

I currently have three turntables - I don't really know why - Systemdek IIX with Rega arm, Michell Focus 1 'S' (my second one) with Mission 774LC, and Pink Triangle PT Too with Syrinx PU3. I'm ashamed to say I don't play that much vinyl, and am trying to decide which one to keep.

Previous CD spinners:
Various Philips, Mission and Ariston
Panasonic DVD 110 (surprisingly good)
Pioneer DVD717 (not as good)
Meridian 506
Sony SCD777ES
PC using RME Digi 96/8 PAD soundcard

Amps have included, in no particular order:
various Musical Fidelity
TVA1 (shudder!)
Radford solid state integrated (yes, really)
Leak Stereo 20
Quad valve set
Copland CSA14
several PS audio preamps
Quad 303 and 405
Assemblage (Sonic Frontiers) L-1
Graaf WFB Two,
home built Tripath based poweramp (still got that one).

Previous speakers include: Celestion SL6S, Celestion SL600, LS3/5a (twice, once with AB1s), Quad ELS57, KEF 107, Tannoy Devons, AR12, Harbeth HL-P3ES, Harbeth K6 (still got those).

You can probably tell quite a lot about me from that list, not least (a) I'm not greatly into snakeoil and accessories, (though I do have some Transparent cables which I like) (b) I tend to go for classics rather than cutting edge, but occasionally get dazzled by the promise of new technology, and (c) I change my gear too often.

My current system is undoubtedly the best music playing system I've ever used. Having said that, I'm about to wreak havoc upon it by disposing of bits of it in favour of Tact room correction. Ill advised? Time will tell, but hopefully it'll be fun finding out.

Ian

 

I got some pics, from a friendly chap with a digi camera.

Lots of changes.

Now:

Nottingham Analogue Mentor/Wave Mechanic/Kuzma stobi S/ Ortofohn Kontrapunkt
EAR 834P
CAL Alpha DAC
Meridian 500 transport
Consonance Basie Pre
Conrad Johnson Premier 11a power
Altec Valencia B speakers
Creek OBH21
Beyer 531.

 

Chris,

Your system is looking way cool, ill bet it sounds it aswell.

 

thanks mate, yes I'm very happy with it.
hows the DIY tasks coming along? (wasnt it a DIY phono and TT next?)

Cheers
Chris

 

Lifted from PFM, but with a couple of extra photos.



Dynavector DV17 Karat mkII
Mørch UP-4 arm with Yellow Dot arm wand
into Loricraft Missing Link phono stage



Denon 103R
Nottingham Interspace arm
into Shelter phono stage



Nottingham Interspace HD deck - An Interspace with the old Hyperspace platter



Accuphase 270v pre amp & Aura PA200 power amp. Teac VRDS50 CDP.



Harbeth Compact 7 ESII speakers



Cable courtesy Messrs Canare, Furukawa Denki, Belden

Works for me.

 

Chris,

DIY has taken a back burner over the last few months, so not much progress.
I will be trying to finish the TT soon, some second thoughts on the phono stage tho.

Had the microgroove + for a while now, although its not completely what i am after, it trounces the previous DIY valve phon amp. Not really sure what top notch DIY designs are about so i may end up going second hand route.

 

Joel, that Morch sure looks purdy!

 

And sounds even better than it looks. An added bonus is that it's a real pleasure to use (a bit fiddly to set up at first, though).

 

When i finish my TT i would like to grab a demo with one.
From my limited knowledge of them they seem well made and with a good following.

 

Think Swiss watch...

 

just thought I would redress the balance a little here

Some upto date System shots

A CD player,




Some Amps



Some mains Treatment..

 

Timing's crap then?

 

Only my second phase. I think I have three or 4 to go before i get up to WM's level!


Source:
Rega P2 / Super Bias
Naim CD3

Amp:
Rega Mira
Rega Ear

Transducers
Rega Jura (will change once £££ available... AudioVectors prbly)
Headphones.... Some dead Sennies, currently shopping for a replacement.. see other thread.

Interconnects
Chord Company

[Speaker Cable]
Some Cabridge Ausio Flat stuff.

All with kettle leads and a half decent stand.

What would you change first? I find the jura's good but I suspect the rest can do more than I can hear.

 

Hi James,
Welcome to ZG


You'll probably get more advice starting a new thread.
My tupence fwiw would be to try a Rega Cd player, as i guess you like the rega sound?

 

Thanks Penance.. I think i know you from somewhere! HFC?

The planet is a favourite. But I want to get my speakers upgraded first. I need to have a proper listen to the new Rega Speakers too.

I stuck the question there as it isn't worth a new thread right now, I will start a new thread once budget is available and the advice can be acted upon. It's always nice for a thread to have a start, middle and end I feel.

Good to hear from you,

Cheers,
James.

 

Yep, probably HFC

I use a Jupiter CDp, i first auditioned the Planet and then got the sales man bit of sticking the next model in. It worked, for me the Jupiter was worth the extra over the Planet. If funds allow i would recomend giving it a listen.

 

I have always read that the biggest problem with the Jupiter is the Planet. However not having back to backed them I am not qualified to comment myself. I will though. Cheers,
James.

 

OK here goes:

Naim CDX2/82/Hi/250, Linn LP12/Origin Live DC motor/LVX arm/Denon DL304 Cart, Hitachi FT5500 MK2 tuner, Shitty old cassette deck for making tapes for the car, EPOS ES14.

Sounds marvellous!

 

My stuff