PhilofCas
pfm Member
Can personally vouch for that, brilliant. Your other room with the JBL’s made very good noises too!
The best sounding piece of kit you've ever owned (or enjoyed the most)
- Thread starter Darren L
- Start date
Amber Audio
This is the Day
Still using my early '80s Pink - now with a new PSU/Motor, RB300, AT95ML (originally a PT1, Helius Scorpio, OC5)
linnfomaniac83
I bet you can’t wheelie a unicycle!
That’s an often forgotten about player, but I did have one a few years ago… I’d bought and loved an Alpha 5+ whilst saving for a Linn player, one of these came at a price I couldn’t refuse and it was lovely… gave much of the musicality that made the Alpha 5+ so great, but with more detail and insight built like a tank too. I didn’t have it long because I got a healthy trade in offer against a practically new Karik 3… it wasn’t shamed by the Karik.
linnfomaniac83
I bet you can’t wheelie a unicycle!
That Rotel RQ970BX is rather good. I have one standing in in my main system right now with my LP12… it’ll be replaced in a couple of weeks when I get my new preamp. I’m reluctant to let go of it though, it’s a nice piece of kit to have on hand to sub in when needed.
linnfomaniac83
I bet you can’t wheelie a unicycle!
I’m currently listening to a Nait 5i, an amp designed by Colin, I adore it. for the money, it’s pretty flawless. I’d love to try some of his other amps over a longer term.
cromodora
foshfishfie
I can vouch for this. Every word.
Too skint for CJ separates and got a CA200.
This be my entry in response to this thread.
The magnificent Conrad Johnson CA200 control amp.
Btw, it also does slam and prat in spades.
tenpercenter
Don't ya rile 'em.....
If you can get hold of a nice Claymore, send it to Colin for a service/ upgrade and you’ll be amazed. I would put it in the top 3 of all the amps I have owned, regardless of price - it just works.
oldius
Manchester City, dogs, family and food.
Thank you very much. I don't run JBLs now but I do have much of the kit I had back then. I had three sets of JBL - L96, L90, and 4312B, and my friend now has a set of L96 that are utterly brilliant in his system.
I now have NS1000 and run them from either a Lentek amplifier or a Denon PMA850, both of which I had back at that time, in fact, I am sure that either of those amplifiers would have been the amp I was using that day you heard them.
uncl_nigel
pfm Member
TimF
pfm Member
Evening all, first post so be gentle
First tuner I ever had or heard made by far the biggest impression on me and really set me
off on this lifetime pursuit of better quality audio reproduction.
Up until my first experience of a proper tuner I'd only ever listened to cheap portable
radios, so the revelation to my ears of that first, crystal clear stereo FM radio programme
has stayed with me till now, 46 years later!
The tuner to blame was a Realistic TM1000
Don't laugh it was a bit of a bombshell to realize that radio could be that good.
Thr aerial was an old black and white TV one left languishing in the loft after we got our
first colour telly in 1968.
I've looked for an introduction thread, if there is one if anyone could point me in the right
direction I fill you in on the remainder of my journey thus far.
Regards Andy
Welcome aboard, Andy! Radio Shack was one of my old haunts when I was younger, just getting into the hifi "hobby". I also loved the shortwave radios at the Shack, the lovely RS DX160 was one I lusted for and never got. Fun times in the late 70's and 80's!
The best standmounts I've heard are my Royd RR3s, and the most natural and enjoyable in the long term DAC I've ever heard is my Audial Model S DAC. These two components are what killed my upgraditis stone dead.
Interestingly, the best digital source I've ever used is an Allo DigiOne Player running Moode or Volumio, better than any CD transport I've tried, and a step up from my previous method of using USB to SPDIF converters.
I do enjoy my LFD amplification, but think it is a bit of an extravagance, and I could happily hook my Exposure III / IV combo up to the above and be pleased with the sound.
Interestingly, the best digital source I've ever used is an Allo DigiOne Player running Moode or Volumio, better than any CD transport I've tried, and a step up from my previous method of using USB to SPDIF converters.
I do enjoy my LFD amplification, but think it is a bit of an extravagance, and I could happily hook my Exposure III / IV combo up to the above and be pleased with the sound.
PhilofCas
pfm Member
I seem to recall the Lentek being used that day, good day out that! (food was good later on too).
Andy Stephenson
pfm Member
Thanks TimF, I too haunted Tandy as Radio Shack were called in England. Saturday shopping with my parents was made bearable by spending time lusting over all the bright shiny equipment lining the shelves. Saturday evenings were spent pouring over all the lovely pictures in the Tandy catalogue. I ended up with Realistic amp, tuner, reel to reel recorder and speakers as my first system all funded by my dad to whom I am eternally grateful. All these joined by a Deccasound cassette deck and (please don't mock) Amstrad TP12D turntable with Shure M75EJ cartridge. This was far better than it had any right to be and was only replaced when it finally died. A Technics SLD3B was no better than the Amstrad!! I'm settling back in my seat now preparing to be shot down in flames
Regards Andy
TimF
pfm Member
Nah, no flames at all. We all seem to come to where we are through various bits and pieces, some good, some not so much. It is all part of the learning I think. Sometimes I think I haven't learned a thing-or wish that I hadn't, as things seemed a bit more simple back in the day, and maybe I was even a bit more happy.
I too used to ogle all the hifi catalogs from all the various shops that were around. Was better than porn....well, almost.
Hoopsontoast
pfm Member
Loads of stuff I have really liked over the years but for actual 'best' hifi, I keep coming back to the following:
Bryston B60R - Just amplifies music, unless you need lots of power, all the amp I'd ever need.
ATC SCM10 - Just the best small speaker I've heard, and owned (multiple pairs).
KEF Reference 201/2 - Best 'mid' sized, pretty chunky but supreme midrange/treble.
KEF Reference Three-Two (3.2) - Just overall top to bottom balance, sound great low or at party levels
Rega P7 & P9 - Used to have a P9, loved it but 'downgraded' to a P7 and still love it. P9 was an extravagance but the P7 feels just right in terms of my budget and usage.
Bryston B60R - Just amplifies music, unless you need lots of power, all the amp I'd ever need.
ATC SCM10 - Just the best small speaker I've heard, and owned (multiple pairs).
KEF Reference 201/2 - Best 'mid' sized, pretty chunky but supreme midrange/treble.
KEF Reference Three-Two (3.2) - Just overall top to bottom balance, sound great low or at party levels
Rega P7 & P9 - Used to have a P9, loved it but 'downgraded' to a P7 and still love it. P9 was an extravagance but the P7 feels just right in terms of my budget and usage.