what HiFi gear does everyone have (no random unrelated gossip please) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Arlen moulton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 08:50:07 pm
content: Personally I have about 5ish portable capsule speakers some water dancing speakers some Samsung a215 computer speakers numerous crappy modern transistor and ic radios 76 vintage radios a pair of b&w speakers a pair of mission mx1 speakers a Kenwood krv amp a Cambridge audio topaz am1 amp a Cambridge audio topaz cd5 a Sony str series amp an akai tuner a Philips cdr600 recordable CD player a sony mdsje330 mini disc player and recorder a Sony tck45 tape deck a wharfdale cd901 cd player a Sony pst22 turntable an I live iPod dock a for gamers amplifier a venom amplifier my legendary arlen246 edition homebuilt amplifier a fair few boom boxes and finally a shed full of DJ kit

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 10:22:25 pm
content: cd player - Sony CDP M27BRcassete deck - Sony TC-FX 510Rreceiver - Pioneer TX 5300amplifier - Gradiente LAB 75forgot to mention, I have a CROWN turntable too

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 10:44:55 pm
content: kenwood KR-4400 receiverThorens TD-124 ttSony TC-K570 cassettedenon 6xx cdCelsestion Ditton 15XR speakersAll second handAnd an iPod shuffle as my travel mate.

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 10:56:01 pm
content: Quotea few amplifiers my favorite of them is jlh1969 its sound very good not too tight not too loose but just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a ts sound very good not too tight not too loose but just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a few avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no turntable but a few cd players one akai tafew avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no turntable but a few cd players one akai tape deck not widely used a toa amplifier and two kenwood one from way back been very happy about my set up the hks have worked out for me but they are not as reliable as they could have been or should have been hope it helps ts sound very ts sound very good not too tight not too loose but just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a few avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no turntable but a few cd players one akai tagood not too tight not too loose ts sound very good not too tight not too loose but just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a few avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no ts sound very good not too tight not too loose but just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a few avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no turntable but a few cd players one ts sound very good not too tight not too loose but just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a few avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no turntable but a few cd players one akai taakai taturntable but a few cd players one akai tabut just right my other amplifiers are parasoound and hk all multi-channel amps also a few avrs mostly hk likely their sound but software wise they are fairly buggy also had a sony es not quite as powerful as the hks no turntable but a few cd players one akai ta

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 11:19:50 pm
content: tape decks: stripped for parts and soldcd player: no idea, not seen it in yearsmini disc: been in it's box for +10 yearsportable music player: been in a drawer for +5 yearsall my music uploaded and available through google play music so is on my phone and tabi do still have an amp though, a Pioneer VSA-E07

author: TopLoser
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 11:28:07 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on November 25, 2014, 11:19:50 pmFS (UK) Pioneer VSA-E07 amp

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2014, 11:55:57 pm
content: Power amplifiers: Dual Skrell Exordium heptoblocsPreamplifier: Divergent Audio 6000 SKU unitrodeSpeakers: Kitsch Fortissimo magnetodynamicsTurntable: Panderholz Ostentatio adiabatic rostrumInterconnects: Supernal Ultima woven mithril

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 12:30:03 am
content: I mostly use my PC these days. I have accumulated around 100 GB of flac files, pretty much anything I'd ever want to listen to. I run the audio out to a Creek 4330R amp and then into a pair of Polk RT-55i speakers. I used to use an external USB DAC, but it stopped working a couple of years ago. I built a new computer shortly afterward and now I just use what's on the motherboard. It all sounds fine to me.

author: suicidaleggroll
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 01:13:33 am
content: Source: Various Toslink, I typically use a PS3 for listening to music streaming off of UMS on my serverDigital switch: B&K Reference 20 (old, was used for normal A/V duties, now it's just been relegated to S/PDIF switching)EQ/RTA: Behringer DEQ2496 used primarily for room correctionDAC: Emotiva Stealth DC-1Speaker amps: 2x Emotiva UPA-1Speakers: Zaph Audio ZRT-2.5Headphone amps: Bottlehead Crack and AMB B22Headphones: HiFiMan HE-400, Sennheiser HD650, Audio Technica ATH-M50X

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 01:41:48 am
content: I only have headphones...Audio technica ATH-M50Mee electronic M6, the sport-fi headphones. Plus I wont cry when they stop working, price <$11.00

author: IO390
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 11:00:45 am
content: A homebuilt composite LM3886/LME49720 amp, which sounds better than a tube amp.A homebuilt LME49720 preamp, which sounds better than a tube preamp.A homebuilt PCM2707 DAC, which sounds better than vinyls.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 11:11:24 am
content: Quote from: rolycat on November 25, 2014, 11:55:57 pmWow, that lot must have cost something

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 11:13:19 am
content: Quote from: TopLoser on November 25, 2014, 11:28:07 pmFS Update: Will swap for noble gasI have Adam A7 speakers and Echo Audiofire 8 soundcard(That just crapped out again!).

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 11:41:04 am
content: Quote from: deephaven on November 26, 2014, 11:11:24 amIt was unbelievably expensive.

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 12:07:45 pm
content: Quote from: dannyf on November 25, 2014, 10:56:01 pmI actually tried to read this

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 12:36:57 pm
content: I have a Yamaha RXV-V357DAB with the common capacitor fault, picked it off eBay cheap. Pretty decent, but fairly power hungry class AB stage.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 01:01:31 pm
content: In the lounge I have B&W CM10's, Rotel RB1582 and Rotel RC1570 with my own DAC based on the XMOS devices and Wolfson WM8741's. The study has B&W 602 S3's with a NAD 320BEE with an EM-U sound card.

author: nfmax
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 01:09:54 pm
content: In the lounge:QUAD ESL-63 speakers, QUAD 77 power amp, control unit, tuner & CD player; Garrard 401/SME arm/Shure V15-III, plus QUAD CDP2 used mainly as a DAC (fed from a Power PC Mac Mini in another room)In the dining room:Rogers LS6 speakers, QUAD 34/FM4/405-2 (line level audio feed from lounge system)In the playroom:ALR Jordan Mini speakers, QUAD 77 combo amplifier, tuner & CD player, Apple Airport Express as DACI also have various other bits knocking about including a QUAD FM2, and one of Philips's very first CD players in its original box with manual & accessoriesI used to work for QUAD

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 01:33:47 pm
content: QuoteThose guys had an interesting idea. Too bad that it never took off - rather than relying exclusively on the core, they could have offered some peripherals.

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 01:54:10 pm
content: I have an 'Uber Bifrost' DAC (AKM4399 32bit DA) scored off ebay for half the original price, being fed optical from my pc, that goes from the dac into a SMSL 30 amp which is run by the awesome TA2021B chip into a pair of MB42 speakers.if I listen to music from the PC its all in FLAC.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 02:05:09 pm
content: Quote from: Yago on November 26, 2014, 11:13:19 amlol, i use it on the telly and ps3... it was a very nice amp though, used to have a load of home cinema stuff, i dont bother so much now

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2014, 09:55:39 pm
content: You kids and your electrical gadgetsMy living room LoFi doesn't even have a plug and volume is controlled by opening the doors in the speaker.At 10 degrees opening it's quite loud and I'm glad you can get needles at ebay because you have to change them per play.Picture from the web since I'm not home yet. Works pretty well for being 100 years old.

author: willb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 12:13:35 am
content: I'm very much into hifi equipment (doesn't help that I work for a local dealer as their main and only technician).Amplifier : Naim Nait5siDigital sources : Naim ND5 XS Network Player/DAC and Rega Planet CD Player (used as a transport, feeding into the ND5 XS).Analogue source : Pro-ject Xpression III turntable with Pro-ject Speed Box II motor controller, Dynavector 10X5 MC, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2SE preamp.Speakers : Soltanus Acoustics Cricket hybrid electrostatic speaker along with a Rel T1 sub.Cabling : All home made, using Belden or Canare cable, and Canare or Neutrik connectors. No 2000$ SPDIF cables here.I have in my lab a pair of Alesis Monitor One MKII speakers powered through a Harman Kardon PM640 amplifier and using my lab PC as a source with a Presonus Firefox. All my music was ripped into FLAC files and stored on my file server.

author: Arlen moulton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 07:27:31 am
content: Don't they make speak on connectors for disco speakers and that lo t probably cost a bit

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 07:42:47 am
content: Quote from: willb on November 27, 2014, 12:13:35 amThose speakers look very familiar, although I have never previously heard of Soltanus. Didn't Martin Logan or someone make something looking very similar at one time?

author: abaxas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 12:51:37 pm
content: Benchmark DAC1 - fed from UD-10 and a 10 year old (cant remember the model number) Marantz cd player.Krell KSA-100 mk2B&W 805sRel strata 3 subwoofer.Van den hul D102 interconnectsChord Rumor 4 speaker cable.All bought 2nd hand for ~£2000 = ~$3500I love it!

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 01:00:40 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on November 26, 2014, 02:05:09 pmI was building quite a collection of movies on DVD, and looking at the home cinema thing.A strange thing happened whilst I cogitated and saved money, they stopped making movies!They now make adverts for either GFX systems, or for models/popstars.I am shocked by what people find acceptable or even "great" from that industry.. eg Gravity ... I don't care what S Bullock looks like at her age, it is not J Fonda in space for sure. That noise that she makes repeatedly over and over again, like a broken sampler "errrgggnnnnaaaa".No wonder Clooney thought better of it and took the Strangelove surfboard in vacuum.(Errr sorry for the rant! and off course the rare exceptions like Coen Bros)

author: dannyf
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 01:48:38 pm
content: QuoteThat's where most "hi-fi" builders go wrong - the bulk of your money should go into software + speakers + room acoustics, in that order. Electronics should be the least of it, as electronics make the least amount of audible difference.I often tell people that if you spend more than 20% of it (primarily amplifiers) of your hi-fi budget on electronics, you have spent too much.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 01:51:50 pm
content: I play my music through my PC also. Just going into a Logitech 3 piece speaker system that works just fine for my needs. My high school graduation present was a Sansui receiver, Teac cassette deck, Technics direct drive turntable and Lafayette Criterion speakers. All analog and, sqadly, all long gone.

author: Arlen moulton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 05:13:44 pm
content: And forgot to mention 6 car radios

author: rollatorwieltje
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 05:51:00 pm
content: A pair of Alesis Monitor One mk2 (the passive ones) driven by a ta2020 amplifier (branded SMSL Amp-03), connected to my pc using an Asus Xonar DX soundcard.That ta2020 amplifier works really well, but it needs a quiet power supply. The eBay Special power supply that came with it made it an excellent noise generator.I don't use the onboard audio because I could hear my cpu and graphics card. The Xonar is dead quiet. For added audio wankery bonus points it uses mechanical relays to direct inputs and outputs.

author: Flump
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 06:27:54 pm
content: source is pckenwood av amp 100w rms x 42 channels go to jbl control ones2 other channels go to jbl passive crossovers then to jbl tweeterssub out on the amp goes to jbl amp then to jbl 12" sub in sealed enclosureedit pics added

author: Arlen moulton
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 07:36:52 pm
content: All far too techy for me

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2014, 07:42:31 pm
content: Quote from: Arlen moulton on November 27, 2014, 07:36:52 pmThis seems the right place for it

author: vsq
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2014, 07:26:08 am
content: Home setupVinyl: Technics SL-B100CD, SACD, DVDA, DVDV, BluRay: Oppo BDP-95EUSoundcard: E-MU 0404 USBPreamp: Parasound P7Crossover: Outlaw ICBMCrossover frequency: 80 HzHigh frequency power amp: NAD 214Low frequency amps: Hypex DS 1.2High frequency speakers: Magnepan MC1Low frequency speakers: DIY with 8" dynamic speakersPretty pleased with this setup, except the turntable.Professional setupSoundcard: TC Electronic Studio Konnekt 48Speakers: Behringer Truth B2030AHeadphones: AKG K-271 MKII StudioExtremely pleased with this setup. Good for recording and mixing.

author: tonyarkles
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2014, 05:20:04 am
content: Quote from: miguelvp on November 26, 2014, 09:55:39 pmI just discovered a very similar rig tucked away in a dark corner of my basement. Amazing! I fired (errr cranked) it up and it sounded great!