Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Nov 12, 2020 21:11:04 GMT
Is the journey ever complete? I have my BB3 to build, and then I will probably be looking for a fully balanced pre-amp, then some speaker cable. I am still not decided if I give the BB3 to my brother once it is built or not. Then I have the Alps Blue to get rid of in the KIN. The list goes on.... Why would you give the BB3 away? It's a clear and obvious step up from the Phonostage in your KIN? You don't want a fully balance preamp. It's all bollocks. The connections on XLR never sound as good as RCA. *I also will not accept ANY argument on this as that is my opinion and has been gained by doing direct and thorough comparisons, and has been the case every time I tried it. It was also experimented on 3 separate pieces of HiFi equipment, however I accept YMMV* Capacitance is higher on every XLR cable I have measure Vs the same cable used in RCA config. Balanced is also hugely more expensive to convert to than you think. Pure copper RCA sockets are £27per pair. Pure copper XLR sockets are £36 per pair. OCC copper RCA plugs are £40 a set of 4 OFC copper XLR are £50 a pair! Youve got to do what you want to do but in my experience, this would be a huge mistake. If you build that BB3 properly, match the components and follow the BOM perfectly......well, just read what Lurch has written on HiFi Wigwam on the Bigbottle owners thread A guy on DIY audio is selling his Paradise Phonostage because he prefers the BB3, and you are considering giving it away?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2020 21:22:23 GMT
Yes. The second build is always better...
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Nov 12, 2020 21:25:59 GMT
Yes. The second build is always better... Yes, but this is the third development made after the Phonostage in your KIN!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2020 11:54:58 GMT
So now that my 686 is complete, and I have almost all the components for my BB3 build (Just missing the fancy caps and closely matched resistors), it got me thinking about where I should go next.
Interconnects are all OCC, either copper or silver. The Kin is going to have a remote SA volume fitted.
Should I fit some OCC speaker cable? The graphene stuff seems to be out of stock.
Failing that, I am sure that people will tell me my DAC should be changed, but I am reluctant to do this without doing a comparison first.
The other topic would be a nice MC cartridge. I got rid of two to help fund the 686, and I don't regret it. Again the Goldring Ethos looks good, but I would neex to hear it in my system, and compare to an Art-9.
Maybe I should just sit back, and enjoy what I have....
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Dec 21, 2020 12:18:42 GMT
So now that my 686 is complete, and I have almost all the components for my BB3 build (Just missing the fancy caps and closely matched resistors), it got me thinking about where I should go next. Interconnects are all OCC, either copper or silver. The Kin is going to have a remote SA volume fitted. Should I fit some OCC speaker cable? The graphene stuff seems to be out of stock. Failing that, I am sure that people will tell me my DAC should be changed, but I am reluctant to do this without doing a comparison first. The other topic would be a nice MC cartridge. I got rid of two to help fund the 686, and I don't regret it. Again the Goldring Ethos looks good, but I would neex to hear it in my system, and compare to an Art-9. Maybe I should just sit back, and enjoy what I have.... In your position: Now you have a 686, the next logical move is to get better speaker cables. 100% The Graphene stuff is no longer being made. I have a cable that may be worth looking at, but I haven't tried it yet. I'll send you a PM about that. The SA in the KIN will be well worth the money..trust me on that. Resistors and caps for the BB3........ok, I'll supply those to you, but i need to work out the cost. I'll PM you about those too. A Goldring Ethos is a very worthwhile £900. You won't do better for that money for a new cart. It absolutely obliterates the ART7. Can't speak of the Art 9. Never heard one. I have the Ethos. It's superb. The same kind of superb as the 686 IMO. Value for money.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2020 12:22:54 GMT
👍
The resistors would be nice. Saves me having to buy an LCR meter. Thanks.
The caps I can source. Makes the customs paperwork easier.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Dec 22, 2020 14:09:09 GMT
👍 The resistors would be nice. Saves me having to buy an LCR meter. Thanks. The caps I can source. Makes the customs paperwork easier. The caps (in places) form part of the RIAA network. They need to be accurately matched to the value or the RIAA network will not meet the level of accuracy required
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 22, 2020 16:46:38 GMT
Ok. I assume that these are not the big output caps? Drop me a PM sometime after Christmas. There is no rush.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Dec 22, 2020 16:54:42 GMT
Ok. I assume that these are not the big output caps? Drop me a PM sometime after Christmas. There is no rush. No, they are the smaller signal caps. But they have to be on the money. I normall buy 50 and get about 6-9 on the right value. I'll message after Christmas 👍
|
|
|
Post by sq225917 on Dec 22, 2020 19:01:10 GMT
New cart innit, can't beat a decent mc.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2020 9:34:26 GMT
New cart innit, can't beat a decent mc. The only thing that puts me off this is the inquisitiveness of a five and a half year old child. She knows not to touch my HiFi without asking, but I remember looking at my dad’s cartridge when I was young, wondering how it made music. I gently touched the stylus.... With a MM cartridge, it is no big deal. An MC would almost have me in tears. I have contacted Acoustic Dimension to see if they have a remote 100k stepped attenuator available, as it is not listed on their site. After that, the BB3 build and a couple of minor tweaks, mainly involving cables, and I think I may be done. I need to increase my vinyl collection after that. If I find a decent second turntable, I may go for it next year, but it will have to be a bargain....
|
|
|
Post by jimbo on Dec 31, 2020 9:45:46 GMT
Hey Kevin, now you have completed the 686 what are you listening impressions of this amp?
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Dec 31, 2020 9:56:04 GMT
New cart innit, can't beat a decent mc. The only thing that puts me off this is the inquisitiveness of a five and a half year old child. She knows not to touch my HiFi without asking, but I remember looking at my dad’s cartridge when I was young, wondering how it made music. I gently touched the stylus.... With a MM cartridge, it is no big deal. An MC would almost have me in tears. I have contacted Acoustic Dimension to see if they have a remote 100k stepped attenuator available, as it is not listed on their site. After that, the BB3 build and a couple of minor tweaks, mainly involving cables, and I think I may be done. I need to increase my vinyl collection after that. If I find a decent second turntable, I may go for it next year, but it will have to be a bargain.... The Stepped attenuator is a huge improvement to any equipment using a potentiometer in my experience, and the AD one is not bad by any means. Just check with Alan in regard to the use of the KIN with the 686 as there may be a better value than 100k to try? I don't know, i am just overthinking really. Defo do the SA first. BB3 next....then you have a top class pre, power and Phonostage to assess the stuff you already have. You may feel that you don't need to upgrade your cart at the moment, once these two steps have been completed.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2020 10:07:41 GMT
Hey Kevin, now you have completed the 686 what are you listening impressions of this amp? It’s a cracking amp. It delivers the recording as it is. It has more than enough power to really grip my speakers by their ‘nads and deliver the goods. I am very happy with it. Since I started to use the 686, I no longer feel the need to use my small subwoofer in the system. It delivers bass at a lower volume level. For me it was a choice between the 686 based on what I experienced with the Mod 86 monoblocks, and the Benchmark ABH2. The latter was not to be found within my budget.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2020 10:38:42 GMT
My ultrasonic record bracket has shipped from the Czech republic. Hopefully the ultrasonic cleaner will follow shortly as well. Another Christmas present for me, from me. Ask forgiveness, and not permission...
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2021 12:53:10 GMT
And now the cleaner has shipped. Can anybody recommend a decent crimping tool for Molex terminals? I don't want to spend a fortune on them, as I have 12 wires to terminate.
|
|
|
Post by firebottle on Jan 2, 2021 10:07:46 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2021 20:42:59 GMT
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Jan 3, 2021 21:51:19 GMT
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Jan 4, 2021 1:03:47 GMT
I see loads of Viborg power cables, interconnects and speaker cables on Ali Express so they will definitely be made in China: I've purchased a few bits from AE and all look well made so you ' pays yours money and takes your chance' I will say though that when you think of all the high priced equipment that is built in China is there any reason to believe they would not be decent value for the money
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2021 3:50:39 GMT
There is a high chance that they will be fake. China is the land of copies....
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Jan 4, 2021 9:34:15 GMT
There is a high chance that they will be fake. China is the land of copies.... GD-Parts is a seller that is reputable. They stock genuine Viborg parts.
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Jan 5, 2021 1:53:45 GMT
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Jan 5, 2021 7:00:55 GMT
No, they are legit. Although i wouldn't pay you in buttons for anything Rhodium plated.
|
|
|
Post by antonio on Jan 5, 2021 17:14:05 GMT
I believe you might have mentioned that before Bigman My power cable works fine, I was only joking in my previous post
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2021 17:41:02 GMT
The record cleaning bracket arrived today, as did the Jico SAS/B stylus for the EPC-205.
The bracket looks well made and finished. I am hoping that the bath will arrive soon, and I can see if it works well, or not.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2021 20:02:16 GMT
Very pleased with the Jico SAS/B. Sounds great on the end of a Houdini, and the vendor falsely filled in the customs declaration without being asked, so I may have avoided import duties. Naughty vendor....
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2021 15:16:18 GMT
They turned up today. Exactly the same packaging as the parts bought from Audiophonics. I think they are real.
|
|
Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,137
|
Post by Bigman80 on Jan 22, 2021 15:35:24 GMT
They turned up today. Exactly the same packaging as the parts bought from Audiophonics. I think they are real. Good news then!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2021 16:16:11 GMT
Yes, and quite a bit cheaper. I need another 4 for the BB3, so will order them soon, from the same place.
|
|