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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2021 23:59:22 GMT
I am not at home to play with the,, but even so….
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2021 9:51:13 GMT
I ordered a second set from Thomann. BAX customer support sucks, as apparently they may still be delivered, so they can’t issue a refund (even though they know they are being sent back) until they get them back. So I have asked why I have to wait, and what happens if they are lost in the post.
The Saga continues, so I have launched a claim on PayPal to encourage them…
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 5, 2021 10:16:56 GMT
I ordered a second set from Thomann. BAX customer support sucks, as apparently they may still be delivered, so they can’t issue a refund (even though they know they are being sent back) until they get them back. So I have asked why I have to wait, and what happens if they are lost in the post. The Saga continues, so I have launched a claim on PayPal to encourage them… Let's hope this set arrive!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2021 11:40:49 GMT
Three Aptitlig shelves have been fitted. Looks better. No idea if it makes a change to the sound. I need to dismantle my rack, and change things about a bit to find out, as I have no room to fit one under the beast that is the 686.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2021 11:42:47 GMT
I also bought the cheap USB port from Audiophonics to see if it makes a difference. Unfortunately I missed the postie, so that will be something to play with next weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2021 18:57:32 GMT
The Isopuck minis from Thomann arrived today. I have put 4 under the BB3 and 4 under the Kin. It seems to have made a nice difference, but obviously this is purely subjective.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 8, 2021 19:29:40 GMT
The Isopuck minis from Thomann arrived today. I have put 4 under the BB3 and 4 under the Kin. It seems to have made a nice difference, but obviously this is purely subjective. I was told about those recently and the guy put them under a BB3 he had on loan. He reckoned the bass benefitted from them Any such thoughts?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2021 19:34:38 GMT
For me it is hard to say, as I obviously installed them under the KIN as well. The bass has benefited, but also there seems to be a more solid midrange. I am becoming a bit of an IsoPuck fan boy…
I was going to suggest that you tried them under the BB3/BBU I am not sure they will do anything under SS gear, so I only bought one set (that has been delivered).
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 8, 2021 19:40:44 GMT
For me it is hard to say, as I obviously installed them under the KIN as well. The bass has benefited, but also there seems to be a more solid midrange. I am becoming a bit of an IsoPuck fan boy… I was going to suggest that you tried them under the BB3/BBU I am not sure they will do anything under SS gear, so I only bought one set (that has been delivered). Yeah, I'm up for trying them as my BBU will need feet anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2021 19:56:17 GMT
After what they did for my speakers, I wanted to try a few more. Just wondering if there will be any benefit under the music PC, CD player, DAC and 686. I will only use the “Pro” products though, as I think the audiophile version is probably the same thing in a fancy case.
Anyway, this weekend, I intend to fit the other Aptitlig on my rack. They are almost a perfect fit. I may take the opportunity to weigh the 686 at the same time, but if I fit pucks under that, I will need to rearrange my rack to fit everything on it. One thought is to remove the CD player, as it hardly ever gets used.
I am still in two minds about a new DAC. I may scour the adverts for a bit longer. I am also waiting for Lurch to feedback on the Audio-GD DI he has bought. They are cheap, and it may improve the quality of my PC based music.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2021 21:10:29 GMT
How the rack looks tonight. The lower shelf will be swapped out on Thursday, and cables will be tidied up then. Attachment Deleted
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Post by stryder5 on Nov 8, 2021 21:24:58 GMT
How the rack looks tonight. The lower shelf will be swapped out on Thursday, and cables will be tidied up then. <button disabled="" class="c-attachment-insert--linked o-btn--sm">Attachment Deleted</button> Your boards are very different to the ones I have. www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/aptitlig-chopping-board-bamboo-80233430/Gary
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2021 21:45:05 GMT
Mine are the butchers blocks, as they are slightly bigger.
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Post by antonio on Nov 9, 2021 0:25:21 GMT
Those Aptitlig butchers blocks look great, would the 686 fit if the board was cut so it fitted inside the steel bars at the bottom of the rack, alternatively the top shelf, even if you had to remove what look like castors from the bottom of the rack.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2021 1:15:38 GMT
Superspikes at the bottom.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2021 12:47:11 GMT
So, I have fitted the last block under the 686. It certainly breaks up the decor, and I no longer feel the need to change the rack, as aesthetically it is pleasing enough to the eye. If I can find similar boards without the bevelled edges, then I may well change them out, but for the price paid, I am happy.
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Post by antonio on Nov 11, 2021 14:19:18 GMT
Well done, pleased you think they enhance the racks looks, I quite like the bevelled edges.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2021 17:27:38 GMT
I have spent the day listening to tunes today, on vinyl, CD and streaming. I have come to the conclusion that I don’t “need” a new DAC, and I don’t “need” a reclocker. I may try a reclocker next year, on a sale or return basis. However, performance chez “la maison de Cagey” is perfectly adequate to my ears.
Some of you may find it sounds Sh#t, but I don’t care….. I have not heard a better system today.
I have added an Elfidelity fan noise filter into a fan I have fitted on my CPU cooler, as a backup for when it is hotter. In normal use, this fan does not spin up, so creates no noise. It only comes in when the CPU gets above 60 degrees C. The CPU has been ticking over around 30 degrees C today.
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Post by antonio on Nov 11, 2021 23:53:40 GMT
Well done Kevin, there is no doubt in my mind, the digital side of things ain't sh-te, giving yourself more time to hear what is out there is the number one plan.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 9:57:41 GMT
So I fancied a change to the sound in my system after the last few days. This morning I have fitted my Technics EPC-U205 with a Jico SAS/B stylus assembly. This is obviously mounted to my Houdini, and it sounds superb. Since cleaning the valve pins with the fibreglass pencil (thanks Bigman80) the valve has behaved itself admirably, and the vinyl is sounding great. Coming back to the Houdini, who can remember the needle drops? After discussing this with Arthur, it seems that my “fat boy” DL103 was too heavy, so the Houdini was not operating correctly. This is part of the reason I sold the 103. I think this is the 205s first outing on the BB3, and it seems to be a happy pairing.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 12, 2021 10:02:41 GMT
So I fancied a change to the sound in my system after the last few days. This morning I have fitted my Technics EPC-U205 with a Jico SAS/B stylus assembly. This is obviously mounted to my Houdini, and it sounds superb. Since cleaning the valve pins with the fibreglass pencil (thanks Bigman80) the valve has behaved itself admirably, and the vinyl is sounding great. Coming back to the Houdini, who can remember the needle drops? After discussing this with Arthur, it seems that my “fat boy” DL103 was too heavy, so the Houdini was not operating correctly. This is part of the reason I sold the 103. I think this is the 205s first outing on the BB3, and it seems to be a happy pairing. Those needle drops were a great bit of fun. Sounds like the combo is working well. Yeah, those fibreglass pens are invaluable when playing with valves. Obviously the guru himself tipped me off, so happy to have passed on the wisdom.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 10:30:37 GMT
If I redid the needle drops, I think the results may be a bit different. The Houdini is working within the design limits.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Nov 12, 2021 10:52:11 GMT
If I redid the needle drops, I think the results may be a bit different. The Houdini is working within the design limits. I'd be up for a listen!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 11:46:25 GMT
On which type of cartridge?
MM, MI or MC?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 11:52:14 GMT
I have heard a slightly annoying click from one of the fans in the PC. So I have ordered some new fans, after realising that the CPU may run a bit hot when streaming TV. I have also ordered a couple more of the fan filters, and then realised that they may stop the PWM function from working.
D’oh!
One step forward, two steps back….?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 18:08:12 GMT
So, two weeks after they were supposed to be delivered, I got the invoice through, and an e-Mail saying they had received the parcel back, asking what I wanted to do….
F### me….
Was I not clear enough when I told them that the parcel would not be delivered, as Chronopost have never received it, and to issue a refund. They are now asking for a RIB, so I have refused to send them one, saying they can refund me the same way they have paid me. I still have a PayPal case open.
I think I have found out where part of the Billy Smart staff now work…
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Post by antonio on Nov 12, 2021 21:56:04 GMT
What you needed was a fanless pc , purpose built streamers are fanless
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 23:22:59 GMT
I can go fanless in the winter, but it is on the limit in the summer, unless I swap out my CPU for something with a lower tdp..
Still, it gives me something to fiddle with. Worst case, I will have a slightly noisy source in the summer, but I have a feeling I can find a fan that will run slow enough to not be able to hear it, while still offering sufficient cooling for the summer.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2021 23:33:39 GMT
Here is one for example - link7dB. Pretty quiet, and it will be sufficient.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2021 10:58:52 GMT
So in a continued effort to remove noise, the GPU and Asus sound card have been removed from the PC.
Can I hear a difference? No, of course not… However, removing the GPU removes an additional source of heat, somI may be able to run fanless in the summer.
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