Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 14, 2019 22:55:52 GMT
I often see systems with things I would not consider buying or using, here’s list off the top of my head.
Raspberry Pi/Streamers/Squeezebox/Computer Audio
Most Chinese stuff
Most Marantz CD players
Slot loading CD players/Drives
Project turntables
Cambridge Audio (post-Stan Curtis)
Class D amps
Moving Magnet carts
Stepped attenuator based kit
What about anyone’s else. Any bits you would veto?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2019 23:34:48 GMT
Most Royd Speakers
Bose Headphones
Upper tier Grado Headphones. Like the GS1000e, GS2000e etc. Most expensive model I'll take are RS2e. Keep meaning to try the PS500e
AudioQuest Nighthawk - Never again!
Q Acoustics 2010i
S.
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2019 3:42:57 GMT
I heard the Nighthawks at the same time I heard Audeze LCD2. I thought the Nighthawks to be similar but not quite as well defined. Too dull and “thuddiy” for me, but I did wonder if replacing the cheap,and nasty cable would lift them to new heights.
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Post by antonio on Jan 15, 2019 5:59:48 GMT
Valve amplifiers
Kef speakers
B & W speakers
Linn equipment
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 7:14:13 GMT
Bose.
MC Cartridges.
NVA.
In Ear headphones.
Class D Amp.
Linn, Naim, Chord & And any other gear from a hundred other rip off companies (You know the ones).
Belt drive TTs.
A DAC if it aint built into me CD Player.
Any Of this new fangled tech like Rasp Pi digi shoite and anything that streams, flac file monkey bullshit.
I like a medium i can physically touch and own.
Yup, im a Ludite Dinosaur and proud of it, life's complicated enough.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 8:47:01 GMT
A pink latex gimp suit. Oh, sorry. Were we talking about Hi-Fi?  |
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 9:11:06 GMT
fancy mains cables
'grounding' boxes
Stillpoints or similar 'isolation' accessories
Anything made by:
Naim
Exposure
Chord
'jitter busters'
'upscalers'
mains conditioners
mains regenerators
balanced mains units
in fact anything to do with 'mains'
speaker cables or interconnects with those little boxes half way along the cable
expensive racks or speaker stands
'streamers'
cd players with valves in them
up sampling cd players
belt drive turntables
small speakers
headphones
vinyl
compact cassette
anything with blue LEDs
QUAD pre-amps (any model)
Lowthers or anything with Lowther drivers in
horn speakers
Omni/semi Omni speakers
Linn or Naim speakers
That's enough for now...
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Post by nonuffin on Jan 15, 2019 9:25:52 GMT
Bose. NVA. In Ear headphones. Linn, Naim, Chord & And any other gear from a hundred other rip off companies (You know the ones). Any Of this new fangled tech like Rasp Pi digi shoite and anything that streams, flac file monkey bullshit. I like a medium i can physically touch and own. Yup, im a Ludite Dinosaur and proud of it, life's complicated enough. Luddites of the world unite!
I find streaming a terrible way of building a music library as it is never ever yours in a physical form. At least you can get a few bob if you decide your flog off LPs, casettes and CDs. The smug bastids who try to impress you by flipping through hundreds of tracks during a listening sesh are not so smug when their storage system goes tits up and they have to spend countless hours rebuilding it all 
Bose and Arrows? Utter shite.
Linn, Naim, Chord? Need to add Musical Fidelity for sure.
In ear phones are awful and they hurt my ears something terrible.
I agree with Antonio about KEF and B&W.
Spot on Westie with a hatred of slot loading CD players. Had two in for review last year and both failed to work.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 10:49:40 GMT
fancy mains cables 'grounding' boxes Stillpoints or similar 'isolation' accessories Anything made by: Naim Exposure Chord 'jitter busters' 'upscalers' mains conditioners mains regenerators balanced mains units in fact anything to do with 'mains' speaker cables or interconnects with those little boxes half way along the cable expensive racks or speaker stands 'streamers' cd players with valves in them up sampling cd players belt drive turntables small speakers headphones vinyl compact cassette anything with blue LEDs QUAD pre-amps (any model) Lowthers or anything with Lowther drivers in horn speakers Omni/semi Omni speakers Linn or Naim speakers That's enough for now... Blimey! Bar the jitter buster, belt drive TT and Omni speaker bit, that would be my list. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 11:17:05 GMT
I often see systems with things I would not consider buying or using, here’s list off the top of my head. Raspberry Pi/Streamers/Squeezebox/Computer Audio Most Chinese stuff Most Marantz CD players Slot loading CD players/Drives Project turntables Cambridge Audio (post-Stan Curtis) Class D amps Moving Magnet carts Stepped attenuator based kit What about anyone’s else. Any bits you would veto? Stepped Attenuators are on my "Must contain" List of anything seriously worth listening to!
I get the Rasberry Pi thing but I have one and it's a seriously impressive sound. Better than any CD Player I have heard in the system at home by far. For under £80, its a mega bargain.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 11:47:11 GMT
Things I wouldn't buy......
*Any phonostage which incorporates feedback. Just doesn't sound right IMO. Not saying there's a right or wrong way, just doesn't do what I want generally. I am sure there is an exception to the rule.
*Any speaker which Is ported via the rear. They do not work in my room. Glass doors behind them make them impossibly bass heavy.
*Silver Cables. Horrifically sacrificial of any soul in my system. I just cant get on with Silver cables.
*Valve Amplifiers. I cant get on with the Bass. I am yet to hear a valve amp that grips the bass with the authority and detail of the Krell and until I do, I couldn't consider one.
*Denon Cartridges. I've had 103/103R 301II, 304, DL-s1. Only one I could listen to long term was the 301.
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Post by savvypaul on Jan 15, 2019 13:23:16 GMT
Ported speakers - I can always hear them chuffing along.
A CD player - my streaming set up is better than any CDP I've heard.
'Foo' mains cables.
BBC type speakers.
Lots of brands - poor build quality / marketing bullshit / just don't like their ethos / whatever. Too many to list.
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 13:42:11 GMT
fancy mains cables 'grounding' boxes Stillpoints or similar 'isolation' accessories Anything made by: Naim Exposure Chord 'jitter busters' 'upscalers' mains conditioners mains regenerators balanced mains units in fact anything to do with 'mains' speaker cables or interconnects with those little boxes half way along the cable expensive racks or speaker stands 'streamers' cd players with valves in them up sampling cd players belt drive turntables small speakers headphones vinyl compact cassette anything with blue LEDs QUAD pre-amps (any model) Lowthers or anything with Lowther drivers in horn speakers Omni/semi Omni speakers Linn or Naim speakers That's enough for now... Blimey! Bar the jitter buster, belt drive TT and Omni speaker bit, that would be my list. The jitter buster is a weird one. I take your word for it that it does something but whatever it does it's nothing to do with jitter. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 14:10:44 GMT
Good thread Andrew.
Some good selections, i agree wth........
Silver Cables.
Anything mains related.
Slot loaders.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 16:06:36 GMT
A German or French Car
Anything made by Audioquest
Tannoy
Krell
Rotel Tape decks and CDP's are good, the amps suck.
Anthem
Vivid Speakers
Mission Speakers
B&W
KEF
Linn LP 12
Manley
An SET amp, still cant find one I like.
Any File based system
A USB Powered DAC
Any Multi Channel Amp.
An AVR of any description.
A Class D amp.
QUAD
Mark Levinson never ever, the biggest bag of stripped nuts & bolts one could ever wish to buy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 16:21:59 GMT
I would concur Jamster, average sound quality, Sub Par build quality, and not least...out of principle due to the persona of the owner. Low Metallurgic quality Silver cables, OHNO very high purity Silver is a different animal...Silver plated steel core.....Don't make me laugh. F#ck all from China due to their atrocious Human and Animal rights. Valved CDP source to an already valve heavy Pre and Power...Over egg the pudding, can work very well with SS further down the chain. |
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 16:22:15 GMT
I forgot about class D, suppose I should add that too. Can't see the point of them. Wouldn't buy a class G or H either for that matter.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 17:14:42 GMT
I forgot about class D, suppose I should add that too. Can't see the point of them. Wouldn't buy a class G or H either for that matter. I felt similarly about Class D, but my latest purchase has changed my mind. Less than twenty quid and it sounds like an SM-70! My best mate who's no mug about Hi-Fi has bought two after hearing mine.  |
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 17:51:45 GMT
Have you opened it up and checked that it is safe? Check this similar Chi-fi chip amp out for example: www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/review-and-measurements-of-irs2092-iraud350-class-d-amplifier.6031/
On safety front, there is of course no regulatory certification. I was pleased to see a safety ground wire to the chassis. They used a black color instead of proper green. Its gauge is too small likely to cause your home breaker to pop meaning if there is a short form hot to chassis, this wire may burn up leaving the case fully energized. Hopefully the smell of it will keep you away from touching it, maybe not. Then again I checked and they forgot to sand off the anodization from the chassis so this wire is not doing anything! The top lid likewise is insulated from the chassis due to the same finish acting as a barrier between the two. THE UNIT IS UNSAFE TO OPERATE AS BUILT!!! |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 18:16:15 GMT
Have you opened it up and checked that it is safe? The online benchtest that I posted before seemed happy with it. |
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 18:33:44 GMT
Have you opened it up and checked that it is safe? The online benchtest that I posted before seemed happy with it. Even so might be worth a look. The big problem with China is quality control so they might not be consistent from batch to batch or even within a batch. You might buy one of those that I linked to, open it up and find out it is safe. I try to avoid buying Chinese stuff for that reason although you're probably okay with the big name brands. |
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 18:42:25 GMT
Valve amplifiers Kef speakers B & W speakers Linn equipment This is pretty harsh. KEF have done some good speakers. B&W bit more of an acquired taste I'll grant you. But KEF? The valve things a bit harsh too. You wouldn't even have a Radford? |
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2019 19:13:19 GMT
A German or French Car Anything made by Audioquest Tannoy Krell Rotel Tape decks and CDP's are good, the amps suck. Anthem Vivid Speakers Mission Speakers B&W KEF Linn LP 12 Manley An SET amp, still cant find one I like. Any File based system A USB Powered DAC Any Multi Channel Amp. An AVR of any description. A Class D amp. QUAD Mark Levinson never ever, the biggest bag of stripped nuts & bolts one could ever wish to buy. I must admit that I’ve not heard a single good thing from Audioquest, |
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Post by macca on Jan 15, 2019 21:15:20 GMT
Never been keen on Cyrus although not for any real reason.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 21:38:58 GMT
Have you opened it up and checked that it is safe? The online benchtest that I posted before seemed happy with it. Probably opened it up macca, but the hifi cops said nowt to see here, move along now. 😁😀😁😂😁😀 |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 21:41:02 GMT
Never been keen on Cyrus although not for any real reason. Sh#t IN A SHOE BOX. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 22:29:17 GMT
I would concur Jamster, average sound quality, Sub Par build quality, and not least...out of principle due to the persona of the owner. Low Metallurgic quality Silver cables, OHNO very high purity Silver is a different animal...Silver plated steel core.....Don't make me laugh. F#ck all from China due to their atrocious Human and Animal rights. Valved CDP source to an already valve heavy Pre and Power...Over egg the pudding, can work very well with SS further down the chain. Well enough of the NVA bollocks Vlad. Lets change the subject.... Who the fuk is that ugly monkey in your avatar........please tell me it aint a self portrait. 😂😁😂 |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2019 22:32:25 GMT
I wouldn’t buy anything with a Nextel finish either. It goes sticky and looks really nasty as it ages and collects dirt.
I’d be very dubious about anything from a Pink Triangle/Funk lineage because the constriction has so often been poor.
Musical Fidelity kit would likely be off my list too. Far too many examples of under-specified components and taking liberties with products that had shelf lives shorter than newspaper. I’ve been on the wrong side of a few MF products going tits up. Not again.
I’m also not interested in anything “hair shirt”, especially if it looks like it’s been made on a kitchen table, dictates what you can and can’t use with it and has no protection built in, Any kit that goes tits up and takes other kit with it should come with a guarantee to pay for consequential damage. I hear all the “less is more” arguments but when you experience better sounding kit that is protected, you tend to conclude this “minimalism” is BS and an excuse for lazy or incompetent design.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2019 22:41:29 GMT
Yup MF.....MY FANNY.
Any firm that churns out so many different models, let alone with the same bland sound.
Are ripping us off, and kidding themselves.
NU VISTA.
Fuk off
Hasta la Vista.👍
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Bigman80
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The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,400
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 15, 2019 22:48:02 GMT
I would concur Jamster, average sound quality, Sub Par build quality, and not least...out of principle due to the persona of the owner. Low Metallurgic quality Silver cables, OHNO very high purity Silver is a different animal...Silver plated steel core.....Don't make me laugh. F#ck all from China due to their atrocious Human and Animal rights. Valved CDP source to an already valve heavy Pre and Power...Over egg the pudding, can work very well with SS further down the chain. Well enough of the NVA bollocks Vlad. Lets change the subject.... Who the fuk is that ugly monkey in your avatar........please tell me it aint a self portrait. 😂😁😂 We need to move away from using avatars which feature other forum personalities/personas. There’s been a discussion thread and vote on it. Our existing rule 4 covers posting pics likely to cause offence, so I will remove the avatar and Vlad can choose another whenever he/she is ready to. |
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