Things you wouldn’t buy

Whilst I’m at it......expensive mains cables. For one I’m not convinced they make any difference. For two, I can DIY something better made than most expensive cables for under a tenner.

Most people are grossly underwhelmed when I say I am currently using a pair of Quadral Chromium Style 6 floorstanders. Wouldn't swap them for anything else no matter what their cost is and believe me I've reviewed a fair few and owned a good few pairs over the years. I am playing with some Russell K 150's at the moment and at nearly 3 times the price of the Quadrals there really is no contest. Yes the Quadrals are rear ported, but the cabinets are very well made and the reflex port is not just a hole in the woodwork.

I think they are German. AV and Hi-Fi speakers

^^^^^^^^

You've said this before Westie. How many pieces of equipment are you having to move when dusting?

Nowadays it’s just three. But I do move them regularly. Dust gathers in 2-3 days. I also move the mains block and vacuum the space regularly. Given the dubious nature of mains cable impact on sonics, I can only conclude it’s a cost cutting exercise. I accept it’s a requirement fir Class II but they aren’t many of those around. For me, it’s the same as the headshell argument, if you can buy something great that has a detachable headshell/mains lead, then why tolerate something that doesn’t?

I’d say the same applies to bouncy decks too, except I think they are actually inferior sonically in most cases, They still create loads of user hassles in many cases, simply because the designer wasn’t clever enough to find a user-friendly solution.

Seeing as I’m on a roll, I’d be inclined to have a pop at the Naim Aro too. An arm without a lift/lower as standard?Utter stupidity, the risk to your expensive cartridge and your vinyl is a red line that should never have been crossed.

The irony is that so many of these things are labelled “no compromise” or “minimalist”. Well for starters, the compromises are usually massive. They simply fall on the user because the designer wasn’t able to make a decent sounding and useable product without passing on his unresolved problems.

As for “minimalist”, it’s so often been a term for the lack of investment needed to manufacture properly. Many simple products have been borne of necessity rather than design. Just look at the belt drives made by so many uk makers. They couldnt produce a 1210 without a few million investment, so they claimed that a few springs, a bit of chipboard and a rubber band is superior,

For me, the whole ethos of minimalism sprang from a lack of the ability to design and the capacity to manufacture. It’s BS marketing because it tried to sell deficiencies as advantages. It relies on the ego of the buyer to achieve success. You aren’t a REAL Hi-Fi enthusiast if you don’t make massive compromises to accommodate your hifi.

It all comes back to the same thing for me: When you hear and use kit that sounds wonderful and works perfectly without you having to bend over backwards, why bother with anything that doesn’t? Limited design by limited designers IMO.

If bending to minimalism floats your boat, then I’m happy for you, Some people practise self-flagellation and I’m happy for them too, as long as they don’t want me to join in.

I've never understood the point of putting the power switch on the rear. Even if they pointlessly intend you to leave the thing powered up 24/7 exactly what advantage is conferred by having the switch on the back instead of the front?

This doesn’t bother me tbh. Especially if it’s top left or top right corner. In some amps it improves the sleek look too. Not sure I want to put up with amps that go bang when you switch them on iot off tho. Bigger older MFamps see a real ass pain on that front

Another thing I wouldn’t buy is kit that needs to be left on to sound decent. I’m not talking about manufacturers recommendations. I’m happy to make up my own mind, but if it takes more than about 20
mins to sing, it’s not for me. I don’t want to leave stuff on as I believe the damage from heat outweighs switch on and off stresses. I also don’t want to add to risks of something going tits up when I’m not there.

True, but once there’s heat, they are uauslly pretty good, You also don’t have that nonsense about leaving them on, 24/7.

+1

That would be a shame Westie. 😥

Turntables cartridges ?? a rabbit hole I have avoided, quite happy with my Rega Planar 2 with an Ortho blue, a new belt every now and then. Most of my records are old, some are over 50 years old. I refuse to pay silly money for new remastered vinyl it is a con imo.  Got a 2 DD's a Technics Quartz and an Akai both not high end and a Pioneer pl 15. All play music well enough to make me smile.  I have listened to a lot of decks that cost the earth, and quite honestly a good CDP gives them all a run for their money at a fraction of the cost.  I never gave up on vinyl simply because of all the music I have on LP.
 
This question always arises in my mind;  the original master tapes are long gone, were never kept, or have dropsy or mold, they are with very few exceptions useless..
So what are they mastering from, an old LP or a CD those are the only options, copy of a copy rather go back to compact cassettes if you get my drift.
I have proved this very point, I have an original box set of The Nat King Cole Story in very good nick the lp's at least are, the box is tatty.
A friend buys a re issue and it just don't sound half as good as my originals.

I do not know if any of you have tried using an integrated amp with a phono stage hooked up as a separate stage using the tape loop.  Works very well, for most of those Jap amps of the past have very good phono stages, my budget Technics SUZ 15 has seen off many a pricey phono stage used in this manner.  Same goes using them for Headphones.