Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2019 7:24:31 GMT
The impending arrival of Kans no48 set me thinking. I’m not the only one who has revisited stuff. What ah e you had more than once and have you nad anything a few times?
Apart from kans I’ve had so many Exposure x, XV, xx, Vii/Viii and iii/iv that ive lost count,
Same goes for chrome bumper Naim
Rega Planets several times
SBLs quite a few pairs, also 4 or 5 pairs ibls and same for Rega Ela
Linn LP12s lost count but certainly double figures
Xerxes I’ve had 4 of, or was it 5?
Rocks probs 7 or 8
Etc etc.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 20, 2019 8:00:59 GMT
Why do you need to constantly chop and change? Little of it was obviously really any good *for you* as you'd have kept it, so why keep punishing yourself?  I suppose for me, it's nostalgia rather than high expectations. That and not being able to purchase new gear, even at trade prices these days. The Garrards are playthings and it's been great to use a Zero 100 for example, as the sonic reality is many times better than my expectations of it, so I enjoy watching it work. I expect more from my Duals, so they become more like reliable appliances, doing what they do in a typically 'Germanic' slick smooth kind of way. I'f I EVER have an LP12 in my own paws again, it'll be one I've been able to cobble together for fun and to see if I could live with it now, knowing what I do about it and what to look out for. Biggest surprise I suppose is the LK1 and Lk280/SPARK. I can't use the two together interestingly as the sound closes up and the music shrinks too much, but individually, I have a very cheap MC phono stage (easier than taking the rather superior Phono 2 apart to adjust), and the 280 offers easy 4 ohm driving ability and *this one* has no obvious 'grain' when used with a different preamp as the ones I remember doing. Again, I have no huge expectations of either, so it's been a surprise they work at all, let alone quite well. As for speakers, I know what I want, but shall have to wait to see if the financial opportunity ever arises once I've sold the stuff I have here, but to have many pairs of the same speaker over the years (even if no two batches were the same - blame KEF, not Linn where Kans are concerned) is just masochism I reckon - Gawd they're krap  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2019 8:13:58 GMT
Why do you need to constantly chop and change? Little of it was obviously really any good *for you* as you'd have kept it, so why keep punishing yourself? I suppose for me, it's nostalgia rather than high expectations. That and not being able to purchase new gear, even at trade prices these days. The Garrards are playthings and it's been great to use a Zero 100 for example, as the sonic reality is many times better than my expectations of it, so I enjoy watching it work. I expect more from my Duals, so they become more like reliable appliances, doing what they do in a typically 'Germanic' slick smooth kind of way. I'f I EVER have an LP12 in my own paws again, it'll be one I've been able to cobble together for fun and to see if I could live with it now, knowing what I do about it and what to look out for. Biggest surprise I suppose is the LK1 and Lk280/SPARK. I can't use the two together interestingly as the sound closes up and the music shrinks too much, but individually, I have a very cheap MC phono stage (easier than taking the rather superior Phono 2 apart to adjust), and the 280 offers easy 4 ohm driving ability and *this one* has no obvious 'grain' when used with a different preamp as the ones I remember doing. Again, I have no huge expectations of either, so it's been a surprise they work at all, let alone quite well. As for speakers, I know what I want, but shall have to wait to see if the financial opportunity ever arises once I've sold the stuff I have here, but to have many pairs of the same speaker over the years (even if no two batches were the same - blame KEF, not Linn where Kans are concerned) is just masochism I reckon - Gawd they're krap The kans are just for a laugh and a numbers game. I will get to 50 just by dint of picking up any that pass my way, they are fun, but will be outclassed by what I have. As for the previous swapping, the Exposure stuff was all good and I’d have it today if I hadn’t found something I like more and have stuck with. The Naim CB stuff was “variable” although I’ve always enjoyed SBLs. Lots of other changes happened for different reasons. I guess I enjoy buying Hi-Fi and I also cannot resist a bargain, so I’ve often picked stuff up below market value. Then there’s the house moves. I don’t like carrying kit from one house to the other and speakers rarely travel well, so that’s been another part. I also used to get bored and seek a change. I believe much of this tweaking we see is from folk who need to hear or perceive improvements to sustain their interest. I guess it’s a combination of factors. Nothing wrong with it if you enjoy it though. Especially if you lose nothing and even make the odd penny here and there. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 8:15:45 GMT
As for speakers, I know what I want, but shall have to wait to see if the financial opportunity ever arises once I've sold the stuff I have here Come on then Dave, spill the beans there's a good chap  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 8:34:06 GMT
No repeat purchases here. I upgraded from Roksan Xerxes to Xerxes X via a generous trade-in programme, and have two separate Stax headphone systems of different vintages. Sometimes I hanker after my old Border Patrol amp, but the feeling quickly passes.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 20, 2019 10:22:59 GMT
As for speakers, I know what I want, but shall have to wait to see if the financial opportunity ever arises once I've sold the stuff I have here Come on then Dave, spill the beans there's a good chap Read my posts - there again, don't give yourself the stress... 
I'm no nomad y'see, so am totally opposite to Westie here, not having to move and travel 'light.' As a result, I hoard too much and seem to collect all manner of stuff I don't really need
If it all had to go and start again, I'd currently return to ATC I think, as whatever I say about vintage JBL's, they're too damned dumpy looking for a small room.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 13:25:21 GMT
Goldring 1042 mm cartridge - on stylus No3.
Rothwell Indus passive preamp V1, V2, on Version 3 now.
And that's about it really.
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Post by savvypaul on Feb 20, 2019 13:51:49 GMT
Had Kans twice - couldn't live with 'em, couldn't live without 'em, for a few years.
Had BLQ1s twice - needed a smaller speaker than my the EPOS ES14 when I moved house. Knew I liked them, easy decision.
Had Rega arms a few times...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 14:00:12 GMT
If I get rid of something it is gone for a very good reason, I have never had the inclination to return for a second helping. After four or 5 helpings of B&W for instance, I realised how lousy my taste buds were at the time.
If I like something I am inclined to hoard it, I have never been desperate enough to have to sell any of it. I have four systems up and running with enough in reserve to set up another two. Messing around with that lot keeps me out of the box swapping rabbit hole.
My main system is satisfying enough and about as good as I can afford.
Might mess with a cable or two if something pops up at the right price. If it doesn't improve on the existing, there are the other systems that need tweaking.
So mainly I play with the lesser systems improving them within in my budget constraints.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 20, 2019 14:40:34 GMT
The only major items I think I've ever had over and over were more progression. I did have several LP12's and Ittoks during the 80's, different finishes, the updates that were done during this time to plinths, tonearm finish and so on. I also had three pairs of Isobariks, one after the other. the first were a 1979 chipboard pair that sounded scrappy and hollow compared to the active version, the second pair were superb by 'Brik standards, a mid '84 MDF pair in walnut with vertical XLR inputs (one easy way to age them) and a slight dink on one front edge and the third was a foolish decision to try a black pair of DMS's in late 1985 (a year was a long time back then) as black was all the rage and pal Jimmy H was selling a pair he'd bought cheap for a re-evaluation. Terrible mistake, as KEF had screwed up the mid drivers by them and these shrieked seriously badly in my small room. In a 25' long lounge, the shrieking wasn't anywhere near as bad and to rub it in, the lovely walnut pair went to a friend who used and enjoyed them for around ten years after....
I swapped (with cash adjustment my way) the black pair for a pair of Snell E II's which were godawful (boom and harsh crossover region, no wonder they needed AI amps to soften them up) and after two or three days, these became NS1000's which I kept until the first ES14's graced my small room in around 1988 I think. I had three pairs of ES14's as well, but these were replacements as the drivers were altered, the final pair being kept a long time until my ATC adventure started in late 1992.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 20, 2019 21:33:33 GMT
Had Kans twice - couldn't live with 'em, couldn't live without 'em, for a few years. Had BLQ1s twice - needed a smaller speaker than my the EPOS ES14 when I moved house. Knew I liked them, easy decision. Had Rega arms a few times... Never heard BLQ 1 or 2 but always thought I would get a chance. Maybe one day I will hear some but the ship’s probably sailed for me on front firing speakers. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 22:08:26 GMT
Hmm.
Well I suppose twenty two pairs of various Tannoy dual concentric speakers over the years may say something. That includes five pairs of Eatons. Currently use Cheviot Mk.II's.
I've also always had a Connoisseur BD1 turntable or two knocking about. Probably owned a dozen. It just tickles me that something so simple, crude and basic can sound so good. Got two at the moment waiting for plinths.
And I've owned three Leak Stereo 20 valve power amps. They're always nice.
There have always been ADC cartridges around too, since I discovered the 10E Mk.IV in the seventies. At the moment, if I recall, there are two 10E Mk.II, one 10E Mk. IV and a 550XE tucked away. Maybe more.
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Post by dsjr on Feb 20, 2019 22:42:08 GMT
I forgot about the XLM, XLM II, XLM III, two ZLM's, two Phase IV's and a 26 - cough...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 22:47:32 GMT
I forgot about the XLM, XLM II, XLM III, two ZLM's, two Phase IV's and a 26 - cough... So what arm are you uisng the 26 in Dave? |
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Post by antonio on Feb 21, 2019 5:40:14 GMT
Kans pair no.48! You sad old sod Westie. You have some great speakers, why bother? |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2019 6:25:04 GMT
Kans pair no.48! You sad old sod Westie. You have some great speakers, why bother? Literally just a numbers game. It will cost me nothing to take these off a mate and move them on. Two more pairs and it’s the big Five O. It just HAS to happen I will, of course, have a few days playing with them too. Given that I have a Nait, it’s a bit of nostalgia linkimgntjem up. |
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Post by dsjr on Feb 21, 2019 9:24:48 GMT
I forgot about the XLM, XLM II, XLM III, two ZLM's, two Phase IV's and a 26 - cough... So what arm are you uisng the 26 in Dave? I can't. It's bassy on the one hand and sibilant on the other and so is minutes-only XLM. I have a Grace 707 arm a 25 used to work in (251 stylus) but for modern use they're a bit anachronistic I feel. The best I ever heard them in was a Transcriptors Fluid arm at 0.7g. |
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Post by dsjr on Feb 21, 2019 9:26:26 GMT
Kans pair no.48! You sad old sod Westie. You have some great speakers, why bother? Literally just a numbers game. It will cost me nothing to take these off a mate and move them on. Two more pairs and it’s the big Five O. It just HAS to happen I will, of course, have a few days playing with them too. Given that I have a Nait, it’s a bit of nostalgia linkimgntjem up. They're an easy load, but not with a Nait, which is probably the worst case scenario as to me/us, it emphasised all the bad bits. Didn't stop people buying this combination though |
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Post by savvypaul on Feb 21, 2019 10:03:59 GMT
Literally just a numbers game. It will cost me nothing to take these off a mate and move them on. Two more pairs and it’s the big Five O. It just HAS to happen I will, of course, have a few days playing with them too. Given that I have a Nait, it’s a bit of nostalgia linkimgntjem up. They're an easy load, but not with a Nait, which is probably the worst case scenario as to me/us, it emphasised all the bad bits. Didn't stop people buying this combination though My Kans sounded lifeless on the end of a 110. Took a 160 to get them going... |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2019 15:52:31 GMT
Literally just a numbers game. It will cost me nothing to take these off a mate and move them on. Two more pairs and it’s the big Five O. It just HAS to happen I will, of course, have a few days playing with them too. Given that I have a Nait, it’s a bit of nostalgia linkimgntjem up. They're an easy load, but not with a Nait, which is probably the worst case scenario as to me/us, it emphasised all the bad bits. Didn't stop people buying this combination though A very popular pairing of which I’ve heard good anfd bad. An 80s LP12/Ityok/troika sounded mighty in one guys home with bait and kans. I found kans better with NVA |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2019 15:53:46 GMT
Ion ffs my typing is getting worse. Still, the post is funnier as is
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Post by dsjr on Feb 21, 2019 16:16:02 GMT
Depends on room. An 82 vintage pair sounded great in a friend's 24' x 12' room, firing down it, but absolutely horrible in my small listening room I had back then (absolutely no bass at all). Mind you, Isobariks sounded better in both rooms as I hope you'd expect His early 83 vintage 'Briks from the first MDF batch sounded so good in his room, I still hanker a little, especially now I have a power amp designed for the load they present... (Note to self, mustn't go back there...). |
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Post by macca on Feb 21, 2019 17:57:45 GMT
Never revisited anything, always onwards and upwards here. Did buy a spare Technics SL1200 when they discontinued them back in 2010 so I've got two of them, but that's it.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2019 18:13:19 GMT
Never revisited anything, always onwards and upwards here. Did buy a spare Technics SL1200 when they discontinued them back in 2010 so I've got two of them, but that's it. Turned out to be a wise buy. |
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Post by macca on Feb 21, 2019 18:18:05 GMT
Not really I don't use them anymore. Gone up in value a bit though if that is what you mean.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Feb 21, 2019 18:24:23 GMT
Not really I don't use them anymore. Gone up in value a bit though if that is what you mean. Yep that was my thinking. Sorry I should know this but are you not using vinyl or did you get another deck? |
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Post by macca on Feb 21, 2019 18:33:44 GMT
Not playing vinyl anymore. Going to sell most of it next year. I'll keep maybe 30 albums that have emotional connections (prezzies from ex girlfriends and the like) and one deck to play them on if I ever fancy it. Going to flog the Moth RCM too.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2019 20:24:50 GMT
The impending arrival of Kans no48 set me thinking. I’m not the only one who has revisited stuff. What ah e you had more than once and have you nad anything a few times? Apart from kans I’ve had so many Exposure x, XV, xx, Vii/Viii and iii/iv that ive lost count, Same goes for chrome bumper Naim Rega Planets several times SBLs quite a few pairs, also 4 or 5 pairs ibls and same for Rega Ela Linn LP12s lost count but certainly double figures Xerxes I’ve had 4 of, or was it 5? Rocks probs 7 or 8 Etc etc. I never go back. I've moved on. |
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