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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2014 17:35:32 GMT
I've decided to emulate Mao Tse Tung and reset the clock to year zero for this thread. What went before no longer matters as far as I am concerned, it's where I am now and what happens next which is important to me and besides, how I got here can be found elsewhere on the web for those who are curious (Hint: Try searching The Art Of Sound under 'The Long Way Home'. The monika there was synsei btw, for those who don't know...
I am pretty much satisfied with the sound emanating from the old squawk boxes just now and so this thread will probably move along at a somewhat glacial pace, more or less, for the foreseeable future. I have no plans to upgrade any of the major components in my system as together they do a fine job delivering superb sounds to these old lugholes...
I am playing with IC cables once again (do I detect a collective sigh from the general vicinity of the science lab?  ) and I may have stumbled upon a particularly sparkly gem of a cable which is refreshingly free of foo and cheap as chips. Well almost, if you're lucky enough to reside in the borough of Kensington, that is. If I mention the name Klotz it may shed some light on things, or perhaps that is the generic term reserved for those who constantly fart about with different cables...  Anyhoo, the new IC's do appear to be outperforming the current incumbents so there's a good chance they will be staying in the system. Thanks Bri...!!!
"So, what's in yer system then Dave?"
Aha yes, that would be helpful to know, wouldn't it? Well, There's a Technics SL5 linear tracking turntable in there somewhere which is hooked up to an Angle Audio MM phono stage. An Arcam CD72, and a very fine CD player it is too. There's a Sony MDS JE480 MiniDisk player/recorder to consider as well as a self-built Win7 based music server, which used to be my gaming rig many moons ago. JRiver is my latest choice of software for playing music. I am still attempting to get to grips with it but I am finding its poor stability and rather fussy interface very frustrating, therefore I may well move back to using Foobar2000 sometime soon, if things don't improve. That's the sources taken care of then so onwards and upwards...
There's a bespoke BTE passive pre (or control unit for the politically correct amongst us), a Rega DAC (the mk1 version that has a deeper case than the current incarnation) and a QUAD 306, a wee gem of a power amp which doesn't get the sort of recognition or credit it's older or more powerful brethren receive. Currently I have a pair of wonderful ART Skibo's tapped into the main system with a set of Talk 3 speaker cables. I also own a pair of classic B&W DM2's which are awaiting the fitting of a new Coles super-tweeter. Also doing sterling service, hooked up to an Amptastic Mini T amplifier, are a pair of Mission 760I's, which also punch well above their weight (and size). Potential sources for this little system are varied and many which include various tablets, mobile phones and the odd laptop or netbook. No fancy DAC's here. the wee system is fed directly from whichever source might happen to turn up on the day, via a good quality Belkin 3.5mmm to twin phono lead. Even so, when playing decent quality files it sounds terrific, so much so that I could happily live with it should the main system be abducted by aliens or sommat...
Future plans include replacing the remaining IC's in the system with further Klotz based items. I will also be exploring the modding potential of the 306 fairly soon although I may have to cast about for someone to carry out the work for me as my hands are not very steady these days. I've turned into a clumsy oaf in my dotage, it would seem. I am very happy with the speakers I own so they will be staying, as will all the major components unless they suffer a terminal breakdown.
My apologies for the quality of the photos but I am no photographer... 
 
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2014 17:44:12 GMT
Once all struggle is grasped, miracles are possible.
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Post by pre65 on Jul 10, 2014 18:00:06 GMT
"and I may have stumbled upon a particularly sparkly gem of a cable which is refreshingly free of foo and cheap as chips." Perhaps you can elucidate on these cables please ? I looked at a web site but got confused, easy at my age.  |
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Post by MartinT on Jul 10, 2014 19:02:30 GMT
Good start to your blog, Dave.
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2014 19:30:03 GMT
"and I may have stumbled upon a particularly sparkly gem of a cable which is refreshingly free of foo and cheap as chips." Perhaps you can elucidate on these cables please ? I looked at a web site but got confused, easy at my age. They were made and supplied to me by a friend of mine. The cable is Klotz 5000 I believe but I'm not sure who manufacture the plugs, I'll take some piccies once my phone has charged |
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2014 19:31:05 GMT
Good start to your blog, Dave. Thank you kindly sir...  |
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Post by pre65 on Jul 10, 2014 19:38:21 GMT
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2014 19:39:42 GMT
Yup indeedy |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2014 19:47:44 GMT
Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend.
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Post by Chris on Jul 10, 2014 20:16:34 GMT
That's well cheap!! Good for home made interconnects I presume?
The 4x2.5mm speaker cable looks well worth a punt as well - any reports on that?
Good site - thanks for sharing.
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2014 20:33:20 GMT
That's well cheap!! Good for home made interconnects I presume? To my ears and in my system they sound pretty damned good, I can tell yee...
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Post by Chris on Jul 10, 2014 20:55:48 GMT
Just ordered up some of that speaker cable.
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Post by Dave on Jul 10, 2014 21:19:40 GMT
Here's a pic of the plugs which have been used to terminate my cables...  |
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Post by Chris on Jul 11, 2014 2:47:11 GMT
Sorry Dave not seeing that pic. If there's a link there that might be handy.
Is that the cable that the link goes to? Then terminated with those plugs?
How do you do the termination? Wee bit soldering?
Sounds like an ace cable for next to nowt - very interesting.
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Post by Andrei on Jul 11, 2014 3:21:37 GMT
Sorry Dave not seeing that pic. If there's a link there that might be handy. The plugs are made from a very pure acrylic and virtually transparent. |
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Post by Chris on Jul 11, 2014 3:25:05 GMT
Do they get soldered then?
I quite fancy trying to make an interconnect as my first home build project which is why I ask.
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Post by ChrisB on Jul 11, 2014 8:28:56 GMT
Sorry Dave not seeing that pic. If there's a link there that might be handy. It works fine for me. You mentioned this about one of my images Chris - I think the problem may be at your end. |
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hobnob
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Post by hobnob on Jul 11, 2014 10:55:49 GMT
What a refreshing thread. A great system showing your individuality and sense of value. Loving the look of the preamp too.
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Post by Dave on Jul 11, 2014 10:56:07 GMT
JRiver has gone from my system, what a pile of poo... I found it to be unstable, it sounded worse than Foobar plus it left tiny files scattered all over my hard drives. What's more, during the uninstall process the team virtually demanded to know why I had the audacity (no pun intended) to remove it, so I didn't hold back. I won't be reinstalling it...
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Post by Dave on Jul 11, 2014 14:19:32 GMT
I've decided to have a go at assembling my own cables, just for the crack. I do have previous industry experience in soldering although that was many years ago when in my 20's so I'm probably out of practice. I have a Maplin, temperature controlled iron and a set of three, fine, replacement tips, a set of 'Helping Hands', and an adjustable, automatic wire stripper/cutter sat in my Amazon basket ready for purchase next week (my ancient Weller soldering station recently gave up the ghost unfortunately). I'm actually excited about the prospect. If the cables I assemble pass muster quality-wise I may make them available via my ebay account eventually but for now though I am looking to assemble cables for myself, which'll be nice and will also give me a sense of achievement |
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) and I may have stumbled upon a particularly sparkly gem of a cable which is refreshingly free of foo and cheap as chips. Well almost, if you're lucky enough to reside in the borough of Kensington, that is. If I mention the name Klotz it may shed some light on things, or perhaps that is the generic term reserved for those who constantly fart about with different cables... 
Anyhoo, the new IC's do appear to be outperforming the current incumbents so there's a good chance they will be staying in the system. Thanks Bri...!!!
