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Post by Dave on Jan 19, 2021 14:24:30 GMT
More changes: I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Frugal 3's fitted with Alpair 11ms drivers from an ebay seller, I hope to have them here and setup by Tuesday evening. They look very nice and should be far happier being driven by the little Reisong el34 amp than the Missions are... Quick update: I will not be getting these until April at the earliest due to the lockdown, which came into play the day I was supposed to collect them. Thanks Covid... 🙄 I believe a few of our members here follow me on Twitter. As these unfortunate souls already know my Twitter persona has sod all to do with audio, other than that I do occasionally post the odd album or track that I am listening to. No, my Twitter account is where I go to let my hair down and yell into the void in order to relieve pent up frustration. You are welcome to follow me at Grabthar's Hammer@synsei if you wish, but be warned, this is me at full throttle and politically unfettered... |
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Post by Slinger on Jan 19, 2021 14:46:53 GMT
I believe a few of our members here follow me on Twitter. As these unfortunate souls already know my Twitter persona has sod all to do with audio, other than that I do occasionally post the odd album or track that I am listening to. No, my Twitter account is where I go to let my hair down and yell into the void in order to relieve pent up frustration. You are welcome to follow me at Grabthar's Hammer@synsei if you wish, but be warned, this is me at full throttle and politically unfettered... That's about like me, Dave. As 🌹 The Flying Pig 🌹 😷 Old lefty 😷 a.k.a. Slinger_LFC I originally used my account to connect with other Liverpool FC supporters, but I've become more and more politically active since the twin horrors of Brexit and Trump landed in our laps. |
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Post by Dave on Jan 19, 2021 17:58:01 GMT
![]() I forgot to mention, I've bought myself one of those quaint gramophone gadgets which those who hail from the Flintstone era once covetted, it may even be directly driven, by a motor (not a tyre)... 🙃 I'd post a photomegraph but it would seem that Photobucket has a hole in it and dear Liza hasn't gotten around to fixing it yet... flic.kr/p/2ktViky |
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Post by Dave on Feb 9, 2021 19:06:59 GMT
I only know the Frugals driven by a Mark Audio driver, which steveeb brought around. Had them in my system for a day. Mighty impressive for their size and they imaged very well. It turns out that the Alpair 11ms is a Mark Audio product Martin and by golly gosh are they just a bit good. Yup, the seller personally delivered the Frugal XL's from Mansfield whilst observing social distancing rules, and FOC too. Top bloke... |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 9, 2021 19:32:29 GMT
Nice. Glad you're pleased with them. As I said, great imaging and they sound larger than life.
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Post by Dave on Mar 2, 2021 22:51:44 GMT
I'll tell you this much chaps, we may well have reached our end point in regards to speakers and amplification. I treated the Reisong to a matched pair of Tung-Sol el34b's on saturday last and by jiminy have things taken a huge leap forward into the realm of the real, we now have sparkle, air and drive aplenty. Given a good recording, drum hits and electric guitar licks can be visceral and yet there is subtlety as well, acoustic guitar plucks and strums are full of nuance and character. Imaging is sensational too and the soundstage this thing projects is huge and three dimensional. Jo and I have spent much of the weekend listening to familiar music as well as some that is new to us and we are both in awe of this systems capabilities considering the modest cost of the various components. At some point I may upgrade to a Denafrips Ares II dac but for now we are both content to just sit back and enjoy the show... 👍🖖
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Post by MartinT on Mar 3, 2021 6:30:33 GMT
Brilliant - that's what it's all about, Dave.
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Post by brian2957 on Mar 3, 2021 9:36:01 GMT
Fantastic Dave. Like most of us you've been searching for audio Nirvana ( whatever that is ) and it appears you're nearly there. Enjoy the music  What's the turntable Dave, and what cartridge ary you using ? |
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Post by Dave on Mar 6, 2021 17:42:07 GMT
Thanks guys, it has been a long road but it's been well worth the effort. We have just finished listening to Songs Of Faith & Devotion by Depeche Mode, an album I adore, but which has been all of a muddly mess before now, so it was relegated to the car stereo or as background muzak whenever I'm busy. That won't be happening anymore though because now it has depth, focus and space to breath, and it sounds bloody awesome. I also own a copy of the live version of this album so that will definitely be going on later.
The turntable is an Audio Technica AT-LP5 direct-drive jobby which is nothing special in stock form, however an outfit exists which can wave a magic wand over these decks and turn them into something rather special, utilising an acrylic platter, Rega rb220 arm and constrained layer damping for the plinth, for the moment though it will be staying stock so I can enjoy spinning vinyl again. The cartridge is an AT VM95 with a microlinear stylus, Brian. I have been told this is more than capable of singing for its supper, although I've not listened to it as yet because I'm being a very good boy, I'm waiting until I can afford a record cleaning machine. This 'patience' thing is all new to me, I'm not sure I'm liking it... 😬
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Post by Dave on Mar 27, 2021 17:52:09 GMT
I've been living with my current system configuration for around two months now and I am absolutely over the moon with it. I do not own a set of golden ears (mine are more tarnished bronze) however as a consequence of the huge performance gains I have found myself listening to music and genres I would never have dreamed of listening to before due to the limitations of the previous setup. I am currently listening to...
...and it is utterly beguiling, I am almost in tears here.
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Post by Dave on Mar 27, 2021 22:58:10 GMT
Fantastic Dave. Like most of us you've been searching for audio Nirvana ( whatever that is ) and it appears you're nearly there. Enjoy the music What's the turntable Dave, and what cartridge ary you using ? Hi Brian, The TT is an Audio Technica AT-LP5 and the cart is an Audio Technica VM95ML, I'm hoping to be able to set the TT up once my back cuts me some slack. I also have a Technics SL5 linear tracker but it could really do with some TLC because the arm lifts before the end of a record more often than not, I've heard this may be an issue with the arm carriage mechanism. After spending a couple of months researching budget phono pre-amps I pulled the trigger on an iFi Audio ZEN because it ticks more boxes than most, plus it's built like a brick sh*thouse. There's also an Angle Audio battery powered phono stage hiding somewhere in the house, gawd knows where though. 😉 |
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Post by brian2957 on Mar 28, 2021 8:57:55 GMT
Hi Dave, a few weeks ago I bought an Audio Technica AT-LP5X and I'm loving it. It came with an AVM95ML fitted as standard. I also had an AT95EX fitted to an AT headshell which also sounds excellent. I'm using the MM phono stage in my Roksan Kandy KA-1 which sounded markedly better than a basic Rega phono stage. The iFi phono stage is on my radar.
Your valve amp looks interesting and is a really decent price, although I'm really enjoying the Roksan just now.
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Post by Dave on Mar 28, 2021 15:47:58 GMT
Hi Dave, a few weeks ago I bought an Audio Technica AT-LP5X and I'm loving it. It came with an AVM95ML fitted as standard. I also had an AT95EX fitted to an AT headshell which also sounds excellent. I'm using the MM phono stage in my Roksan Kandy KA-1 which sounded markedly better than a basic Rega phono stage. The iFi phono stage is on my radar. Your valve amp looks interesting and is a really decent price, although I'm really enjoying the Roksan just now. You too, eh? Great minds and all that 🤭 My LP5 is the older version with onboard power but as I understand it that is the only difference between the two models. It's a looker and no mistake, build quality is also top notch with a solid, heavy plinth. I'm really looking forward to getting mine set up, however it will have to wait until my back issues ease off. Once I am fairly comfortable Jo & I are going to reorganise the furniture so we can pull the Frugals further into the room after which I should be spinning vinyl again. I have a record cleaning 'machine' now, nothing fancy mind you just a humble Knosti Disco Antistat (featuring dj Goat-hair Brushes 🤣)... Seriously though the brushes ARE made of goat hair... 🐐 🙃 That's a nice amp you have there Brian, I really rate Roksan gear. Although I've not owned any of their equipment I did once have a Kandy shortlisted but I ended up buying the Quad 306 instead, which I still have by the way. The Reisong is a wee gem of an amp but it needs efficient speakers to give of its best, which is why I bought the Frugals, they are a very good match. Much has been made of the A10's paltry six watts per channel but it has never been an issue in this room, especially with these speakers. |
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