The Show off your HiFi Thread

[Hamish Gill]

These posts are useless without images!

[Pete Askew]

I suspect that turntables are probably the hardest thing to choose (and set up right). I've actually only owned 3 since I was 16. The first was a Fidelity record player from Woolies then a Sony direct drive deck, then came my Rega Planar 3 / RB250 that I've had since about '91 (I guess). And now comes the modified Sondek. I also didn't want to get into an endless search for a cartridge and went with the one in the setup I heard (and was tempted by in any case). In fact the rest of my system has changed very little (The Show off your HiFi Thread). What speakers do you have in mind (and what's it going with)?

[Pete Askew]

These posts are useless without images!

It hasn't arrived yet!!

When it does I promise I'll take some pictures. If I get a chance I might take a shot of the system as it is at the moment with the temporary DAC in place (Meridian ∂/∑) tomorrow. Just for you.

[Paul Lange]

I haven't really got any decent pics of my system. Here is the TT:



I had a recent computer failure and am still loading CDs onto the the PC that is dedicated to playing music. it holds all the CDs in uncompressed WAV format.



I used to have a Word Designs VA88 but a while ago I made my own amp just because I had enough bits laying around (I have made a few amps) and really liked it. Actually sold the valve amp in the end. It is not pretty (yet) and I don't have any photos of it complete but here are a few while it was being built. It is not obvious but the power supply is dual mono with separate circuitry for the low power stages. The transformers are housed under a sub chassis that the power supply circuit sits on. They are quite large something like 300 or 500VA each.

[Pete Askew]

I do like the look of that turntable Paul. Very nice. How come other people's Hi-Fi always looks tidier and less dusty than mine?!

[Tim Pindar]

Because they dust them before taking photos...?

[Paul Lange]

Err, yeah, I dust it! Baby wipes are particularly good and I find them very useful for removing static from records as well. Some people go wild about using anything that might degrade the record but I would have thought that the acid in the paper sleeves would be more damaging if at all that baby wipes.

[Pete Askew]

Well, as promised, here are some photos of my Hi-Fi as promised. Dust and all!

Lector Digidrive II CD transport.





Rega Planar 3 / RG250 / Corus Blue soon to be replaced by a modified vintage Linn LP-12.



Rega Ela speaker with Townshend supertweeter.



RH speaker.



LH speaker with (temporary) cabinet behind plus Isotek Titan (behind carving from Africa - thank you Blanka! ) - the Sigmas is under the cabinet. I'll take a shot of the contents properly when the DAC comes back from repair.



Special antique coin I usually stick to my forehead while listening to the system.



It result in a dramatic improvement to imaging and sound-stage. Doesn't work so well with avant-garde jazz though. Haven't tried it on the hot-shoe of my D3 yet but I'm pretty sure it will help with that illusive 3-D look you are after Hamish.

[Hamish Gill]

It's because you are the only one who knows the secret of audiophile dust Pete!
Take away the chore of having to clean dust of things and you can enjoy it chore free ... Beltist technique

If you phono pre amp building skills are anything to go by I'd reckon that amps pretty good Paul
Speaking of which, might there be any merit in supplying that pre with a linear supply?
Also would the guts of it fit on one of those maplin cases like the one nick uses The Lurcher power supply.. - The Art of Sound Forum

[Hamish Gill]

Cheers for the tip Pete
Nice looking sytem ... Out of interest, do you know what I mean by that 3d look? Maybe a reply in the apropriate thread might be better if you have any thoughts ... ... ...?