Tell us about your stereo!

[mrJim]

^^George curious... hmmmmm... so the tube buffer will be about color and as a group their discrete circuits so with that external power supply the signal sound be stiff and stout.

Were you trying to add some "flavor" to the DAC sound? cause I would expect it to help it, not by experience just theory, probably like cooking seasoning into a steak

Impressive George! Impressive

Jim

 

[LG]

I echo Jim's comment, very impressive 'triplets' you've added to the family George.

 

[gcczep]

Aural Experimentations...

Thanks guys.

Jim, what the tube buffer did was give the sonics focus and balance for both LP and CD playback. For the latter, there was better grip and tightness especially for the low end. If you meant "warmth" by "flavor" then yes. Separates are often lauded for better results and that applies to the trio having discrete functions as you stated rather than housed in the same chassis with a power supply.

A telling test for the combination was how does it handle music with intricate arrangements even for simplicity's sake as opposed to layers of electric guitars. I played The Beatles White Album vinyl last night and it came through fine. The song "Blackbird" was just McCartney with an acoustic guitar. On the left channel, you can hear clearly some sort of toe tapping in cadence. The clarity is really good.

One thing I had to do was re-calibrate the levels by 3 dbs lower for the front two channels.

 

[mrJim]

^^ Awesome, I used "Flavor" cause with the DAC I believe it's spicing up or adding flavor to what's there but there is only so much to work with. Guessing the TT sees the bigger difference cause is probably brining out more of what's in the signal .

that's just me

I have this nagging idea to go after the source.... the DAC, what I need is a loaner to prove my theory before laying out the coin.

Jim

 

[gcczep]

Outside the box...

Jim, outboard DACs are always a good option if that is what you are contemplating. My Parasound model is still going on strong. There's quite a few out there that can be chosen from. Some now are with the times equipped with USB ports too. Maybe you can find a place that will let you audition one?

Turned off the Onkyo's Audyssey room calibration EQ system today and just played some CD sample tracks. Even better...

 

[LG]

^^That's a good idea, I know Audio Ark would let me audition one and if I wasn't impressed take it back. If I did consider a new DAC, I would get a tube design, they definitely have a warmth to them from what I've read...then again I've never listened to one in my own room which is the only test that really matters.

 

[mrJim]

Post up as you test and give it a listen for a bit. I am definitely interested in hearing how you feel about it.

I really like the way you went you'll see value to both the vinyl and the digital signal.

been thinking about how take the digital files I create from vinyl up a notch. a outboard DAC is a must but I want something that I think could bring the signal up a notch or so.

Its been taking my attention away from going to a Parasound AMP

Jim

 

[LG]

Thanks guys.

Jim, what the tube buffer did was give the sonics focus and balance for both LP and CD playback. For the latter, there was better grip and tightness especially for the low end. If you meant "warmth" by "flavor" then yes. Separates are often lauded for better results and that applies to the trio having discrete functions as you stated rather than housed in the same chassis with a power supply.

A telling test for the combination was how does it handle music with intricate arrangements even for simplicity's sake as opposed to layers of electric guitars. I played The Beatles White Album vinyl last night and it came through fine. The song "Blackbird" was just McCartney with an acoustic guitar. On the left channel, you can hear clearly some sort of toe tapping in cadence. The clarity is really good.

One thing I had to do was re-calibrate the levels by 3 dbs lower for the front two channels.

I did some digging around trying to find the specs for your new additions but the Musical Fidelity homepage doesn't list your 'triplets'. I did find some info on e-bay someone is selling the 'tube buffer' for about $250 and mentioned not to worry about finding replacement tubes MF has plenty in stock. Only 4800 units were made if I remember correctly, making your recent acquisitions even more impressive.

Congratulations George, and I'm sure you're giving them the complete 'shakedown cruise'.

 

[gcczep]

Tubing...

Thanks Bruce. Yep, it's yielded good results. With the tube buffer in place, CD playback has been smooth and the digital edge has been taken out.

I have a Yaquin one that has it's own internal power supply and I can do some rolling on it too.

 

[gguerra]

Here's my first system I got at the age of 13 in 1976.. I saved all my money for months to buy this stuff. I was probably earning $1 or $2 an hour working for my dad. Of course I dont have this system anymore except the JBL's I still have and use with the HTPC system that I use in my office. These are not the actual photos (I downloaded these)

Receiver (Kenwood KR-7600) A solid 80 watts per channel. They don't make them like this anymore


A Kenwood KD-1033 Belt-Drive turntable (This all I could afford). I dont remember which cartridge (probably a Shure)


Teac A-100 Cassette Deck (Probably the bottom of the line)


Speakers Marantz HD-66 (These are pretty beat up). These are rare nowadays. These probably lasted 10 years or so before one of the woofers fell apart. Should have repaired them..


After one of the Marantz speakers blew I upgraded to these..
JBL 940's I still have these and they rock hard without missing a beat. I think they are rated at 300 watts.. I got these in 1985 (Almost 30 years)


I also upgraded my cassette deck to this. Sharp RT-3388A. It had all the bells and whistles (I could afford anyway)


I have had several systems since then.. I will post pics of my current setup soon. I actually have two, One for my living room and one for my office where I run an HTPC.