Author Topic: Oldboyracer's Audio set up  (Read 18949 times)

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Offline Oldboyracer

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Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« on: Apr 12, 2015 at 02:19 PM »
Hi guys, I've decided to start a new thread for my audio set up. I shall post some pics. later & relist my gears.
I've had 2 problems :-
1) The audio gear's power is fed from a Weiduka AC8.8, I made the mistake of leaving the subwoofer connected when I switched it on & had a big bang & a flash & one of the on/off switches is now short circuit (perfectly OK up until then). The sub has no power switch so I'm presuming the inrush was a bit too much for the switch to handle. I have made a temporary lead with an in line on/off switch & will sort out a permanent answer when I have my new system rack.
2) Got the turntable up & running yesterday, OK for 6 discs then no movement of the tone arm (transverse tracker). I had the drive belt changed around 4 years ago but it has had very little use since. I found the drive belt fitted to be the wrong size, the cover for the drive assembly broken & one of the fixing screws missing so not too happy. Ordered 2 drive belts from Germany so now I'll just have to wait. I must admit in the short time it played it did sound sweet if you ignored the snap crackle & pop  :). I'll definitely be getting a proper disc cleaner. 
« Last Edit: Oct 05, 2021 at 01:19 PM by Oldboyracer »
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #1 on: Apr 13, 2015 at 01:39 PM »
I've re arranged the gears a little, there is a 2nd HiFi rack to the right, I will take pics when the gears on it are fully functional.

View from the right, I'm using carpet off cuts from the HT room to temporarily negate floor reflections.



Front view.



Closer view of the gears.




The turntable waiting for a new tone arm drive belt.



Top shelf - TV Pioneer PDP-LX5090 with the Cignal STB tucked underneath on the left.
2nd shelf - BD player Pioneer BDP-LX08 on the left & Network player Cambridge Audio StreamMagic 6 on the right.
3rd shelf - CD player 851C on the left & pre amp 851E on the right, both Cambridge Audio.
Bottom shelf - Main amps x 2 Cambridge Audio 851W.
Speakers - Mordaunt Short Performance 6 LE
On the floor - Sub GoldenEar Forcefield 4
                   Richard Gray 400 Pro line conditioner
                   Weiduka AC8.8 power strip
Power is supplied by a 7.5KVA AVR situated in the control room.

The 2nd HiFi rack will house :-
Turntable - Technics SL-QL1, replaced by Techics SL-1200 mk6 (8/8/2015)
Music server - Cambridge Audio 640H
Phono pre amp - Cambridge Audio 540P
NAS server - Asustor AS 604T
Router - Asus RT-AC66U 
« Last Edit: Oct 05, 2021 at 01:21 PM by Oldboyracer »
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #2 on: Apr 13, 2015 at 02:21 PM »
Below a pic of my temporary solution to the Forcefield 4 having no on/off switch. Found a fused switched spur amongst the gear I brought from the UK + some spare 3.5mm cable I had laying about. Covered the cable with black expandable sleeving to make it look prettier. I have to admit the sub sounds more authoritive than with the stock power lead.

« Last Edit: Oct 04, 2021 at 03:05 PM by Oldboyracer »
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Offline n o l

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #3 on: Apr 13, 2015 at 02:27 PM »
Congrats OBR! looking good as always!! :)

Offline Oldboyracer

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #4 on: Apr 13, 2015 at 02:38 PM »
Congrats OBR! looking good as always!! :)

Thanx nolax, still got lots of work to do, the next thing is a new PC, probably tomorrow. Although my old one is still good I need a low profile video card as the fan has died on the existing one & I can't get a replacement or a card that will fit the slot. At least it'll get all my music & films loaded onto the server a bit quicker  ;D
« Last Edit: Oct 05, 2021 at 01:42 PM by Oldboyracer »
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2015 at 10:39 AM »
Turntable tone arm drive belt delivered & fitted, had to dig out some of my 30 year vinyl for a test.

Playing Tango In The Night (Fleetwood Mac)



Tango In The Night (Fleetwood Mac) 1987 & The Party's Over (Talk Talk) 1982



90125 (Yes) 1983 & Asia (Asia) 1982



Why Can't This Be Love (Van Halen) 1986 & Wonderful Life (Black) 1987 - extended 12 inch singles.



Shattered Dreams (Johnny Hates Jazz) 1987 & Ask The Lord (Hipsway) 1985 - extended 12inch singles.



Lessons In Love (Level 42) 1986 & The Promise You Made (Cock Robin) 1986 - extended 12 inch singles.

« Last Edit: Oct 05, 2021 at 01:44 PM by Oldboyracer »
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Offline luis

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2015 at 10:47 AM »
gaganda ng mga albums!   ;D

Offline Superman

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2015 at 10:56 AM »
Congratulations, George! :D
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2015 at 12:15 PM »
gaganda ng mga albums!   ;D

Thanks luis, I have around 400 & they all need cleaning so I shall catalogue them at the same time. 1st I need to get a good disc cleaner  ;) :)
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #9 on: May 18, 2015 at 12:18 PM »
Congratulations, George! :D

Thanks Jen, I'll now be able to start listening to sounds that I'd forgotten I had   ;D.
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Offline jh@meeh

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #10 on: May 18, 2015 at 12:47 PM »
Nice! Getting busy OBR.
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #11 on: May 18, 2015 at 07:48 PM »
Nice! Getting busy OBR.

Thanks jh, I'll be getting busier now I'm splitting my time between the HT room & the audio. In between having to sort out the little things that the wife wants, got to keep the boss happy    >:D.
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Offline ricky

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #12 on: May 18, 2015 at 07:57 PM »
Nice setup, nice music selection. I think we are the same age hehe

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #13 on: May 18, 2015 at 08:16 PM »
Nice setup, nice music selection. I think we are the same age hehe

Thanks Ricky, I'll let you into a little secret, I used to watch the Rolling Stones, The Who & The Hollies live before they were famous & cut a record, we're talking about the early 60's here   ;D. Strangely I wasn't too keen on the Beatles but those were the days. My music collection is diverse as is my taste, I suppose it's what you call an open mind when it comes to music  ;) :D.
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #14 on: May 18, 2015 at 09:43 PM »
Early 60's i dont think i was even on the drawing board yet hahaha

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #15 on: May 19, 2015 at 08:30 AM »
Early 60's i dont think i was even on the drawing board yet hahaha

I think I was the product of the celebrations for the end of the 2nd world war. I've been round the block a bit but still young in looks body & mind - thank the lord.
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #16 on: May 19, 2015 at 09:07 AM »
Very well said brother.

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #17 on: May 19, 2015 at 09:23 AM »
Great looking set you got there OBR!

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #18 on: May 19, 2015 at 01:41 PM »
Great looking set you got there OBR!

Thanks sientobente. At least 50% of my collection are 12 inch extended singles, as they were never put on CD (not that I know of) I intend to digitize them in case any of the vinyl gets damaged. My list of jobs to be done is getting longer & longer. The new audio rack should arrive within the next few weeks, then I'll be making up DIY power cords & completing the network so all my music & films can be loaded onto my NAS server.
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #19 on: Jun 17, 2015 at 08:40 PM »
After re acquainting myself with my vinyl collection I have decided to upgrade my turntable. I have just purchased a Technics SL-1200 MK6  ;D  but will have to wait around a month for it to arrive. It gives me a little time to sort out a cartridge, at the moment I'm leaning towards an Ortofon 2M Blue but I'm open to suggestions from the TT gurus here. 
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #20 on: Jun 18, 2015 at 09:20 AM »
The new rack for the audio system now on back burner for a couple of months, a few other things have got in the way. New TT, 2 PC's & now we've decided to start the landscaping at the start of next month - this was the condition that the wife would not give me a hard time for the recent expenditure  ;) ;D
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #21 on: Jun 26, 2015 at 10:37 AM »
The customs should have my TT within the next 2 weeks so hoping It doesn't get held up too much.
I've spent the last 2 days researching & have drawn up a list of TT mods & items I will need, here's the list but not necessarily in the order of acquisition :-
Phono stage - looking at a Graham Slee Reflex M with a PSU1.
Cartridge - Nagaoka MP200 courtesy of Superman - thank you.
Various disc cleaning items, still haven't fully decided what to get.
Everything else will be TT mods :-
Main bearing upgrade - almost decided on the Mike New with base plate.
External power supply - I have a choice here, Paul Hynes, Time Step or Origin Live. I favour the Paul Hynes but waiting for replies to my mails before making a decision.
Replace tonearm & headshell wiring with pure copper Litz cable & at same time cover the arm with heat shrink tubing.
Replace the RCA leads with higher quality cable & extend to 2 M.
Fit under platter LED lighting - just a little pimping.
Fit Isonoe isolation feet with Sorbothane boots.
Find a way to dampen the platter or replace it +/or a new platter mat.
If I think of anything else the wife may get involved with the decision making   ;);D
 
« Last Edit: Jun 26, 2015 at 10:39 AM by Oldboyracer »
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #22 on: Jun 26, 2015 at 11:49 AM »
The customs should have my TT within the next 2 weeks so hoping It doesn't get held up too much.
I've spent the last 2 days researching & have drawn up a list of TT mods & items I will need, here's the list but not necessarily in the order of acquisition :-
Phono stage - looking at a Graham Slee Reflex M with a PSU1.
Cartridge - Nagaoka MP200 courtesy of Superman - thank you.
Various disc cleaning items, still haven't fully decided what to get.
Everything else will be TT mods :-
Main bearing upgrade - almost decided on the Mike New with base plate.
External power supply - I have a choice here, Paul Hynes, Time Step or Origin Live. I favour the Paul Hynes but waiting for replies to my mails before making a decision.
Replace tonearm & headshell wiring with pure copper Litz cable & at same time cover the arm with heat shrink tubing.
Replace the RCA leads with higher quality cable & extend to 2 M.
Fit under platter LED lighting - just a little pimping.
Fit Isonoe isolation feet with Sorbothane boots.
Find a way to dampen the platter or replace it +/or a new platter mat.
If I think of anything else the wife may get involved with the decision making   ;);D
 

Hi George! See you soon! :D

My thoughts on your impending "tweaks" for the Technics TT:

1) Agree on the Graham Slee which is a good phonostage. Try also those battery-operated phonostages as they're more quiet (Musical Surroundings, Sutherland, etc.)

2) I am not sure if having an external PS and modding the tonearm will have benefits. I'd rather invest in a better headshell to match your new cartridge. Your choices should include Jelco, Nagaoka, Ortofon, etc.

3) I do agree on the isolation feet. Sorbothane may be a good option. Another option is Voodoo Isopods or the more expensive Ceraball/Cerabase, Svelte Platform, etc. Better isolation means better tracking, lesser noise and even blacker background.

Good luck, bro! :D
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #23 on: Jun 27, 2015 at 12:21 AM »
Hi George! See you soon! :D

My thoughts on your impending "tweaks" for the Technics TT:

1) Agree on the Graham Slee which is a good phonostage. Try also those battery-operated phonostages as they're more quiet (Musical Surroundings, Sutherland, etc.)

2) I am not sure if having an external PS and modding the tonearm will have benefits. I'd rather invest in a better headshell to match your new cartridge. Your choices should include Jelco, Nagaoka, Ortofon, etc.

3) I do agree on the isolation feet. Sorbothane may be a good option. Another option is Voodoo Isopods or the more expensive Ceraball/Cerabase, Svelte Platform, etc. Better isolation means better tracking, lesser noise and even blacker background.

Good luck, bro! :D

Hi Jen,
Thanks for the information.
The tonearm I was unsure about especially as I'm getting a MK6 but I thought about doing the KAB mod & stuffing cotton in either end & if I was doing that may as well run the Litz wire.
Headshell is not a problem, I've not read much on them but you've now advised me.
I have read quite a lot on the pros & cons of fitting an external power supply & removing the transformer but I am mindful that I could spend a lot of cash & the difference not be very noticeable, well to me anyway. The problem is you've got to try to find out but I shall wait until I've listened to the TT before drawing up my final list. At the moment it's all wishful thinking  ;D ;D ;D
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #24 on: Jun 27, 2015 at 07:46 AM »
Great! I'll bring a Jelco Headshell as well :D
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #25 on: Jun 27, 2015 at 08:31 AM »
Awesome audio setup, OBR!  :D
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #26 on: Jun 27, 2015 at 02:17 PM »
VPI~Verity Audio~Cary Audio~Dynavector~Sutherland~Unison Research~REL~Audio Sensibility~Massif

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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #27 on: Jun 28, 2015 at 08:42 AM »
Great! I'll bring a Jelco Headshell as well :D

That'll be great Jen.
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #28 on: Jun 28, 2015 at 08:43 AM »
Awesome audio setup, OBR!  :D

Thanks DTNS
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Re: Oldboyracer's Audio set up
« Reply #29 on: Jun 28, 2015 at 08:45 AM »
All black!! Impressive OBR!

Thanks dench, I'm not keen on the silver so when I had the chance black it was  ;D
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