Post by Owen Y on Dec 14, 2020 15:27:07 GMT 12
Maybe you are currently satisfied with your music system. Or maybe you, like me, have an 'Audio To-Do list' of things to be done. Let's hear about it - your 'Hi-Fi New Year resolutions, as it were... For me (having a partially DIY set-up), the Audio To-Do that never seems to get done  eg. - - Hunt down & eliminate some system noise. - Build separate PSU chassis for my tube power amps (part of the above quest). - Audition new carbon fibre tonearm wand (& wiring) for the Terminator linear tracker. - (Re)install field-coil loudspeaker drivers. - Measure loudspeakers, mainly to check in-room freq response. - Check if any room treatments (or furniture/ furnishings re-arrangement) could be beneficial. - Continue testing tweaks to Technics SP-10 TT to try to eke out more performance. - Do some refreshing & checking of the SP-10 PSU on the bench. - Finalise outboard PSU for the phono stage. - Check out Fremer's cartridge azimuth set-up technique using a 'scope. - Install some Sowther TVCs (which have been waiting here since 2016!) replacing Sowters with wider-spaced taps). - Fix DIY TDA1541A DAC & fine-tune the tube output stage. - Sell some stuff(!) - a turntable, a cartridge maybe. - Listen to more music, especially stuff here which I have never played. - Ultrasonic clean more records. - Build a headphone amp? - Miscellaneous - eg. test some Furutech RCA sockets, which have been waiting a few years. I say that the list was long
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Post by RdM on Dec 14, 2020 17:23:03 GMT 12
Long list yes Owen, but why not, an aide-mémoire!Expecting a small windfall early next year, my first thoughts are: Get the Sony G333ES bass units surrounds replaced, ideally (as originally) with rubber, but if not possible I already have contact with someone who has done a pair in nice looking black foam replacements. Likely the mid-range pair too, since obvious damage on one. And I have a spare set of G333ES bass unis too. I'll decide after further explorations and examinations of the first repaired pair. Maybe for an Econowave. Get a new stylus for a Stanton 881s cart I've saved for years that had a bent cantilever, worsened by retraining attempts! (Usual driver intermittently for years has been a Stanton 600 (broadcast cartridge) with EEE EE styli & I think a conical maybe too.) [Get a stylus too for the Empire MC (look up edit later) cartridge I busted the diamond off, while in that vein. But not urgent.]
Oh, and restore other TT's here like the Beogram 4002. Likely that MC cart needs a re-tip or replacement too. Ach, it goes on! ;-
Finish and hand over the Wurlitzer amp almost done now before any of those indulgences, but will put the Sony speakers in for repair. Ah after that so many other projects to complete let alone begin. The Sony TC-K333ESX tape deck only needs a scope check for azimuth & etc. On nearing the end of Spring Cleaning, other ideas appear ... get the garden up again! Beginnings of new projects even as finishing off old ones may occur over this next new year. I also have have several pairs of valve output transformers saved for future projects. And HT suitable. Hammond 100W 5k, Sansui 30W, I think 8K without unwrapping, 4x Beacon suitable ECL82. All PP. The field is wide open. Let's examine the present before imaging, imagining the future? But a couple also similar to yours:- Oh yes I must do this too! - Sell some stuff(!) - a turntable, a cartridge maybe. - Listen to more music, especially stuff here which I have never played.- Ultrasonic clean more records. (In my case, for 3rd - build that frugal low budget ultrasonic RCM I've been planning, talking of and buying parts for;- buy the rest!) So relatively modest so far.- Plenty to go on with for the next few weeks or even months at least! ;=}) Thanks for the great thread start!
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 15, 2020 10:02:17 GMT 12
Yes, get that Stanton 881 playing music - it should still cut the mustard. Beogram 4002 - a deck that lovely should never be hidden away Oh & those 8k OPTs should do for a nice EL84PP. Everyone else is happy to just play music? 
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Pundit
Post by peter0c on Dec 15, 2020 10:13:13 GMT 12
On Boxing Day I will be picking up two discarded (!) 1980ish Michell Gyro decks with the hope that there are enough parts for at least one. I'll probably put them on TM with an outlandish reserve (don't bid folks) solely in order to establish a fair market price before paying the widowed owner. I suspect one plinth and lid will be surplus. Members can PM me in the New Year of they are interested. New ones (without hinge) are available from PQImports for $645 as are importantly rubber belts for $45.
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Dec 15, 2020 14:47:30 GMT 12
Hi Peter,
I have a fair supply of surplus bits here if you get stuck, springs etc from when I have done upgrades to mine. Belts are loads cheaper ex LP gear in the US, I replace mine every year and have enough in stock to see me out with any luck (and if not its not going to be my problem...). Good luck with your sales.
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Dec 15, 2020 14:48:46 GMT 12
Oh and my New years Resolution: Not to buy any more stuff and to listen to more of the records I already have.
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Pundit
Post by Neil on Dec 15, 2020 14:56:39 GMT 12
Since I just moved house, I discovered some issues with my new room, so I ordered some diffusors. Mounting those will be a job for the holidays, and re-setting up my turntable. Also I will finally get around to properly refurbishing my Gray 108B arm clone that I have. So much stuff to do and so little time...
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Pundit
Post by papahemi on Dec 15, 2020 16:00:52 GMT 12
Another long list here: Finish repair of noisy Sansui AU555 Build Fueurbacher chip amp Track down intermittent fault in Rotel preamp finish rewire of SME3 Explore analog line level crossover options sell off culled records .... and on and on.
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 15, 2020 16:57:12 GMT 12
Good stuff, keep it coming chaps (or others)...
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Post by rmc001 on Dec 16, 2020 6:38:07 GMT 12
I managed to get my win10 laptop working last night with Spotify with JPLAY and Fidelizer Pro (instead of Fidelizer Plus) and I'm quite pleased with that - big images, etc - 'just' using the Topping USB dac.
But I think - to get controllable navigation with the s/pdif dac (w. minimal spend) I think the only thing is try one of the v. cheap mini pc's and make a control pc / audio pc system and see if that works.
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Member
Post by dc4 on Dec 16, 2020 7:37:27 GMT 12
Perhaps some new speakers, I think I know what I want but don't have the budget yet. When I strike Lotto I'll replace my amp as well.
Realistically I'm happy to just keep exploring the vast amount of music out there. There are gems to be found among the mountains of dross.
Merry Christmas to all.
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Member
Post by chilli on Dec 16, 2020 11:19:36 GMT 12
1 new vol pot for the amp. No idea where to start with that. A blue alps or are expensive resistor ones worth the extra? Probably cost more than the amp itself!?
2 roll the input tubes in the amp. Just received some new 6n2 replacements (ev versions and some higher quality chinese ones) . May try them in my other amp as well with a converter base, but a little nervous as a 6n2 might not be exactly the same as a 12ax7,even with the converter base.
3 rearrange the lounge so the kids are not so close to TV. This means I could improve the sound in the lounge, rather than using the invasive amazon echo. It might sound worse also.
4 if number 3 allows then I might need a volume control and/or Bluetooth receiver.
5 if there is time, I have 2 speaker projects to consider finishing. A 12in that has a climbing freq response and a tiny hivi driver that I might make a portable speaker out of - meaning a small amp, a small rechargeable power supply. Not sure NZ is allowing rechargeable imports at the moment...
6 sell some stuff or keep it, because lots of things are so expensive these days.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 17, 2020 13:26:12 GMT 12
I managed to get my win10 laptop working last night with Spotify with JPLAY and Fidelizer Pro (instead of Fidelizer Plus) and I'm quite pleased with that - big images, etc - 'just' using the Topping USB dac. But I think - to get controllable navigation with the s/pdif dac (w. minimal spend) I think the only thing is try one of the v. cheap mini pc's and make a control pc / audio pc system and see if that works. Raspberry Pi?
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Post by rmc001 on Dec 17, 2020 13:32:15 GMT 12
Laptop pc.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 17, 2020 13:40:34 GMT 12
1 new vol pot for the amp. No idea where to start with that. A blue alps or are expensive resistor ones worth the extra? Probably cost more than the amp itself!? 2 roll the input tubes in the amp. Just received some new 6n2 replacements (ev versions and some higher quality chinese ones) . May try them in my other amp as well with a converter base, but a little nervous as a 6n2 might not be exactly the same as a 12ax7,even with the converter base. Vol pots - Alps blue RK27 is tried & true, but consider the TKDs. Not that familiar, but the 6N2 looks like a similar near electrical equivalent, just looking at the current-voltage-bias curves. But yes, they say the pin connections will need an adapter. Cheap enough to try. Please report on results! Perhaps some new speakers, I think I know what I want but don't have the budget yet. When I strike Lotto I'll replace my amp as well. Realistically I'm happy to just keep exploring the vast amount of music out there. There are gems to be found among the mountains of dross. Merry Christmas to all. Any clues as to what style of loudspeaker are you aiming for? Merry Xmas to you too.
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Post by RdM on Dec 18, 2020 0:14:56 GMT 12
1 new vol pot for the amp. No idea where to start with that. A blue alps or are expensive resistor ones worth the extra? Probably cost more than the amp itself!? 50k & 100k blue alps here in Auckland on TM, $20. I haven't tried them, but am thinking of it. They have had other valve related stuff too, sockets & etc.
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Post by RdM on Dec 18, 2020 0:30:31 GMT 12
has remote control apps for smartphones?
I thought I might try this out for local files;- I don't know about streaming services.
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Member
Post by chilli on Dec 18, 2020 19:43:53 GMT 12
Thanks for the tips on the vol control Owen and RdM.
Funny, I took out the 6n2 rockets and replaced them with 6n2-ty (I'm told the TY is a Chinese special mil version), and it looks similar to the 6n2p-ev rocket. Sound is great and the tube lights up a little more. Was good straight off the bat.
The channel imbalance did not seem to be there in most tracks today. Will have a listen another day. Either I'm missing it due to curtains being drawn or some tracks are recorded that way or one of the previous 6n2 is a little suspect.
Anyway, the sound was spectacular.
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Post by Owen Y on Dec 19, 2020 9:12:40 GMT 12
Oh I forgot - another for the to-do list - Read 'WIRED FOR SOUND' - the Stebbing history of New Zealand Music - a birthday gift. 
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Post by foveaux on Dec 19, 2020 14:52:21 GMT 12
Short List here: - unbox, reassemble and recommission the main system. From their boxes in the garage and after the new room is completed, est. April. I hope it still sounds better than my second & headphone systems  - otherwise dispersal will be the resolution...
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
863 posts
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Post by RdM on Dec 19, 2020 18:29:44 GMT 12
Oh I forgot - another for the to-do list - Read 'WIRED FOR SOUND' - the Stebbing history of New Zealand Music -
I think I may have briefly browsed this in the new books display at Auckland Central Library, but didn't take it out. Now in demand, others local could get on the wait list.
A few copies also for reference in-library reading only.
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- otherwise dispersal will be the resolution...
