So. Wow. About 5 years ago, I shared a long-winded tale on AudioEnz of my adventures in hi-fi through "secondary systems" (bedrooms & kitchens).
I thought it would be fun to give an update, as there have been quite a few changes along the way.

The kitchen radio is actually where most of our household listening happens. Our main / vinyl rig is wonderful - but nowhere near as convenient to use, or access.
Spotify Wrapped 2021 says that we listened to 31,211 minutes of their content this year...
then add to that, most mornings / weekends are spent listening to BFM on the tuner, and the weekly regular shows on Soho Radio & Worldwide FM (Tune-In app).

It was fun for me to pull a few pics together to see all the wrong turns and impulse purchases that have graced our dining room over the last five years.
I thought I'd share them with the class, for a bit of Friday fun.

Picking up where we left off on the AE thread in 2016. 
We had the Epos ES22 powered by the Naim 72/ hicap /250 / NAT02 tuner and a DPA "bigger bit" dac, all being fed from a Apple airport express as a streamer! 
So much for the source-first "flat earth" philosophy. This was the logical place to step off the Naim upgrade train for me, which had started 3 years prior with a (much cuter) 62/90/ES11 combo.



All classic 90's UK matchy-matchy kit. So, naturally in 2018, I went from that >>> to this...



I kept the NAT02 tuner, but replaced the Naim amp stack with a couple of long-standing, unrequited curiosities...
A pair of Rogers 15ohm LS3/5a and a locally made Ecofan EL34 amp. I had the "Marantz 8b"-styled tube amp cage fabricated to protect prying / tiny fingers.
This combo was fairly short lived, but it was certainly a relief to finally be able scratch those two particular itches.

I also added a Bluesound Node 2 streamer to the line up, replacing the trusty old Airport Express.

(to be continued...)

Always wanted one of those Naim tuners.

Not long after, the Ecofan was replaced by a 35kg Chinese SET 845 amp, and the old Epos speakers were relieved of television-sound duties.





The Chinese LM amp turned out to be such a cherry - especially with the NOS Mullards and GE "fat boy" 6CA7 installed, it didn't stay upstairs for long.
Both the amp and the 10B Tuner were just too sweet, and  they found themselves swiftly promoted to the main vinyl rig.
Because of a strictly observed “one-in, one-out“ policy they replaced the incumbent Luxman SQ38U and Marantz MR71...

BIG shoes to fill, to be sure!

Marantz MR71? Not a McIntosh MR71?

So, naturally, I thought it was time I tried a pair of Linn 'Briks in the dining room.

I was after that Omni-directional, room filling sound - and was always curious about these beauties.

I found a lovely pair that had been well cared for by a former A'Enzer, and went about making the necessary domestic arrangements!

I also chanced upon a Quad 909 that needed a little reconstructive surgery, which ended up taking the place over another forum member's lovely Denon POA-4400.

The Denon's were also something I regret having to part with, having been a lifelong desire, but as above - part of our domestic harmony arrangement dictates a "One in, One Out" regime.

Dec 4, 2021 19:40:10 GMT 12 Citroen said:

Marantz MR71? Not a McIntosh MR71?

Of course, you're right. I could edit it now, but it's probably nicer to leave it for continuity's sake.

I got the McIntosh in 1995, from the same chap that Owen Young got his, and it was the longest serving piece of kit I had. 
If I could have kept both, I would. But given the choice, the 10B is the end-game vintage / tube FM tuner.

Dec 4, 2021 19:29:28 GMT 12 Citroen said:

Always wanted one of those Naim tuners.

I went from a NAT-101 to a NAT-02.  Funnily enough, the same chap who bought my 101, also bought my MR71!
I could still see myself falling for a NAT-01. Even though it seems ridiculous with all the streaming options we have now!

One, two... skip a few.. and we're in 2021.
After finding a happy new owner for the 'Briks - I worked through a few options, before ending up here.






Domestic harmony is at an all-time high (very important under Covid conditions!). The wooden rack and stands now even match the new dining room furniture.
Unsurprisingly, we are back where we started; with another classic UK set up. Although... it is possibly a bit more mix & match, aesthetically.

We now have a Quad FM4 tuner and Bluesound Node 2i Streamer with Chord Qutest Dac as sources.
The amp is still the trusty Quad 909; but now with a retro Leak Stereo 130 taking pre-amp duties.
Speakers are Harbeth 7es2 on custom AudioChic stands, and the cabling is now all Kimber & Chord.

That's it!

So, I guess, the final observation I would have is this: it is much easier to try out different gear when the stakes are considerably lower.
Changing out components in a proper “high-end” rig, without the ability to properly audition them, is a far more costly exercise.
The kitchen system we have has let me live-out many a boyhood fantasy, without breaking the bank!
It’s easier to operate than the main system, and for that reason alone, gets used more often.

That was a pretty epic journey, thanks for sharing

Your "second" system would make many weep, as I'm sure many would be more than happy for this to be their main system!

Cheers! Yeah, I do appreciate how bloody lucky we are. This really is my lifelong hobby, though. Like many of us.

I like stereos. I don’t try to pretend it’s (only, all, just) about the music.
I don’t have a boat, or a rental property, or corporate shares. Just Records. CDs.. and Classic Hifi bits & pieces.

I’m not sure what’s next for the kitchen system, but it won’t stay standing still for long! Just depends on what comes up on next on TM or eBay etc…

Citroen, you might appreciate why I was gutted to miss out on this auction  a few months ago (just really bad timing) for example!

I feel your pain!

Any audiophile, and I'm proud to be called one, enjoys the gear, as much if not more so than the music, IMHO. And of course that doesn't mean we don't love the music too!

That’s a good journey!
The Quad 909 is good amp. I always preferred the 606 with the same circuit minus the OPA604 opamp input buffer. This Quad sort of has two output stages in one - the tiny power class A amp that drives the speaker directly, assisted by the much larger class B ‘current dumping’ output stage. So you get almost class A linearity with class B efficiency.

AMR-iFi R&D

Yeah, this one has had the Quadlink input removed & bypassed (recommended).
I also got our local tech to reduce the input sensitivity, to better suit modern voltage standards for preamp output.
That is interesting about the class A section of the amp. I tend to leave it on all the time, and it does feel slightly warm at idle.
I would like to hear it driving a pair of the modern Quad panels, maybe one day…