The Evolution and Progression of Members Systems

[4-2-7]

With the 501s it was like a match made in heaven with the L250, the percussions are great, hitting hard and tight with reality. They say all amps sound the same....not, the 402 and 501s are very close in power, designed at the same time, same manufacturer and don't sound the same at all.

Fitted into the system


I have to say one thing, the L250s really screwed me up, the hunt for more power and then when I got then what they needed it made my tubes not sound so good. The way I have my system with one preamp and a flip of the switch I can listen to different amp/speaker setups make you A/B both.

The hunt was on to see if I can get my tubes to sound as good as my SS system...Speakers!!!

Lets try some IMF RSPM Mk. IV.....or some KEF 104 ab

 

[4-2-7]

1st real stereo:


Cira 1991 when in the USMC:






now:

That's cool thanks for scanning some old photos to show some of your Evolution and Progression, sweet!!!

 

[4-2-7]

What a contrast with the TV and the flat screen with a computer hooked to it.

 

[onwardjames]

This thread reminds us of the path we've all taken. Nice setups, gents. And those Infinity's, mbskeam, SWEEEEEET!!!!

 

[4-2-7]

And those Infinity's, mbskeam, SWEEEEEET!!!!

I know I would love to try a pair of them.

 

[motorstereo]

Here's my present one decorated for the 4th..........Happy 4th of July everyone. And here's another from 5 years ago. The only things that have remained from 5 years ago is the CA turntable and 1 MC2500.I'm almost embarrassed by those stacked sda's

 

[Nightwisher]

The main system. Unfortunately I didn't take too many pictures way back. My gear has stayed pretty consistent in that I've only been adding things and really not taking much away.

Version 1.5 (the first edition was just in a different location, minus the computer gear and the dbx 120 starting in 2011) - 2013. Klipsch B-20s, Klipsch SW10, Yamaha RX-V671, Toshiba DVD Player, Ion Turntable, Beats Tour


Version 2.0 - 2014 (the screen and desktop are at college). Boston Acoustics 7.1 (CR85 mains) with Klipch Sub12HG, Kenwood KD-5066, Kenwood KC-105 Preamp


Version 2.5 - 2015. Same as 2.0 (VR40s now mains), added JVC Dual Tape Deck, Emotiva XDA-1, Pioneer SG-90 EQ, Pioneer EX-9000 Dynamic Range Expander, Kenwood KT-45 Tuner, Philips Fidelio X1 Headphones


Version 3.0 - 2015/2016. Same as 2.5 minus Kenwood KC-105 and KT-45, added Walker Edison audio/TV stand, Emotiva ET-3 Trigger module, Luxman DZ-93, LG Blu-Ray player (stand-in for my Sony that was at college with me), Burwen DNF 1201 and TNE 7000A, dbx DAV-600 (missing from the picture is my Realistic APM-100)


Version 4.0 - 2016 When I move into my new apartment

 

[WaynerN]

You people are worse then me!!!!

Here is my shit:



Of course the heart of the five systems (4 speakers) is AVA, but there are other fun components also. Amps include the AVA Ultravalve, Sony ES 55, Marantz 140 and another AVA 260. Preamp are Marantz 3300, AVA Insight EC(2) and AVA Fet-valve and the Sony E1000 esd(?) The tables are Technics SL1200MK2 (2007), Technics SL1210MK5 (2010) and a VPI-HW19jr. Phono premaps are (2) AVA Vision and (1) AVA Fet-valve and (1) iPhono (IFI). Speakers are A25XL(mods), AR-4X, Focal 706v. Paradigm Atoms. Many FM tuners and a Nak cassette deck. Home made VU meters and Home made bias meters for the Ultravalve.

'ner

 

[onwardjames]

Gonna resurrect this fine thread, and WaynerN, I never tire of seeing those heavily-modded Dynaco's.

 

[Ken Boyd]

The rack is mostly done here and I was trying to integrate Quad into it. The silver face unit is a Sony QSD-20-20.

View attachment 748264

My Marantz 6200 sitting on top...

View attachment 748266

You do know a quad setup one pair of the speakers are suppose to be placed behind the listening space.

 

[4-2-7]

You do know a quad setup one pair of the speakers are suppose to be placed behind the listening space.

That was just plopped in the middle of the living room as I was building the rack and another set of speakers came in the mail. I was also getting ready to move to this rental house where I set it up with stacked speakers in all 4 corners.



Glad I changed the drapes after I moved in, I couldn't even open those when I got here.

 

[asilker]

This is a cool thread. Flipped through again this morning

 

[mjw21a]

I know I feel like the epiphany came to late, even in the last few years here in OZ prices have climbed or people are aware there is a market and demand. Really have to be on the ball to get great deals + Oz thrift shops are clearly different to the US ones - never anything special to be had. When I read much older posts from when AK first got started and the prices paid I look at 427, onwardjames's and many others here collections and the care, time and thought that has gone into their hobby is quite wonderful. I think the greatest thing I have learnt from AK is just how diverse this hobby can be enjoyed + everything else I have gained along the way. Anytime someone posts pics like these the first thing that goes through my head is

And I do love your garage - I am a scalextric man - many hours lost with the nine year old yelling 'cheater' at each other or "your turn to put the cars back on" after a crashing or spinning out.

Rob

Yeah , I know what you mean. The shops here are either full of junk or they're asking unrealistic prices for what is there. I've had some success with Gumtree though . I got my Ariston RD110 SL turntable for $350 with no arm on there, and have just today picked up some near mint Pioneer CS-88A Kabuki speakers for $180. That's about as good as it gets here in Brisbane . Most of the best used gear seems to be in Victoria , and is all listed as pick up only .

 

[MikE]

Analog College System [1979]


Kef 103

Kef 101

Marantz 2238

Technics 1600 / Ortofon Concorde

 

[MikE]

Vacuum Tube Logic System [1985-2001]


Infinite Slope / JSE model 1 [stands replace casters]

Golden Tube Audio SE-40

VAC PA 35/35

Audio Alchemy DDS.PRO / DDE 3.0 / DTI 32.PRO

API Power Wedge 116 MK II

 

[MikE]

Transition to non-physical media System [2001-2017]


Silverline Sonatina MK I

Moth Audio s45 [custom]

Shunyata Research Hydra

PS Audio Ultimate Outlet

Schiit Audio Modi multibit

iFi SPDIF iPurifier jitter filter/reclocker

Chromecast Audio

 

[onwardjames]

I'm going to resurrect this fine thread, slight return. And RIP MikE.

 

[Powertech]

There are some mad systems out there guys. I notice how much of it is 70s to 90s kit. Kind of says something about the state of audio today doesn't it.
I started off in the early 70s with an Eagle amp and a Dual turntable. Speakers were of dubious origin. It played music and I enjoyed it. Then a friend of mine bought a Garrard 401 turntable. Well that was it - I was hooked!!.
I have had Marantz amps and tuners (the champagne ones), Goodmans speakers. I had a Marantz CD02 when you had to hunt around for shops that actually sold CDs! I have since been Buying, modifying and building hifi gear for about 40 years. My current system has taken over 4 years to get to where it is now - and there are more mods on the way.

Cambridge Audio C550 CD player with modified analogue outputs.
Pioneer PL300X turntable with modified tonearm (resonance reduction) and AT cartridge.
Denon tuner.
Inputs from DACS from AV system.
NAD C320 used as a preamp with modified preamp modules.
2 Behringer CX2310 crossovers with new PSUs (dual mono 3 way).
Rotel RB976 Mk2 with modified power supplies (set up as 3 stereo amps).
3 way speakers. 8" Peerless Nomex bass units in Transmission line cabinet. 6.5" Peerless Nomex mids and Vifa horn loaded dome tweeter all in separate cabinets.
Huge amounts of cabling!!!!

 

[mkane]

Almost all DIY here. Speakers actively bi-amped. Wife's spoiled.

 

[Bodyblue]

Technics 1600 / Ortofon Concorde

How many of the Concordes did you break? I had a buddy that used them and had nothing but trouble with them breaking.