midwifecrisis
Member
Hi folks, haven't posted here in a while, with work and all, but loving these systems threads. Made the jump into tube gear about a year back and now am settling on two systems; one with tube amplification and one solid state. Had everything hooked up, but changing cabinets and lots of variables in play, so here's the state of things:
First pics show the listening room (also bedroom), as of a few months ago.
Magnavox 9304-20 tube amp with EL84s
Thorens TD-160 with Denon 304 cartridge
Aric Audio tube preamp
Pro-Ject Tube Box phono stage
Homebrew bass reflex speakers with Fostex 207e full-range drivers
Solid state system:
Tandberg TR-2080 receiver
Bang & Olufson M100 speakers
Tandberg TR-1040 receiver (not connected, using the tuner only for another room, with some Infinity RSb's) shown here on the bed.
I was playing with the Magnavox as the tube power source while my "real" amp was in the shop. I've taken it out of rotation for now, swapping in my Dynaco ST-70, and some other new toys with it. The new setup has so many variables, that I can't fairly assess all the changes, so it will take some time to settle into everything and tweak again each little element.
The Dynaco is the 2nd generation model, with solid state rectification. I've never had one of the older models that people make such artworks out of, so I can't compare them, but this one makes me very happy.
Here's the current mix of new stuff in the tube setup:
Dynaco ST-70 (new JJ tubes)
power conditioner (made things quieter and helped ease my nerves)
Audio Control C-22 equalizer (not currently hooked up)
I added the eq because I'm trying to tweak the balance of the Fostex speakers. To this end, I also added a subwoofer (kit model from Madisound) and some vintage super tweeters from Radio Shack. I had some other RS super tweeters since I got them new as a teen (around 1982?), but I burned out one of them recently. These replacements are much nicer than than my old pair, and are the type people suspect were made by Fostex. I'm much happier with the speaker performance now in general, and will play with the eq to try taming the midrange aggression of the Fostex drivers.
In the pictures is another turntable, the Thorens 135. It's a terrific table, I had a new plinth built for it, but I haven't yet done some necessary tuneups on it yet, including the motor clean and lube, so it's not yet in the system. I have a Denon 103R mounted to the arm.
Eventually, I'll move everything back into place, and probably keep the Tandberg hooked up to the B&O speakers, with the TD160, and move the TD135 into the tube system. Or some other combo yet to be determined.
Among the additions shown here is a lovely Cary Audio CD player. It's the most modern item I have, and probably the most expensive item I've purchased, although I got it used for $600. Since getting back into vinyl several years ago, I've been neglecting CD listening, and then simply realized I've never had a decent CD source. So to be fair, I sprang for the Cary, and now I can finally say I am eating my words over the infinite superiority of vinyl. It's all good with a decent setup.
Not quite there yet, but I'll post more pics as things evolve into something more closely resembling what I'm aiming for.
Cheers...
First pics show the listening room (also bedroom), as of a few months ago.
Magnavox 9304-20 tube amp with EL84s
Thorens TD-160 with Denon 304 cartridge
Aric Audio tube preamp
Pro-Ject Tube Box phono stage
Homebrew bass reflex speakers with Fostex 207e full-range drivers
Solid state system:
Tandberg TR-2080 receiver
Bang & Olufson M100 speakers
Tandberg TR-1040 receiver (not connected, using the tuner only for another room, with some Infinity RSb's) shown here on the bed.
I was playing with the Magnavox as the tube power source while my "real" amp was in the shop. I've taken it out of rotation for now, swapping in my Dynaco ST-70, and some other new toys with it. The new setup has so many variables, that I can't fairly assess all the changes, so it will take some time to settle into everything and tweak again each little element.
The Dynaco is the 2nd generation model, with solid state rectification. I've never had one of the older models that people make such artworks out of, so I can't compare them, but this one makes me very happy.
Here's the current mix of new stuff in the tube setup:
Dynaco ST-70 (new JJ tubes)
power conditioner (made things quieter and helped ease my nerves)
Audio Control C-22 equalizer (not currently hooked up)
I added the eq because I'm trying to tweak the balance of the Fostex speakers. To this end, I also added a subwoofer (kit model from Madisound) and some vintage super tweeters from Radio Shack. I had some other RS super tweeters since I got them new as a teen (around 1982?), but I burned out one of them recently. These replacements are much nicer than than my old pair, and are the type people suspect were made by Fostex. I'm much happier with the speaker performance now in general, and will play with the eq to try taming the midrange aggression of the Fostex drivers.
In the pictures is another turntable, the Thorens 135. It's a terrific table, I had a new plinth built for it, but I haven't yet done some necessary tuneups on it yet, including the motor clean and lube, so it's not yet in the system. I have a Denon 103R mounted to the arm.
Eventually, I'll move everything back into place, and probably keep the Tandberg hooked up to the B&O speakers, with the TD160, and move the TD135 into the tube system. Or some other combo yet to be determined.
Among the additions shown here is a lovely Cary Audio CD player. It's the most modern item I have, and probably the most expensive item I've purchased, although I got it used for $600. Since getting back into vinyl several years ago, I've been neglecting CD listening, and then simply realized I've never had a decent CD source. So to be fair, I sprang for the Cary, and now I can finally say I am eating my words over the infinite superiority of vinyl. It's all good with a decent setup.
Not quite there yet, but I'll post more pics as things evolve into something more closely resembling what I'm aiming for.
Cheers...