• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Sonneteer Campion

Kt77 said:
Hi Art,

I'm merely wondering how your venture has gone in regards to your system?, as I've began to notice that you don't post as much as you once did - I pray that all is well with you and your loved ones?.
Just a shout out.
O_oh
Click to expand...

No time with summer, off work, birthday, etc. Having fun I am sure.
 
KevinCorr said:
No time with summer, off work, birthday, etc. Having fun I am sure.
Click to expand...

Kevin,

I hope that you're right?, as I know he has slacked up on writing as much as he once did. I just hope that he and his family are okay?.

As mentioned earlier on in my rants - the things we take for granted.
 
Kt77 said:
Kevin,

I hope that you're right?, as I know he has slacked up on writing as much as he once did. I just hope that he and his family are okay?.

As mentioned earlier on in my rants - the things we take for granted.
Click to expand...

He is fine. I pm'd him on some cables and he was having a great time, glad to hear!
 
Sorry to hear you were forced to stop working in 2009, Oscar.

The good part of it is having more time to enjoy the good/fun things in life.
Thanks for the Dynavector recommendations. I've heard/read many good things about 'em.
My Sonneteer dealer is also a Naim dealer and therefor he's able to offer Dynavector too. (they come from the same distributor here in Holland)

For me 500 LP's would be quite an extensive collection.
I probably have about 650 CD's now and I've been buying CD's since the late 80's. (I can get practically everything I want on CD, compared to about 20% I like on vinyl)

So, it took me almost 25 years to build my CD-collection. Therefor I think (and hope due to space limitations) I'll have some years ahead before I reach my maximum storage amount with vinyl. :) Ok, if I really want I could stuff some more vinyl, but then it would take over my room(s), which I'd like to avoid.

Ebay is not an option for me, for several reasons. Although I'm sure it's a great source for hunting down vinyl goodies!

Glad to hear Art is doing fine btw! :yes:

Now, back to the music:music:

Cheers,
Alco :cool:
 
Baldo said:
Sorry to hear you were forced to stop working in 2009, Oscar.

The good part of it is having more time to enjoy the good/fun things in life.
Thanks for the Dynavector recommendations. I've heard/read many good things about 'em.
My Sonneteer dealer is also a Naim dealer and therefor he's able to offer Dynavector too. (they come from the same distributor here in Holland)

For me 500 LP's would be quite an extensive collection.
I probably have about 650 CD's now and I've been buying CD's since the late 80's. (I can get practically everything I want on CD, compared to about 20% I like on vinyl)

So, it took me almost 25 years to build my CD-collection. Therefor I think (and hope due to space limitations) I'll have some years ahead before I reach my maximum storage amount with vinyl. :) Ok, if I really want I could stuff some more vinyl, but then it would take over my room(s), which I'd like to avoid.

Ebay is not an option for me, for several reasons. Although I'm sure it's a great source for hunting down vinyl goodies!

Glad to hear Art is doing fine btw! :yes:

Now, back to the music:music:

Cheers,
Alco :cool:
Click to expand...

Hi Alco,

Thanks for the kind words - but I'm not complaining - as I'm still much better off them some that don't have legs or feet at all. The only downside to it is that I only get a third of the check I once made, but again why complain - when some don't get that?.

The Dynavector 10x5 is one of the best sounding cartridges out there bar none - not just at its price, but a very very musically involving cartridge period - as always, I'd never recommend anything to anyone that I myself don't own or enjoy.

You're aware that in reality CDs take up more room then LPs aren't you?, just do the measurements and see - their jewel cases are much smaller - but thicker. And trust me once you've a chance to compare both CD and an LP copy of the same title against one another - I'm inclined to think that your vinyl purchases will increase.

I'm so happy to see another Campion back in your life - as it was on your recommendation along with Art's that made me pursue one back in 2009, but as faith would have it, I'm a tube guy in spirit and there's no need in my trying to pretend any longer - much like my time with digital sources back in the late 90s early/mid 2000s, in other to enjoy them in my head - I never had a turntable around at the same time, because as soon as I backed the same track on each format......., my little collection of 2.500 CDs/SA-CDs was out of there and paid for more records.

Yes, it's nice to hear that Art's okay, as I merely saw that both here and on PFM he wasn't as active like he once was.

Anyways - little brother you continue enjoying your rekindled love affair with that beautiful looking and sounding amp of yours knowing you've tried out to think that the Naim sound had it beat to - but in retrospect the Campion isn't a joke at all - considering the sound it offers at its dollar amount - it's just overlooked and misunderstood by those with closed minds whom seek status at the expense of purity.

Cheers,
O_o scar ~ Cool indeed. Or better put " chilling ".
 
You're aware that in reality CDs take up more room then LPs aren't you?, just do the measurements and see - their jewel cases are much smaller - but thicker. And trust me once you've a chance to compare both CD and an LP copy of the same title against one another - I'm inclined to think that your vinyl purchases will increase.
Click to expand...

I'm not using a CD-player anymore, for the last 4,5 years and I have all my CD in soft plastic sleeves. (dumped/sold all the jewel-cases)
They're now stored in this slim, solid oak cabinet that will now hold over 800 CD's.
houten_cd_rek_top-front.JPG

(an amount which I'll probably never reach, as I rarely buy CD's these days)

Regarding the Sonneteer Campion. I just listened some music again for about an hour and I'm so glad I made the choice to go back to this amp! :yes:
Don't get me wrong, I also still like Naim, (especially the little old Nait 2) but the synergy between Sonneteer and Penaudio is just so spot on right.
 
Baldo said:
I'm not using a CD-player anymore, for the last 4,5 years and I have all my CD in soft plastic sleeves. (dumped/sold all the jewel-cases)
They're now stored in this slim, solid oak cabinet that will now hold over 800 CD's.
houten_cd_rek_top-front.JPG

(an amount which I'll probably never reach, as I rarely buy CD's these days)

Regarding the Sonneteer Campion. I just listened some music again for about an hour and I'm so glad I made the choice to go back to this amp! :yes:
Don't get me wrong, I also still like Naim, (especially the little old Nait 2) but the synergy between Sonneteer and Penaudio is just so spot on right.
Click to expand...

Alco,

Nice CD storage unit. I totally forgot about the SB thingy.

But I hear you on the subject of finding your way back to the Campion and Penaudio tandem - as that's all that any of us can ask for after years of going back and fourth and in circles chasing our tails in an endless search for an imaginary absolute - that doesn't exist.

It's all in our heads/hearts - I've found as always it took me many many years to come to one simply reality

" either it plays music in an emotional manner that speaks to my heart - or it sense its purpose - not ".

In other words - I've to feel the raw emotion behind the musicians intent - I've to smell their sweat as if attending a flesh and blood live event - I want to cry during sad passages and dance when the best strikes my soul - and lastly if it sets me in the mood for some romancing - then it has certainly caused both the wife and I to both pay attention.

In the end, it's an emotional thing I seek and have found - as have you it seems, thing is so you now understand another thing my wife has tried to instill in me after going through 13 different systems since 1982 - she calls it

" Contentment ".

So component with sound slightly different here or there - with a tad more air/presence on top - warmer weightier midrange - mid bass resolution that moves small objects around the room and that's all fine and dandy - but for the sake of music purity does it sound

" Right? ".

Bottom line is just that - either it moves you emotionally or it doesn't?. The task is staying focused and re-learned to listen into the music not the equipment.

Be well young man, olde boy is out.
Peace beyond to you and yours,
O_o scar
 
Been on vacation. Accidentally pocket logged on once or twice over the last few days but was out of town and paying as little attention as possible to audio sites. My not posting as much here has more to do with the site (AK) than my disinterest in audio.
 
Baldo said:
From this day on, I'm now also a a happy owner of a Sonneteer Campion! :yes:

It was well worth the 2 month wait, as it's indeed a superb match with the PenaudioRebel 3 I also ordered to go with it.
(they haven't arrived yet, but my dealer was so kind to lent me his demo-pair for over 2 months already now) :)

Compared to my previous amp (Naim Nait XS) the Campion seems to share more with the Naim than it differs.
The main difference is the treble. Luckily it's not overly smoooth, like so many amps. (one aspect I was a bit frightened for, after owning Naim amps for several years) It is sparkling and highly detailed, just as the Nait XS, but it's a little less hard and has this slight warmth to it, that's quite typical for Sonneteer amps.

I'm getting a bit curious how a serious TT would sound through the internal phonostage of the Campion. (my dealer recommended a Rega RP6)

Pic's will follow later, when my (light-oak) Penaudio Rebels also have arrived.

Cheers,
Alco
Click to expand...

Very exciting, Alco! Looking forward to more on your new set up. The Penaudio's have definitely piqued my interest.
 
Hi Oscar..I'm still here!

Went shopping for records at my favorite places in Seattle and I must say. No place had much of anything I was interested in, either in LP or CD. Very frustrating. Bought three records, one was a better copy of one I had, another I wasn't sure if I had on CD...I do, and another is one I don't really give a rats ass about. It will be good but I could have been much happier with an Amazon shopping experience.

BTW, Alco the phono stage on the Campion sounds very good. Much quieter than the one on the Brio-R and much better tonality and overall balance. You really have to crank the volume with a HOMC but the amp doesn't mind. Sonneteer builds great amps...hell I would own one of each if I could afford it!
 
Last edited:
Art K. said:
Hi Oscar..I'm still here!

Went shopping for records at my favorite places in Seattle and I must say. No place had much of anything I was interested in, either in LP or CD. Very frustrating. Bought three records, one was a better copy of one I had, another I wasn't sure if I had on CD...I do, and another is one I don't really give a rats ass about. It will be good but I could have been much happier with an Amazon shopping experience.

BTW, Alco the phono stage on the Campion sounds very good. Much quieter than the one on the Brio-R and much better tonality and overall balance. You really have to crank the volume with a LOMC but the amp doesn't mind. Sonneteer builds great amps...hell I would own one of each if I could afford it!
Click to expand...

Hi Art,

I was just more or less concerned about you and your family - it's great to hear that you're okay and enjoying time away from home, yet I'm sorry to hear about the journey to the record shop. That had to be a bummer. I certainly hope that everything pans out?, and I'll see you back to your old cheerful sharing the knowledge self.

I for one have missed reading your post - and might add I've and always shall consider your more then a friend in so much as a younger brother whom I care about deeply.

So as always - stay the course and let whatever bullshit that comes your way - float the **** on by.

Stay true to you my Brotha.

Much love and respect.
O

* [ But the Campion only does HOMC and MM/MIs - guys. ].
Peace.
 
Kt77 said:
Hi Art,

I was just more or less concerned about you and your family - it's great to hear that you're okay and enjoying time away from home, yet I'm sorry to hear about the journey to the record shop. That had to be a bummer. I certainly hope that everything pans out?, and I'll see you back to your old cheerful sharing the knowledge self.

I for one have missed reading your post - and might add I've and always shall consider your more then a friend in so much as a younger brother whom I care about deeply.

So as always - stay the course and let whatever bullshit that comes your way - float the **** on by.

Stay true to you my Brotha.

Much love and respect.
O

* [ But the Campion only does HOMC and MM/MIs - guys. ].
Peace.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Oscar.

Yep HOMC and that is what I meant (I'll go back and edit). Need a step up for the LOMC.
 
BTW, Alco the phono stage on the Campion sounds very good. Much quieter than the one on the Brio-R and much better tonality and overall balance.
You really have to crank the volume with a HOMC but the amp doesn't mind.
Click to expand...

Good to hear that all's well Art and I hope you had/have a nice vacation. :)

Ehh,..perhaps it's a stupid question, but what is HOMC ? :saywhat: :scratch2:

(edit: I got it...must be a High Output MC cart) :yes:
 
Last edited:
Hello all, here's a proud Campion owner as well. And, coincidentally, like Baldo contemplated, just picked up a Benz Micro Silver on the cheap.

I'm a bit afraid the volume output by the BMS will be a bit too low for the Campion however, 2mV output voltage versus the 5mV phono input level means it will run around 40% of the intended volume. Are there any options to modify the phono input level?

Willing to spend a few euros on it, but a dedicated step-up transformer or MC phono stage is outside my budget, plus I prefer the elegance of an integrated system.
 
parlinone said:
Hello all, here's a proud Campion owner as well. And, coincidentally, like Baldo contemplated, just picked up a Benz Micro Silver on the cheap.

I'm a bit afraid the volume output by the BMS will be a bit too low for the Campion however, 2mV output voltage versus the 5mV phono input level means it will run around 40% of the intended volume. Are there any options to modify the phono input level?

Willing to spend a few euros on it, but a dedicated step-up transformer or MC phono stage is outside my budget, plus I prefer the elegance of an integrated system.
Click to expand...

You will just have to try it. I found that the output of the Dyn 10x5 was too low for me with the Campion. I prefer 4mV and above with that phono stage.
 
Yup, and the benz is even lower...my previous cartridge, the clearaudio concept MM was scraping the lower limit around 3.3V, but yeah, I'll have to see.

If anyone has any advise regarding modifications for higher gain, let me know though!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom