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What's your latest audio purchase?

Just installed a Simaudio Moon 250i V2 integrated amp. A very simple, straight-forward 50wpc at 8-ohm piece with an MM phono-stage and none of the huge number of bells & whistles so many pieces are loaded with these days. But the real key to the 250i for me is the fact it uses just two (2) output devices per channel. To my ears, whether solid-state or tubes, amps sound faster & more clear with just two output devices per channel. Is a great fit for my listening environment, especially with its full-function remote.

250i.jpg
 
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Over the past couple weeks, picked up two Sony receivers... One for my sister's house for her home theatre setup (a STR-DE1075 - non-ES unit, but decent specs - should drive the in-ceiling speakers easily), and one for my parents' bedroom, a STR-DA30ES, which drives the two Boston Acoustics HD7 speakers I'd picked up at RE-PC when I bought the STR-DA5300ES from the eBay seller. Both receivers came from RE-PC. Got the DE1075 for $40, plus tax, knocked down from $80, and the DA30ES was $24.50, plus tax.
 
I have a set of Ray Select 6SN7 tubes that I use in one of my Schiit Freya+ preamps, great sound but kind of expensive (close to $400 per quad). I found out that they are just hand selected from batches of Psvane's older and cheapest HiFi Series of tubes that sold for $55 per tube (the ones with the white ceramic base- see the last two pics).

Ray has a Reserve Line of 6SN7's that sell for $1200 for a quad, and turns out they are hand selected from batches of Psvane's CV181-T II (grey glass) tubes that sell for $400 a quad. Since I could buy a quad of hand matched CV181-T II from Viva Tubes, I thought why not give them a try?

I've had them playing for about 6 hours today and they are nice and warm, strong bass, excellent mid range (voices especially) and a smooth top- I could listen to these all day long at loud volumes and never get tired of the sound.

Ray Reserve VS Psvane CV181-T II.jpgCV181-T II 001.jpgCV181-T II 003.jpgs-l1600.jpg109_3878.JPG
 
krautmaster said:
I have a set of Ray Select 6SN7 tubes that I use in one of my Schiit Freya+ preamps, great sound but kind of expensive (close to $400 per quad). I found out that they are just hand selected from batches of Psvane's older and cheapest HiFi Series of tubes that sold for $55 per tube (the ones with the white ceramic base- see the last two pics).

Ray has a Reserve Line of 6SN7's that sell for $1200 for a quad, and turns out they are hand selected from batches of Psvane's CV181-T II (grey glass) tubes that sell for $400 a quad. Since I could buy a quad of hand matched CV181-T II from Viva Tubes, I thought why not give them a try?

I've had them playing for about 6 hours today and they are nice and warm, strong bass, excellent mid range (voices especially) and a smooth top- I could listen to these all day long at loud volumes and never get tired of the sound.

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If you’re interested in a second opinion feel free to send me your quads for evaluation. I’m here for you brother.
 
We’re going to have a stand met speaker shoot out so for grand I grabbed a pair of vintage ADS 300e to slip into the mix.

Then, last week, Onkyo had a special deal on their six CD multiplayer (209.00) so I ordered one to give my son as a gift. However, I will audition it first and he may end up getting something else.
 
Mumbles said:
It's about the best price I could find anywhere and the main reason I use it sparingly. Both Long & McQuade and Best Buy have it for $26.99 while Amazon.ca will stiff you for $47.12. Just the price we have to pay to live in the True North strong and free! :rolleyes:
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Suggestion: Canadian Tire Vancouver BC where I lived resided for 5 years till summer 2022. Dioxit D5 contact cleaner you bought was crazy expensive indeed or not available. MC Chemicals I stopped using, cuz some plastics and circuit boards in my vintage HiFi gear started smoking after spraying (Same for MC Chemicals Silicon Grease Spray???). So I ended up buying cans of Motomaster electrical contact cleaner for $7 CAD at Canadian Tire at Gambie street. Worked perfectly, no residue and safe .- at least on all of my hifi gear I had -. For the fader lube application, I still opted for the crazy expensive in Canada Deoxit fader FS (if I could get it at all back then). Locally in Vancouver BC; only Lee Electronics and music instrument stores sold Deoxit Fader FS in their physical stores. Although I don't know if that is still the case.

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca www.canadiantire.ca

Currently in the Netherlands I use this:

Local Hardware story purchased "WD-40 Specialist Contact cleaner" See photo attached.
I use it for selector contacts switches. Relays contacts, push and toggle switches, connectors etc. Applied spraying or on with a cotton stick or Pipe cleaning brushes etc

1000009942.jpg

For fader / slider switches and carbon track potentiometers / pots I still exclusively use Deoxit fader FS. My two cents!
 
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^^^^^Another option is to buy newer gear that has contactless pots and switches that don't require cleaning. In my case the last time I bought deoxit was when RS was still in business.
 
motorstereo said:
^^^^^Another option is to buy newer gear that has contactless pots and switches that don't require cleaning. In my case the last time I bought deoxit was when RS was still in business.
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Really?! Neither any relays? Anyways; my post / reply is about when it is needed and about older style 'vintage' electronics that still can be refurbished, rebuild, cleaned or repaired! But thank you for your constructive 'relevant' contribution :dunno:

Addendum: After cleaning and or rebuilding, a quality contact switch can work flawlessly for decades to a century or more even. Or we replace it with NOS or new aftermarket switches and parts! All that, and no more smoker houses, better contact sprays etc; has solved the dirty contact issue for the most part.
Plus the fact that the gear we talk about is at least 30, 40, 50 or 60 years or old and in most cases has never been cleaned or serviced. Or worse being stored in garages, non climatized warehouses, attics or basements or used in cigar smoker houses for decades thus. All that, and the fact that not all (contact) type switches and cleaners and gear or brands were or are of equal quality!

But if you want warrantee, the latest specs and from start from new no issues? Yes indeed. Buy the best latest brand new gear you can afford! Used electronics and thus vintage Hi-Fi is definitely not for everyone! Like with all hobbies.
 
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