Post your stereo system!

May 30th

steinba said:

This might be slightly/completely off topic, but anyway... It's sort of a gearhead topic too, even if it's not about guitars or drumheads. With all the vinyl collectors and music lovers on the board, there has to be some cool stereo setups around. Let's see 'em! It'll be fun. I'll start:

Nice Steven Wilson vinyl.  I'm seeing him in Calgary in a couple of weeks.  Excited for the show!

BIGDaddyWil

BIGDaddyWil said:

I just purchased from Music Direct a scratch/dent Music Hall 2.2 MMF for $250.  I've been using my old Music Hall 2.2 since 2008.  I had them put on the new Mo-Fi studio tracker cartridge.  Can't wait to hear how it sounds!!!

Here's the new set-up:

mrussel1

Nice looking setup! 
Little known fact (according to my local guy), Music Hall and Pro-Ject's are made in the same factory.  You can see how similar that MMF is to the Carbon Debut.  In fact, that tonearm looks like a pro-ject.  Good deal you got!  I hope it sounds great with that cart.  

BIGDaddyWil

mrussel1 said:

Nice looking setup! 
Little known fact (according to my local guy), Music Hall and Pro-Ject's are made in the same factory.  You can see how similar that MMF is to the Carbon Debut.  In fact, that tonearm looks like a pro-ject.  Good deal you got!  I hope it sounds great with that cart.  

Yes, Music Hall uses Pro-Ject's tone-arms, it's written on the side of the arm.  I've only listened to Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms, Mobile FIdelity 45 rpm version. Sounds fantastic!  But, you have to realize, I was using my old Music Hall Tracker cartridge. (it was about 4 years old)  So, almost anything would be an improvement.  I've read some pretty good reviews about the Mo-Fi Studio Tracker cartridge.  It was right in my budget.  I will let this break in over the weekend and report back.  I immediately noticed that I had to adjust my tone controls back to zero.  Now, I need to update my cartridge for my Pioneer PL-570. I was thinking of this:

https://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-VM540ML-H-Cartridge-Headshell-Combo

dudeman

Nice pick. I have been very pleased with A-T carts. In fact, they are all I have left after buying and trying a bunch of various makes and models over the years.

Should be a good match for your Pioneer.

BIGDaddyWil

The Mo Fi Studio tracker cartridge is pretty sweet!!! I've put about 15-20 hours on it.  Great soundstage, with plenty of bass.  It definitely pulls more sound out of my records.  The new J. Mascis record sounds fantastic with this set-up.  Here are some other records I've listened to: John Coltrane - Blue Train (Analog Productions) Dire Straits - Brother In Arms (Mo-Fi pressing) The Beatles (most of the mono boxset) The Magpie Salute - High Water I , The Police - Synchronicity (the purple looking vinyl) also the new Smashing Pumpkins.  I almost forgot, Steely Dan - Aja (ABC pressing)
A great cartridge, that tracks well! Highly recommended!

2-feign-reluctance

#nerdalert

mrussel1

BIGDaddyWil said:

The Mo Fi Studio tracker cartridge is pretty sweet!!! I've put about 15-20 hours on it.  Great soundstage, with plenty of bass.  It definitely pulls more sound out of my records.  The new J. Mascis record sounds fantastic with this set-up.  Here are some other records I've listened to: John Coltrane - Blue Train (Analog Productions) Dire Straits - Brother In Arms (Mo-Fi pressing) The Beatles (most of the mono boxset) The Magpie Salute - High Water I , The Police - Synchronicity (the purple looking vinyl) also the new Smashing Pumpkins.  I almost forgot, Steely Dan - Aja (ABC pressing)
A great cartridge, that tracks well! Highly recommended!

I have several of those Pressings, they are all tremendous.  My favorite is my original AB 1060 of Aja. It is the perfect record for vinyl. 

mrussel1

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

lolobugg

mrussel1 said:

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

Very nice, SIR

dudeman

mrussel1 said:

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

Great to hear and thanks for the follow up. I was wondering how you were getting along with the Pioneer.

The difference in detail between the Yammy and Pioneer you mention is interesting. I  have similar observations between my Yamaha AVR and my vintage Marantz receivers. My vintage, 2-channel system just sounds right to me. My modern set-up is clinical and sterile by comparison.

I'm also running a sub with the Marantz rig. Incredible experience, especially when you factor in the cost to performance/enjoyment ratio.

BIGDaddyWil

mrussel1 said:

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

Great to hear! Another satisfied vintage Pioneer customer! Love it!

BIGDaddyWil

Great deal at Music Direct for a new Music Hall 2.2 turntable...$225.
Check it out...
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/music-hall-mmf-22-turntable?sc_src=email_256937&sc_lid=20344629&sc_uid=TmEHRmxwHX&sc_llid=41678&utm_source=Emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=musicdirect+soundbytes+issue+#863_3_12-05-18sc_eh=8d486b1bb17ee4941

I love this turntable! At that price you could upgrade the cartridge!

mrussel1

BIGDaddyWil said:

Great deal at Music Direct for a new Music Hall 2.2 turntable...$225.
Check it out...
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/music-hall-mmf-22-turntable?sc_src=email_256937&sc_lid=20344629&sc_uid=TmEHRmxwHX&sc_llid=41678&utm_source=Emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=musicdirect+soundbytes+issue+#863_3_12-05-18sc_eh=8d486b1bb17ee4941

I love this turntable! At that price you could upgrade the cartridge!

That is a great deal.  Is music direct a good seller?

mrussel1

dudeman said:

mrussel1 said:

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

Great to hear and thanks for the follow up. I was wondering how you were getting along with the Pioneer.

The difference in detail between the Yammy and Pioneer you mention is interesting. I  have similar observations between my Yamaha AVR and my vintage Marantz receivers. My vintage, 2-channel system just sounds right to me. My modern set-up is clinical and sterile by comparison.

I'm also running a sub with the Marantz rig. Incredible experience, especially when you factor in the cost to performance/enjoyment ratio.

Definitely incredible.  Now I need to get a new DAC so I can stream some music to the Pioneer.  I've narrowed it down to the Bluenote 2i and the new Yamaha streamer with the Burr-Brown.  I thought about doing a laptop direct to a DAC, but having a laptop with an external drive next to your rig looks ugly.  

dudeman

mrussel1 said:

dudeman said:

mrussel1 said:

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

Great to hear and thanks for the follow up. I was wondering how you were getting along with the Pioneer.

The difference in detail between the Yammy and Pioneer you mention is interesting. I  have similar observations between my Yamaha AVR and my vintage Marantz receivers. My vintage, 2-channel system just sounds right to me. My modern set-up is clinical and sterile by comparison.

I'm also running a sub with the Marantz rig. Incredible experience, especially when you factor in the cost to performance/enjoyment ratio.

Definitely incredible.  Now I need to get a new DAC so I can stream some music to the Pioneer.  I've narrowed it down to the Bluenote 2i and the new Yamaha streamer with the Burr-Brown.  I thought about doing a laptop direct to a DAC, but having a laptop with an external drive next to your rig looks ugly.  

I haven't made the leap to streaming at home so I won't presume to offer opinions on DACs. They are all over the place cost-wise! 

Do you think spending a lot on a unit with a super high S/N ratio and other impressive specs would be worthwhile compared to one near the middle of the pack?

It's my understanding that nearly all of them should outperform a typical CD player.

Is that accurate or am I way off?

BIGDaddyWil

mrussel1 said:

BIGDaddyWil said:

Great deal at Music Direct for a new Music Hall 2.2 turntable...$225.
Check it out...
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/music-hall-mmf-22-turntable?sc_src=email_256937&sc_lid=20344629&sc_uid=TmEHRmxwHX&sc_llid=41678&utm_source=Emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=musicdirect+soundbytes+issue+#863_3_12-05-18sc_eh=8d486b1bb17ee4941

I love this turntable! At that price you could upgrade the cartridge!

That is a great deal.  Is music direct a good seller?

Absolutely!!!! Very knowledgeable people, they will answer any questions you have. Fast shipping and well packaged. Highly recommended!

mrussel1

BIGDaddyWil said:

mrussel1 said:

BIGDaddyWil said:

Great deal at Music Direct for a new Music Hall 2.2 turntable...$225.
Check it out...
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/music-hall-mmf-22-turntable?sc_src=email_256937&sc_lid=20344629&sc_uid=TmEHRmxwHX&sc_llid=41678&utm_source=Emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=musicdirect+soundbytes+issue+#863_3_12-05-18sc_eh=8d486b1bb17ee4941

I love this turntable! At that price you could upgrade the cartridge!

That is a great deal.  Is music direct a good seller?

Absolutely!!!! Very knowledgeable people, they will answer any questions you have. Fast shipping and well packaged. Highly recommended!

Thanks.  I have a buddy that is ready to spring for a Project Debut Carbon, but this is the same thing for much less.  

mrussel1

dudeman said:

mrussel1 said:

dudeman said:

mrussel1 said:

mrussel1 said:

So after a month or whatever of listening to this, I'm still very pleased with it.  Here are my observations, for those that care about such things.  
1. It's definitely not as detailed as my Yamaha or my Outlaw amp that I was using for the last several years.  That said, it is very smooth and really shines on vinyl.  I had my squeezebox DAC hooked up to it for a while and while that also sounds good, you could definitely tell the difference in the sources.  And I only play Flac and flahd files.  
2. I was losing the left channel once in a great while but I followed the chain and isolated the issue to the tape switch.  I ended up giving it a full deoxit 5 and gold treatment on all of the pots and so far so good.  That stuff is really tremendous. 
3. Although I'm using full range B&W speakers, for shits and giggles I hooked up my 12" powered sub to the B speakers.. WHOA!  It really filled out the sound!  Massive difference.  I never used the sub for my Yamaha because I could only listen on pure mode, which kills everything but the 2 channels.  This is definitely the way to go.  
4. I found the perfect solution to having two amps drive one pair of speakers.  I needed this because I still watch movies or play the PS4 with Yamaha AVR, but wanted all music to flow through this Pioneer.  The solution is this beautiful, handy amp selector.  It's made by Beresford which is a well known English maker of switches and selectors.  This thing is a rock and there is no bleed through or loss of fidelity.  For those looking to add a second amp, this is a great little tool   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LNOAGZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IN all, very pleased with the Pioneer.  It's smooth as silk and now I'm on a vinyl rampage.  

Great to hear and thanks for the follow up. I was wondering how you were getting along with the Pioneer.

The difference in detail between the Yammy and Pioneer you mention is interesting. I  have similar observations between my Yamaha AVR and my vintage Marantz receivers. My vintage, 2-channel system just sounds right to me. My modern set-up is clinical and sterile by comparison.

I'm also running a sub with the Marantz rig. Incredible experience, especially when you factor in the cost to performance/enjoyment ratio.

Definitely incredible.  Now I need to get a new DAC so I can stream some music to the Pioneer.  I've narrowed it down to the Bluenote 2i and the new Yamaha streamer with the Burr-Brown.  I thought about doing a laptop direct to a DAC, but having a laptop with an external drive next to your rig looks ugly.  

I haven't made the leap to streaming at home so I won't presume to offer opinions on DACs. They are all over the place cost-wise! 

Do you think spending a lot on a unit with a super high S/N ratio and other impressive specs would be worthwhile compared to one near the middle of the pack?

It's my understanding that nearly all of them should outperform a typical CD player.

Is that accurate or am I way off?

No, I don't generally believe in buying extremely high end equipment (although some day I will own a McIntosh integrated).  I think it's like everything else, it's only as good as the weak link in your chain.  In my case, the Pioneer stereo is probably the weakest link, but I love the way it sounds so that's fine.  I absolutely think there is a big difference between a bad dac and a medium one, considering the rest of my equipment.  But then you quickly get into the law of diminishing returns.  What I really like about these two is that they both support 24/192 and higher resolution.  I have a fair amount of audio that reaches that point.  Second, they both support MAQ.  Because I'm in the JW Vault package, I get Tidal for $5 a month, so I want to take advantage of the MAQ format because I hear it's spectacular.  

As far as the cd question, I think it's hard to say.  If you have an Oppo or something high end like that, it will sound much better than a dinky Chrome audio cast.  But a cd is only 16/44 as it's best.  So in theory, a good cd player will be the same as a ripped cd on a solid DAC, but who knows for sure.  I put away my cd years ago and don't even own a working player (other than a blu ray).  But I have 2 TB of audio, all in FLAC that I listen to all the time.  So investing in a streamer with a solid DAC is a no brainer for me.  

mrussel1

Do any of you use attenuators on your RCAs to lower the signal from more modern peripherals (DACs, phono amps, cd players, etc.) into your vintage equipment.  My new worry is that the new equipment sends far more mv in power than what the 70's amps were designed to receive.