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Flyingsod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mystic Fred... what stuff? Budget hi-fi
    Posted: March 29 2007 at 23:22
Hey man, How ya doing? Back in the desert isle audiophile thread you said

"BTW you don't have to spend thousands to get a good system, there are some brilliant budget equipment to be had out there, especially the British  makes, we still lead the world in inexpensive hifi equipment!"

I'd be interested in knowing what you believe some of this brilliant budget equipment is. I did my speaker experiment and the results kinda amazed me. I figured there would be changes in sound from speaker to speaker but not such drastic changes.  I'm looking for a place to post the results on the net so unbelievers can hear for themselves. I'm most likely going to be building my own equipment because of finances but I'd definatly like to see what stuff you had in mind with that statement. Thanks

I also of course would love to hear reccomendations from anyone else on budget gems of the audio  world.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 30 2007 at 04:32
Mystic fred is true indeed. English make the best budget musical devices:

-Rega Planar 3 turntable
-Nad and/or Rotel electronics (CD + amp)
-Mission bookshelf speakers + Atacama feet
-QED cables

Other great english electronics brands (but more expensive): Rega, Naim, Creek, Arcam.


Edited by oliverstoned - March 30 2007 at 14:10
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: March 31 2007 at 07:51

hi Carlos! pleased you asked me that question -

as for suggestions,  yes you don't have to spend thousands (pounds sterling) to get a good system -
 
if you insist on new hifi components it is still true, though buying used items will slash costs considerably.
 
Cambridge Audio do a good range of CD players, latest are the Azur 640 C Version 2  (£250) is getting good feedback, i recently had one and upgraded to a Rega Apollo (new £500 got it used for £350).
 
Rotel, Nad and Cambridge Audio  do a good range of amps such as the CA Azur 740A for £500 new, or they do a 6.1 AV reciever for £269.00, the Azur 540R Version 2 (100wpc on stereo), which i have and must say is brilliant - i also have Mission Cyrus 2 amps made in 1986 i bought for £200.
 
 KEF, Linn Kan and B&W speakers have a good reputation and can be picked up for around £200 used. I have a pair of Castle Severn 2SE speakers which were £699 new but i got on ebay for £250.
 
As for turntables, as Olivier says the Rega Planar 3 is an amazing player, mainly due to its excellent arm, the Rega RB300, can get used for around £150. i recently upgraded mine for a Roksan Xerxes turntable using a similar arm the Rega RB250, with fabulous results!
 i also have a Linn Sondek which is expensive new but can be picked up for a few hundred pounds on ebay, especially in the USA i've seen them.
 
If you buy from UK sellers obviously shipping costs are a bit of a down side and the voltage has to be adjusted down to 110v for USA, but the results will be worth it! Also the Kimber cable company is based in Utah - Carlos you may well get your cables cheaper than i can - though i recently bought a pair of used 8TC speaker cables from a guy in Canada for £160.Big%20smile
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Edited by mystic fred - March 31 2007 at 08:14
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 02:18
I'd not recommend Cambridge audio, either on amp or CD.

Edited by oliverstoned - April 01 2007 at 02:18
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 05:43
Originally posted by oliverstoned oliverstoned wrote:

I'd not recommend Cambridge audio, either on amp or CD.
 
why not...?Confused
 
i tried a NAD and a Rotel, the CA's  just blew them away.............but the Rega Apollo is in a different league.Clap
 
 
 
 
 
 


Edited by mystic fred - April 01 2007 at 05:52
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 06:12
Yes, Cambrige made progress recently on Cd players, however i'm pretty sure Nad/rotel does better. On amplifiers, Cambridge is clearly to avoid: coloured, soft in the pejorative way.

Of course, Rega, Naim Arcam Creek CD players are better...


Edited by oliverstoned - April 03 2007 at 11:40
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 06:16
I really like Cambridge amps.They seem to warm up the sound of digital media short of buying a tube amp.

I use Cambridge in my 'studio' for playback from my Korg D8 portastudio.

Do 'The Stanley' otherwise I'll thrash you with some rhubarb.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 06:53
I was really happy to get rid of my one, several years ago...

Nad warms up the sound as well, but is far more musical and performant. Cambridge is not the worst crap, but it's really not terrible.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 13:59

^ ,,like you say Olivier, Cambridge have really come on a long way recently, much better than their earlier stuff..

toob still on my shopping list!Wink
 
 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 14:28
Yes, tubes are essential! I'm on big power cables these days, just bought the biggest Wireworld, 300€ on ebay instead of 1200€.






Edited by oliverstoned - April 02 2007 at 15:35
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 20:51
^ blimeyConfused
 
that beats my   £75 kimber ...
 
 
Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 01 2007 at 23:10
Thanks for the replies. I will definatly be building my own speakers and almost definatly be building my own tube amp (if I decide I have to go tube). Making my own TT though might be a long time fantasy that will never come true. I'm having a serious look at that Rega table for now. It's between that and rehabing/modifying an old AR tt. Thanks for the links Btw.
 Oh and I will probably trying DIY cables as well. Supoosedly they sound 99% as good as the manufactured ones for pennies on the dollar. Although I have doubts I will be able to hear any difference at all.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 02 2007 at 02:02
Originally posted by mystic fred mystic fred wrote:

^ blimeyConfused

that beats my   £75 kimber ...




Wink


Probably. Im also buying 2 Synergistic research (first model), 200€ each, instead of 450€.

A good tip: you can cut the power cables to make 2 or 3 with one (as long as there's no filtering boxes).

For instance, i'm about to do 3 short cables, cutting
my Wireworld. So eventually, it makes about 100€ per cable (without plugs)!! You can also put some Furutech Rhodium plugs, which upgrades a lot.








Edited by oliverstoned - April 02 2007 at 02:03
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 02 2007 at 03:19
Originally posted by mystic fred mystic fred wrote:


toob still on my shopping list!Wink




BTW, i remind you of the brands to go for:

Jolida, Cayin, Prima luna, Kora, Antique sound lab, Melody.

Cayin


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 03 2007 at 09:24
Originally posted by mystic fred mystic fred wrote:

^ blimeyConfused

that beats my   £75 kimber ...




Wink


I've got my Wireworld power cable. What a cable...it completely changed my sound. It reminds me of the day i had my first good speaker's cable; There's so much more image, mateer, low, high, dynamic...incredible; And this is just one cable on the subwoofer, i'm about to do that on all the system.



Edited by oliverstoned - April 03 2007 at 09:25
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 03 2007 at 09:27
And which cable do you have in your walls ... is that also modified? *THAT* would seriously impress me!Wink

Sorry, just couldn't resist ... carry on!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 03 2007 at 11:34
I've got "ordinary" wire, but 4mm2 (thicker than the normal 2.5) for my sub. But indeed, it's possible and better to wire the wall plugs in topcable until the home counter. In my case that'd be not too expensive cause i'm just above the counter, 1m only. But the issue is the thickness of the top cables and the hole i did in the ground is not large enough. And yes, that would be better if wire that way until the power plant. But we know that's not possible, but replacing the cables on the devices is possible and produce an incredible effect...

I can also replace my ordinary/good quality Legrand wallplugs by Rhodium Furutech wallplugs...





Furutech Rhodium power plug:






Edited by oliverstoned - April 03 2007 at 11:37
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 03 2007 at 11:47


But these are not budget power cables

Budget musical power cable: Supra "Lorad". Count about 15€/meter. i still use that on my filters and that would be a budget solution to wire in 2.5 mm2 between the wallplugs and the counter.








Edited by oliverstoned - April 03 2007 at 11:49
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 03 2007 at 20:17
I'm an Electrician by trade. It looks like fun but I really hope my ears are not so sensitive as to casue a rewiring of my house...  We also install backup generator systems where  I work. Also line conditioning equipment of various sorts. The power from our backup generators is much cleaner than Power company power. Maybe after your done getting the home wiring in tip top shape you can call us to come out and set you up a home generator. I'll work free, just provide me with a way to kick back and play some good tunes at the end of the day :)

 And Thankes Oliverstoned for keeping with the theme of Budget with those Supra Lorad cords. I really think I can get that kind of performance making my own though. It will be a while before I even attempt it though. Im concetrating on a turntable atm and speakers next.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: April 04 2007 at 02:41
As an electrician, you should install some separate electric circuits for your system.

My new Wireworld cable is wonderful!! I'm cutting it in pieces today to make 3 with one.

Edited by oliverstoned - April 04 2007 at 08:57
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