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For the Hi-Fi enthusiasts among us...

Larry S
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Just realized I’ve not posted my completed “vintage” system with the JBL L82 Classics which are just perfect. They sit on Isopod bases on some bath stools I bought from Amazon. At some point the stools will get spikes and gliders installed. I cannot believe how good this system sounds.
IMG_8672.jpeg IMG_8670.jpeg
 
gbesq
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I owned a pair of EPI 200c speakers for decades that I purchased in the late 1970s. Solid walnut cabinets. They finally gave out a few years ago (I had them rebuilt once during all those years) and I decided to let them go. Sometimes I really regret that decision. They produced really amazing sound.
epi200-grille.jpg
 
Larry S
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gbesq gbesq
I owned a pair of EPI 200c speakers for decades that I purchased in the late 1970s. Solid walnut cabinets. They finally gave out a few years ago (I had them rebuilt once during all those years) and I decided to let them go. Sometimes I really regret that decision. They produced really amazing sound.
epi200-grille.jpg
Thats a brand not often mentioned in the Vintage community.
 
gbesq
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Larry S Larry S
Thats a brand not often mentioned in the Vintage community.
Indeed. They were associated with Epicure and had an interesting history. They served me well for many, many years.
 
Larry S
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My concern re: the almost unobtainium Darlington packs in my SA400 led me to pick up this vintage Sansui 5000a (rebuilt to 5000x) … sounds warmer than the Technics but I think I prefer the punchier Technics phono preamp. CD, IPOD, Cassette all seem to shine with the Sansui however. Will eventually take it down to my guy in the city for a tune up. Another interesting buying experience. Learning there is a whole subculture of vintage “dealers” out there. At any rate it will be fun to swap between units. Technics punch vs Sansui warmth. Good points to both.
IMG_8805.jpeg
Edited:
 
rob#1
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Larry S Larry S
My concern re: the almost unobtainium Darlington packs in my SA400 led me to pick up this vintage Sansui 5000a (rebuilt to 5000x) … sounds warmer than the Technics but I think I prefer the punchier Technics phono preamp. CD, IPOD, Cassette all seem to shine with the Sansui however. Will eventually take it down to my guy in the city for a tune up. Another interesting buying experience. Learning there is a whole subculture of vintage “dealers” out there. At any rate it will be fun to swap between units. Technics punch vs Sansui warmth. Good points to both.
IMG_8805.jpeg

Nice pick up, and it looks cool too. So many components look the same, all black and minimal, whereas this exudes charm.
 
Archer
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Late last year we went to the local audio pusher for a demo of Linn's new active speakers - they had flown in a rep from Scotland who did the demo, and these speakers were fantastic...



But out of my price range certainly! One of the songs they used in the demo was this:


Not necessarily my taste in music (although it's got a good groove to it), but it is a challenging song for a system to play well and not be very tiring at a decent volume. When we arrived home, I played it on my speakers (about 5 times less money than the Linns we had just heard it on) and it was tough to listen to at any volume. The issue with transparency is that it can become harsh. The Linns were smooth - that was the word that kept going through my head as we heard the demo.

While we were there, they mentioned that Linn has a deal on for upgrades and trade ins. Linn came out with their own Organik DAC architecture a few years ago, and since they are always making their equipment upgradable, there was an opportunity to upgrade my Klimax streamer, but the upgrade was pricey. Convincing "she who must be convinced" would be a tall order.

The rep said that as a bonus, if you upgrade within a certain time frame, you get a free Utopik power supply upgrade, that would normally be $2500. In addition, post upgrade you get a new 5 year warranty. That last bit did the trick, so a down payment was made, and new parts ordered.

The audio pusher arrived yesterday to install the new parts...here is the steamer opened up:



Out with the old:



Underside of the bottom cover...



New power supply is in...



New DAC in...



The only thing that didn't get changed really is the small board for the display. We did a "before" listen, and then an "after" - the difference was huge. I'm used to very small incremental differences, but this was massive. Much cleaner sound, fuller bass, less straining on the high end. Even my wife reluctantly thought it was worth the money. 😉

I realized that a large part of what made that demo system sound so much better than mine, was the streamer and not really the speakers. So in reality, we this upgrade really saved about 80k here...I haven't yet tried that argument with my wife - I should probably just quit while I'm ahead. 😁
 
redzer007
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Had some of these components in service but tucked away and had others gathering dust..decided id get them all out in the open and working together. Lusted after these as a poor college student, spent the next 20 years picking units. Finally and for the first time all.up and running at the.same time. Love 90s hifi, and with the addition of a (hidden) streamer pretty much meets my needs.

20240116_233410.jpg
 
sxl2004
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redzer007 redzer007
Had some of these components in service but tucked away and had others gathering dust..decided id get them all out in the open and working together. Lusted after these as a poor college student, spent the next 20 years picking units. Finally and for the first time all.up and running at the.same time. Love 90s hifi, and with the addition of a (hidden) streamer pretty much meets my needs.

20240116_233410.jpg


Oh the CAN system. Probably still have a headphone set around ..Nice
 
Larry S
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I recently dipped my toe into streaming after Mrs S. decided to subscribe to Amazon Music. WiiM Pro to Cambridge Dac Magic 200 to Rotel 1562 AV Processor/1582MkII Amp. I’m not giving up on physical media but this combo sounds so good I’ll not be adding to the library.
IMG_9384.jpeg
 
sxl2004
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Larry S Larry S
I recently dipped my toe into streaming after Mrs S. decided to subscribe to Amazon Music. WiiM Pro to Cambridge Dac Magic 200 to Rotel 1562 AV Processor/1582MkII Amp. I’m not giving up on physical media but this combo sounds so good I’ll not be adding to the library.
IMG_9384.jpeg

looks good!
I am curious if the WIIM can handle external storage like Ian stick or so.
 
redzer007
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sxl2004 sxl2004
looks good!
I am curious if the WIIM can handle external storage like Ian stick or so.
Pretty sure it can, think you can run to external drive via usb or NAS over network. Been impressed by their SW, also allows for SONOS style multiroom, but using hifi gear. My second system is a Quad 34, and again hidden streamer (Wiim) coupled with perfect 90s hifi gear
 
sxl2004
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redzer007 redzer007
Pretty sure it can, think you can run to external drive via usb or NAS over network. Been impressed by their SW, also allows for SONOS style multiroom, but using hifi gear. My second system is a Quad 34, and again hidden streamer (Wiim) coupled with perfect 90s hifi gear

Thanks. Sounds promising.
I ripped all my CDs and now need a streaming home for the files. And I don’t want to pay a lot to room for the nucleus
 
redzer007
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sxl2004 sxl2004
Thanks. Sounds promising.
I ripped all my CDs and now need a streaming home for the files. And I don’t want to pay a lot to room for the nucleus

apologies, i have overspeced the Wiim in my reply. Would not recommend for playing local files. I was confusing with the other candidate I was considering. This probably fits your requirements better

https://www.bluesound.com/products/node/

I'm pretty content with vinyl as primary source and tidal for streaming
 
felsby
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sxl2004 sxl2004
Thanks. Sounds promising.
I ripped all my CDs and now need a streaming home for the files. And I don’t want to pay a lot to room for the nucleus
I am going to order an Innuos Zen Mini mk. 3 S in a couple of months. Streamer, NAS and DAC in one tiny package - and with a very intuitive user interface. I got 450 Gb Alac files on Apple Music on a Mac Mini, but the UI is not up to date.
 
BlackTalon
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Larry S Larry S
I recently dipped my toe into streaming after Mrs S. decided to subscribe to Amazon Music. WiiM Pro to Cambridge Dac Magic 200 to Rotel 1562 AV Processor/1582MkII Amp. I’m not giving up on physical media but this combo sounds so good I’ll not be adding to the library.
I picked up a WiiM Mini a year or so back, and use it for streaming Tidal. I run it through the DAC section of a OPPO player. Best $90 I've ever spent in the world of audio. I still have a preamp in the chain due to other sources, but I am going to cut that out soon by either using the OPPO as a preamp or by getting a WiiM Pro Plus so I can go straight from the streamer/ DAC into the amp.
 
Larry S
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BlackTalon BlackTalon
I picked up a WiiM Mini a year or so back, and use it for streaming Tidal. I run it through the DAC section of a OPPO player. Best $90 I've ever spent in the world of audio. I still have a preamp in the chain due to other sources, but I am going to cut that out soon by either using the OPPO as a preamp or by getting a WiiM Pro Plus so I can go straight from the streamer/ DAC into the amp.
I think the pro plus and its equalizer will sound great. My Pro sounds good by its lonesome through my very unforgiving gear but through the DAC Magic, sublime.
 
vibe
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Archer Archer
Late last year we went to the local audio pusher for a demo of Linn's new active speakers - they had flown in a rep from Scotland who did the demo, and these speakers were fantastic..

as a fellow linnie, I know most of that will fly over everyone’s heads! I really wish they had the organik available for my katalyst Akurate DSM. They do have the PS upgrade available but it’s so expensive. Thinking about a selekt 5.1 for my tv system and that would give me another DS in the network (along with a kiko and sekrit dsi)
 
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