[Machine-De-Zine]

Still basically new here, despite having joined over a year ago. Unfortunately cancer forced my retirement, and a year full of challenges.

It seems I’ve beaten it for the time being. Seven decades of unintentionally abusing “the temple” has exacted its measure of revenge. Hopefully I’ve learned some lasting lessons about reckless exposure to industrial and environmental hazards, proper human nutrition and the importance of adequate sleep.

Now I can regroup, and again start enjoying my continuing journey through life with a deep love of music.

I don’t expect to write a lot of posts, as I’m not very well versed in the virtual world of the internet. I’ve been a machinist, mechanic, artist and silver process photographer my entire life, I’m also a drummer who doesn’t give a hoot that I can’t read music, as I’ve no intention of trying to make a living playing music for paying audiences, I much prefer playing music with (and for) other musicians, fusion, acid jazz, funk, soul, blues, samba, bossa nova and dance.

I get the impression that we have a friendly gathering of music lovers here who more often than not, know better than to ridicule others based upon the varied choices they might make regarding their equipment acquisitions.
It’s admirable when the community here is so helpful to others who arrive with a genuine thirst for knowledge and guidance in how to improve their audio systems effectively and economically.

I will try always to remember that everyone is different in their exploration of better hifi gear and in the sounds they hope to hear from their speakers.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

A big welcome to AC.  Tell us about your gear.

[kd4ylq]

I think you are right; a good bunch here for certain. Welcome and enjoy the repartee!

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome to AC 

[Machine-De-Zine]

I think you are right; a good bunch here for certain. Welcome and enjoy the repartee!

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

As far as gear, the bulk of it has been acquired (mostly used vintage) in efforts to bring into the home a listening experience roughly approximating that which occurs in the jam band practice room. Sourced from either my own recordings, or tape, vinyl, CDs, FM broadcast, etc. I am a collector so there is quite a lot of gear here. Also, I have always enjoyed four ch discrete, so I have four 10.5” quad reel to reel decks, and several QS, SQ, CD4, decoders and other sound processors at the ready.

If I am going to say what gear I have now, someone might be kind enough to give me an idea how deep into the list I should go, there are currently at least 6 complete systems up and operating in the home, but there is still tons of other gear stacked up to the rafters with little likelihood of being rotated into use anytime soon.

I hope no one is going to be offended by some of my positions on things that various people here prefer.
I’ve come here to enjoy discussions where participants respect each others’ diverse views on such potentially triggering issues, like tube vs SS, importance of certain cables, power conditioners, etc., I’m perfectly happy to add equipment to my systems when I can actually hear desirable improvements that I personally value.

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC   

[Zuman]

One more welcome to you!
I like your subject heading very much, and I find it to be true for the most part. People here tend to temper their passion and knowledge wth reasonable politeness and awareness of how they come across to others. The more I age (and I'm now in my early 70s), the more I'm dismayed by people either trying to shut down discussions through a show of aggressiveness and rudeness or provoking others through the same approach. You don't see much of that here.
On the other hand, another hifi forum of which I'm a member recently launched a thread titled "How much does it bother you to see people arguing on the forum?" That thread has so far had 207 responses in six days!

[Machine-De-Zine]

One more welcome to you!
I like your subject heading very much, and I find it to be true for the most part. People here tend to temper their passion and knowledge wth reasonable politeness and awareness of how they come across to others. The more I age (and I'm now in my early 70s), the more I'm dismayed by people either trying to shut down discussions through a show of aggressiveness and rudeness or provoking others through the same approach. You don't see much of that here.
On the other hand, another hifi forum of which I'm a member recently launched a thread titled "How much does it bother you to see people arguing on the forum?" That thread has so far had 207 responses in six days!

Thank you for those kind and insightful thoughts. And yes, when an otherwise polite conversation about music delivery gear turns confrontational, I’m out!

[Machine-De-Zine]

A big welcome to AC.  Tell us about your gear.

Thank you for the “big welcome”!

Can you (or any knowledgeable person) please advise me on how and where to describe my sound gear?
I have limited vocabulary for common internet, computer and virtual endeavors.

I am pretty well lost trying to properly post photos, and have uncertainty knowing where to post topics in the appropriate places.
In the past I had been using the Photobucket app., but bailed out because the experience was not what I had hoped for. I would like to be able to post high quality images here without watermarks, mandatory subscriptions, intrusions into my 100K+ personal photo library, and a convoluted process.

I hope those who are well versed in navigating this forum can guide me on these tiresome questions.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Thank you for the “big welcome”!

Can you (or any knowledgeable person) please advise me on how and where to describe my sound gear?
I have limited vocabulary for common internet, computer and virtual endeavors.

I am pretty well lost trying to properly post photos, and have uncertainty knowing where to post topics in the appropriate places.
In the past I had been using the Photobucket app., but bailed out because the experience was not what I had hoped for. I would like to be able to post high quality images here without watermarks, mandatory subscriptions, intrusions into my 100K+ personal photo library, and a convoluted process.

I hope those who are well versed in navigating this forum can guide me on these tiresome questions.

Tell us the name of your gear and model if you have it.

[Machine-De-Zine]

I will pick just one of my several systems, and I chose to list this grouping as it pretty accurately expresses my relationship with music. It was not assembled the way I imagine a dedicated audiophile might do.

Amps: lows, 2X Crown Macro Reference Esoteric (4Ch)
mids/highs, front Audio Research DS450, rear Audio Research 300.2
Preamps: Audio Research LS25 MkII, Audio Research SP-9 MkIII
4 ch decoder Sansui QSD-1,
Speaker management: DBX 260
Speakers: 4X Smith 1230 (quad)
Lows: front 2X Smith 18” rear 2X JBL SR4718X
Sources: 2 track 1/4” Ampex ATR 800, (& a 4-Trk quad Ampex ATR-800, 1/2”)
1/4” 2&4 trk, Technics RS1520 new JRF heads
Quad: Otari MX5050 BQII
Compact Cassette: Nakamichi ZX-9
Tuner: Sansui TU-919
TT: Technics SL-1200G silver, Ortofon 40 black
Phono Pre: Parasound Halo JC3+
CD: Oppo UDP-205
Burner: TASCAM CD-RW901 MkII
Vinyl prep: KLAUDIO system.
The xtras: 2X Aphex Aural Exciter w/Big Bottom
2x DBX 5BX, 2X Proton SD-1000, 2X Nak High Com II (CC NR)
2X Dolby SR-363 (tape NR), 2X Ashly XR-1001 (EQ)

Lots of other processors for recording

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Thanks for sharing.

I run a Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT VK51se preamp, Luxman DA-06 DAC, Vista Audio Phono 2 phono pre, Luxman T-110 Tuner, Thorens TD-145 TT with a Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge, Magnepan 1.6 speakers and dual Martin Logan subs.  Built a custom computer with an aftermarket JCat usb card for a music server.

[Machine-De-Zine]

I’ve enjoyed most of the items in your setup before in other folks homes, but in variously different configurations.
I know you must love how it all performs!
How do you like your TD-145?
I’ve got about a dozen TTs but only one Thorens, an ancient 125 (1st series) with an SME 3009 (pre-improved) w/Glanz MFG-610LX cartridge. A bit fiddly with the springy suspension, but overall a pretty good TT experience.

I don’t know anything about computers or how to use them in service to my love of music. I guess I’m not really prepared to dive into that world, physical media is my comfort zone. For me, the science of electronics is best explained by the concept, FM ~ Freakin’ Magic! . . .

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I love my TD-145.  It is from the 1970's and it is semi automatic which I love.  It was fully refurbished and then I modified it with a heavy plinth that I made from Cocobolo wood.  I had to dampen the spring suspension as it was too sensitive to my wood floors.  It pairs well with the Nagaoka 200 cartridge.  However, I have my eye on a Hana MC cartridge and eventually a Parasound JC3 Jr. phono preamp sometime in the future.

[Machine-De-Zine]

For my good friend, I found a John Curl Jr phono pre and an automatic TT as a 60+ year retirement gift and he truly loves it. I was happy with my Audio Research LS25 MkII’s phono-pre section, but after reading about the HALO JC3+ I took a chance and went for it when I got my new Technics SL-1200G. Zero regrets  acquiring either one! Still shopping around for a new MC cartridge, limiting myself to the 1K-2K range tho. I’m not as picky as many here might be, I am a slow and cautious buyer of anything audio and I’m almost always super satisfied with whatever I eventually get, despite often stumbling across a myriad of heated discussions surrounding one choice vs another.

[Letitroll98]

Welcome MDZ.  You are correct, the first rule here is friendliness.  Personal attacks, or just being a jerk, are forbidden here making it a nice place to post.  Opinions are encouraged and "you're an idiot" posts are not.  You'll fit right in.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

For my good friend, I found a John Curl Jr phono pre and an automatic TT as a 60+ year retirement gift and he truly loves it. I was happy with my Audio Research LS25 MkII’s phono-pre section, but after reading about the HALO JC3+ I took a chance and went for it when I got my new Technics SL-1200G. Zero regrets  acquiring either one! Still shopping around for a new MC cartridge, limiting myself to the 1K-2K range tho. I’m not as picky as many here might be, I am a slow and cautious buyer of anything audio and I’m almost always super satisfied with whatever I eventually get, despite often stumbling across a myriad of heated discussions surrounding one choice vs another.

It is always a good idea to take it slow and research and listen to gear before buying as there is so much gear out there.

I am torn between buying the Parasound JC3 Jr. and a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B as I like tubes and previously had a tube phono pre that died.  I prefer a sound that has a hint of warmth and bass bloom and airy not fatiguing highs.  Both pieces are balanced with XLR out which will work well since my system is fully balanced.

[Machine-De-Zine]

Welcome MDZ.  You are correct, the first rule here is friendliness.  Personal attacks, or just being a jerk, are forbidden here making it a nice place to post.  Opinions are encouraged and "you're an idiot" posts are not.  You'll fit right in.

Totally agree!
It’s our responsibility as a community to know when and how to simply ignore those who jump into friendly conversations looking to stir emotions and recklessly generate conflict. Not taking the bait is far more effective than calling out or banning perpetrators of confrontational language. These individuals will quickly get weary and go find another place to sow discontent.

I am pleasantly amused when this happens, someone arrogantly posts something mean spirited, attacking another’s taste or personal views, and gathers exactly ZERO takers, where everyone completely ignores every attempt to stir the pot. The deadly old school silent treatment. I do however defend everyone’s right to post their opinions, no matter how different or contrary.

[Machine-De-Zine]

It is always a good idea to take it slow and research and listen to gear before buying as there is so much gear out there.

I am torn between buying the Parasound JC3 Jr. and a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS3 B as I like tubes and previously had a tube phono pre that died.  I prefer a sound that has a hint of warmth and bass bloom and airy not fatiguing highs.  Both pieces are balanced with XLR out which will work well since my system is fully balanced.

If you get the opportunity, check out the HALO JC3+, I got a chance to compare that to the Jr, and decided that it’s big brother was slightly more revealing, even when comparing a few fairly decent MM carts I had on hand. I use balanced signal everywhere when possible too, so a lot of Mogami Gold cables here.

The only tubes I have in my systems now are in my ARC preamps. I have been satisfied with the performance of SS amps so far, but I have heard the warmth you speak of. I confess to fearing the cost and nuisance of tube rolling and the inevitable replacement schedule as they age out. Also the uncertainty that one day I won’t be able to find a particular out of production tube. They do sound nice, but so does a great SS amp, to my tastes anyway.