Newb in GAS country

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Ichinichi

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Newb in GAS country
« on: 5 Feb 2008, 03:39 pm »
Hello gents, and for good measure, hello any ladies, of the Gateway Audio Society!

New blip on the GAS radar. I met ScottF and a few other GAS guys last summer where, unbeknownst to me, they had planted the dark seeds of audiophilia deep within my mind. There it has since remained, patiently spreading its tendrils of influence over my sub-conscious mind. By the time it passed the barrier into my conscious mind, it was too late: I must have true audio! [cue silhouette with flashing LED over eyes in foreground, lightning and thunder in background for effect]

Anyway, as some of you may have read already, I picked up a pair of GR-research modified Insignias from Danny. Now I'm looking for the other components that I'll need and thought I'd see what the locals had in their closets. I've seen some of the systems you guys have at home and I KNOW you've got a NAD BEE or a Sophia amp in the closet that you're too busy to list for sale.

From what I can gather, I'm looking for a

Source: DAC of some sort, would like to feed through laptop
Amplification: Tube integrated amplifier
   (I've read that the Insignias are dark, but I've also read that they're bright! Is tube a good idea if I like full, rich sound but true sound?)
Cables: Obviously not Cardas Reference or Valhallas  :wink:

The last week has been spent learning about speakers and what they need. Any pointers or any components you've been holding on to for that eager, young, budding audiophile would be of interest to me. The speakers arrive today! I have wheels so I'd be able to pick up/audition at your convenience! I cannot WAIT to get started!!!!  :D :D :D

Bob in St. Louis

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Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #1 on: 5 Feb 2008, 05:09 pm »
A few years ago I was new to audio forums. A forum member (who'll remain nameless) told me to "run like Hell the other way or they'll suck you in.......". Well, I didn't listen either Ichinichi.
Sounds like it's too late for you too.  :wink:
So that being said, it sounds like it's time to welcome you to our version of Hotel California:
"You can check out anytime you'd like, but you can never leave".  :lol:

WELCOME DUDE!!  :thumb:

Bob

Blackmore

Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #2 on: 6 Feb 2008, 12:12 am »
I'll start the ball rolling.  I think you need to hear a few amps before deciding which way to turn.  I can demo the following amps for you.  A EL-84 push-pull amp (10 watts) a El-34 push-pull amp (45 watts) a Sharp EX-11 digital amp (10 watts) an Adcom solid-state (60 watts) and some 300B tube watts if we get crazy.  I really think you should look into the Squeezebox as either the digital out or as the preamp for your system for now.  I think you would be really happy being able to access all your tunes on the laptop through a SB3 and then build your system from there.  We can hook mine up through each one of these amps as a digital source/preamp so you can see how that would work on your speakers.  Let me know if any of this sounds good to you.    mark

MerRev

Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #3 on: 6 Feb 2008, 01:53 am »
welcome aboard Ichinichi.

Mark has some incredibly fun stuff and each amp really does offer a unique perspective.  I also wanted to point out G mentioned a very reasonably priced dac for sale in our area.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=49650.0

                            Chris

DeadFish

Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #4 on: 6 Feb 2008, 04:51 am »
Hey Ichinichi, nice post!
Welcome amoungst us.
If you've gotten this far, yer probably already in serious trouble, so I won't rub it in.
I have a pair of unmodified Insignias I've experimented with for a while.
What Mark/Blackmore suggested are righteous matches to your speakers.  Along the same lines, I've used 300B and el84 based amps with 'em, but also 60w/ch Bryston and a $35 digital T-amp.  I think the T-amp gave incredible sound for under a hundred dollars.  I don't however know the depths of the mods your speakers do.  I've read about them, and can only think good things.
Currently, I have mine fed out of my P/c Soundblaster and into a Dynaco SCA 35 with El84 tubes and I really like it, for sitting at the computer.
All of the above also went well with the speakers on stands in a 13' square room.
I don't see where exactly in the area you are, but I'm over in Collinsville, Illinois if it is anywhere you wanna visit.  I'd love a head-to-head on the speaker mods.
Let us know what you land on, but by all means Welcome In!
Regards,
DeadFish

jcrane

Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #5 on: 7 Feb 2008, 11:53 pm »
welcome!
If you decide to go head to head with deadfish I guess I could be the neutral guy  :lol:

New job = no nights/weekends for the next couple months

Jamie

Ichinichi

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Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #6 on: 8 Feb 2008, 05:24 pm »
oh! well, then'isAWN!! :duel:

Ichinichi

  • Jr. Member
  • Posts: 116
Re: Newb in GAS country
« Reply #7 on: 8 Feb 2008, 05:27 pm »
seems as though i'll have to take you guys up on the listening visits! i just sold my whole headphone setup last night...sigh, hope i did the right thing. sold the whole thing in three hours - didn't even get a chance to post a pic!

hoping that this will give me enough funds towards building a respectable main system now.

SACDmod Sony C555ES > Jolida > Onix Rocket RS550? or Onix Ref1?

impressions and opinions welcome!

total budget is $1500 delivered for amplification and speakers. i only buy used or at used prices.