3 minutes ago, Marc said:

This is what I suffered, from too many double ear-infections back to back. It was too late for steroids for me also.
I wasn't as lucky as you as I have documented elsewhere. But I don't want to hijack your thread. I maintain, as long as you can still hear people talking and can communicate properly, then let your brain do the compensations it can do to enjoy your audio world. Once you have a bit of paper in your hand that factually tells you that you can't hear certain things - then you start realising - and not hearing - what you can't hear. For an audiophile, that is a death nail in one's journey (and we have seen it countless times in the classifieds over the years). Sometimes ignorance really is bliss.

All good Marc, it is a fascinating subject and it is most unfortunate when severe cases occur such as your own.

But l don't wish to have any connotations of negativity or pity, in my case the system has reached stratospheric heights and I have documented many of the stages in reaching that in more recent times.

And l have discerned many differences along the way, that my professional musician son hasn't noticed or heard - so I'll happily inhabit my very own "fools paradise" ! 😉

Psychoacoustics is very complex.

10 hours ago, evil c said:

Lol actually l did have a nasty incident around the covid period, where l endured a period of Tinnitus and distortion in my right ear!

Thankfully it eased over time, and while I'm down in hearing above a certain frequency level on the right,

my listening experience is still very enjoyable.

I can still hear subtle changes in my system! 🙂 .

Or is that a placebo effect?? 😉

looks like your Xmas break up party went well too Clive?

On 16/12/2025 at 11:42 AM, Marc said:

My advice is NOT to get a hearing test. Sometimes you are just better off not knowing what you can't hear, and enjoy what you either can / or think you can hear.

I have a different perspective re hearing tests.  It is not about the levels that each of us can or cannot hear.  A proper full hearing test conducted by an experience practitioner may identify other issues with one’s ears that may become serious if not identified early.  Such as pressure levels that can cause problems if not treated.  It is the same with our sight.

By coincidence I had my annual hearing test yesterday and the pressure in my right ear is above normal but does not require attention at this stage. It needs to be monitored.  It probably does impact my hearing in the right ear.

John

Edited December 17, 2025Dec 17 by Assisi
words

Oh dear, descending into a panel discussion on merits etc! 🫤

Ignorance is bliss video alan parsons' https://share.google/LSPOKIljXuEANXgiA

Edited December 17, 2025Dec 17 by evil c

Ear cleaner gets a reward 🇮🇳

4 minutes ago, MrBurns84 said:

Ear cleaner gets a reward 🇮🇳

Obviously a medical professional!

What could go wrong right? 😂

Nothing smaller than your elbow, is the common mantra! 😉

Thinking about this, it seems like we are distinctly imperfect, but we compensate with as close to perfect systems as we can extract.

Make of that, what you will - - - 😉

While on my long Xmas break, while reflecting on my long hifi journey- it occurred to me that while it has been over a period of 40 plus years, my hifi system thread has only been in existence for less than 6 years! 🤔

Back in 2009, l got back into hifi more seriously after sitting on my gear for decades in some cases.

I purchased a Melody SP1 valve amplifier, Vienna Acoustics Haydn speakers and resurrected a Yamaha YPD- 71 turntable l bought in 1980 with Dynavector Ruby Karat MC cart.

This is from around 10 years ago.

In a similar theme to my current system, a few Aussie components are immediately visible!

The ME 550 MK11 Hi cap power amp, and early rebuild ME preamp , Thorens TD150MK11 & Denon DA-401 tonearm, Sutherland Ph3d Battery phono pre, Squeezebox with Audio GD DAC and Synchro Mesh, and Yamaha NS1000M speakers.

Then a year or two later,

I had upgraded to a Linn Sondek LP12 and Wand tonearm, RCM Sensor 2 phono, Meridian 508.24 CD Player, Meridian 502 preamplifier , still ME MK11 550 power amp, and custom made speakers by Doug Tipping.

Here the Melody SP1 valve amplifier, l have had one of these since 2009, and Conrad Johnson CA-200 control integrated Amplifier make an appearance.

As you can see, it was beautiful under the hood!

It was around this time, that my pet Cockateil decided to fly into my tonearm and demolish my Dynavector 20X2L! 😂

Remember getting a $200 trade in on over a $1k replacement. 🫣

This was only around 3 or 4 years ago, when l had the mighty Soulines Kubrick DCX Turntable & Wand Master arm , Conrad Johnston GAT preamp, Conrad Johnson ET 250S power Amplifier and Meitner MA-1 V2 DAC.

And this is in current form, obviously there have been numerous changes in only the last 2 years .

I hope you have enjoyed my looking back, of my system changes over the last few decades! 🙂

I still have that doug tipping speaker ;) interestingly my speaker before that also a NS1000M

Edited January 18Jan 18 by mloutfie

2 hours ago, mloutfie said:

I still have that doug tipping speaker ;) interestingly my speaker before that also a NS1000M

The custom speakers were much more superior to the NS1000M's, they really opened my eyes into how good speakers could elevate things in my system.

In fact they were an important part of my journey, and they inspired me to seeking out speakers that could surpass them.

The Hulgich easily the most accurate "live" sounding speakers, that I've come across!

And many quiet members on here, have shared my path to where l am. 🙂

1 hour ago, evil c said:

The custom speakers were much more superior to the NS1000M's, they really opened my eyes into how good speakers could elevate things in my system.

In fact they were an important part of my journey, and they inspired me to seeking out speakers that could surpass them.

The Hulgich easily the most accurate "live" sounding speakers, that I've come across!

And many quiet members on here, have shared my path to where l am. 🙂

Quiet?

12 minutes ago, illusion said:

Quiet?

TBH mate, I'm opening up about my whole hifi life and all of my fellow SNA friends are strangely quiet.

I encourage dialogue, beside my own. 😉

needs this plaque as enter the "Temple" at Evil Springs..

Speak No Evil, see no Evil, Hear no Evil !

It's all good buddy, the guys that matter have read and appreciated it.

Cheers for sharing this, Clive! Wild to see how far the system’s come from its baby steps to where it is now. From your audio super‑memory, what would you say are the biggest improvements in how it sounds now compared to back then? This has totally sparked me to refresh my own journey!

54 minutes ago, MrBurns84 said:

Cheers for sharing this, Clive! Wild to see how far the system’s come from its baby steps to where it is now. From your audio super‑memory, what would you say are the biggest improvements in how it sounds now compared to back then? This has totally sparked me to refresh my own journey!

Great to see a comment from someone regarding my journey! 🙂

I was starting to think people were getting jaded with it all, or too shy to post. 😉

Memory is a funny thing, as recollections can be fuzzy over time, but I'm confident that my system has evolved, into a significantly more superior beast!

It can be hard not to use superlatives, that aren't hackneyed or lacking true meaning - (we all know "a veil was lifted, like a door was opened" term. 😂

But I'll try:

I believe that the most obvious improvements are:

A much more open and natural sound, uncannily accurate sounding tonality, better separation between instruments etc. and precise imaging and depth.

Things just pop out, that you've never noticed before- it is uncanny how little we hear in the studio mix normally.

More accurate and defined bass, with minimal bloat but with punch and impact that you can feel through your feet and whole body for that matter.

So minimal influence on the music being reproduced, by poor signal, unclean power, vibrations and with virtually perfect pitch and speed applying to both digital and analogue.

So as close as possible, when you close your eyes - to having an artist, band or an Orchestra playing live in front of you in various positions and distances.

True 3D depth in imaging, is a rare thing to have, in even very good well put together systems I've found. 🤔

I have fine tuned practically every element, or replaced to strengthen ,

and of course to create perfect synergy together.

Some people expend vast sums on cables, running into the multiple $000s for each and every one!

I have certainly heard improvements with better interconnects, power, digital and speaker cables but I've tended to buy the mid level price models in the range of reputable brands.

It has been great relying on ears other than mine, SNA friends / my professional musician son, and giving me opinions and impressions, and occasional validations - on various tweaks and changes I've made over the years.

But ultimately it is about thoroughly enjoying what you hear, and getting a thrill from hearing your favourite music . 🙂

And sharing this wonderful passion, with others similarly afflicted!

Edited January 21Jan 21 by evil c

On 21/01/2026 at 3:26 PM, evil c said:

Great to see a comment from someone regarding my journey! 🙂

I was starting to think people were getting jaded with it all, or too shy to post. 😉

Memory is a funny thing, as recollections can be fuzzy over time, but I'm confident that my system has evolved, into a significantly more superior beast!

It can be hard not to use superlatives, that aren't hackneyed or lacking true meaning - (we all know "a veil was lifted, like a door was opened" term. 😂

But I'll try:

I believe that the most obvious improvements are:

A much more open and natural sound, uncannily accurate sounding tonality, better separation between instruments etc. and precise imaging and depth.

Things just pop out, that you've never noticed before- it is uncanny how little we hear in the studio mix normally.

More accurate and defined bass, with minimal bloat but with punch and impact that you can feel through your feet and whole body for that matter.

So minimal influence on the music being reproduced, by poor signal, unclean power, vibrations and with virtually perfect pitch and speed applying to both digital and analogue.

So as close as possible, when you close your eyes - to having an artist, band or an Orchestra playing live in front of you in various positions and distances.

True 3D depth in imaging, is a rare thing to have, in even very good well put together systems I've found. 🤔

I have fine tuned practically every element, or replaced to strengthen ,

and of course to create perfect synergy together.

Some people expend vast sums on cables, running into the multiple $000s for each and every one!

I have certainly heard improvements with better interconnects, power, digital and speaker cables but I've tended to buy the mid level price models in the range of reputable brands.

It has been great relying on ears other than mine, SNA friends / my professional musician son, and giving me opinions and impressions, and occasional validations - on various tweaks and changes I've made over the years.

But ultimately it is about thoroughly enjoying what you hear, and getting a thrill from hearing your favourite music . 🙂

And sharing this wonderful passion, with others similarly afflicted!

I did a similar thing and reviewed my journey as well. Although not high end like your set up its cool to document the journey.

20 minutes ago, crisis said:

I did a similar thing and reviewed my journey as well. Although not high end like your set up its cool to document the journey.

I believe around 90% of the whole process satisfaction wise, is the journey especially a progressive one .

Although stumbles are ok, all part of the experience and learning from! 😉

And hi end is more difficult in many ways, to upgrade from and stay happily married! 😂

And it is good to remain grounded, and not get caught up too much in the more technical issues and isolation / acoustics - while important there are fundamental aspects to enjoy !

Such as a good tube amplifier, with its own magic that it brings .

I sold my Melody SP1 amplifier stupidly last year, to partially fund a sizable dental bill.

It left me feeling like I'd sold off an important part of my audio history, as buying a Melody back in 2009 was a catalyst to getting back into true hifi .

I kept an eye out on the market, and just before Xmas a Melody amplifier came up, this time with 6L6 tubes and it has been getting a lot of play since l bought it.

It has many good qualities, that an all tube amplifier brings and l had

@betty boop , @frednork , @SimonS and @tubularbells over last week for lunch and a listen.

This one won't be leaving again in a hurry! 🙂

And at night, turning off the lights creates its own magic.

Fond memories of the melody and evil has had a few incarnations of it in his system ! I really liked the previous one that did a great job with last hulgich and other speakers he had, to point we once did a multi amp comparison across a lot of brands folks brought in, to then right at end as afterthought to slip in the melody to really surprise us ! Very humbling !

The new melody is great. Great example like new and with evil refreshing the valves had no trouble in providing a fine performance with his new hulgichs… to point I commented am sure the original melody designer (love to know who that is where they are what they are doing this day if still around) would never have imagined the results they can still achieve so many decades later with cutting edge speakers.

Reminds me always of old is gold and just because something is older …if it was once great it can still be great. Gold is gold no matter how old it is !

I’ve been travelling quite a bit for work in last few weeks and life been busy with some of my own upgrades.. but following on with evils sharing his journey. I feel honoured to have come along some of it and also contributed little with few knick knacks that still part of his system ! :D seen some wonderful stuff come and go through his system and room as it’s scaled new heights ! If anything goes to show can always keep Improving and benefits always to be had.

My own system too also after many years in the “land of contentment” has been going through bit if a metamorphosis …in last few years. So like evil has done, I might do same one day, and share bit of journey so far… perhaps when back in the land of contentment :D

Edited February 13Feb 13 by betty boop

You guys are a constant inspiration to me and a irritation to my Accountant.😁

2 hours ago, betty boop said:

Fond memories of the melody and evil has had a few incarnations of it in his system ! I really liked the previous one that did a great job with last hulgich and other speakers he had, to point we once did a multi amp comparison across a lot of brands folks brought in, to then right at end as afterthought to slip in the melody to really surprise us ! Very humbling !

The new melody is great. Great example like new and with evil refreshing the valves had no trouble in providing a fine performance with his new hulgichs… to point I commented am sure the original melody designer (love to know who that is where they are what they are doing this day if still around) would never have imagined the results they can still achieve so many decades later with cutting edge speakers.

Reminds me always of old is gold and just because something is older …if it was once great it can still be great. Gold is gold no matter how old it is !

I’ve been travelling quite a bit for work in last few weeks and life been busy with some of my own upgrades.. but following on with evils sharing his journey. I feel honoured to have come along some of it and also contributed little with few knick knacks that still part of his system ! :D seen some wonderful stuff come and go through his system and room as it’s scaled new heights ! If anything goes to show can always keep Improving and benefits always to be had.

My own system too also after many years in the “land of contentment” has been going through bit if a metamorphosis …in last few years. So like evil has done, I might do same one day, and share bit of journey so far… perhaps when back in the land of contentment :D

Really appreciate your insight, and words, Al ! 👍

This is actually Melody No. 4 , two SP1, a SP9 with KT88 tubes, and this current version which could well be the best!

Allen Wang would have built this very early, in the first year or so of forming Melody in 1999.

I have seen various versions with different tubes used, but this is the first I've seen with the 6L6 tubes and l believe it is very rare.

Who knows, Alan seemed to experiment with the different models and could be a one off! 🤔

I replaced the 4 6L6 tubes with Svetlana SL6GC, and made a massive improvement over the original Chinese brand tubes.

Who knows how long they have been installed, could be from when it was built!

Has 4 old 5Z2P rectifier tubes still in,

that l need to replace with 5Y3GT ones .

Will be interesting to see if it improves things further, if voltages are irregular from them - then yes it would .

Front tubes are all different,

1 each of RCA 12AU7, E88CC and RCA 5751 tubes per Channel at the front.

I've swapped over the E88CC so far to Tesla gold versions .

Early days, but the imaging and tonality plus warmth of the sound is incredible! 😳

If any keen buyers are interested in demoing the Hulgich Duke's , happy to fire up either the Melody or my Conrad Johnson hybrid amps. 🙂

Edited February 14Feb 14 by evil c

1 hour ago, illusion said:

You guys are a constant inspiration to me and a irritation to my Accountant.😁

Spending other people's money, is another passion of mine !

The more trouble they get into, the better ! 😂

1 hour ago, evil c said:

Spending other people's money, is another passion of mine !

You are a true friend Clive 🤣

1 hour ago, evil c said:

Really appreciate your insight, and words, Al ! 👍

This is actually Melody No. 4 , two SP1, a SP9 with KT88 tubes, and this current version which could well be the best!

i lost count with the comings and goings of melodies :D i remember trying your last one in my bedroom system with stand mount focals have there and worked a treat... encouraging me to invest in a valve amp there...

1 hour ago, evil c said:

Alan Wang would have built this very early, in the first year or so of forming Melody in 1999.

good to hear the designer behind. ...our aussie land is well endowed with many very talented folk that have made lovely contributions to audio...

a good page below, searching on the net, from Warrick Freemantle visiting Melody and meeting up with Allen Wang... seems he moved over to china... after his initial shop in bayswater...

https://6moons.com/industryfeatures/melody/melody.html

nice back ground story...

2 hours ago, evil c said:

If any keen buyers are interested in demoing the Hulgich Duke's , happy to fire up either the Melody or my Conrad Johnson hybrid amps. 🙂

shows versatility of both amp and speakers i think that they all work so well together :)