32 minutes ago, Mendes said:

You are a true friend Clive 🤣

So are you, Steve - virtually identical in that regard! 😉

28 minutes ago, betty boop said:

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...

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...

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

Yes he left our shores fairly quickly, and moved operations to China but still maintains that there's an Aussie flavour to design philosophy etc.

Very talented man!

I would love to demo one of the larger power output units, but difficult unless l buy one I suspect.

Actually Mr.Wang lives in Victoria, a very beautiful part of it indeed.

Their core business is many thousands the size of their hi-fi business, but it lends them the expertise (and perhaps the means) to over engineer every part of their hi-fi range. It's just gotten more extensive and advanced as the years have progressed.

Sorry to take your thread off topic perhaps Clive, but the good news is Melody of 2026 will be at this year's show in Melbourne, with a very large space.

19 hours 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!

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. 🙂

I had a SP9 for a few years. And the EL34 based Int. amp (can't recall the model). Both delivered above their price point IMO. Glad to see they will be at the HiFi show (as mentioned by Marc)

31 minutes ago, Marc said:

Actually Mr.Wang lives in Victoria, a very beautiful part of it indeed.

Their core business is many thousands the size of their hi-fi business, but it lends them the expertise (and perhaps the means) to over engineer every part of their hi-fi range. It's just gotten more extensive and advanced as the years have progressed.

Sorry to take your thread off topic perhaps Clive, but the good news is Melody of 2026 will be at this year's show in Melbourne, with a very large space.

Entirely relevant Marc, and good information to know! 🙂

Melody are indeed, incredible build quality wise, and design, plus parts are top notch .

I now have a World class, (Helix One) Turntable, (Hulgich Duke)

speakers and Integrated valve amplifier, that are all Aussie ingenuity and manufactured.

It makes me feel very proud, and its a pity more people don't seek out local audio brands .🇦🇺

Now more than ever, we need to support our rapidly dwindling, local manufacturers!

Brand snobbery is a barrier, to local acceptance l believe.

The quality is certainly up there.🤔

Hi @evil c

I have been following most of your posts for years.

I love so many things youdo:

• Sharing upgrades

• Sharing your journey

• Your total honesty in your endeavours

• The GTG's you do

• and believe it or not but you barbeques!!!

Apologies for not acknowledging your posts. Please do not stop. You are providing excellent information and it is beautiful to read and be part of your journey.

I also wish to add that it was fantastic after years of "knowing" you that you put in the effort to have a chat with me at the SNA dinner after the 2025 hifi show. Much appreciated.

Edited February 15Feb 15 by Jventer

13 minutes ago, Jventer said:

Hi @evil c

I have been following most of your posts for years.

I love so nmayny things youdo:

• Sharing upgrades

• Sharing your journey

• Your total honesty in your endeavours

• The GTG's you do

• and believe it or not but you barbeques!!!

Apologies for not acknowledging your posts. Please do not stop. Ypou are provising excellent information and it is beautiful to rerad and be paret of your journey.

I also wish to add that it was fantastic after years of "knowing" you that you put in the effort to have a chat with me at the SNA dinner after the 2025 hifi show. Much appreciated.

I reckon you most probably, are one of the nicest blokes I've met and your kind words are indeed proof of my impression! 🙂

We are indeed very fortunate to share time here on the forum together, and occasionally in the flesh.

Giving back a little, after receiving so much is enormously satisfying to those of us, who have gained knowledge, (some good gear too of course) ,and friendship, from some very generous and nice people. 😉

Damn I'm sounding soppy, truth is a lot of us need to get out more and have a proper life, it's plain abnormal to be sitting and listening to music so much! 😬

On 15/02/2026 at 9:54 AM, evil c said:

Entirely relevant Marc, and good information to know! 🙂

Melody are indeed, incredible build quality wise, and design, plus parts are top notch .

I now have a World class, (Helix One) Turntable, (Hulgich Duke)

speakers and Integrated valve amplifier, that are all Aussie ingenuity and manufactured.

It makes me feel very proud, and its a pity more people don't seek out local audio brands .🇦🇺

Now more than ever, we need to support our rapidly dwindling, local manufacturers!

Brand snobbery is a barrier, to local acceptance l believe.

The quality is certainly up there.🤔

I agree mate in respect to Aussie made equipment. I've had a number of Locally made speakers, SGR, Duntech and now Lenard Audio, all of which featured great tech and design providing magnificent results where it counts and, not to forget, in the case of SGR and Lenard, unmatched levels of customer service and support.

Aussie TTs have always been out pf reach for me but one day... maybe

Cheers

M

Edited February 21Feb 21 by unclemack

37 minutes ago, unclemack said:

I agree mate in respect to Aussie made equipment. I've had a number of Locally made speakers, SGR, Duntech and now Lenard Audio, all of which featured great tech and design providing magnificent results where it counts and, not to forget, in the case of SGR and Lenard, unmatched levels of customer service and support.

Aussie TTs have always been out pf reach for me but one day... maybe

Cheers

M

I salute you, Sir !

Miss seeing your ugly mug around the traps, been way too long. 😉