G'day Folks.

 

After almost four years membership, I think it about time to begin my own system thread.

What a journey!  I've met and made new friends, learned a lot, built my sytem and collection...  and had so much enjoyment doing it.

 

My humble beginnings, with a bed room system consisting of a car cassette deck and train set transformer, have seen my economic approach to sound continue to this day.  As a teen I was listening to ABBA, then KISS, Maiden and all things Metal.  I moved into Alternative music, as I thought Metal was becomming a little stale...  moved on to Techno, House and Trance ( as I do like to boogie )...  now, its Jazz, Blues, Vocals...  with a little Electro, Rock and Metal for good measure.  After my shared experience on SNA, hearing some very nice systems and album versions, I must admit that these days, it has to be a good recording and sound.  I'm finding it difficult to listen to music with sub-standard quality, but, I'm hoping that's temporary, as I do have a lot of Metal.

 

I came back to Vinyl four years ago, prompting my joining here, when I turned 50 and bought myself a second hand copy of King Crimson's USA, and a few tabs of acid.

That was when living in Qld...

 

 

 

That is my set up in the shed I lived in for over 10 years.

 

Growin up, my dad had a nice Pioneer system...  and my older brother soon set up his own when he could afford it.  They both sounded very good, and I was spoiled for good sound.  My first proper system was only a small Yamaha CD/Tuner/Cassette deck, which sounded very nice but lacked grunt.

 

Years later, I moved to Sydney and was working in Waverly, not far from a large St Vinnies, which I frequented daily.  It was there that I found my first Sharp 'Optonica' system...  a 5100 with TT, amp, tuner and speakers...  all in excellent condition, for $100.

I short time later I also found the Technics speakers at Waverly Vinnies, for $50...  the ones I am re-building.  Not long after that, I found the second pair of Technics speakers at a different Vinnies, also $50.

 

 

 

 

While living and working in Qld, I found a couple of old amps in the shed at a nearby avocado orchard...  a Jorgen SR-2000P  &  Technics SU-7200...

 

The Jorgen has been serviced by another member and is the bedroom amp, driving the Optonica speakers...  but, I have some 50 year old Hokutone drivers that I'm building some small cabinets for...  they are low powered, and should match the low powered Jorgen.

 

The Technics has also been serviced by said fellow member, and is awaiting pick up in Melbourne.

 

I also found some Sony floorstanders, and Acoustic Reasearch bookshelves, in the same shed.

 

Just before leaving Qld, I fell victim to the 'white van' scammers...  and bought the Harman / Logan surround speakers.  They sounded woeful and have been frankenspeakered into bastard versions of themselves.

 

 

Edited March 22, 20214 yr by BuzzzFuzzz

Then, I moved back to NSW...  way out west...  West Wyalong.

 

Initially I had my room set up length ways, but, have since changed to side ways...

 

This is a Sony surround system I bought out here for $50, with the Optonica speakers sitting on the subs...  It's also been bastardised, and the cabinets re-used for other drivers and combinations.

 

They all had plastic covers over the baffles, and they were promptly discarded.

 

The new set up has my listening position in front of an open archway to the dining room...

 

 

 

The first order of business was a new Music Hall MMF 2.2 from Selby, and a Vincent PHO-8 from the SNA classifieds.

I began restoring / modifying / building speakers about 8 months ago, which has been documented in my Re-build thread.

 

The TT shelf pictured in the previous post has been replaced, using a recycled, four shelf rack...

 

 

 

 

Edited March 22, 20214 yr by BuzzzFuzzz

Love it. Thanks for sharing @BuzzzFuzzz ??

 

1 minute ago, rowbo said:

Love it. Thanks for sharing @BuzzzFuzzz ??

 

Thanks Rowbo...  Stay tuned, a lot more to come.

Moving out here has improved my financial situation, and I've been able to take a few modest steps up the HiFi ladder...

 

Firstly, I picked up a Rotel RA-971 Mk II  Intergrated amp, from another member...

This one has become a little louder in one chanel, and will soon be serviced.

 

Then I picked up another Sharp 'Optonica' system...  a 4100 series, with TT, amp, tuner and cassette deck.  This system was bought off GumTree, after another member posted the listing.  I eroneously assumed it was located in Belmont, near Newcastle, NSW...  but, it was actually Belmont, near Melbourne.  The first covid lockdown happened and I was unable to get down there.  Another member geneously agreed to collect and store it for me, until I can get down there...  that was almost 12 months ago.  He did send the amp up for me though...

Looking forward to finally get down there in the next few weeks.

 

This Denon was recommended to my by another member, and from a different member...

 

Denon AVC-A1

 

This is my first AVR, my first connections with optical, and my first sub possibilities.

I really do love the sound in direct stereo.

When I was having trouble hooking it up, I posted about it on SNA.  Another member generously offered his old unit...  for free...

 

 

 

This CD deck was also recommended by another member, from a different member...

 

Sony CDP-227ESD

This unit is quite well regarded, and benefits from some upgrade modifications.

It too has developed a static like sound during playback, and will be on it's way for repairs in Melbourne very soon...  hopefully upgraded at the same time, but, I'll have to wait and see on that one.

 

Edited March 22, 20214 yr by BuzzzFuzzz

Moving on to speakers...  I've heard a picture tells 1,000 words...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I especially like this one. 

Available floor space is becoming an issue, as the speakers are increasing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But wait...  there's more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a journey! Looks like you've experienced a lot in a short time Ant, nice one!

Hi Ant,

 

Very interesting ?????

Truly wild thread and journey.  Love it,  thanks for sharing.  

 

Is that a Sony transmission line - SS TL5? 

King Crimson's 'USA' started all this eh?  That can happen.  For me it was 'Young Person's Guide...'.  Heard it on Radio 2JJ in 1976.  'Court of the Crimson King' just wiped out most of everything else I had heard up to that point.  Great story, great pics, all the best on the continuing trek Ant

You have had an interesting audio journey and it shows you don't need mega-bucks to enjoy good sound.

 

My only suggestion would be to feed your speakers contraceptives because they seem to be breeding at an exponential rate.

 

Thanks for sharing.

Edited March 26, 20214 yr by thethrowback

8 hours ago, mkaramazov said:

Is that a Sony transmission line - SS TL5? 

Close mate....  SS-TL40

Picked them up recently for $80

 

2 hours ago, thethrowback said:

My only suggestion would be to feed your speakers contraceptives because they seem to be breeding at an exponential rate.

Classic mate!

Yeah, I'm running out of room.  But, I find it difficult to resist a bargain.

12 hours ago, BuzzzFuzzz said:

Close mate....  SS-TL40

Picked them up recently for $80

 

 

Fantastic price,  cheapest transmission lines around!

 

How do they sound? I have been curious about them for a while, but could never fit them in my place. 

 

Though after reading your thread I am wondering if I should  reassess my appraoch!  ?

On 27/03/2021 at 6:09 PM, mkaramazov said:

How do they sound?

G'day mate.

I'll have to get back to you on that one...  I've picked up a few pairs recently, and haven't had a good listen to the Sony's yet.

 

I've removed most speakers from the listening room, and setting up one pair at a time, for a more critical assessment...  starting with some JBL 4301B Control Monitors & Energy S10.2 Sub.

 

 

 

Lookin good Anthony. 

G'day Folks.

 

I forgot to mention that my last upgrade was a Sansui AU-517.  Bought with some issues, from another member, it didn't come out of the box for a look or photo, before going to Pete Mac's for repairs and upgrades.

 

Awaiting its return with much anticipation...  I'm hoping it will become my No.1 amp for many years.

Late on Friday night, I was moving some gear around and somehow triggered the protection mode in the Denon AVC-A1, which also blew the fuse in the Energy 10.2 sub.

 

Such a shame too, as I was really enjoying the JBL & Energy sub combo...  hoping to listen for a couple of weeks before changing again.

 

I wasn't able to find a replacement fuse way out west, and I've ordered some online.

 

I've switched over to the Mission 782's...  a 3 way, smaller floorstander, with side firing bass...

 

 

Beautiful little speakers with a big sound, perfect for Vocals and Jazz.  Very musical and engaging.

Sorry to read about the issue with your other gear. But, Good to see the Missions on rotation mate. As mentioned in the MST thread, switch the speakers around so the woofers fire at each other. Would be interested to see what you think then. 

Edited April 5, 20214 yr by Winno

On 05/04/2021 at 11:05 AM, BuzzzFuzzz said:

Late on Friday night, I was moving some gear around and somehow triggered the protection mode in the Denon AVC-A1, which also blew the fuse in the Energy 10.2 sub.

 

It was actually the sub amp that had a blow out on the circuit board, triggering the protection mode.  Along with a JBL Digital 12 sub plate amp, it's now being repaired by a local fella...  way out west.

 

I found him by contacting the number for reporting damage to the local radio station.  After a quick call he was more than happy for me to pop over.  A really nice bloke, and by all accounts, does great work.  This means a great deal to me, as Canberra is 3 & 1/2 hours away.