audio equipment-what's your gear

**tonsorial artist** · 06-26-2009, 05:45 AM

inherited and restored Garrard 401 with SME 3009 arm and an Akai X 165D spool player. looking out for a decent valve amp and speakers to match. Love the analogue sound

**ytsejammer** · 06-26-2009, 05:46 AM

I have a pioneer audio receiver with 5.1 surround...it's over 6 years old, but functions great...

**tsmba** · 06-26-2009, 06:31 AM

Most of mine is Denon and Sennheiser headphones.

**ouch** · 06-26-2009, 06:41 AM

I can't think of a hobby that begs people to go overboard (or, at the very least, has writers/reviewers who encourage such behavior) more than audio. I've dabbled in it for a long time, and over the years I've simplified both my philosophy and my gear. I believe that amplification is by and large a solved problem, and there are any number of combinations that will provide outstanding results. My current rig doesn't sport names as big as some of my previous iterations (I've been through some Levinson, ARC, Spectral, BAT, Krell) but they're perfectly competent, and I'm pleased with the results. The only points on which I still refuse to budge are speakers, and I'm a big fan of Magnepan and REL, which go together wonderfully.

**Tom C** · 06-26-2009, 07:12 AM

Spool player?! Put down the copy of Stereophile and step away from the table...

**scottish steve** · 06-26-2009, 07:13 AM

I used to have a mint condition Leak(e?) system fom the 1950s, built into a cabinet, with 12" woofered speaker. It took about 15 mins to heat up and I didn't appreciate it at the time. It'd now be worth a lot of money, in Japan especially. Very round and smooth sound but hi quality. Great to listen to Motorhead on

**jmwebster** · 06-30-2009, 04:30 PM

Harman Kardon AVR 220 receiver
Sony 5 disc DVD/SACD player
2 Paradigm Monitor 11
1 Paradigm CC370 center channel
2 Paradigm Monitor 3

Grado Labs SR80 headphones

Also, one pair of the speaker stand that paradigm puts out (i forget the brand name)

**strat1117** · 06-30-2009, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by ouch

I can't think of a hobby that begs people to go overboard (or, at the very least, has writers/reviewers who encourage such behavior) more than audio. I've dabbled in it for a long time, and over the years I've simplified both my philosophy and my gear. I believe that amplification is by and large a solved problem, and there are any number of combinations that will provide outstanding results. My current rig doesn't sport names as big as some of my previous iterations (I've been through some Levinson, ARC, Spectral, BAT, Krell) but they're perfectly competent, and I'm pleased with the results. The only points on which I still refuse to budge are speakers, and I'm a big fan of Magnepan and REL, which go together wonderfully.

Ouch knows of what he speaks. I no longer frequent audio forums because, IMO, they are just unhealthy places. Although my system does consist of some of the "big" names

, nothing, other than the turntable (long story), is less than 10 years old.

It took a LOOONG time, a lot of money, and some aggravation, but once I got it right, I got off the equipment merry go 'round, and got back to just listening to music.

So here is my system:

Analog Front End: SME 10/SME IV/Koetsu Black (Sugano)
MC Head Amp: Klyne SK-2A (no loading at the moment)
CD Player: BAT VK-D5
Pre-Amp: Audible Illusions Modulus 3A
Power Amp: VTL ST-150
Speakers: Wilson Watt3/Puppy2

This isn't an audio forum (thankfully), so I'll leave out the minutiae of specific tubes, cables, power conditioning and record cleaning, but those are also vital parts of helping the system bring the music to life.

Enjoy!

**ouch** · 06-30-2009, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by strat1117

CD Player: BAT VK-D5
Pre-Amp: Audible Illusions Modulus 3A
Power Amp: VTL ST-150
Speakers: Wilson Watt3/Puppy2

That is some heavy duty stuff. I have a VTL preamp, and Wilson makes some of the very best dynamic speakers.

Outstanding rig!

**Brodirt** · 06-30-2009, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by strat1117

It took a LOOONG time, a lot of money, and some aggravation, but once I got it right, I got off the equipment merry go 'round, and got back to just listening to music.

Same here, 'cept I never had or have the Wilson's. I can't imagine trying to explain those to my wife.

The most used piece of audio equipment I own is my Ipod and since the day I got my first Ipod (a Gen II brick) I have probably quadrupled the size of my music collection.

**strat1117** · 07-01-2009, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by ouch

That is some heavy duty stuff. I have a VTL preamp, and Wilson makes some of the very best dynamic speakers.

Outstanding rig!

Thanks. The truth is that I became interested in the Wilsons back in the late 1980's, because my den was too small to accomodate the Maggies, which are what I really wanted. It took me about 6 years to finally get a pair. Since I never moved out of my "starter house," I also never got a bigger room. Make no mistake, I'm in love with my Wilsons, but I'd still like to get a crack at a planar speaker one of these days.

What amp are you using to drive yours?

**dpm802** · 07-01-2009, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Brodirt

The most used piece of audio equipment I own is my Ipod and since the day I got my first Ipod (a Gen II brick) I have probably quadrupled the size of my music collection.

+1, except in my case it is a Microsoft Zune 120.

I went with the Zune because I like the idea of paying $15 a month for an almost unlimited library of music. I have downloaded over 700 albums, and my unit is still 75% empty.

I bought it primarily to listen to music and podcasts while I was working, and then three weeks later they came out with a rule that we couldn't wear headphones!

I still manage to get plenty of use from it while shopping at the grocery store, window-shopping at the mall, and concentrating on paperwork at Starbucks.

I'll be upgrading my headphones in a week or two. I currently have a pair of Sony behind-the-neck foldables. I've got Sennheiser PMX-200 sitting in my Amazon cart for several months now, and will pull the trigger soon unless I can find something better.

**StillShaving** · 07-01-2009, 07:30 PM

My favorite piece of audio gear is by far my Squeezebox

I have the model made by SlimDevices before they were acquired by Logitech. It has been very reliable and sounds great. Besides providing more convenient access to your personal music collection, there are lots of different streams available over the internet. Both online radio stations and the customizable ones like Slacker and Pandora. It is a great way to listen to the "radio" without enduring many commercials or repetitive music.

**Alacrity59** · 07-01-2009, 08:08 PM

Bit of a mix of equipment. My amp is a NAD 3020 I bought 20 or so years ago to replace a Pioneer that I bought with money from my first summer job. I've rebuilt the speakers from that first set . . . the foam around the edge of the woofers rotted out. . . .turntable is long gone as are my very small set of LP's all replaced with CDs . . . have a lovely tape deck . . . but . . dang digital is way better.

**rickw** · 07-01-2009, 08:39 PM

TA - I still have an Akai M7 (Roberts 770) in my garage along with my Nad receiver. Does anybody still remember Barney Oliver or John Bedini http://www.icehouse.net/john1/index001.html? They both did top quality amps.

**Southside** · 07-01-2009, 08:57 PM

Some nice stuff here...

Well, I'm a discount hunter, and 2 summers ago I solved my stereo system, when my college stereo, an Aiwa, finally bit the dust. I hit the pawnshops for a while and waited, then found a pair of late 70's Klipsch speakers in good condition, both cabs are 2x12's, super loud, and really clear, for $150 total, then I went to Best Buy and got myself an "open item" Yamaha receiver for $180, I went home and hooked that up to my Sony DVD player, and that's how I listen to my cds.

I'd love some Paradigms, they're great speakers, but I just can't afford them right now, so I wait...

**dpm802** · 07-01-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Alacrity59

Bit of a mix of equipment. My amp is a NAD 3020

I had that amp, and the matching AM-FM tuner ... wonderful pieces of gear. Easily the best sounding amp I've ever owned. After about 7 years of use, I sold 'em for almost the same price I paid brand new. And I've been regretting getting rid of it ever since.