IM back! ( sort of)

[falcoron]

After a few very worrying weeks and a panic sale of my hi end hi fi, we are over the financial scare we had and im now back after a few things went my way, Wife will still be out of work for some time probably 6-8 months but i had invested a lot in a mates business to see him through some hard times a few years back and he has returned the favour big, and the ombudsman came through with a couple of PPI claims i had sent in and had rejected. So with all that happening all in one go we are now finacially ok to see us through for at least a year or so and with a few grand for my hobby. YAAAAAAAY!

So cant see me getting anywhere near what i had before but think i will put the money into a good valve integrated and a nice dac.

would prefere single ended but not a deal breaker

my thoughts, (i have seen these in my budget)

Intergrated amps that interest me are;

WAVAC ( 811 OR 300) just missed a 811 with a border patrol psu

AYON SPARK II

RAYSONIC SE20 MKII ( looks identical to the Ayon, are these related in any way?)

TRAFOMATIC 2 ( dont know about these amps but look good and seem to have good components)

AUDIONOTE OTO SE ( its audio note so i am biased)

Power Amps,

AUDIO NOTE VINDICATOR ( only concern is very very low power so selling again should i take the bug may be a little harder)

ICON AUDIO 30SE MKI (monos, can get the MKi at a good price brand new old stock)

GLASSHOUSE 300SE ( rare as rocking horse poo and one i would deffo opt for big time)

DAC's

My preference would be valve based but not a deal breaker either,

1, Audio Note ( not zero range)

2, Wadia 121

3, Jolida

4, EE

Any info on the above would be appreciated.

The power amp option would mean a pre and a dac so these would have to be cheaper but if i go the integrated route i would have a bit more for a dac.

Budget is £3500 No More

all info and offers appreciated.

cheers

 

[AmDismal]

Just DIY something. Stop being a slave to your desires

 

[falcoron]

if i could i would, all i know about electrical work is earth to live blue to feck!

 

[unclepuncle]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDION-SILVER-NIGHT-300B-/161047615201?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item257f2f96e1

Pretty sure this is the single ended version - the seller (Roger) is a wammer ERICLIMPIT who bought my Audion Silver Night monos yetserday hence him selling this. It also has a volume control so works as a one input integrated.

 

[falcoron]

Thanks Paul,

Read very mixed views on Audion stuff and reliability, although i have never owned or heard them

 

[Frizzy brizzy]

Hi Ron, glad to see things have turned round, karma comes to he who waits, and you deserve it.

i guess suggesting a art audio power with volume might be takin the feckin piss, but if I can help in any way, valves stands etc pls let me know.

one of Kevin's converted canaries might suit, big rich el34 integrated, had one loved it , so did my prog rock collection, gibsons sang like never before.

 

[macvisual]

Try get a listen to Mike's full-size 'Reverse Audio' valve DAC, stunning bit of kit.

 

[bencat]

Given your choice of amps would suggest that you add the Mostrum Octave DAC to your list and if you can give it a listen . The overall feedback that keeps being heard is that this is for want of a better expression a very analogue dac with a very natural organic sound that even hardened vinyl fans are impressed with. Not ever seen one 2nd hand but the new price is not too OTT .

 

[falcoron]

Hi Ron, glad to see things have turned round, karma comes to he who waits, and you deserve it.i guess suggesting a art audio power with volume might be takin the feckin piss, but if I can help in any way, valves stands etc pls let me know.

one of Kevin's converted canaries might suit, big rich el34 integrated, had one loved it , so did my prog rock collection, gibsons sang like never before.

Thanks laurie,

Yeah the Jota is a stunner in the traders section but over my budget and would leave me without a good dac. If i could afford it i would have it.

Thanks for the kind words and offer mate.

- - - Updated - - -

Try get a listen to Mike's full-size 'Reverse Audio' valve DAC, stunning bit of kit.

yeah pete that would be great too mate, USB would be a must though, but a converter could be used, but adds pounds to the equasion.

- - - Updated - - -

Given your choice of amps would suggest that you add the Mostrum Octave DAC to your list and if you can give it a listen . The overall feedback that keeps being heard is that this is for want of a better expression a very analogue dac with a very natural organic sound that even hardened vinyl fans are impressed with. Not ever seen one 2nd hand but the new price is not too OTT .

oK Andrew thanks for the recommendation mate, will look that up

 

[hearingisbelieving]

I would recommend the Oto SE but then again I would wouldn't I

 

[falcoron]

always fancied a listen to the OTO, love audionote sound anyway and my speakers are over 100db so easy to drive.

what are the dims of the amp Chris?

 

[Jazid]

YAY! Ron's back. Good result, I am very happy for you!

With that budget and a computer source I'd hesitantly suggest you get a better DAC and amp, and forgo the pre - you can use the software for volume, balance, etc. I use jRiver and the volume control is excellent and better than any mid-price potentiometer by a country mile. No doubt other players have similarly good implementations. Most DACs output plenty enough for a power amp, and a good pre is expensive and rare (as you well know ). Although I have recently got an SJS pre and am hugely enjoying it I lived for a year with the AN dac straight into the 300b and it sounded superb.

Re; DACs my DIY Buffalo SabreDAC sounds excellent. If you can find one in a half-way attractive case then jump at it. No tubes but SQ is right up there and shouldn't be a lot of dosh at all. I have heard good things about the Metrum stuff, but not heard them myself, though iStereo offer a 30 day trial so maybe worth a punt? The WAD EL84 power amp in the F/S section looks good, might be worth an enquiry as well, as might Robster's 45 amp in F/S as well which might have enough welly for your open baffles?

Cheers mate :^

PS: If you need a passive I have a pukka ladder pot one. PM me if that might be of interest?

 

[sjs]

if i could i would, all i know about electrical work is earth to live blue to feck!

Great news Ron, fun time ahead making a decision

How about this Allnic http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALLNIC-AUDIO-T-1500-300B-integrated-valve-amplifier-/271140242255?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item3f2137c34f

seems to have been hanging around some time, may be worth making an offer

or get some mad Wam solder jockey to cook you up custom job

 

[falcoron]

YAY! Ron's back. Good result, I am very happy for you!With that budget and a computer source I'd hesitantly suggest you get a better DAC and amp, and forgo the pre - you can use the software for volume, balance, etc. I use jRiver and the volume control is excellent and better than any mid-price potentiometer by a country mile. No doubt other players have similarly good implementations. Most DACs output plenty enough for a power amp, and a good pre is expensive and rare (as you well know ). Although I have recently got an SJS pre and am hugely enjoying it I lived for a year with the AN dac straight into the 300b and it sounded superb.

Re; DACs my DIY Buffalo SabreDAC sounds excellent. If you can find one in a half-way attractive case then jump at it. No tubes but SQ is right up there and shouldn't be a lot of dosh at all. I have heard good things about the Metrum stuff, but not heard them myself, though iStereo offer a 30 day trial so maybe worth a punt? The WAD EL84 power amp in the F/S section looks good, might be worth an enquiry as well, as might Robster's 45 amp in F/S as well which might have enough welly for your open baffles?

Cheers mate :^

PS: If you need a passive I have a pukka ladder pot one. PM me if that might be of interest?

Thanks James,

the wellbournes are sold and i have done the wad thing before so looking to get something a bit different than ive had. Although that list is getting smaller. I use the liv zen through ipeng on my ipad so dont know if the computer vol is applicable, im a numpty with such things. yes a pre power will be expensive so an integrated would be better i think.

Thanks for the recommendations and the welcome back.

 

[awkwardbydesign]

or get some mad Wam solder jockey to cook you up custom job

Err, that'll be you then, Simon! (Be careful what you suggest )

 

[Guest]

Thanks Paul,Read very mixed views on Audion stuff and reliability, although i have never owned or heard them

Some of the early stuff is very old now, the modern Audion kit is nothing to worry about. :^

 

[sjs]

Err, that'll be you then, Simon! (Be careful what you suggest )

:shock:

I was thinking of Pete tbh :sofa:

 

[falcoron]

Great news Ron, fun time ahead making a decisionHow about this Allnic http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALLNIC-AUDIO-T-1500-300B-integrated-valve-amplifier-/271140242255?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item3f2137c34f

seems to have been hanging around some time, may be worth making an offer

or get some mad Wam solder jockey to cook you up custom job

saw that and as i have never seen these in the flesh or heard then lokked over it, looks well made though, have you heard them?

 

[sjs]

saw that and as i have never seen these in the flesh or heard then looked over it, looks well made though, have you heard them?

No, haven't heard any of the Allnic stuff, but it generally seems well received, maybe purite or lotus340r may be able to help as they have dealt Allnic kit

Keith appears to have sold one for around £2,100 back in 2009 http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58293