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Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 10:30 am
by TheMadMick
nilsatisnisioptimum wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:14 pm . . . . finally installing a dedicated FM Ariel.
I have a simple single element VHF aerial coming off my chimney of it's own accord. Judging by your Moniker, I assume you are in Merseyside or thereabouts. If you want it, gimme a PM and I'll retrieve it. Comes with a reasonable length of co-ax.

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:30 pm
by SteveTheShadow
I plan to revisit my NVA clone. I’m looking at turning it into an integrated amplifier, with a power output similar to the old AP50. This will mean a new case, which I can build myself, as I have a nice big heatsink left over from the OTL project, onto which I can fit some new power transistors.

I’m considering a 1960s/70s type, wood sleeve outer case with the heatsink at the rear. A higher, wider and deeper version of the old A&R Cambridge A60 case is the aim, visually.

Looking from the front; the boards will fit directly behind the heat sink, the power supplies at the front left and the inputs and speaker outputs to the rear right. At front left will be the power switch and mains indicator light. Front right will be the input selector and volume control.

It’s a decent plan I think, provided I don’t blow the boards up. :pray:
If I get it going without some major calamity occurring, then I’ll post the project in the DIY section.

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 4:16 pm
by montechristo358
first plan was tidy up the bedroom system, overkill?

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Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 5:56 pm
by karatestu
That's some bedroom system you have there and an interesting housing.

I don't do hifi or TV in the bedroom. The only entertainment in there is diy ;)

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 7:57 pm
by eagwok33
Happy New Year to you all!
Hope, 2020 will treat you nicely…

Haven’t been posting for quite a time, so here you go:

2019 ended great for me in audio terms as I acquired a pair of NVA TIS interconnects via the NVA October offer; I can highly recommend this truly amazing interconnect! (More to follow shortly in the review section…)

Then I had my P50Sa upgraded by Tomasz and after a lot of hassle for Paul, Tomasz and me due to bad luck with transportation – this would be worth an extra story – I can say that the upgrade of the P50sa is definitely recommended! And the customer service of Paul and Tomasz has been truly exceptional. Many thanks to both as that is rare these days :clap:

The new stepped attenuator of the P50sa is a total revelation - very smooth. No more crackling sounds when changing the volume attenuation. As an extra bonus, one gets a better and more musical passive pre, too. 8-) The wire upgrade and resistor upgrade really make a difference for my music. Very nice, indeed!

For 2020, I plan more DIY activity. Hopefully, I will have time enough…

I do have the parts for an Aikido Octal tube buffer preamp lying around (bought the kit last year from John Broskie - www.tubecad.com) and want to finish my Utracer tube tracer project (board finished and working, but the challenge for me is to build and finish the surrounding enclosure :shock: ).

In 2019, I started a Raspberry-based streamer project – inspired by the Slinger and Fretless amazing write ups here. Thanks guys, very informative and interesting to follow your journeys! :epopc: :clap:

I invested in an RPi 3B+ and Ian Canada Fifo, ESS 9028 DAC Hat and corresponding IV stage, use the Moode player (which I prefer over Volumio soundwise) and opted for a Qobuz hi res streaming abo. I also built two dedicated linear psus for the streamer (raspi, Fifo board and DAC) and upgraded the clocks to Crysteks. So far, so good; just the music from the streamer doesn’t grab me, really (besides the huge advantage to detect new music). In comparison to my CD player over my horn system, there is quite a difference in enjoyment factor favoring CDs.

I can’t really get the SBC-based hype so far, but in 2020 I will give the whole streamer idea another run (plans are to improve the ps for the ESS DAC and use 3 independent regulator boards and to invest in a transformer output stage, etc.). :epopc:

On the transistor amp side, I invested in some SITs and want to convert my DIY First Watt M2 clone into a ZenMod’s SissySIT amp (more info on DIY Audio under the Pass Labs section).

Seems that I have too many projects waiting… :lol:

Enjoy your music,

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:05 pm
by zebbo
karatestu wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 5:56 pm That's some bedroom system you have there and an interesting housing.

I don't do hifi or TV in the bedroom. The only entertainment in there is diy ;)
Ooo-err! :shock: :shock:

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:07 pm
by NSNO2021
TheMadMick wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2020 10:30 am
nilsatisnisioptimum wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:14 pm . . . . finally installing a dedicated FM Ariel.
I have a simple single element VHF aerial coming off my chimney of it's own accord. Judging by your Moniker, I assume you are in Merseyside or thereabouts. If you want it, gimme a PM and I'll retrieve it. Comes with a reasonable length of co-ax.
After today's fiasco I am giving serious thought to changing my user name to nossuntlaveiculus 😔

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 9:12 am
by NSNO2021
Oh and I forgot to mention I am going to build an ultrasonic LP cleaning machine and mod an Acram DiVA CD73 much later in the year

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 10:07 am
by jandl100
Plans for 2020?
No plans - just the usual see what comes along that takes my fancy.

Currently on the way are a preamp and a power amp to have a play with.
I've not had really high powered amplification for quite a while - the power amp is the same as one I already have and will allow me to bridge and get 350wpc. :shock: That should be adequate. :dance:

Re: Your hifi plans for 2020

Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 11:01 am
by Hemmo1969
nilsatisnisioptimum wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:14 pm Cubix upgrading the guts and woofer's, going back to the Planar 8 after flirting with yet another LP12, modifying my LS6 cables, building even more whizzy interconnects and maybe upgrading my A70s to the latest A80s, fitting a dedicated earth circuit and finally installing a dedicated FM Ariel.
What ‘mod’ did you do to your LS6s?