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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2019 22:45:12 GMT
Looks like there's another meet up this weekend. Unfortunately, I'm in no condition to travel or I'd have been tempted to have a ride up.
Looks like there may a Bigbottle phonostage there too! Nothing like sticking it straight in against the monolith that is the MFA!
The unit is the first one I built and subsequently sold to Barrington for the build price of £350. I am hopeful that it's going to be well recieved but it's very early days for this kind of audience. An audience that is exposed regularly to the very best gear out there. It
Anyway, if anyone does go, keep an ear out for it let me know what you think. Gently.
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Post by alit on Jan 21, 2019 22:55:35 GMT
Aye, I’ll be there, should be a fun day.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 0:18:58 GMT
Aye, I’ll be there, should be a fun day. Cool, The Bigbottle may not be there. Barrington has messaged to say the right channel has dropped out! I'm perplexed. Hopefully we can get it up and running before the weekend. I had that running for two months, daily without issue, it was thoroughly checked by Firebottle too and worked perfectly. Bugger. I really hope it can be sorted in time. |
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Post by antonio on Jan 22, 2019 5:42:23 GMT
Good luck with sorting it. I would have been at MCRU except I'm going on my hols a couple of days later.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 9:04:15 GMT
You can fit it in Surely! Lol.
Where you off to?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 15:37:22 GMT
I can think off fuk all worse to attend, than a MCRU club meet.
Big fat wallet for yon aye.......!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 15:43:04 GMT
I can think off fuk all worse to attend, than a MCRU club meet. STI clinic? |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 15:44:13 GMT
Nope sooner visit the STI clinic........(again)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 17:18:39 GMT
The Bigbottle is up and running! A defective FET which is really rare but as suspected, nothing wrong with the design or PCB etc.
Very happy it's a component defect.
Hopefully it will be at MCRU!
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Post by alit on Jan 22, 2019 17:45:29 GMT
Look forward to hearing it if it gets fixed mate. I’ve some little class A monoblocks I’m taking, also an AVC using Tribute transformers.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 20:04:41 GMT
Look forward to hearing it if it gets fixed mate. I’ve some little class A monoblocks I’m taking, also an AVC using Tribute transformers. It fixed mate. Just up to Barrington now to see if he attends. If you get to hear it, let me know what you think. This one has the earlier Prototype PCB an not the new premium version. Whilst i can't confirm a difference between the two, as a Premium isnt up and running yet, The premium *should* be better. By how much would be a guess at this early stage. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 22, 2019 21:59:20 GMT
If I’d realised a few weeks ago, I could’ve attended. I’m pretty close but I’m heading back up North on Friday. The Bigbottle would probs be the only attraction for me listening-wise, but it’s always nice to have a mooch round a hifi shop. It’s been a while
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2019 23:22:43 GMT
If I’d realised a few weeks ago, I could’ve attended. I’m pretty close but I’m heading back up North on Friday. The Bigbottle would probs be the only attraction for me listening-wise, but it’s always nice to have a mooch round a hifi shop. It’s been a while I dont think he opens the shop mate, he said previously that its just a venue for the HiFi club. I could be wrong though lol Would have been nice to get your feedback matey. Just remember, if anyone goes, it's a £350 DIY phonostage. That one is also not built with the new premium boards. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 23, 2019 0:27:45 GMT
IMO he’s maybe missing out if folk don’t get a gander at the shop. So many times seeing gear in the flesh has made me want it. Still, I guess it is me at to be about the bake off. They just errant interesting enough on their win for me to want to go. There would have to Ben an extra bonus,
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2019 7:45:13 GMT
IMO he’s maybe missing out if folk don’t get a gander at the shop. So many times seeing gear in the flesh has made me want it. Still, I guess it is me at to be about the bake off. They just errant interesting enough on their win for me to want to go. There would have to Ben an extra bonus, I think you're in a happy place hifi wise. There's not much appeal to hear loads of gear once you've found that contentment, however, I am very interested in hearing whats about and especially phonostages. I just love it plus the chance to hear Nick Gorham's work, for free, shouldn't be passed up by anyone. |
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Post by antonio on Jan 23, 2019 10:08:40 GMT
I can think off fuk all worse to attend, than a MCRU club meet. Big fat wallet for yon aye.......!!!! That's a little harsh Jammy, no ones forcing you to buy, and it could change or reinforce your beliefs about upgrades. I will say, when you're at the £3-4 system level, you have to spend loads more to hear significant increases in sq. |
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Post by alit on Jan 23, 2019 11:25:07 GMT
IMO he’s maybe missing out if folk don’t get a gander at the shop. So many times seeing gear in the flesh has made me want it. Still, I guess it is me at to be about the bake off. They just errant interesting enough on their win for me to want to go. There would have to Ben an extra bonus, It’s not about Dave selling anything, he deliberately shuts the shop for these, it’s all about what people bring. He has a large basement which is the shops’ listening room so there’s plenty room. The Maxonic speakers he has are quite something, very very revealing so ideal for comparing kit. |
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Post by alit on Jan 23, 2019 11:26:19 GMT
Look forward to hearing it if it gets fixed mate. I’ve some little class A monoblocks I’m taking, also an AVC using Tribute transformers. It fixed mate. Just up to Barrington now to see if he attends. If you get to hear it, let me know what you think. This one has the earlier Prototype PCB an not the new premium version. Whilst i can't confirm a difference between the two, as a Premium isnt up and running yet, The premium *should* be better. By how much would be a guess at this early stage. Yeah will do. Always good to hear new kit. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 14:25:46 GMT
Sorry i cant take anything MCRU seriosly.
So many products at such rip off prices.........F-MCRU.
Ta.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 14:26:32 GMT
PUT YON C#nt RUSS ANDREWS TOO SHAME.......!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 18:21:23 GMT
PUT YON C#nt RUSS ANDREWS TOO SHAME.......!!! It's hard to see how some things cost what they do. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 19:02:22 GMT
Well truth be told, they dont really cost what they do, do they.
The dirty rip off merchant wankers price them thus, in the hope that some mug will come along and buy em.
And guess wot........Mugs do.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 25, 2019 19:21:24 GMT
Well truth be told, they dont really cost what they do, do they. The dirty rip off merchant wankers price them thus, in the hope that some mug will come along and buy em. And guess wot........Mugs do. Some of his cheaper diy mains leads are reasonably cheap but lots of eye watering stuff too. For me, any cable that’s 3 figures and doesn’t contain significant precious metals is a rip off. Any expensive cable which does contain precious metals is still a dubious buy. Good kit should not need expensive cables |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 19:22:48 GMT
Well truth be told, they dont really cost what they do, do they. The dirty rip off merchant wankers price them thus, in the hope that some mug will come along and buy em. And guess wot........Mugs do. The problem is that usually, they work!! It seems to me that the pricing is typical of the usual HiFi crowds. £3pm cable being sold for £300+ just pisses me off. Hence why i try and build my own stuff! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2019 11:46:45 GMT
Just had an email to say things didn't quite go to plan for the Bigbottle at the Bakeoff. Apparently some sort of matching issue with the cartridge led to a different cartridge being used, then alignment was off and then an issue with loading?
Seems like it was up against it from the off.
The bit of feedback I did get was this:
"The owner advised the audience he had exchanged the original valves for a pair more to his personal taste.
The forward projection was very evident and the cohesiveness of the performers was a strong perception, I was trying to gauge the width and depth of the soundstage but the forward projection was masking the sense of space. The forward Projection was becoming a detractor to the balance of the overall presentation"
I've been a little surprised by this as the phonostage didn't present forward in the three systems I've tried it in and the width of the soundstage is usually more evident BUT it's feedback and I accept good and bad.
This was the original prototype PCB version, not the new one. Hopefully, when mine is built, I can get it out and about for some more feedback.
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Post by macca on Jan 27, 2019 14:44:41 GMT
They seem to have a lot of system issues at these MCRU meets.
How many phono stages did we do at Penkridge and there were no problems with compatibility or 'forwardness masking the sound stage' or indeed anything like that.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2019 18:20:35 GMT
They seem to have a lot of system issues at these MCRU meets. How many phono stages did we do at Penkridge and there were no problems with compatibility or 'forwardness masking the sound stage' or indeed anything like that. I know mate. I think it must be all the kit in the same space. They also cant seem to agree on whats wrong with my phonostage lol Too forward, too laid back, soundstage is very deep, soundstage is flat......FFS, i wont bother again lol You heard it at mine, was fine! I think so anyway. |
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Post by macca on Jan 27, 2019 19:24:40 GMT
Have to say I didn't realise it was your one we were using, but yes, sound quality was excellent.
The speakers MCRU uses are a bit odd. Which is not to say they are no good but it could be a factor. Although from what Mark said on AoS it seems there were problems getting the arm level on the deck.
The way I se it, if you're going to test phono stages, make sure the deck is set up perfect or you're not really going to be able to fairly judge anything further downstream.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2019 20:08:09 GMT
Have to say I didn't realise it was your one we were using, but yes, sound quality was excellent. The speakers MCRU uses are a bit odd. Which is not to say they are no good but it could be a factor. Although from what Mark said on AoS it seems there were problems getting the arm level on the deck. The way I se it, if you're going to test phono stages, make sure the deck is set up perfect or you're not really going to be able to fairly judge anything further downstream. They used one fancy digital cartridge which is HOMC but it's not suitable. Too much gain on the Phonostage. Then they used a one off cartridge built into a Kontrapunkt b body, which wasn't set up right. Then the cartridge loading was wrong. Just seems to have been up against it from the off. Yes, the one you heard was the on that went up there. I didn't think it lacked width, dynamics or anything else. When we played ZZTOP they sounded very much dynamic and live. It's just HiFi mate. People hear differently. I'm happy with it, as are the two other people who have one. I'll get mine out and about a bit when it's built. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 27, 2019 20:23:19 GMT
Have to say I didn't realise it was your one we were using, but yes, sound quality was excellent. The speakers MCRU uses are a bit odd. Which is not to say they are no good but it could be a factor. Although from what Mark said on AoS it seems there were problems getting the arm level on the deck. The way I se it, if you're going to test phono stages, make sure the deck is set up perfect or you're not really going to be able to fairly judge anything further downstream.I know very little about David, but I’d expect this to be the very first fundamental of any phono stages bake off. Maybe there’s a temptation to let others see your most interesting wares rather than just operate a level playing field for a bake off. if this is a factor, maybe use a front end-that works with most kit and throw in your other toys afterwards as an “after party” |
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