Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2020 14:33:00 GMT
I've always liked small format hifi. I can trace it back to the early 80s when I saw and just had to buy the only complete separates system I've ever got in one purchase: a new Technics range in which everything was 30cm/12" wide. Though I did go for some biggish floorstanding speakers. Apart from that, even the turntable had the same footprint as a vinyl album cover, with a linear tracking cartridge built into the lid. All the other components stacked and connected to each other without cables: they had little, flip-up connector blocks in the top and matching sockets in the base of each unit. The only RCA cables were between the turntable and the amp. I loved that system and seem to remember it sounded pretty good too.
After that, I didn't bother much with hifi and when I got together with my wife in 2002 we just used her all in one Sony system (loud but nasty - it even had a microphone input for karaoke). Then suddenly, about three years ago. I got the hifi bug again and have been experimenting and upgrading ever since.
My system currently consists of a Bluesound Node 2i streamer into a NAD D3020 v2 amp. I've just shifted from Spotify to a three month free trial of Amazon Music HD, which I hear as a big improvement. I also have our 850 CDs ripped to a Brennan B2 (that was a COVID lockdown project), which goes optically to the amp, though I've also tried it through the Node. We wanted to have a turntable option, though nothing too expensive, as we knew we'd rarely use it. So I got a Denon DP300F, based on reading positive reviews. I wouldn't rule out a better turntable in the future, but for now am thinking of upgrading the cartridge this Christmas. Headphone options are Grado SR60e and AKG K702. For speakers, I'm now on Elac Debut 2 B6.2s on quite heavy, metal stands, plus a small Yamaha sub I can never remember the model number of. Not expensive, has a front port and a downward firing speaker, so can sit nicely in our wall of bookshelves.
Along the way I looked for a good quality mini hifi rack with some built-in isolation and levelling options. I was surprised I could only find expensive, custom-made options, so had a go at making my own. I taught woodwork for a time in a previous life, but now have no proper power tools or even a bench, so designed something with a very minimal skill requirement. It turned out OK. If I ever get a proper workshop I'll maybe insert spirit level bubbles into each shelf and add some cutouts for cable management...
All suggestions for refinements and future upgrades would be very welcome.
After that, I didn't bother much with hifi and when I got together with my wife in 2002 we just used her all in one Sony system (loud but nasty - it even had a microphone input for karaoke). Then suddenly, about three years ago. I got the hifi bug again and have been experimenting and upgrading ever since.
My system currently consists of a Bluesound Node 2i streamer into a NAD D3020 v2 amp. I've just shifted from Spotify to a three month free trial of Amazon Music HD, which I hear as a big improvement. I also have our 850 CDs ripped to a Brennan B2 (that was a COVID lockdown project), which goes optically to the amp, though I've also tried it through the Node. We wanted to have a turntable option, though nothing too expensive, as we knew we'd rarely use it. So I got a Denon DP300F, based on reading positive reviews. I wouldn't rule out a better turntable in the future, but for now am thinking of upgrading the cartridge this Christmas. Headphone options are Grado SR60e and AKG K702. For speakers, I'm now on Elac Debut 2 B6.2s on quite heavy, metal stands, plus a small Yamaha sub I can never remember the model number of. Not expensive, has a front port and a downward firing speaker, so can sit nicely in our wall of bookshelves.
Along the way I looked for a good quality mini hifi rack with some built-in isolation and levelling options. I was surprised I could only find expensive, custom-made options, so had a go at making my own. I taught woodwork for a time in a previous life, but now have no proper power tools or even a bench, so designed something with a very minimal skill requirement. It turned out OK. If I ever get a proper workshop I'll maybe insert spirit level bubbles into each shelf and add some cutouts for cable management...
All suggestions for refinements and future upgrades would be very welcome.
