Have your say & ask the experts

Tricky one this...

Got the components I want at the moment.

Got a rack that fits the components.

Got mains cables and a Tacima.

Got good interconnects between CD/amp and amp/amp which is all that matters. Even dvd/amp and tuner/amp are pretty good.

Got 2 sets of good speakers hooked up.

Don't want clothes, or perfume or socks or in fact anything not hifi related.

Hmmm.

A turntable I would love but only something that is as good as the partnering kit, so don't have the budget for that really...

Actually there's a thought. I only have one set of speakers on good cable, but I need 6m x 4 lengths to biamp my ProAcs in the kitchen which are currently used with 6mm copper strand unbranded which is average compared to the QED SA XT I have and love on my Dalis.

Or what about a decent mains conditioner off the Bay?

Thoughts appreciated on what I should ask the missus for without sounding too nerdy

JoelSim:

I suppose I could ask her for a wall mounted tt shelf...

What about albums to test your equipment with - there must be at least one or two you're hankering after?

Messiah:

Headphones??

Yes: I tested some Sen HD600s yesterday on the Arcam A38 with an Arcam CD37 and the result was better than my Grados! Whoops - onto ebay they go!

You should demo a pair - they are scarily good! Available for way under £200 now also!

Forget the turntable idea, they are more trouble than they're worth - and besides, how many records do you have?

Hughes123:

Yes: I tested some Sen HD600s yesterday on the Arcam A38 with an Arcam CD37 and the result was better than my Grados! Whoops - onto ebay they go!

The GS1000? A travesty!?!? 

Octopo:

Hughes123:

Yes: I tested some Sen HD600s yesterday on the Arcam A38 with an Arcam CD37 and the result was better than my Grados! Whoops - onto ebay they go!

The GS1000? A travesty!?!? 

Yeah, funny huh! I think it might be due to the really nice new Arcam CD player, but there was a significant difference - they are more forward too, and better suited to the sort of music I like.

Hughes123:

Forget the turntable idea, they are more trouble than they're worth - and besides, how many records do you have?

the record spot:

Hughes123:

Forget the turntable idea, they are more trouble than they're worth - and besides, how many records do you have?

Well, two things here obviously; a pretty subjective statement, and an incorrect one broadly speaking. Why forget a t/t? More trouble than they're worth? Project - out the box, set up and it's running in practically no time. Rega the same. Move up to a more sophisticated design and yes, they take a little longer, but the results are more often than not well worth it.

Plus, you only get out of something what you put into it; and besides, think of how many quality LPs the OP could buy...

My Project Debut III sounds very poor to say the least and I set it up exactly how it says in the manual (which is poor in every regard.) It has lots of motor hum, runs too fast, vibrates far too much, distorts at the end of each side, has rubbish treble and is built poorly. Put me off turntables for ever.

matthewpiano:

Vinyl is fantastic with the right deck and plenty of patience. With a system the quality of JoelSim's though I wouldn't be going near a budget Pro-ject deck. 2nd hand is where its at at this end of the market. A classic Thorens TD150 or TD160, or a Rega Planar 2 or 3 would be a great way of getting into the black stuff. Add a decent cartridge and a bag full of second hand vinyl and you've got something special.

Anyway Hughes, what happened to that JVC quartz locked direct drive thing you were going on about not very long ago?? You weren't against vinyl then!!!!

Well my uncle said he would give it to me - but he's still go it at the moment! I'll bide my time...just for me, CD sounds better if correctly mastered...