Audio Alchemy Nostalgia Trip
Back in the early/mid 90s I started my Hifi journey. I was a single guy, no responsibility, decent job and disposable income.
Having heard a friend's Naim Classic/Linn/Epos set up, I was hooked and off I went.
Not long after, I was the proud owner of a Naim Olive bi-amped system,with an Arcam Alpha CD transport and the Audio Alchemy DDE v.1.0. with Epos 11 speakers. Absolutely loved that system.
Roll forward half a decade or so later, I was married, new house that needed work - my beloved system was sacrificed and sold 🥴
That was the end of my Hifi journey part 1!
Forward to 2021, one divorce later, new partner, soon to be wife after 14 years. I jumped back in to my Hifi journey. My system continues to evolve, but I carried an itch with me from those good old days in my 20s; one was Naim, which I've scratched and moved on from. The second was the Audio Alchemy DAC
Ive been keeping an eye on fleabay for a decent working until with it's original power supply - last week I found one for £57 delivered.
Plugged it into my system, reduced sampling via Roon 🤪 and off I went.
I know audio memory is very unreliable, but I had tears welling up listening to tracks I was back then. What a trip! Lovely, lovely sounding DAC from a by-gone age.
Sorry for the long-winded post, but I have been so moved hearing this unit (again), I felt the urge to share
Thanks for reading guys 👍🙂
Great post! Especially how we make these sonically emotional attachments to a particular piece of equipment that just sounded right to us and always will. For me it's the Reference 3A de Capo's I had, sold, mourned, found, and have again. And, like you, my audio system has emerged, faded, and re-emerged based on divorces and finances. Thanks for a good morning read. |
I can really relate to the memories of systems we have owned in the past. That said, there has been a tremendous amount of change and improvement in digital technology since that time, and I think that you would be well rewarded if you invest in a modern DAC, especially one of the non-oversampling types. During the period when you had your Audio Alchemy, I had a Phillips CD 960 which was considered to be one of the top one-box players at that time. I used it happily for years then sold it to a friend. A few years ago, I found out that he was no longer using it and had it stored in a closet. I bought it back from him and installed new belts for the transport. I was shocked when I listened to it to realize how "digital" it sounded in comparison to my ANK 2.1 DAC. There was just no comparison. Digital has really grown up. |
@roxy54 I am a sentimental fool to be sure. The Audio Alchemy was/is a trip down memory lane; for me it's something to pop in my system now and again just for the fun of it. I do have 2 other DACs, no NOS DACs unfortunately though that is on my list to try 👍
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For my two headphone amplifiers (FOCAL "ARCHE" & SENNHEISER HDVD800) I use my vintage Quad 67 CD players. To the Senn amp I use the digital out and for the FOCAL it's the RCA out. Quad 67's display counts down so you always know when a track is close to finishing. I've always wondered why ALL transports don't count down. Any reason for this ? |
