Coming out of the blackhole called work...retirement


Hello All

I have just retired and emerged from the mud of work that encompasses everything and acts light a blackhole for hobbies and enjoyment. Now that I am seeing some light I want to upgrade my 70's something stereo to something I can really enjoy. I read in a post from long ago about a preamplifier called a George Lightspeed. It was Australian, quality sound according to the posts and cheap. Is this something I want to consider or must I look at products in the thousands or 10's of? 

amg56

Showing 4 responses by terry9

Acoustics Research Centre - the University of Salford

       Architectural and Building Acoustics

              Room sizing for studios
Welcome AMG.

Life begins at retirement - at least, it did for me. I could not afford the system I wanted - so I began to build my own equipment. Consider DIY - it's far more rewarding than just buying stuff.

Now after 15 years of DIY, I have an ESL system with DIY electronics and DIY air bearing turntable and DIY cabling. Could not touch it for $100,000 new retail.

Several posters have suggested visiting audio shows. Good idea. I also suggest that you consider buying direct from the manufacturer, where feasible. With your budget, you can afford to travel a bit for auditions, and take in a concert as a bonus. Cases in point: Trans-Fi for turntable and tonearm, Soundsmith for cartridges and preamp, K&K Audio for kits and advice. I use the TF tonearm - I have two of them, and don't think they can be touched for less than 5x the price, and maybe not at all.

Why manufacturers? Price, obviously. But also, VERY few people will bother to set up an analogue system to anything near its potential. The manufacturer is your best bet for determining that potential.

Be sure to audition exotic speakers like ESL's or big Magnepans before you buy anything.

And, I suggest, spend a maximum of $500 on cables until you have your system at a good place. Then try out new cables using your current sound as a reference. I use microphone cable for interconnect at $1 / foot. Exotics work no better. In my system. In my opinion.

If you live near Seattle, why not stop in for a listen?

AMG, another thing - room dimensions. You are really close to cubic, and that's not good. I suggest that you look up University of Salford (UK) research into acoustics. They have done a lot of work on optimal rooms.
AMG, that's why you want to do DIY !

Who else is going to make an arm-board out of graphene film on a nickel matrix?