What new gear have you just bought?
I figured this might be an interesting topic for people of all levels of audio knowledge. For folks like me at the lower end of the spectrum, we might even learn some things from it.
I'll start off with a couple of my recent purchases which entails a CD recorder and a CD player.
A couple of weeks ago I purchased the Tascam CD-RW900SX CD Recorder/Player. I bought this to make a CD out of an old cassette I made way back in 1988. The tape still sounds mint but it won't forever so I wanted the digital copy before it was too late. The machine itself works pretty good. I had a tough time with some of the instructions but finally figured most of it out. The CD's came out great. It took two blank CD's because it is a 90 minute cassette. If anybody is wondering, I used Maxell blank CD's. I'll get some Verbatim blank discs now that I know what I'm doing. The cassette was done on a Maxell XLll blank tape 35 years ago.
My other recent purchase was this week. I bought a Rotel CD11 Tribute (Black) CD player. The Rotel name seems to come up on Audiogon a lot so I figured it must be decent for it's price range. I could simply use the aforementioned recorder as a player also but I don't want to use the transport in the recorder for simple playback so it will last longer. The Rotel sounds pretty good to me in my system for as much as I've tried it out so far. Especially for it's price range. All I've played so far was Robert Plant Fate of Nations because it was the first thing I grabbed off the shelf. This weekend I'll check it out further with some Pink Floyd and a little classical music to boot. Specifically,Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. I love the rendition I have of that with real cannon and musket fire!
The Rotel CD11 Tribute is not a super expensive CD player but it will be a good stand-in until I can get my vintage Harman Kardon CD players serviced. Two of them stopped reading discs just a few weeks apart.
Anybody else want to share some recent purchases? I'll be sure to look up more information on anything that piques my interest. Also, if anyone has any questions on my recent acquisitions I'll do my best to answer them . Thanks.
Enjoy your new gear. I just picked up a new Cyrus i7-XR integrated amp. Built in DAC and Phono. I'm mainly into tubes but this was perfect for a second system. It's the size of a shoebox and half the height but it sounds like a real HiFi component. I had it in my main system for over two weeks , it sounds that good ! Listening to it right now. Thanks to TMR for the great close out deal.
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toddsyr, I also recently purchased the Rotel Tribute cd player. I’ve been using it quite a bit this summer. I wasn’t too impressed, finding the sound basically blah and not involving. I gave it plenty of run in time but it just sounded like a nice player that was fine for background music. On a whim, I swapped out the supplied 18g power cord for another 14g generic cord I had laying around. This resulted in an improvement in every sonic category. I highly recommend a better power cord than the one supplied. |
rhljazz, I actually read about swapping out the power cord for the Rotel. It was probably in a post by you somewhere. It is on the to do list for sure. For what it would cost it is definitely worth a shot. Not finding too many 2 prong (ungrounded) power cords though. Lots of other good posts in this thread too. I look into as many of the mentioned items as my time permits. It’s fun and I learn things here and there. |
I recently purchased the Benchmark DAC3 HGC. It has Four balanced SABRE 32-bit D/A converters that are summed together to create each balanced analog output. This 4:1 summation provides a 6 dB noise reduction, and gives the DAC3 industry-leading performance. The Benchmark DAC3 HGC sports the latest ESS Technology ES9028PRO 32-bit D/A converter chip, which performs all the unit’s digital-to-analog conversion. It sounds great and I like it very much. |
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I needed a quality build high-end subwoofer to flesh out the bottom end where my HARBETH 30.2XD’s roll-off at 50hz. This bottom-firing real wood veneer 12” ATC subwoofer fits the bill ATC C1 Sub Mk2
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Schiit Loki Max. Just bought it, not here yet. Will use it with CD transport, streamer, tuner and DVD player. Main TT will remain pure. Secondary TT already has the Puffin. I am all after the best sound for my ears and could care less how I get there. Can't wait to see the Loki Max knobs turning on their own via remote from my listening seat. That will be cool, and the sound adjustments hopefully will be just as cool. |
A pair of Radian 5210 - 10" Coaxial drivers and (realizing my own limitations) a new Crossover pair (designed and made by Solen, Montreal). Many thanks to both Lowes and HD, the new cabinets/insulation/damping and stands are as imagined. Early in the Test/Adjust cycle but I have decided to retire my ESL's... :) |
@theflattire nice to see u over this way holmes! enjoyin the build thread tremendously |
My Townshend Audio seismic bars where just delivered. Haven't had a chance to do anything with them as life showed up bout the same time they did. Hopefully I'll get them under my Salk 3beat Encores in the next couple of days. Of all the tweaks I've done in the last couple of years, this one is the one I've looked forward to the most. |
Just finished a NiCad control box for my phono/pre. Phono/pre is always on with standby power, and a built-in meter allows measurement of each cell or string of cells. Meter is noisy so can be disengaged. NiCad is engaged with or without diode protection and fused in one of two ways, or can be recharged independently. Just an exercise in circuit logic, but very useful. Dead quiet, but not much better than alkaline - but I had to try. |
I wanted to get all this dialed in before fall and winter comes. Swiss digital fuse box here. Installed it. Giving it some time to breath. It is doing very nicely so far. Also got a Puron I will install after the fuse box settles in. Then I got a core power tech 1800 mk 3 I will install after the Puron settles in. |
rhljazz stated "I swapped out the supplied 18g power cord for another 14g generic cord I had laying around. This resulted in an improvement in every sonic category." I definitely want to try this also. But for the life of me I can't find a two prong 14 AWG power cord. There's tons of 3 prong ones out there but they won't fit. I've spent a good 2 hours+ looking on the 'net to no avail. I'm guessing an adapter would defeat the whole purpose of swapping out the cord. Any help is welcome. Thank you. |
@cey i’ll let you know. I’m super impressed with the virtual subwoofer. I was able to unhook my subwoofer and I actually just use my regular speakers. Absolutely amazing how it works. I was skeptical, but he was cool with sending it back if you didn’t like it. I’m hooking up the deck preamp today and the EQ. I won’t have the preamp for another two or three weeks. If you don’t hear from me send me a note and I’ll fill you in. |
Cary Audio DMS-700 Network Audio Player. I’m really liking this, sounds great and has a nice iPad interface with the Cary app. |
@markpao and others I found two other cords on hand, both 3 prong. One fits in the recess the other doesn't. Unfortunately, both are 18 gauge. So if i just go and order a 14 gauge cord it will be a crap shoot as to whether it fits or not. I realize you folks are trying to help and I appreciate it. I might as well be looking for a traffic signal with the red light in the middle though. |
I hope I found a suitable replacement plug for my Rotel CD11 Tribute. It's 3 prong but I'm gambling it will fit into the receptacle. At this point, I'll carve the darn thing to make it fit. The one I found is 6.5 feet long, a lot more than I wanted but it's the only length the place had with shielding. Here's what I found: https://www.newark.com/volex/17604-10-b1/power-cord-nema5-15p-iec-c13-2m/dp/93K2606 I bought two since the recently purchased Tascam CD recorder also only has an 18 AWG unshielded power cord. I apologize for hogging so much of this thread with my power cord troubles but it's important to me and hopefully will help others. I have read each and every post from all the others in this thread too. A lot of interesting gear for sure! D’Agostino Momentum M400 MvX’s... DROOL.... If only I didn't need any money to retire, LOL! Thank you every one for all the help (again) and for making the thread so interesting.
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