What audio system do you have, or plan on getting?

[Parsifal]

You're most welcome.

[Todd]

Schiit is moving into two channel gear.  They're releasing two hybrid pres - tube active, solid state buffer, and passive - and one amp that can be stereo or bridged to mono, and the prices are crazy low - $350 or $700 for the pres, and $700 for the amp.  I never like to be a first production run buyer, but sometime mid-next year, I may end up 'downgrading' my bedroom system.  I just wonder if they go for higher spec stuff later.

[Fëanor]

Schiit is moving into two channel gear.  They're releasing two hybrid pres - tube active, solid state buffer, and passive - and one amp that can be stereo or bridged to mono, and the prices are crazy low - $350 or $700 for the pres, and $700 for the amp.  I never like to be a first production run buyer, but sometime mid-next year, I may end up 'downgrading' my bedroom system.  I just wonder if they go for higher spec stuff later.

That's interesting.  I've had several Schiit components:  DACs and headphone amp;  I've liked them all though right now I've just got the Gungnir Multibit DAC.  I'm very please with the Gungnir MB; it's driving an ARC LS9 preamp and thence a Pass Labs X150.5 amp, all by balanced connection.

The website isn't showing the tube active preamp or the amp yet.  I could be interested in the former as a possible replacement for my solid state LS9 provided it's balance, but I doubt that they can do a balanced tube pre for $700.  I don't see the amp replacing my Pass Labs though.

[Todd]

but I doubt that they can do a balanced tube pre for $700.

Here's the link with the press release.  Both the Saga and Freya pres are hybrid, and the Freya is balanced, as well.  The Vidar amp is singled ended in stereo mode, and balanced in monoblock mode.  The Saga is on the site now, and I believe the Freya will be next month, and the Vidar in Q1.  This article has an embedded interview with Moffat and Stoddard.

I've got three Schiit DACs in three systems - the Modi, Bifrost MB, and Yggdrasil - and I've done an A/B between the Modi and Modi MB (the MB is clearly better, though not by a colossal amount).  The Yggy is so good, that I'm thinking about getting another one for my 2.1 home theater as I will not be going multi-channel.  Rumor is an upgrade is coming next year, so I may wait, buy that for my main rig, and then move the current Yggy into home theater duty.  I've also got two Schiit headphone amps - original Asgard and Jotunheim - and bang for the buck is off the charts.  I have high, but realistic, expectations for the two channel stuff.

[Fëanor]

Here's the link with the press release.  Both the Saga and Freya pres are hybrid, and the Freya is balanced, as well.  The Vidar amp is singled ended in stereo mode, and balanced in monoblock mode.  The Saga is on the site now, and I believe the Freya will be next month, and the Vidar in Q1.  This article has an embedded interview with Moffat and Stoddard.

I've got three Schiit DACs in three systems - the Modi, Bifrost MB, and Yggdrasil - and I've done an A/B between the Modi and Modi MB (the MB is clearly better, though not by a colossal amount).  The Yggy is so good, that I'm thinking about getting another one for my 2.1 home theater as I will not be going multi-channel.  Rumor is an upgrade is coming next year, so I may wait, buy that for my main rig, and then move the current Yggy into home theater duty.  I've also got two Schiit headphone amps - original Asgard and Jotunheim - and bang for the buck is off the charts.  I have high, but realistic, expectations for the two channel stuff.

Wow ... I must say I'm impressed by Freya specs, especially that they will apparently offer a balanced tube gain stage for US$700.  I will give this some serious consideration to replace my ARC.

Freya
Balanced Remote Passive/Active Preamp
= Relay switched stepped attenuator (128 steps)
= Selectable passive, JFET buffer, or tube gain operation
= Tube gain stage uses (4) 6SN7 tubes and 300V rail
= 2 balanced inputs, 3 SE inputs, balanced and SE outputs
= Full remote control
= Shipping October 2016 for $699

It's November but it still hasn't shown up on the website.

I totally agree that Schiit components offer huge bang for the buck.  I'm owned the original Modi, Bifrost versions, viz. original, Uber, and Multibit, and the Asgard 2 headphone amp.  Presently I have the Gungnir Multibit -- I'd love the Yggdrasil but its a bit over the top of my price range.

I found the Bifrost Multibit a huge upgrade over the Uber version.  The Gungnir MB is a bit nice than the Bifrost MB but not hugely so except in the bass, and that might be because of the balanced connection

[Todd]

I checked out the Schiit site to see if the Freya is listed, and instead found the new Fulla 2.  A small, portable DAC/headphone amp combo, it has a bit more power, a Japanese designed DAC chip and a TI-designed filter and op-amp, has an analog in and out, and can be used as a DAC, and all for under a hundred.  My original Fulla has a small ding on it, so it may be time to replace it.

[Bogey]

I know a number of you dig vintage equipment and sometimes we have to allocate our vinyl funds for the listening experience of our youth. For the past few years I have been wanting to add a second turntable to my equipment so that I could have one up and one downstairs. However, for my second one, I wanted it to be a bit more "vintage" than my Project 3 and recreate "that" sound from my youth. Well, the folks over at Electric City came up huge. They refurb and sell vintage equipment from all eras. You name it, they'll fix it. Not only do they do a spectacular job, but are some of the friendliest people you will ever deal with. This beauty came in a few weeks ago and they were happy to hold it for me while they made sure it was ready to go. Well, it landed yesterday and now it's time to hitch it up. The person who owned it before me was in the military and bought while stationed overseas (not sure where and maybe around 1972) and was the only owner before me.

[Sergeant Rock]

The person who owned it before me was in the military and bought while stationed overseas (not sure where and maybe around 1972) and was the only owner before me.

Cool! That was my first turntable actually. Bought it at Camp (now Fort) McCoy Wisconsin along with a Fisher receiver and AR-2 speakers. Sweet sounding system.

[Bogey]

I have my dad's Sansui SP300 (the actual pair) and they still sound terrific.  However, would love a set of those AR's!

[Sergeant Rock]

I have my dad's Sansui SP300 (the actual pair) and they still sound terrific.  However, would love a set of those AR's!

Sansui, that brand brings up some memories That was a popular speaker with soldiers. I remember my platoon leader in Korea buying a pair and showing them off.

Sarge

[Bogey]

Sansui, that brand brings up some memories That was a popular speaker with soldiers. I remember my platoon leader in Korea buying a pair and showing them off.

Sarge

A young airman stationed and living on the same barracks floor with my dad thought it would be cool if he shared his "Sansui Sound" with the rest of the base by propping them in the windows and seeing what his months' of salary could do.  The MP's were not impressed.

[Harry]

 I had at a time 35 years ago a big Sansui amplifier, and two enormous Sansui speakers. At that time I found the the top, but not anymore

[Sergeant Rock]

A young airman stationed and living on the same barracks floor with my dad thought it would be cool if he shared his "Sansui Sound" with the rest of the base by propping them in the windows and seeing what his months' of salary could do.  The MP's were not impressed.

 

Mediating between competing sound systems (and between rock, soul and country) in the barracks after duty hours was a thrilling part of night and weekend CQ duty. (Charge of Quarters: being the junior NCO in charge of the company after the CO and senior NCOs had gone home.) Fun times 

Sarge

[Bogey]

I had at a time 35 years ago a big Sansui amplifier, and two enormous Sansui speakers. At that time I found the the top, but not anymore

Oh so true, but for me there is something about "home cooking" that appeals to me. So, my system downstairs will have this Dual, a Marantz 2230 receiver, and those Sansuis.  Hearing what it sounded like, or close to it during my younger years, is what I am trying to recreate.  Now, if I my wife would just allow me the shag carpet this room for further retro sound conditioning.

[aligreto]

I know a number of you dig vintage equipment and sometimes we have to allocate our vinyl funds for the listening experience of our youth. For the past few years I have been wanting to add a second turntable to my equipment so that I could have one up and one downstairs. However, for my second one, I wanted it to be a bit more "vintage" than my Project 3 and recreate "that" sound from my youth. Well, the folks over at Electric City came up huge. They refurb and sell vintage equipment from all eras. You name it, they'll fix it. Not only do they do a spectacular job, but are some of the friendliest people you will ever deal with. This beauty came in a few weeks ago and they were happy to hold it for me while they made sure it was ready to go. Well, it landed yesterday and now it's time to hitch it up. The person who owned it before me was in the military and bought while stationed overseas (not sure where and maybe around 1972) and was the only owner before me.

Congratulations. Very nice TT. I hope that you derive much pleasure from it 

[Fëanor]

I know a number of you dig vintage equipment and sometimes we have to allocate our vinyl funds for the listening experience of our youth. For the past few years I have been wanting to add a second turntable to my equipment so that I could have one up and one downstairs. However, for my second one, I wanted it to be a bit more "vintage" than my Project 3 and recreate "that" sound from my youth. Well, the folks over at Electric City came up huge. They refurb and sell vintage equipment from all eras. You name it, they'll fix it. Not only do they do a spectacular job, but are some of the friendliest people you will ever deal with. This beauty came in a few weeks ago and they were happy to hold it for me while they made sure it was ready to go. Well, it landed yesterday and now it's time to hitch it up. The person who owned it before me was in the military and bought while stationed overseas (not sure where and maybe around 1972) and was the only owner before me.

That's a nice, venerable Dual 'table.  I go back to that era in my hi-fi interest.

I don't have much nostalgia for my first system, though.  My first, circa 1972, consisted of ...

• Lenco L75 turntable
• Shure cartridge, upper mid-range;  don't recall the exact model
• Dynaco FM-5 tuner
• Dynaco PAT-4 solid-state preamplifier
• Dynaco Stereo 80 solid-state amplifier
• Dynaco A25 speakers

I assembled all the Dynaco electronics from kits.

Unlike so many people, I never had a receiver in my principle system.  My current stereo system may be seen HERE.

[Holden]

I also remember those vinyl days with some nostalgia. I eventually ended up with

Linn LP12

Grace F9E cartridge

Jantzen hybrid electrostatic speakers

Mclaren 701 100watt integrated amplifier (which I still have and use it's that good).

I also still have my Peerless MK1000 speakers from that era.

While it looks as if I spent up big, I didn't really as all that gear was acquired second hand.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I know a number of you dig vintage equipment and sometimes we have to allocate our vinyl funds for the listening experience of our youth. For the past few years I have been wanting to add a second turntable to my equipment so that I could have one up and one downstairs. However, for my second one, I wanted it to be a bit more "vintage" than my Project 3 and recreate "that" sound from my youth. Well, the folks over at Electric City came up huge. They refurb and sell vintage equipment from all eras. You name it, they'll fix it. Not only do they do a spectacular job, but are some of the friendliest people you will ever deal with. This beauty came in a few weeks ago and they were happy to hold it for me while they made sure it was ready to go. Well, it landed yesterday and now it's time to hitch it up. The person who owned it before me was in the military and bought while stationed overseas (not sure where and maybe around 1972) and was the only owner before me.

That's the record player I had as a youth! (Handed down from my step-dad.) I played every record ridiculously wet, not really knowing what I was doing. 

Meanwhile, perhaps of interest for some of you: I've compared seven mobile DACs (and a few headphones in the process) on Forbes... which make mobile listening to a laptop possible. It's a bit of a read, at 7000 words, but there's a conclusion at the end you can skip to. 

Review: A Mobile DAC/Headphone Amp Comparison

[drogulus]

Sansui, that brand brings up some memories That was a popular speaker with soldiers. I remember my platoon leader in Korea buying a pair and showing them off.

Sarge

     

     These are the Sansui SP-505J. I never had them, I have the woofers. They are great guitar and bass speakers for a low power tube amp.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

I am puzzling over a new audio rack. I have the following components:

- Oracle Delphi Mk. III/SME V arm
- Audible Illusions Modulus 2B preamp
- Nakamichi CR7a cassette deck (trying to find a new home for this--cheap!!!)
- Pioneer CD Recorder (not long for this world, CD playback works, but no longer record)
- ART Phono Pre ADC (replaces at least the record function on the Pioneer)

My audio dealer has one with four or five shelves for $1300 LOL

I am looking at these:

This one is a bit larger, which I like. I also like the lower cost (will buy one additional shelf): http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PGVULRK&variation=RNT

However, this one seems to be a bit heavier-duty, with better construction overall:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SMA5

Any thoughts on these?