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

[Coopmv]

I don't think so, unless used (which I don't recommend). I remember when the new models came out (early last fall?) Apple stores and assorted dealers were pushing their previous generation stock at quite low(er) prices, but I doubt whether there's anything left now to be purchased from a legitimate source.

Does the 120 GB iPod Classic now have an aluminium casing instead of a plastic casing?

[Shrunk]

If there are any aficionados of tube audio gear reading this, here is one guy definitely not to buy from:

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTIzNzQ3Njc2N2ZQWU1ISXNZVkZfMV8xX2wuZ2lm

[Valentino]

A friend of mine changed the coupling capacitors between DACs and opamps in his Slimdevices Transporter. We synced his and mine (which is stock) and used a switchbox to select between them. We heard no difference. Common sense applied that figures.
Audiophile sense applied it is impossible that they sounded the same, of course.

[nut-job]

If there are any aficionados of tube audio gear reading this, here is one guy definitely not to buy from:

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTIzNzQ3Njc2N2ZQWU1ISXNZVkZfMV8xX2wuZ2lm

I guess the meaning of "vacuum" in "vacuum tube" escaped him.   

[Daverz]

Pulled the trigger on this baby today:



The BAT VK-3iX preamp with remote and phono section.  What started the audiophile upgraditis again was hearing a friend's Dynaudio Special 25 speakers hooked up to his big Tri-Vista integrated amp.  It sounded so much warmer than my system, which started sounded a little cold and hard in comparison.  Since I didn't relish having to get rid of my speakers, I tried this preamp first.  It totally transformed the system.  The speaker system, the NHT Xd, now sounds great, obviously an excellent match with the BAT.  I'm trading in my Rogue Magnum 99 for the 3iX.  The downside is that the BAT does not have a mono button.  But it does have a much nicer digital volume control, and the optional solid state phono board sounds great.  And, of course, the BAT is a completely balanced design.  Since my CD player and amp are both balanced, that makes the whole chain balanced now.  I bought some nice pro audio XLR connectors for $30 from a place called Monoprice, and I'll be returning the $1500 foofoo XLR cable the shop lent me.

[Coopmv]

Pulled the trigger on this baby today:



The BAT VK-3iX preamp with remote and phono section.  What started the audiophile upgraditis again was hearing a friend's Dynaudio Special 25 speakers hooked up to his big Tri-Vista integrated amp.  It sounded so much warmer than my system, which started sounded a little cold and hard in comparison.  Since I didn't relish having to get rid of my speakers, I tried this preamp first.  It totally transformed the system.  The speaker system, the NHT Xd, now sounds great, obviously an excellent match with the BAT.  I'm trading in my Rogue Magnum 99 for the 3iX.  The downside is that the BAT does not have a mono button.  But it does have a much nicer digital volume control, and the optional solid state phono board sounds great.  And, of course, the BAT is a completely balanced design.  Since my CD player and amp are both balanced, that makes the whole chain balanced now.  I bought some nice pro audio XLR connectors for $30 from a place called Monoprice, and I'll be returning the $1500 foofoo XLR cable the shop lent me.

I like the tube preamp and SS amp combo.  I run my CJ MF2500A with the Sonic Frontier Line 1.

[techniquest]

Meanwhile, back in the budget department, I'm still listening to my music on exactly the same equipment I described on page 3 and I'm still happy with it. 

[Valentino]

I bought some nice pro audio XLR connectors for $30 from a place called Monoprice, and I'll be returning the $1500 foofoo XLR cable the shop lent me.

You choose wisely. 



And me, I like the SS preamp (actually only a DAC) and class D power amp combo.

[Bogey]

Needed to replace my Realistic 2100 D Receiver in my workroom and wanted to go a bit on the vintage side without breaking the bank, so grabbed this tonight:


   
MARANTZ 2230

Here was the discription:

30 watts per channel, continuous into 8 ohms. (As powerful as many newer units rated 60 watts or more.)

A great unit for any room!! This unit plays very well!! 

This unit has that classic Marantz sound.

Faceplate  very good, (9/10), A couple of marks here and there.   All corners good.

Dial glass very good, some very light small scratches from cleaning. Faceplate, dial glass and tuning scale cleaned inside and out.

All original knobs!!   Original feet!!

All controls and switches cleaned with De-Ox-It , operate quietly and smoothly.

All original audio output transistors!!!

All panel lights work, meter works, dial pointer light works, stereo indicator replaced. All function indicators work.

Power Supply B+ voltage adjusted to factory specifications.

Audio Amplifier Forward Bias set to factory specifications.

Panel and meter lamps replaced!

All inputs work--Phono, Tape 1 In/Out, Aux.

Connections for two sets of speakers.

FM reception is excellent, AM reception is very good.

Cabinet is in very good shape, better than most units this age.  Only a couple of slight marks, hardly noticiable.

[RussellG]

Needed to replace my Realistic 2100 D Receiver in my workroom and wanted to go a bit on the vintage side without breaking the bank, so grabbed this tonight:

Nice one Bill.  Have you picked it up yet?

[Bogey]

Nice one Bill.  Have you picked it up yet?

No, Russ.  It is being shipped, so fingers are beginning to cross.  However, this seller had over 3000 feedbacks and was at 100% positive.

[RussellG]

No, Russ.  It is being shipped, so fingers are beginning to cross.  However, this seller had over 3000 feedbacks and was at 100% positive.

Cool, let us know if it solves your sound problems.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Needed to replace my Realistic 2100 D Receiver in my workroom and wanted to go a bit on the vintage side without breaking the bank, so grabbed this tonight:

That's a very nice looking piece of kit, Bill. Very nostalgic and graceful.

I love that AM/FM signal indicator on the left - reminds me of my first stereo as a kid (w/ 8-track!).

Coolsville.

[Daverz]

[DavidRoss]

Needed to replace my Realistic 2100 D Receiver in my workroom and wanted to go a bit on the vintage side without breaking the bank, so grabbed this tonight:


   
MARANTZ 2230

Here was the discription:

30 watts per channel, continuous into 8 ohms. (As powerful as many newer units rated 60 watts or more.)

A great unit for any room!! This unit plays very well!! 

This unit has that classic Marantz sound.

Faceplate  very good, (9/10), A couple of marks here and there.   All corners good.

Dial glass very good, some very light small scratches from cleaning. Faceplate, dial glass and tuning scale cleaned inside and out.

All original knobs!!   Original feet!!

All controls and switches cleaned with De-Ox-It , operate quietly and smoothly.

All original audio output transistors!!!

All panel lights work, meter works, dial pointer light works, stereo indicator replaced. All function indicators work.

Power Supply B+ voltage adjusted to factory specifications.

Audio Amplifier Forward Bias set to factory specifications.

Panel and meter lamps replaced!

All inputs work--Phono, Tape 1 In/Out, Aux.

Connections for two sets of speakers.

FM reception is excellent, AM reception is very good.

Cabinet is in very good shape, better than most units this age.  Only a couple of slight marks, hardly noticiable.

Bill--
I bought a 2270 back in the '70s.  It served me well for many years until I moved up to separates.  My aunt and uncle bought a 2230 at about the same time.  It's still chugging along, good as the day it was born.

[Herman]

Needed to replace my Realistic 2100 D Receiver in my workroom and wanted to go a bit on the vintage side without breaking the bank, so grabbed this tonight:


   
MARANTZ 2230

Boy, that's a sentimental journey: I used to have that one from 1973 through the eighties. In the nineties I adopted power / end amps.

In twenty years of service only one problem developed. One of the stereo channels sometimes quit, and it needed a whack on the top to restore sound.

[drogulus]

     

     There's a modern stereo receiver that reminds me of this:

     

     Outlaw Audio RR2150 Stereo Receiver

     100 wpc with USB input and DAC, sub out and analog bass management.

[DavidRoss]

There's a modern stereo receiver that reminds me of this:

How so?

[drogulus]

     It reminds me of the virtues of the classic stereo receiver with the modern features that might prevent you from using one. And the design is retro and modern at the same time. If you don't want a bunch of extra channels or video or satellite radio this is just what you need. It even has a phono input.

     Outlaw appears to be a design shop which farms out manufacture in the manner that was established by NAD. The products have a very pronounced NAD-ish flavor to them.

     Look here:

        

[Coopmv]

Needed to replace my Realistic 2100 D Receiver in my workroom and wanted to go a bit on the vintage side without breaking the bank, so grabbed this tonight:


   
MARANTZ 2230

Here was the discription:

30 watts per channel, continuous into 8 ohms. (As powerful as many newer units rated 60 watts or more.)

A great unit for any room!! This unit plays very well!! 

This unit has that classic Marantz sound.

Faceplate  very good, (9/10), A couple of marks here and there.   All corners good.

Dial glass very good, some very light small scratches from cleaning. Faceplate, dial glass and tuning scale cleaned inside and out.

All original knobs!!   Original feet!!

All controls and switches cleaned with De-Ox-It , operate quietly and smoothly.

All original audio output transistors!!!

All panel lights work, meter works, dial pointer light works, stereo indicator replaced. All function indicators work.

Power Supply B+ voltage adjusted to factory specifications.

Audio Amplifier Forward Bias set to factory specifications.

Panel and meter lamps replaced!

All inputs work--Phono, Tape 1 In/Out, Aux.

Connections for two sets of speakers.

FM reception is excellent, AM reception is very good.

Cabinet is in very good shape, better than most units this age.  Only a couple of slight marks, hardly noticiable.

Nice receiver.  I had wanted to get a Marantz receiver years ago but never did.