Technics SL-5200 Turntable
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Jolida JD9 Tube preamp
Audio Engine d2 DA converter
Arcam A-65+ Amplifier
Gallo Acoustics MPS Subwoofer
Tekton Design Custom Speaker
A Real World System
Rather than a close up of the system, the picture is of it in action, which represents our experience and the point of this system and the post.
Went through a series of systems and components, some nicer stuff, buried in separate rooms, but then took a turn to the real world and am far better for it.
Kids (2 years and 2 months) and a puppy (dachshund). No dedicated listening room, but rather crammed in a corner of the front room behind a baby gate, (replaced a TV).
We use it every day and the daughter loves it, picks the records, dances with her puppy. Only sure fire way to calm the baby - works like a charm.
Fostex 127 in canary yellow Voigt pipes (early custom job by Tekton Designs). Tektons are run free but supplemented with a Gallo MPS sub (strongly preferred it to their newer line). Turn table is a cheapo technics (basically a semi-auto version of they classic). Needs to be semi for the kids - and rugged as the day is long. Some cardas leads and an ortofone red cartridge help as does the Jolida JD9 phono preamp (tube-based with some mods). Arcam A-65+ integrated is a nice fit given the sensitivity of the Tektons and having the gallo sub (would love to use the bottle head i have in storage but can't pull it off in the real world, also need a remote to reside here too).
Vinyl is the main event but we do a good amount of listening from an Audio Engine D2 wireless dac, which works like a charm (also a little DAP the kid uses herself and enjoys immensely).
There's some cheaper Kimber and Wireworld and MapleShade accessories in there too - but nothing too esoteric and very much in line with the value orientation (most pieces bought used). 'Rack' is made out of reclaimed barn wood from local tobacco barns (Kentucky).
On the whole it works together nicely, good coherence and imaging (despite what the room looks like - tough to beat the smaller fostex for the dollar here). Tuneful bass down into the 30s, which the daughter loves. Some tube goodness with the records from the Jolida that helps with the cheapo technics (which has turned out to be an everyday work horse; can't bring myself to use anything better given the goings on :-)
Also a reasonable digital everyday solution with the Audio Engine D2 (turned out to be a pleasant surprise) and even the little MP3 player the daughter uses to play with and enjoy through the main system.
Don't really plan on upgrades in the near future as it works together like a charm. I wouldn't mind a little more power to the tektons but need to keep it integrated (space) and with a remote - and very value oriented. But every time I play around with the idea, it breaks down or looses the spirit of the system. I am tempted to break out the Bottle Head SeX and get a source selector :-) |
