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Audio Alchemy Nostalgia Trip

Back in the early/mid 90s I started my Hifi journey. I was a single guy, no responsibility, decent job and disposable income.

Having heard a friend's Naim Classic/Linn/Epos set up, I was hooked and off I went.

Not long after, I was the proud owner of a Naim Olive bi-amped system,with an Arcam Alpha CD transport and the Audio Alchemy DDE v.1.0. with Epos 11 speakers. Absolutely loved that system.

Roll forward half a decade or so later, I was married, new house that needed work - my beloved system was sacrificed and sold 🥴

That was the end of my Hifi journey part 1!

Forward to 2021, one divorce later, new partner, soon to be wife after 14 years. I jumped back in to my Hifi journey. My system continues to evolve, but I carried an itch with me from those good old days in my 20s; one was Naim, which I've scratched and moved on from. The second was the Audio Alchemy DAC

Ive been keeping an eye on fleabay for a decent working until with it's original power supply - last week I found one for ÂŁ57 delivered.

Plugged it into my system, reduced sampling via Roon 🤪 and off I went.

I know audio memory is very unreliable, but I had tears welling up listening to tracks I was back then. What a trip! Lovely, lovely sounding DAC from a by-gone age.

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I have been so moved hearing this unit (again), I felt the urge to share

Thanks for reading guys 👍🙂

painter24
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,245 posts
 

I can really relate to the memories of systems we have owned in the past. That said, there has been a tremendous amount of change and improvement in digital technology since that time, and I think that you would be well rewarded if you invest in a modern DAC, especially one of the non-oversampling types. 

During the period when you had your Audio Alchemy, I had a Phillips CD 960 which was considered to be one of the top one-box players at that time. I used it happily for years then sold it to a friend. A few years ago, I found out that he was no longer using it and had it stored in a closet. I bought it back from him and installed new belts for the transport. I was shocked when I listened to it to realize how "digital" it sounded in comparison to my ANK 2.1 DAC. There was just no comparison. Digital has really grown up.

newbee
4,843 posts
 

Welcome to hog heaven! Don't change a thing. Don't even be tempted. Be happy!

painter24's avatar
painter24 OP
324 posts
 

@roxy54 I am a sentimental fool to be sure. The Audio Alchemy was/is a trip down memory lane; for me it's something to pop in my system now and again just for the fun of it. I do have 2 other DACs, no NOS DACs unfortunately though that is on my list to try 👍

 

 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,245 posts
 

Understood. I didn’t realize that you had others. If you didn’t I'd think that you were missing out.

brianh61
85 posts
 

I had the same AA with a Marantz 67SE as my first real playback. They make new gear again.

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