2022 Audio Plans

[Ingenieur]

Side comment on these - I have some of these as well, but stopped using them due to the stiffness of the cable which was hard to use in my rack.

Yep, not a tight bend radius, but my run is fairly straight.

 

[Ingenieur]

Will the insanity never cease!!!!???

Contemplating this for storage:
72 x 30 x 22, capacity > 500 lbs

Line up :
509x
E250
SL1200GR
Luxman D-N150 (not YET squired, open box, no tax, free shipping list -25%)
My form factor computer in cabinet
Power strip in cabinet
Each file drawer should hold ~100 lp's plus >150 CD's
Steel Case, quality should be excellent

Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in!

 

[Ingenieur]

I think I found my credenza. Talked to a buddy who's an architect, he said good stuff, sent me the price page from the new catalog. Mine is an older model, only 37"
$21k !!! wth?
Used, veneer. 1k plus $200 delivery.
Very sturdy.
Time to decide.
No file drawers but shelves are adjustable.

 

[Wntrmute2]

Now that the 3C24 amps are singing nicely, I'm planning an assault on the hum and limited high end extension of my 300B Radiotron amps. DC regulators from Rod Coleman are on the bench right now. Planning on building 2.5V as well as 5V DC filament supplies for flexibility.

 

[thin_ice]

 

[NSBulk]

1. Send my AV receiver out to have an updated HDMI 2.1 board installed
2. Buy a new Schiit Modi with the ESS chip just 'cuz
3. Maybe buy a new stereo power amp

I didn't plan it this way, but the Schiit Modi 3E was delivered yesterday and my receiver with the updated HDMI board was delivered today. Both are working properly.

Time to enjoy both before maybe buying a new power amp.

 

[ArtK]

Remember when I wasn’t going to buy anything in 2022…yeah well I’ve spent 10K since then…!!!

That said I’ve already sold about 4K in gear and have much more to go. In the end I’ll be in about $3500 this year and will take some heirloom pieces with me in to retirement. I consider it a job well done.

 

[S0und Dragon]

So 2022 is actually a big year for the Dragon Den. Not intentionally but by necessity. I am in the process of swapping spaces for the greater good of the rest of the house and my new listening room will be in a much smaller space. The room is approximately 10x16x12 and will be challenging from a sonic perspective.

So my goals for 2022 will be to set up the system and learn the character of the room. I also am in desperate need of a new Pre Amp and DAC so that will be in the cards as well. I also will be demo'ing some Stand mount and Small floor standing speakers to determine what will work in the new space. But figuring out how the room behaves will determine what exactly what gets done.

1. pre amplifier
2. Demo/Buy Stand mount speakers
4. DAC
5. Dual Subs
6. Summer amp
7. Room treatments
8. Gear repairs and refurbishment.

Wish list items.
* A new reference turntable (SP-10 MkIIi OR Micro SX/RX?)
* QLN Prestige 3?

Time to check in and asses.

1. pre amplifier - Denon PRA 2000RG in place ( Missing remote though...Le Sigh…..)

2. Demo/Buy Stand mount speakers - Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor M acquired and loving them!

3. DAC - I went from famine to buffet. North Star Design, Denafrips and HiFi Rose.

4. Dual Subs - Rel T7X’s acquired ( I should have done the 5’s….but these go to 11!!!)

5. Summer amp - The Goldmund Mimisis 3 is back and as awesome as I remember it. This time it is not leaving.

6. Room treatments - Not started / possible punt to 2023

7. Gear repairs and refurbishment. - RT-707 completed. Onkyo A-G10 and DX-G10 awaiting bench time. Need to find Tuner Tech for T-G10( Punt to 2023?) Next batch of Carts are about to go out as well.

Wish list items.
* A new reference turntable (SP-10 MkIIi OR Micro SX/RX?) - on hold unless The right deal comes along to 2023. Add Kenwood L-07D to list of contenders. The Micro BL-99V is quite special and may be enough.

* QLN Prestige 3? Added Sonus Faber Electa Amator III and PMC Twenty5 23 to this list and punt to 2023.

Will look to acquire/demo Buchardt S400 MkII and/or the KEF LS50 Meta for contrasting options as I do like a different presentation at times.

 

[Audionut]

A quarterly update on my list; I am was 1/3 of the way through and somehow…more things were added (bunch of enablers around here).

1. Versus the soon to be finished iconics against the 604E’s, I can only keep one set so the other will go to a new home. - these are fairly close, so can’t go wrong with either. Now to decide which one I keep!
2. Build a plinth for the 2a3 paramount monoblocks. - pending
3. Build a plinth for the SP10 MKii and source a nice tone arm. - pending
4. Build (or buy) a nice component cabinet. - pending
5. Build silbatone cabs for the 755c’s - pending
6. Build cabs for CHB’s. - pending
7. Sell off any extra amps or TT’s. - Complete!
8. Listen to music more! - Complete!
New:
9. Build my “end all” Bottlehead Beepre2 preamp. - work in progress.
10. Build 46amp
11. For 2023: build worlds best HFH single ended EL84.

 

[MrEd]

My first order is learning...
I was given a scope by a customer at my work and my goal is to become competent with it and some other measuring tools, so 2022 will be the year of more data and measuring.
#2 Finish the 2nd WE TA7331 and get that project completed.
#3 I have some panzerholz to replinth my Lenco, very excited about this.
#4 Build a pair of speakers for Lucy's living room system using Altec 414 and Mantray horns.
#5 Make 3rd version of my SUPA tone arm with a wood arm wand and brass for the metal bits.
I keep the 01a preamp in the back of my mind but not sure it will get started.
Hoping covid will go away and maybe entice some of our Texas members into some get togethers.

I feel like a slacker here. 😣
But.... the 01a preamp came about early and is really sounding good on a board.
It will be in a chassis soon.
I built a new phono pre also , a Pete Millet LR and it is playing nicely with my system.
About to get back to the TA 7331's

 

[old_borg]

My 2022 list involves a lot of non audio related stuff. The audio projects are bright spots and will hopefully slot into photographic spaces I'm working to bring together. The plan should really be to get listening roughed out in my new place and go from there.

The living room needs a plinth for its new deck, a grease bearing 301.

The basement system needs a crossover (currently finding ideal crossover points with DSP) and frequency extension - super tweeter and a subwoofer.

Need to pick a room for the contemporary technology setup, and then get to installing the Revelator woofers into the DIY bookshelf speakers (woofers from Pat, cabinets from Woody).

Life has moved fast - as I hoped would be the case, audio is a bright spot and respite in the midst of all of the life stuff that has needed tending to.

With the incredible guidance of @gable, the basement system is fully up and running. We were able to spend a weekend hanging out, spinning records and CDs, and building out a crossover for a 1947 RCA Shearer horn I'd picked up a few years ago. I was able to set this horn up in my basement on New Years Eve of 2021, and have been reveling in its sound since then.

I've learned a lot while listening to this hodge-podge system. Namely that I'm not one for 'perfectionistic' audio. My ethos is more... shabby. Not that I'm looking for turn-key solutions, just that I'm not obsessive enough about this endeavor to worry about perfectly dialing in every part. It's not hard for me to slip in and just enjoy the music.

In light of that, I've wondered if I need a Garrard 301, or if my Lenco would be good enough. Do I need an EMIA Silver Autoformer volume control, or would my upcycled telephone attenuator do the job? We'll see. I've been happy to test my experience of music at the extreme ends, especially as I find myself happy with something less visually sorted.

(The 124 ain't going anywhere, though.)

I'll be curious to shift my attention back to some contemporary technology and see where the listening and ideating go from there.

 

[Thermionics]

Posted elsewhere, but might as well repost in the correct thread.

1. (Hopefully) mount my Altec 604E's in some nice cabinets a close friend is building for me (project started in 2020, it's been a bit slow)
2. Finish building out the Pete Millett PP 6B4G mono blocks that I've been collecting parts for over the last year or so.
3. Wall mount my Pioneer PDP6020 (another carry-over from 2020 - I've got the wall mount, just need to install it)
4. Divest myself of unused gear
5. Go to more concerts (if possible given COVID) and buy new music / rediscover old music that I missed first time around
6. (Maybe) build some silbatone cabinets for my Pioneer PIM-8's

So far, 7 months in, I'm batting .000.

However, I did upgrade to a used Lyra Delos, added some nifty feet to my Kallax record storage, built a somewhat over-the-top Get*SET*Go, and have sold a bunch of gear.

 

[Audionut]

So far, 7 months in, I'm batting .000.

However, I did upgrade to a used Lyra Delos, added some nifty feet to my Kallax record storage, built a somewhat over-the-top Get*SET*Go, and have sold a bunch of gear.

A great time for an update mid-year. Unfortunately, I’ve not had much progress since due to a large backyard project. The preamp is almost done, so should be able to cross that off soon.
Might table an item or two for 2023.

A quarterly update on my list; I am was 1/3 of the way through and somehow…more things were added (bunch of enablers around here).

1. Versus the soon to be finished iconics against the 604E’s, I can only keep one set so the other will go to a new home. - these are fairly close, so can’t go wrong with either. Now to decide which one I keep!
2. Build a plinth for the 2a3 paramount monoblocks. - pending
3. Build a plinth for the SP10 MKii and source a nice tone arm. - pending
4. Build (or buy) a nice component cabinet. - pending
5. Build silbatone cabs for the 755c’s - pending
6. Build cabs for CHB’s. - pending
7. Sell off any extra amps or TT’s. - Complete!
8. Listen to music more! - Complete!
New:
9. Build my “end all” Bottlehead Beepre2 preamp. - work in progress.
2023
1. build worlds best HFH single ended EL84. Build 46amp

 

[S0und Dragon]

My Yamaha GT-2000 needs something more than a VPI Classic in the other rack to keep it honest. I am looking at endgame tables now and I think I have just the belt driver picked out. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you are them) the maker had a banner year with covid and all their stock is gone. So I am waiting for them to re-tool and re-stock. Should have something in place this spring...muhahahaha :-).

So Spring has come and gone.....Just sayin.....

I also have a Project that is right up your alley in the works. But I want to be sure it arrives safely before I make any announcements.

 

[Thermionics]

A great time for an update mid-year. Unfortunately, I’ve not had much progress since due to a large backyard project. The preamp is almost done, so should be able to cross that off soon.
Might table an item or two for 2023.

It would be awesome if someone on HFH who was woodworking-inclined would make flat-pack Silbatone cabinets for purchase at a reasonable (e.g., something the spouse won't notice) price...

(hint, hint)

 

[MikeyFresh]

It would be awesome if someone on HFH who was woodworking-inclined would make flat-pack Silbatone cabinets for purchase at a reasonable (e.g., something the spouse won't notice) price...

(hint, hint)

 

[Thermionics]

View attachment 50206

Well, see, I saw the following in Audionut’s post: 5. Build silbatone cabs for the 755c’s - pending - I’m helpful like that. 👍

 

[JoeThePop]

1. Get a life and post less on HFH (Who has the highest "reaction score:message" ratio?).
Just kidding; I love this forum and the people.

2. My main goal is going to depend upon our managing to find a house and making a move after 21 years in our current home. Lots of work still to do to be ready. But if it does indeed happen, I will be looking for a pair of speakers to go with my Yamaha receiver. This in itself will probably take me the whole year because I have to make a decision (not my strong suite).

• New "doorway" bookshelf speakers. I believe there is some great value to be had here, which is important for my budget constraints.
• Used bookshelf speakers. Maybe get something a step above "doorway" by buying used
• A kit - also some good value here I'm sure, but hard to get a feel just how much because a lot of what I read online seems like fanboy stuff to me.
• Vintage - this probably isn't going to happen unless I stumble across something locally.

3. Build some desktop stands for my desktop speakers.

Granted my list is much less ambitious than others here, but I'm more than halfway there.
Edit - Yeah maybe less ambitious is not true. Although purchasing a home and moving is not technically audio related, my 2022 plans for a audio system depend heavily upon it. Beat that!
House found and purchased - ✅ Now I need to get the basement finished.
Bookshelf speakers purchased - ✅ Used Ascend Acoustic Sierra 1 bookshelf speakers courtesy of HFH member Drugolf.
Build some desktop stands for my SVS actives - 🔕 Didn't happen. But in my defense, this moving crap is time consuming and exhausting.

Current status: the finished basement project, where the Sierras will reside, is on hold while we get quotes for yard regrading and/or a French drain system for our yard. We were aware of the issue of the backyard sloping towards the house when we bought the new place; tough not to notice. Problem is we bought in late spring when everybody who does outdoor drains/regrading is super busy. We are on wait lists just to get a quote. The previous homeowner "solved" the problem by having a French drain added inside the house around the perimeter of the basement. It is still under warranty and has proved itself capable of keeping the basement dry during several torrential downpours. We just don't feel comfortable spending thousands of dollars on a finished basement without taking care of the yard first.

 

[jblnut]

So Spring has come and gone.....Just sayin.....

I also have a Project that is right up your alley in the works. But I want to be sure it arrives safely before I make any announcements.

I am still on the maker's waiting list. The pandemic and war in Ukraine have seriously constrained their parts supply.

Hope to have an update here again soon....

 

[Audionut]

Well, see, I.saw the following in Audionut’s post: 5. Build silbatone cabs for the 755c’s - pending - I’m helpful like that. 👍

When I get going on mine, I’ll definitely reach out.