Linn
The Linn LP12 has gone through many changes in its lifetime, but I believe that a carefully set up LP12 can provide years of enjoyment in most of its guises; my own LP12 is now thirty years old and sounds the best it ever has, most of it is original. There are many different after market products for the Sondek, all have an effect on the sound of the player. Choosing which works for you is not always easy - some have their merits, but my personal choice of upgrades come from Tangerine Audio. Their first product was the Karmen top plate that I have been using since it came out, and it still continues to delight me.
Shahinian
I fell for Shahinian loudspeakers around twenty years ago, and I have owned a pair ever since. Being omni or pseudo omnidirectional, they are very accommodating of ‘difficult’ or oddly shaped rooms, and may be best described as spreading the sound around instead of it being fired at the listener. The theory behind the design is that as instruments radiate all sound around them, maybe a loudspeaker should too.
From the first time I heard them, they made digital sources listenable, and engage me in a way few other designs do. They are definitely my speakers of choice. Ranging from the petite Larc, a “bookshelf” loudspeaker that can fill a library, to the awe inspiring Diapasons, they all play music in a fashion that other loudspeakers cannot accomplish.
From the first time I heard them, they made digital sources listenable, and engage me in a way few other designs do. They are definitely my speakers of choice. Ranging from the petite Larc, a “bookshelf” loudspeaker that can fill a library, to the awe inspiring Diapasons, they all play music in a fashion that other loudspeakers cannot accomplish.
Dynavector
Dynavector cartridges are well established and need little or no introduction - they are beautifully made and offer an excellent performance throughout the range. The 10X5, (originally the Ultimo 10X) as the title suggests is now in its fifth reincarnation, and along with their other cartridges has been improved as new processes and materials have become available. Their back up service has always been excellent, and I highly recommend them.
Dynavector Australia manufacture pre / power amplifiers and phono stages, the P75 phono stage probably being the best known. Now in Mk 4 form, it provides amplification for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, easily adjustable, with the added phono enhancement section, gives excellent results. They are a small company, with great attention paid to quality and detail, and have recently moved manufacturing in house to have greater control.
Their previous models all attracted much acclaim, and were developed using Shahinian loudspeakers, so they are an a excellent match, and the new amplifiers are eagerly awaited.
The L200 mk2 is an excellent sounding preamplifier, at ease with itself, performing above its price. We are expecting a new power amplifier this year, and hopefully a new top of the range preamplifier, but, frustratingly, being a small company products take a long time to come through. But they are always worth the wait.
Dynavector Australia manufacture pre / power amplifiers and phono stages, the P75 phono stage probably being the best known. Now in Mk 4 form, it provides amplification for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, easily adjustable, with the added phono enhancement section, gives excellent results. They are a small company, with great attention paid to quality and detail, and have recently moved manufacturing in house to have greater control.
Their previous models all attracted much acclaim, and were developed using Shahinian loudspeakers, so they are an a excellent match, and the new amplifiers are eagerly awaited.
The L200 mk2 is an excellent sounding preamplifier, at ease with itself, performing above its price. We are expecting a new power amplifier this year, and hopefully a new top of the range preamplifier, but, frustratingly, being a small company products take a long time to come through. But they are always worth the wait.
Well Tempered
Well Tempered record players have been around for some considerable time. The company changed hands and eventually reverted to its original owner a few years ago, which led to a complete redesign of the players, making them more straightforward and cheaper, but with improved performance.
WT players are like no others: a golf ball suspended over a silicone trough by a length of thread for an arm bearing, a very different main platter bearing with invisible mending thread as a drive belt (never again pay silly money for a new belt) and work they superbly.
The Simplex was originally developed from their first player, the Amadeus, which became their entry level player. The Simplex 2 has now gained a new plinth, similar to its elder siblings, The Versalex, and The Royale, and we are expecting to see a new version of the Amadeus in the near future.
The Versalex brought more improvements above the Amadeus, and is now joined by the Royale, WTs flagship player.
WT players are like no others: a golf ball suspended over a silicone trough by a length of thread for an arm bearing, a very different main platter bearing with invisible mending thread as a drive belt (never again pay silly money for a new belt) and work they superbly.
The Simplex was originally developed from their first player, the Amadeus, which became their entry level player. The Simplex 2 has now gained a new plinth, similar to its elder siblings, The Versalex, and The Royale, and we are expecting to see a new version of the Amadeus in the near future.
The Versalex brought more improvements above the Amadeus, and is now joined by the Royale, WTs flagship player.
Rega
I am no longer a supplier of Rega products, but I service their record players, and know most of their strengths and foibles. I am a big admirer of Rega, having sold their products for many years, and have great respect for them and the company.
Naim
I have a very good in-depth knowledge of earlier Naim products, having dealt with them for years, and I can help with most problems regarding connections, set up, servicing etc.