Its been a bit quiet

[Tenson]

It seems a bit quiet round here lately so how about a small bake-off? :D

I remember some time ago, there was a discussion about DACs and I said I think the Behringer DEQ is as good as the DAC 64, especially when modded - to which there was some opposing views. I have now got a nice new listening room set up, acoustically treated and sounding great over at my Dad's place (which is unoccupied most weekends), so how about a bake-off? :)

If someone has a DAC64 then bring it along and we can have a good time playing lots of music through each of them (modded DEQ and DAC 64). The new room has a large sofa and I plan to get a couple of bean bags to lean on too, so I could fit 4 people plus myself, 5 at a squeeze.

I'd love to hear some new music, have a good chat and get a few more of you out there having heard the modified DEQ! :cool: Free beer and as many lovely samosas as you can handle! (there is a shop round the corner that has been making them daily for about 20 years or more ;) )

I'm in Gravesend which is about 40min with no changes from London Bridge and the place is about 2min walk from from the station so its very easy to get to. What date would be good? I was thinking maybe 3 weeks from now like the 8th September?

[Dev]

I'd be up for it but I don't have a DAC to bring.

[RobHolt]

Free beer and as many lovely samosas as you can handle! (there is a shop round the corner that has been making them daily for about 20 years or more ;) )


I can vouch for the samosas :)
Dev, you have competition!

PS: I'd love to come along but put me at he bottom of the list if the spaces go as I've just visited and heard the stuff - and impressive it is.

[kmac]

Simon

I'd love to hear your DAC compete but sadly I don't have one to bring along. Got some new music you might be interested in though.....

and you are right, it has been a bit quiet in here lately. Must be the brilliant summer we're having - everyone is out barbequeing :)

[Tenson]

Well that is 3 of you :)

I have PMd 'Larkrise' but I think he is on holiday still. He might come along as we had been taking about meeting up.

Anyone else around for the 8th Sep?

AT should come down from Manchester, that would be good :)

[Hamilton]

Hi Simon

I'd be interested if there's still space, though I need to check date with other half. I'd certainly like to hear the modded DEQ. Used to have a DAC64, but no longer, though I'd be happy to bring along the Monarchy M22c which replaced it and which we like better.

[DavidF]

Simon
and you are right, it has been a bit quiet in here lately. Must be the brilliant summer we're having - everyone is out barbequeing :)


Indeed it has.

Thanks but Gravesend is a bit of a trek for me....:)

[Tenson]

Hi Simon

I'd be interested if there's still space, though I need to check date with other half. I'd certainly like to hear the modded DEQ. Used to have a DAC64, but no longer, though I'd be happy to bring along the Monarchy M22c which replaced it and which we like better.

Hi there is still space, in fact yourself, Dev, Rob and Kmac would be about the perfect number. Let me know if the date if okay for you. Bring along the Monarchy. :)

[Ya-Boo]

Any room left Simon ?

[Tenson]

Hi Kevan! I think we can squeeze you in :)

Okay so its confirmed for the 8th. What time would be good for you guys? I was thinking a 1pm start till late?

Could everyone that wants to come please confirm that is all okay (Hamilton, Dev?)?

[Baudrillard]

Ok Simon. Just noticed this thread. Would have been interested but looks like you're full already. Maybe next time.

D.

[Tenson]

Don't worry I will be having more :)

I think 5 might be a bit too many really. I can fit 5 plus myself but it wil be really tight and I think not very conducive to good conversation and relaxation.

It really depends who can confirm if they will be coming or not though. I figured 5 people say they want to come and 4 will turn up.

[kmac]

I'm a definite (pending acts of God)

[Ya-Boo]

simon,I prob come on the train I can have a drink then

[Hamilton]

Hi Simon

May be best to cry off for this time if there are others want to come. Need to go North for a family visit asap and OH wants to make it that weekend. Would love to come another time though.

Cheers

Gordon

[Tenson]

Hi Gordon,

That is cool, it works out just perfect then, assuming everyone else who said they want to come do so.

I'll definitely have another get together in the near future so don't worry, have fun up North!

[Tenson]

Guys, looking forward to tomorrow. Please bring music with you as you all know my taste is a bit off the wall! :D

If anyone wants me to meet them at the train station then call my mobile when you get there. I'm only a few min away. See ya around 1pm.

[kmac]

Simon

Just so I can plan, is there an end time? When are you expecting us to clear-off approximately? Need to let the boss know when I'll be back.

[Tenson]

Probably best end around 9:30pm. The trains stop running for a lot of places at around 10pm (like up to London).

[RobHolt]

Simon, looking forward to tomorrow.
I hope you've warned that guy that we intend to raid his entire supply of samosas :)

[kmac]

Also on the original subject of your post....it cetainly isn't "quiet" here any more. Ses what you've done Simon:D

[Tenson]

Well a thanks to Kmac and Rob for the company yesterday! YaBoo (Kevan) didn't turn up and I'm not sure what happened to him? Despite being one man short it was still good fun and we still didn't get through all the music bought along.

Kmac, maybe you could PM me what some of those discs were so I can check them out? Wish we had got to play a few more of them before you went.

After listening to a fair bit of music we had a play with some kit, too. There was a digital vs. vinyl shootout between my highly modified Behringer DEQ2496 fed by a humble Technics CD player optical output and the C, Hilson & Son of Bath gramophone using the 'Loud' diaphragm and soft brass needles.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8154/restofkitcb4.jpg
Technics CD player > Modified DEQ2496 > Cyrus 3 > small DIY speakers
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/751/gramaphoneyu8.jpg
C, Hilson & Son of Bath gramophone, if I read the photo correctly!
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7868/gramaphoneneedlepv7.jpg

The conclusion was rather inconclusive :p Vinyl is definitely more involving, what with all the changing of needles, winding of the handle and lifting of that heavy lid... but a really good digital front end like the AudioSmile modified DEQ delivers on the detail retrieval, lower noise and all those Hi-Fi things, and of course ease of use. However, each has its own moments of greatness and I think for a really top notch system you need both! :cool: Budget allowing, of course.


We then listened to the Sony direct drive TT with Technics 205CMK3 cartridge. Despite the age, the kit is probably capable of rather good sound, but except for an indo-jazz fusion record that was crap music, all the records were well over-played. We did find a Cliff Richard original mono LP though! :(
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/4190/sonytechnicsdx9.jpg
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/3967/closeupaw8.jpg

More music was appreciated, along with a large plate of samosas and a few drinks and then Kmac had to head home to another party, as you do. :SLEEP:

Rob and I then played with the first speakers I owned, passed on to me from my Dad upgrading to some Mission 770's (IIRC). These were the KLH.... somethings (cue Rob!)

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8809/klhaf0.jpg

You know what? They sound f**king good! The top end is clear and sweet and the bottom end is tight and authoritative. The mid is a little coloured but not badly... and they are a bit senior! They definitely sound better than the Mordaunt Short MS25i floorstanders that I replaced them with... ummm, yeah.

A bit later we then tried the Mission 760's.
http://img472.imageshack.us/img472/4372/missionsai5.jpg
They used to be surround sound speakers when we had a big house but have since, pretty much, been in the loft. These had a nice tight bottom, big sound and were very enjoyable, perhaps 'musical'. :eek: I should throw them in the bin. :mad:

A nice time was had by all the end. And hopefully I can arrange another gathering soon with those who didn't manage to attend this time. I'm sure I will see a lot of you at the nearing show, too.

Oh and here is a pic of one of the acoustic panels, with some nice art on it, an option that will shortly be available once I get around to updating the website :)

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1811/panelta8.jpg

[RobHolt]

It was a very enjoyable day Simon and lord only knows what else is lurking up in that loft!

I think the KLH speakers were 331s and they did sound bloody good considering they must be about 30 years old.
The little Mission 760s brought back memories as I had the very similar 780s years ago - punchy little things.

That old gramaphone stole the day. That thing played LOUD with those Rachmaninov 78s.

The little DIY speakers sound much bigger than they look and have surprising bass clout - no problem with the Quincy Jones :)

[Tenson]

It was a very enjoyable day Simon and lord only knows what else is lurking up in that loft!

Haha, there are lots of cool things :D

For one, there is an acoustic guitar that cost around £1,000 10-years ago. A friend of my Dads left it there when she moved to Portugal, but she has never asked for it since. I think it must be a bit funny after sitting up there for a good few years. :guitar:

[Dev]

Hi Simon,

I thought this was going to be a bake off to compare DACs (DAC-off?:D). What happened? Not enough DACs?

[joel]

but except for an indo-jazz fusion record that was crap music,
An Indo-Jazz fusion record that you found in the loft? If it's what I think it is, you are right. Total crap.
Let me take it off your hands for you :-)

[kmac]

I'll second the "very enjoyable day"

Dev no-one showed up with a DAC let alone a DAC 64 so we had to "make do" with listening to music, chilling out and eating samosas.

On the samosa front, they were some of the best I've had, especially the "secret recipie" sauce that went with them.

I was really impressed with the little DIY speakers. Very open sound and excellent bass. "a nice tight bottom" ;)

I think the lamp in the corner with the fuzzy blue light really helped though - all the molecules of air in the room seemed to dance in time with the music (we measured this with the metronome) :JPS:

[bottleneck]

Haha, there are lots of cool things :D

For one, there is an acoustic guitar that cost around £1,000 10-years ago. A friend of my Dads left it there when she moved to Portugal, but she has never asked for it since. I think it must be a bit funny after sitting up there for a good few years. :guitar:

Hi Simon,

Couldn't leave that one alone! did someone say guitars? :)

I don't know if you know this (and apologies if you do!!).. when storing a guitar for years it's a good idea to de-tension the strings. I've seen cases where a guitar neck has been bowed beyond use by being 'attic'd' with strings on. The temperature changes in an attic combined with the string tension can really bend a neck beyond playability over years.

That would be a real shame with a nice guitar like this one (guitars to me are almost like people, and I don't like to see them get hurt!).

What kind is it by the way? - out of interest.

[Tenson]

I'm not sure what it is. Since it is not mine I never touched it. But after all this time I start to wonder if it will ever be asked for by the original owner!

I certainly hope the strings were de-tensioned but I have a horrid feeling they were not. I will have to take it down and check it out next time I am up there.

Joel, the indo-jazz record had an Indian woman on the front in classic get-up. Dunno if that helps.

[sideshowbob]

If it's this then you're an ignorant pleb, because it's a great record :-)

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/415JP2C4F8L._AA240_.jpg

It's also worth money if it's an early pressing in good condition.

-- Ian

[Dev]

Simon, chuck it my way if you really think it's rubbish :D.

[joel]

Simon, chuck it my way if you really think it's rubbish :D.
Dev, you're third in line :-)
SSB: Shhh.

[Dev]

Yes, but I'm the nearest one to him, he doesn't need to throw it very far.:D.

[sideshowbob]

I've already got a copy :-)

-- Ian

[kmac]

Ian

Having seen the cover of Simon's indo-jazz record on Saturday.....it looked different from yours. That's not to say it's not the same album I guess.

I think Simon commented that it was a bit like beeing in an Indian restaurant as we were listening to that record, eating samosas and drinking cobra beer.

There were some even older records... some one sided ones and one with a thick lip on the outside edge. Definately one for " in the attic" or whatever that programme is that unearths valuable items from peoples' attics

[RobHolt]

I think Simon commented that it was a bit like beeing in an Indian restaurant as we were listening to that record, eating samosas and drinking cobra beer.



It really was boring 'plinky plonky' music of the type played on a tape loop at the local Indian.

Then again it could be the fault of the PRaT-less Sony DD ;)

[joel]

SSB linked to a picture of Indo Jazz Fusion Volume II. There is also a volume I.
I would be interested in either, and would be willing to paypal a reasonable amount of money for a good condition OP for my own use, not for resale :-)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ANTAYT1YL._SS500_.jpg

[sideshowbob]

I've already got volume one as well :-)

Just to be annoying...

-- Ian

[Tenson]

SSB linked to a picture of Indo Jazz Fusion Volume II. There is also a volume I.
I would be interested in either, and would be willing to paypal a reasonable amount of money for a good condition OP for my own use, not for resale :-)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ANTAYT1YL._SS500_.jpg

I will go get a picture of it for you. No telling if my Dad will want to sell it though :confused: But, it did seem in superb condition.

[Markus S]

I've already got volume one as well :-)

Just to be annoying...

-- Ian

Annoying b*astard.

[martin47]

Also available, this all singing double pack: -

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1427/1360583408_0a3d11b722_o.jpg

This was put out by EMI / Lansdowne Series.

Indeed, very good. Not as good as 'Curried Jazz' though ;)

Martin.

[SCIDB]

Hi,

there are more covers here. (http://www.popsike.com/php/quicksearch.php?searchtext=Indo+Jazz+&x=15&y=9) All worth a few pounds.

SCIDB

[Tenson]

Its this one -

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/7892/indonn1.jpg

Let me know what it is worth to you, and I will ask my Dad if he wants to sell it :)

[sideshowbob]

I suspect that edition is probably about 25 quid's worth.

Hello Martin, nice to see you here...

-- Ian

[Baudrillard]

I have Indo Jazz suite LP- Joe Harriott double quintet under the direction of John Mayer, on Atlantic (Reissue). Its great stuff.

[Baudrillard]

Just heard that Joe Zawinul has died. Amazing musician. Only saw him the once fronting a band in Brighton a few years ago- he made a comment about how much better vinyl sounded than CD and I cheered :D

A friend of mine saw Weather report in the seventies with Jaco Pastorious and said that was far and away the best concert of his life- Jaco was an amazing performer and not just musically.

Respect.

[Dev]

Markus has started a thread here.

http://www.zerogain.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17094

[ShinOBIWAN]

Simon I spotted a typo on the cover of that album, it should read "Indo-Jizz".

[RobHolt]

I still thought it was shite. Sorry.

Simon, bring it next time you come over and I'll give it a spring clean on the Okki.

[lordsummit]

I've ordered a copy on CD, £6.27 for both albums. I'd like to see what the fuss is about :)

[Tenson]

Hi,

If someone wants it for £25 they are welcome... not sure how best to post it though?

By the way, you might like to check through the records on this site - http://www.vinyltherapy.co.uk/

Run by a customer of my Dad's. Not sure why he puts everything in capital letters but never mind!

[ShinOBIWAN]

By the way, you might like to check through the records on this site - http://www.vinyltherapy.co.uk/

Run by a customer of my Dad's. Not sure why he puts everything in capital letters but never mind!

Simon, your Dad(and his friend) sound cool. Its good when you can share this stuff with the old man, mine thinks its a "waste of time when you can buy a mini system and it sounds fine" :o

[Tenson]

My Dad doesn't really give a fig about good sound. He used to, to a degree, but he seemed to simply lose interest a long time ago. I think the only thing he listens to now is radio 4 :(

My Mum has always appreciated good sound and music, but never really knew what to buy in terms of music she would like. I helped her put together a nice little system recently and she has been buying a lot of music off Amazon now.