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Item: Osborn EOS reference gloss tasmanian blackwood Location: Melbourne East Price: $1700 priced for quick sale. retail is $4280 plus $300 for the gloss finish Item Condition: Excellent Reason for selling: Was used for a separate HT set up for movies, however I've just consolidated into 2 channel so no longer required Payment Method: Pickup - Cash, Paypal (buyer pays fees), COD Only Extra Info: These were purchased directly from Greg Osborn last year. They are BIG standmounts in size, weight and sound - they certainly sound more like floorstanders with very impactful bass. These are the reference versions with the better tweeter - same tweeter as Osborn's best speaker the grand monuments. Sound wise, with 91db sensitivity I have tried them with both SS and single ended tube amps with great success, these are revealing speakers that sound the part. The bass is something to single out though, it's quite impressive and certainly not usually associated with standmounts. I paid $300 more for the gloss Tasmanian blackwood veneer, they look fantastic in this finish. For anyone wanting a all round speaker that competes in the $5k range with very little spend these would be it. Due each weighing at 15kg, pick up only unless the buyer would like to organise shipping. Pictures:

Well you have made a good start with the purchase of that TT and the records. A few suggestions for you: 1. Consider purchasing secondhand. There are some great buys to be had from the Classifieds and it will help to stretch your budget. 2. You will get a better overall result if you spread your budget more evenly over the components required. 3. You should factor in the purchase of a phono stage. A dedicated phono stage will significantly improve the performance of your system. You can try one in your system before you buy under the Graham Slee Loaner Program through Wyndham Audio. 4. Join the Queensland Audio Club (QAC) and try to hear a few member systems so that you can get an appreciation of what can be achieved. If you must have a valve amp, consider one from Earle Weston of Weston Acoustics. These are hand made in Australia, of high quality and within your budget. Earle can provide advice on a suitable amp to match with your choice of speakers. Some worthwhile upgrades for your TT would be a sub-platter and platter from Groovetracer in the USA. Good luck with your search.

EST 301 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Tom Waits - Bad As Me LP Tom Waits - Real Gone 2LP Two of Tom's studio albums from the last decade. I prefer the latter quite strongly; I wasn't planning on playing all four sides, but it is just so good... And now a nightcap, Japanese pressing of another under-rated album.

@@Runaway came round to set it up properly — one of SNAs gentlemen — its sounds even better now.

And some - like me, for instance, from an experiment I did - know they sound better when isolated from the floor (rather than coupled, which is what spikes do). I use squash balls under my custom-made, mono amp/active XO boxes. See here: Andy

Thanks for the plug John. http://queenslandaudio.club/ QAC membership is only $20 per financial year (you'll easily get that back from the food at the club BBQs). We're a pretty friendly bunch and you can often source equipment at "mates rates" from fellow club members who have succumbed to "upgradatitis". We have many (including myself) who dabble in the "darkside" (vinyl) and some that dabble in both vinyl and tubes. The club is a great source of information. We have monthly meetings, music nights 9& afternoons) and the occasional workshop (such as the turntable setup workshop at Decibel HiFi earlier this year). Send me a PM if you would like to know more (I'm the club webmaster - no one else wanted the job!) I also agree with John with going secondhand. If you change your mind, or later decide to go in a different direction you can resell the equipment without a taking a huge hit in the wallet.

RARE Final Lab Parthenon Turntable Fidelity Research FR 66S & FR64S Legend tone arm

Yes it seems there may be some that deserve a warning for deliberately white anting FS threads.

This is what Sunday morning should sound like... Condemn me if you must!

Item: 1 pair of Weston Acoustic Topaz KT150 Mono block amplifiers Location: Adelaide, SA Price: $3500.00 (Firm) + pp and insurance (New RRP are $5995). Will ship double-boxed as they came from Weston Acoustic. Item Condition: Present as new but are 2nd hand Reason for selling: Time to move them along... Payment Method: Pickup - Cash or shipped EFT only. No PayPal Extra Info: I am the 2nd owner of these wonderful mono-block push-pull Class-A amplifiers (purchased from SNA / Eggmeister). They are in perfect condition, no scratches, marks on the wood or stainless steel surfaces. The full specifications below are from the Weston Acoustic website. Included in the sale will be additional tubes: 4 * CV181-ZTreasures HiFi Electron Tubes, 4* 6SN7 Sophia Electric Tubes and 2 * 5U4G Rectifier tubes (Russian Black base/plate I think - what I'm currently using in the amps. The original Cetron 5R4WGB are in their packets). Look at my thread here on SNA "An update to Frankn system" Posts 159-163 for pictures of unpacking them and condition - they are the same now as they were then. I've added a couple of extra pictures from this morning however the lighting is not good and I only have an iphone. It is raining atm so I'm not taking them outside to photograph. KT150 Class A self biasing push-pull monoblocks. The Topaz Duo is built on two mirrored chassis. Uses modified Pi wound output transformers for fully balanced DC resistance, and AC impedance, which equals very low distortion and exceptional frequency response. Secondary windings are made up of 18 layers of 0.25mm wire interleaved within the primary windings. Runs separate over sized high voltage (600VA) and heater (125VA) power transformers. CMC Teflon valve sockets, paper in oil coupling capacitors, CDM (Cornell Dubilier Mallory) & Philips cathode capacitors, Vishay thick film bias resistors, English high voltage copper hook up wire and solid copper core signal wire, CMC speaker binding posts. Transformers manufactured using Australian magnet wire, Australian and Japanese laminations, English and New Zealand bobbins, Australian made covers. Chassis tops are Australian laser cut 2mm stainless steel (1.2mm SS bottom plates). SPECIFICATIONS Power Output - over 45 watts per channel pure class A Frequency response -3db - 6hz to >75khz Signal to Noise - >90db A Weighted Signal to Hum - >80db Distortion - <0.1% at 1 watt rms (Typically 0.05%) Hum Level - <3.0 millivolt Sensitivity - 500mV Input impedance - 100K Inputs 1 Speaker output 8 ohm (6 to 12 ohm is fine) Damping Factor >6 (20hz to 20khz 8 ohm) Weight ~20kg (~44lb) per monoblock. Dimensions 440mm x 370mm x 220mm (width x depth x height) per monobloc Can also run KT88, 6550, KT90 and KT100 type output tubes Pictures: YES, and also see my thread "an update to Frankn system" posts 159-163

After seeing him last night at bris jazz fest...

While I'm in the mood for music that bites, the little trio from Switzerland that has been acknowledged to have influenced the likes of Bowie, Reznor and Patton.... now in their 30th year and primed to release a new album. The Young Gods - Only Heaven

Kraftwerk ‎– Autobahn Today I did a A/B with X2 Kraftwerk ‎– Autobahn Japan pressings.Both Mint condition 40 yr old records(Thankyou Collectors) with equal 10/10 for enjoyment with the Vertigo pressing the preferred for my taste!! Stump Kraftwerk ‎– Autobahn Label: Vertigo ‎– RJ-7010 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album Country: Japan Released: 1974 Kraftwerk ‎– Autobahn Label: Philips ‎– BT-8103 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album Country: Japan Released: 1974

Some Reggae....as requested for the Mrs Heart of the Congos, Cedric Myton, Roy Johnson, pretty good album....SQ very good+

Toes not included in sale! sorry, didn't notice in the photos....

the last leaf falls, its the last of autumn and its well and truly winter.. its cold, its wet. Took an umbrella out with me to keep me and camera dry !

looks like Oppo have taken to social media to tease on the upcoming release.... https://twitter.com/OPPODIGITAL OPPO Digital ‏@OPPODIGITAL Jun 3 "Oh, look. It's the display on our upcoming 4K player, lighting up for the first time." see you again.... 1/19 ? not sure if this means - see you again on jan 19 2017 ? same thing on their Facebook page as well. in previous communications to anyone thats asked they have said availability late this year early next year. so I do think CEDIA perhaps for concept if they are aiming to launch for CES next year. for us in australia thats perhaps a month or two later we might get it. other responses from them has said there will be a 103 style replacement 1st followed later for a 105 level replacement. oled display ? perhaps this player isn't just a direct replacement using their current 101ci player as basis ps am glad got my sammy uhd player to keep me going in the mean time... can now sit back and wait... I'm scared what the oppo might cost being their 1st gen player...but fingers crossed not too much more than their current players and the 101ci starts t $599 the 103 at $799 samsung and particularly the panasonic look out ....

Got some new music - Peter Gabriel Live, sounds good. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sunday morning and blasting the cobwebs outta my system with bit of Polly Jean! P.J Harvey - Dry. By golly Miss Polly, what a debut! First time I've listened to this through my new speakers and you know the all usual cliches that apply. I'll keep it simple - fcuk it sounds great!

Take your time and don't try to rush into it. If you're anything like me, that will be hard to do. The biggest bang for your buck in terms of SQ is speakers, followed by room treatment. They're the bold strokes, the rest is shading. Spend the lion's share there. I have a valve integrated amp and love it. Valves are easy to replace - easier than replacing a light bulb. Some are inexpensive, some are not. It depends on the type of valve and the brand you buy. Most modern integrated amps won't have a phono stage, so you'll need to look at buying a phono stage. There's heaps of threads here about phono stages - again, take your time and do your research. Here's one such thread http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php/topic/104642-recommend-a-phono-stage-under-a-grand/ I would also strongly recommend looking at 2nd hand equipment. A lot of the people selling gear in the classifieds here are very knowledgable and will share their experience freely. Many of them know much more than the sales people in hi fi stores. Speak with other SNA members and go and listen to their system. For most of us here, it's our pride and joy and we enjoy sharing that with others. You will learn more this way than schlepping around from hi fi store to hi fi store. Good luck and enjoy your music!

And now I have to go. Have to work so I can one day afford some of this stuff. I still haven't made it to the 14th floor. Just not enough time. Lasting conclusions I still don't like most female vocal. Esp audiophile versions thereof. There are so many brands for your audiophile budget. So many alternatives. Some of them are even really good. I am amazed that there are so many people trying to compete in such a small niche market. There are still a lot of BS tweaks being pushed. Still if it makes some happy good luck. I intend at some point to upgrade to new speakers so I was mainly interested in speaker tech. After listening to numerous $100k plus speakers the Kef blades seem like a bargain. Same for the Volti. If I was stupid wealthy I would have taken the Magico S7 or the Raidho D4.1's with honorable mention to the Perfect 8. If you ever get the chance this is a great show to attend. Send the rest of your family down the beach while you tour the kit.

Hi All Some relaxing evening music: JJ

http:// http:// http:// Brinkmann Spyder. I've had this for 2 weeks now. Lots of late nights up listening. One very happy boy now.

I just installed a 2m black on my Rega P3-24. Its the first cart I've done and I'd have to say it was a bit hair-raising. I changed the tracking force using an electronic gauge so I know thats right. I lined up the stylus by eye in the exactly the same position as the Blue it replaced - inexact maybe but it sounds superb and I'm hoping I've lucked out getting it right first time. I probably need to get an experienced eye on it. Am i likely to be causing damage if its out? Its quite thrillingly better than the Blue, in an entirely different league. Its digging out loads of extra detail and, surprisingly, there's less surface noise. Miles Davis at the Plugged Nickel sounds amazingly good.

I had my 49 yr old sister staying with me last week. She was an absolutely mad Elton Fan in her day but kids and life got in the way of her music. Hardly listens to much music except in her car these days. I sat her down in #1 position infront of my SGR's and dual SVS SB1000 combo the other night and turned the lights out. Fired up 'Funeral for a friend/love lies bleeding' at a fair old volume. After it finished I turned on the lights and she had tears streaming down her face. She gave me the biggest hug and said.......'That just made my day I have never heard anything like that. @#$^ AWESOME !!!" :love :party :party Regards Cazzesman

He's a good fellow @@Runaway

@@RaoulJuke don't pay too much heed to the perceived wisdoms of the audio world. My experience has turned many of them on their head and shown me they are worthless generalisations. My amp is a Manley Stingray. It will fit nicely in your budget for a nice second hand example. Perceived wisdom says that valves don't rock. Listen to rock through a Stingray and I can guarantee that will change views on the subject. There are plenty of reviews that show I'm not alone in thinking this. I have a solid state Onkyo Grand Integra pre/power combo that on paper should slaughter the Stingray. It's the Stingray that delivers the knockout punch. I find the higher frequencies a bit grainy on the GI and more smooth, buit more importantly, more lifelike on the Stingray. The Stingray concedes some ground in terms of sheer heft of bass, but makes up for it with a more detailed and refined bass. You can hear what the bass players are doing more clearly through the Stingray. The knockout punch is in the midrange. The Stingray is sublime here and shows a clean pair of heels to my SS amp. Perceived wisdom says don't pair a low powered amp with inefficient speakers. My speakers are 86db and the Stingray drives them with authority. An iron fist in a velvet glove. If you're ever in Sydney, you're welcome to drop by and listen to some tunes. Your tastes are very similar to mine. P.S. Make sure you drop by the Currently Spinning thread. http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php/topic/324-currently-spinning/ 1,324 pages of largely wonderful music suggestions at current count and growing by the hour. Lots of us vinyl aficionados there and I can guarantee you will make genuinely amazing musical discoveries from there. I've literally got hundreds of artists in my collection now I had never heard of before joining SNA. Be warned however, it's a thread that's very harmful to your wallet. P.P.S. I reckon monitor speakers may leave you wanting for more given your musical tastes, but remember what I said about perceived wisdoms...

Very enjoyable vintage speakers. Had a pair a while back and their sound has stayed with me.

Something tells me that CD players and CDs will go the same way as records and record players went. I remember back in early 90s people scrambled to get out of records and record players. And now look, records are so so popular. This player is truly a great player and is very sought after. Whoever buys this will love it. I have kept mine and will not sell it. GLWS and well done to the new buyer.

I dare say it still sounds pretty state of the art in 2016.

La Mer

As a 14 year old kid, I thought the original Vector W2 was the coolest car in the world...Still reckon the original was the best..

I am relieved to note that my 10CC induced tinnitus seems to have abated. I had learnt to 'filter' it out quite well, then a fortnight ago, as my head hit the pillow for the night, and I did the customary 'focus' to check whether it was worsening, I could not discern it. Not that night, nor the next, or the next.... So, two weeks clear, I have my fingers crossed.

[sA] Beautiful Yamaha CR-820 Receiver http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Yamaha-CR-820-Stereo-Receiver-NS-Series-Excellent-condition-Retro-Vintage-/322134212204?hash=item4b00b1fe6c:g:I2YAAOSwnFZXUESC

Loving the sneaky gear porn pics slipping into this thread! Just seems more real. Keep em coming!

A MrBuzzardstubble album.

Vector M12.

Last nights consumption No wonder I felt happy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Do yerself a favour and do that. This is an original English pressing I happened upon in the most unlikely of places and man, is that stripped back analog production impressive. Oozes simplicity, purity and a casual sense of mastery you can only find in a guy at the top of his game. Frankly, it's only early, post Beatles McCartney for me but when he was good, boy was he good. (I cop a lot of flack for holding this period of his in such esteem )

More Wings: Wild Life simple, stripped back analog goodness. Underrated.

You seem to have your head screwed on straight. Hang around, talk to a few people, research and take your time. eBay and whatnot can be a fantastic resource but I think if you have any fear around second hand stuff, the classifieds here could be a safer option. Deal with long term members and ensure you are both absolutely clear on all facets of any agreement reached before money/goods exchange hands. Cover your bases - buy local if you can, get photos and exchange details with the seller. Get shipping insurance if buying interstate. I've been buying and selling vintage gear for a number of years and ime, there are more good sellers/buyers/fellow geeks than bad out there. The potential problems for buying new are a: salesmans agenda and b: the bang for buck you WON'T get buying new. You can get some great advice on forums such as this one and it's a great opportunity to meet like minded people near you to help guide you along. Worked for me even though it wasn't what I set out to do. Again, best of luck and have fun. Love the name and the pure vinyl rig goal btw. Cheers, Johnny

I was just at the BBC news site and saw this article in the science section about a new FLAT lens that can be made like a computer chip. It's supposedly better than APO lenses, and 30% sharper, and could be made to pretty much any size. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36438686

What a great post! I refuse to debate on forums these days. I just can't be bothered, particularly with those who practically call other people liars because they can't hear something that clearly others can.

Kryon These guys were doing a great job. Sounding much better than many other rooms.