Question for Audiophiles

[Ignis Fatuus]

Why not enquire how much this croatian audio buff will build you a comparable system for?

Then you just need the other off the shelf bits (via ebay or specialist audio reseller if you don't want to risk getting newer yet possibly inferior alternatives) to achieve a fairly similar system.

I looked at valve amps a while ago, and was staggered at the number of digits in the price. So I looked at building one myself, and that knocked a digit off the price, but alas I had been looking at knocking more digits than that off the price.

Sigh. Can't just buy valves for a few bob from an ad in the back of Practical Wireless any more

[chef]

Why not enquire how much this croatian audio buff will build you a comparable system for?

I've already done that and I'm looking for decent soundcards to improve the onboard sound

[Ignis Fatuus]

Indeed you can't.

Proper KT88s are a mint these days.

The Sovtek & Chinese replicas are more reasonable though.

And it's not just the valves, the transformers are expensive too.

That's right Hundreds just for a tranny??? Should have kept the old Mullard 5-10 and dumped the Savings Certificates.

[Ignis Fatuus]

Replacement transformers for classic valve tube amps.

!!!

Very reasonable really, considering that the output transformer is the heart of your amplifier. That plus a good cartridge is what gives you quality.

[doodab]

I've already done that and I'm looking for decent soundcards to improve the onboard sound

How is the PC connected to the receiver / amp at the moment? Does your computer have an SPDIF output that would allow you to connect to an external converter?

What is your budget?

[Ignis Fatuus]

I remember paying £30 for a Shure V15 III.

That seems cheap now, but it was an arm & a leg at the time.

Yes, I remember.

I remind myself of inflation with my camera-buying history. I bought my first camera for £15. That was a whole week's pay at the time.

When I started contracting I bought a new camera, for £200. That was exactly one week's pay then.

Later I upgraded to a newer model, for £600, when that was a week's pay.

Damned if I could afford to spend a whole week's pay on a new camera now.

[doodab]

Damned if I could afford to spend a whole week's pay on a new camera now.

You could get a nice one if you did. The digital ones depreciate a lot faster, but at least the lenses seem to hold their value.

[Ignis Fatuus]

You could get a nice one if you did. The digital ones depreciate a lot faster, but at least the lenses seem to hold their value.

I know. Not interested, though. Cameras have now done what computers did a little while ago, for me: reached the point where any decent consumer model does everything I want, well enough that I see no need to upgrade.

Back in the days, there was a noticeable advantage in buying the pro cameras (e.g. Olympus OM1 instead of OM10), but I don't see it now, from a photographic point of view.

[chef]

How is the PC connected to the receiver / amp at the moment? Does your computer have an SPDIF output that would allow you to connect to an external converter?

What is your budget?

Right now its via SPDIF from pc to receiver

Budget is debateable
GF chef has actually suggested better speakers as a combined Bday xmas present as she was so impressed with the sound and thought the speakers would make the biggest difference.

Otherwise 200notes or thereabouts on a soundcard and/or the bespoke made valve amp if its circa 500/600 for a new contract signing present from me to me whenever that happens.

[doodab]

Back in the days, there was a noticeable advantage in buying the pro cameras (e.g. Olympus OM1 instead of OM10), but I don't see it now, from a photographic point of view.

I find it's more a case of keeping up with the technological evolution than moving up the range, there has been a lot of progress in making the sensors more sensitive with less noise, even in the entry level models. I think there are definite advantages to something like the Canon 5D over the cheaper models though.