I can't afford shop HiFi so most of my stuff is home made. Some bought items are (oldest) SME3009 that I bought new in the 70's as a schoolboy, Sony CDP bought in Tokyo in early 90's, and Analogue Works TT bought two years ago and shipped to Australia. Making another DAC and improving the Metronomes mid and high end are next tasks. I'd like to get another CDP but don't know what.
This is my first valve amp, designed by Kenji (single ended dot com). 6AN8A's and KT-88's. Currently driving my Seas Thor TL's and fed by Apple Airport or home made RIAA preamp for the Shure V15 III in the SME3009 S3 improved.
Home made 300B / 2A3 Single ended amp
My second valve amp, also Kenji's nice design, EF86 ECC88 and 4300B currently. It's driving the big Audio Nirvana Metronomes in the living room and fed from my home made DAC that sees SPDIF / TOSLINK signals from Apple Aiport, or the El Cheapo DVD player we use for the Samsung TV.
Home made DAC
My first attempt at a DAC. FLuency DAC chip, CS8416, LT1364 and cathode follower buffer with 6N1P's.
Home made Seas THOR TL speakers
Cherry veneered SEAS Thor design TLS with the crossovers in the solid walnut plinths. These are pretty nice speakers. 25mm MDF.
Home made Frugal horns
A pair of basic Frugal Horns with Mark Audio drivers, passive BSC. These are lovely efficient small speakers that don't cost much to make and sound great for voice, jazz, chamber music etc.
Home made Big Metronome speakers with Audio Nirvana AN Super 10's.
These are home grown, 19mm ply and hand veneered with spotted gum natural wood, finished in polyurethane. They are filled with silk floss and a bit of lambs wool. I'm not 100% satisfied with the AN drivers, and might end up replacing them or adding discrete tweeters. Look damn fine though. Best for organ, harpsichord, some strings but the mid to high range is too harsh for a lot of voice and violin. Terrific low end. Very efficient and driven by my 300B amp. Passive 6db BSC.
Home made 1992 vintage Elektor design solid state pre- and mono block power amp.
I made these in 1992 from a classic Elektor plan and pcbs. Utterly reliable amp, very good and probably worthy of calling high end. Never stopped working in 24 years, how's that? Class AB 50W with relays for input selection.
Sony CDP 308 ESD
Pristine 1991 CD player, working well. I've never owned another Hi-Fi CD player but I guess need to start looking around. Not easy things to DIY, sadly.
Systemdek Systemdek II with Rega-type arm and ATF3 MC
Had this Syestemdek since 1988. Second motor. The RIAA head amp is Elektor 1992 design and sits under arm board. Glass platter, cork mat.
You ought to be quite proud of this system! Would love to hear your Metronomes. The Audio Nirvana room at RMAF a few years ago floored me with their sound quality to price ratio.
