Audio Chews: the hi-fi and music community

Alan

A thread for interesting stuff appearing on eBay. We already do this for Royd speakers, but that's a minority interest - this is for anything you like. It doesn't even have to be HiFi - funny listings are welcome as well. Basically anything worth us wasting our time reading, in your opinion....

Mostly stuff you'd quite like to buy if you weren't so sensible. And poor. And married.

Alan

Ooh ooh - me first!

If I hadn't already got digital pretty sorted, I probably be lusting over this outdated CD player that will probably fail sooner rather than later given it's age. There's probably no support for it either. Still cool though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280741368108?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Maybe these too, though they seem expensive considering their condition.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SD-acoustics-SD1-speakers-4ft6-floor-standing-x-2-/220856639714?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item336c14e0e2

Alan

Seems topical: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAGNUM-IA125-1A125-integrated-stereo-sound-home-amp-amplifier-/400244383545?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item5d306c9f39

Colins work, I believe.

Alan

Groan....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALLISON-ONE-SPEAKERS-Vintage-Stereo-SPEAKERS-Restored-MINT-Condition-/250897882465?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item3a6aaddd61

Alan

Obelisks next:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shahinian-Obelisk-Speakers-3-way-/170702297062?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item27bea657e6

uglymusic

You bidding?

mattlynch

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140613964327&category=14993&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

uglymusic

Fantastic photograph and low price, I notice ;-)

Alan

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOODMANS-MAGNUM-K-SPEAKERS-/150663362098?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item23143c7632

I had several pairs of these, they are stupid cheap and so well made. The engineering on the basket is superb! I actually think the Magnum SL sounded better (with cheaper drivers and waffly cabs) with a bit of bracing, but these are wonderful old things. Really honest sound, fast bass too.

mattlynch

hi Alan,
perfect example of one mans food being another mans poison , i had a pair of those Magnums and the standard Magnum and found them both to be ok ish ,, but were easily bettered by leak 2030 speakers and even the little leak 150 left them sounding slow and overly warm and lacking extension and detail, still nice condition for their age ,sure someone will love them.

uglymusic

Hey Matt, I had Leak 2030s for quite a few years back in the 80s.

Swapped them for Tannoy DC2000s, if I remember correctly.

mattlynch

hi Dave, my mate still has my old 2030's , might see if he is willing to part with them for use in the spare room,
i read the article in hi fi world about the 2075 and how a full cross over rebuild can transform them and also smooths out the tweeter which i always had issue with but according to the article ,with careful component selection you are rewarded with stunning imaging and all thoughts of replacing the tweeter are forgotten ,

the dc2000 is a very likeable speaker , a friend of mine still has 2.5 pairs hooked up to his Nad AV receiver and give a stunning(but relaxed) presentation, they can be had super cheaply too ,if you have room for them as they need lots of breathing room as you will know, kicking bass too!

Alan

Hey Matt,

I haven't heard the Leaks, but I understand they are nice with a white sauce....no, really! I am sure they are great, don't mean to poke fun.

I should have said my Magnums were both tarted up with new crossover gubbins (Clarity caps & Solen fast caps IIRC) which may have made a difference. The balance was so far out when I got them the tweeters sounded like they had failed - the were actually A-OK with new crossovers.

Which reminds me another reason why the SL Magnum was better (to me) - it didn't have those adjusters on the back, just a plain & simple crossover.

I found them to be fast in the bass, and quite lean until they settled down. Maybe it was my SS system and the new bits, but they never once sounded warm to me. :)

mattlynch

poke away mate, always enjoy a larrff, cheese sauce is far nicer BTW,!
i was using a denon amp at the time which did have a warm character and may have affected proceedings , tried them briefly with pioneer spec pre/power amps and still the same, maybe the x-overs were knackered !
best regs,
matt

uglymusic

mattlynch said:
hi Dave, my mate still has my old 2030's , might see if he is willing to part with them for use in the spare room,
i read the article in hi fi world about the 2075 and how a full cross over rebuild can transform them and also smooths out the tweeter which i always had issue with but according to the article ,with careful component selection you are rewarded with stunning imaging and all thoughts of replacing the tweeter are forgotten ,

the dc2000 is a very likeable speaker , a friend of mine still has 2.5 pairs hooked up to his Nad AV receiver and give a stunning(but relaxed) presentation, they can be had super cheaply too ,if you have room for them as they need lots of breathing room as you will know, kicking bass too!

Something went wrong with one of the Leak drivers, if I remember correctly.

I don't remember the Tannoys being at all relaxed. Although I do remember the kicking bass. I had a mate who had them on a pretty expensive Exposure rig, where they sounded pretty lively :-)

Alan

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170706305192?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Finishing soon - might need an understanding/blind wife.

Alan

Inca tech pre & stereo power amps: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inca-Tech-IT50-Power-Amp-IT1x-Pre-Amp-/290616347154?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item43aa158a12

- And a beautiful little Claymore: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INCA-TECH-CLAYMORE-INTEGRATED-HI-FI-AMP-AUDIO-FILE-RARE-/280750415957?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item415e076055

mattlynch

Alan said:
Inca tech pre & stereo power amps: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inca-Tech-IT50-Power-Amp-IT1x-Pre-Amp-/290616347154?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item43aa158a12

- And a beautiful little Claymore: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INCA-TECH-CLAYMORE-INTEGRATED-HI-FI-AMP-AUDIO-FILE-RARE-/280750415957?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item415e076055

hi fi magic ! ,,i am sure Colin put a bit of his heart in every claymore , maybe thats why his heart needs a little assistance these days!
the last claymore went for almost £200 ,will be keeping an eye on these.

:)

Alan

Drop dead gorgeous super cool (rather like Dave), I present Albarry M-508! I didn't know about these, the 408 & the M1008 (I think that's right?), but never these. They look so good I almost don't care how they sound....

Shallow? Moi?

Nah!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALBARRY-S-508-MONOBLOCK-POWER-AMPLIFIERS-/200661195609?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item2eb856db59

Also a nice pre:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Albarry-PP1-integrated-amplifier-Rare-/130587384698?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item1e679d5b7a

uglymusic

But RD still has my 408s, busted though they are.

Alan

Well, in that case you sent them off to a dodgy repairman...I'd buy some more to make you feel better!

Alan

Impulse H6!!! Almost as exciting as H2s...Great price too:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260871500006?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

uglymusic

I can vouch for these. I had a pair back in the 90s, on reviewer's loan, when I had a bit more space than at the moment.

Absolutely bonkers on the end of the TDSs! Unruly, silly frequency response, but soooo much fun, realism and engagement.

In fact, I'm very tempted myself.

uglymusic

They've gone.

Anyone here buy them?

Docfoster

uglymusic said:
But RD still has my 408s, busted though they are.

Still has them...?

Docfoster

Alan said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170706305192?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Finishing soon - might need an understanding/blind wife.

Ah.
My late great grandmother had one of those. She'd had a pendulum clock fitted into the top part of the front panel.
;-)

Docfoster

Alan said:
Inca tech pre & stereo power amps: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inca-Tech-IT50-Power-Amp-IT1x-Pre-Amp-/290616347154?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item43aa158a12

- And a beautiful little Claymore: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/INCA-TECH-CLAYMORE-INTEGRATED-HI-FI-AMP-AUDIO-FILE-RARE-/280750415957?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers&hash=item415e076055

I have one in my second system. I picked it up last for (I think) less than £100 for a nice chap over on hifisubjectivist. :-)
It's a good amp. Really energetic and punchy.

uglymusic

Docfoster said:

uglymusic said:
But RD still has my 408s, busted though they are.

Still has them...?

Alas, yes.

Alan

Royd Sintra II:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Royd-Sintra-II-standmount-bookshelf-speakers-walnut-beautiful-condition-/360401861636?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item53e99ffc04

Arfa

Ooooh, tasty..... Not seen many of these about. Bets on what they'll fetch, £300? £400?

Alan

I doubt less than £400 myself, though times are hard. I would be genuinely surprised if they went closer to £300 than £400, and if people have been watching for them they might go over £500!

Arfa

46 people currently watching them... Yeah probably going to be around the £400 mark.

Uzinusa

these little darlings....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tannoy-Autograph-Mini-Loudspeakers-Prestige-Range-/290620250774?pt=UK_AudioVideoElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_HiFiSpeakers&hash=item43aa511a96&clk_rvr_id=275230973911#ht_12163wt_1022

uglymusic

Nice!

mattlynch

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180741970322&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

uglymusic

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130585147040&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNAFP:GB:1123#ht_500wt_922

It's been OOP for a while (at least here in the UK), and this is a very good price for a 4 CD box. Essential if you like late Coltrane.

I've snagged one of the three on offer.

Alan

Royd RR1, rare and predictably excellent:

Did anyone see what those Sintras went for? I haven't been watching much recently.

uglymusic

Yummy!

Arfa

The Sinta II's only made £211 in the end. Just goes to show, specifying pick-up-only will really reduce your sale price... However another pair have just appeared on ebay!

These may might for a bit of a bargain, lovely Triangle Altea EX's
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260879184108
Again pick-up-only from arse end of nowhere... :(

uglymusic

They look very nice. And Margate's not too bad from Sussex ;-)

Docfoster

Alan said:
Royd RR1, rare and predictably excellent:

Did anyone see what those Sintras went for? I haven't been watching much recently.

He's not doing his stereo image any favours with them placed like that...

mattlynch

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320788372302&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

isodynamic tweeter leaks , i am sure these would ween you guys off your royd's !! exiting, engaging , smooth, detailed , some the finest , reckon you would have to be spending over £5000 on new speakers to get similar satisfaction.

uglymusic

I'd love to hear them. As I think I've mentioned before, I had a pair of 2030s in the early 80s.

mattlynch

i have never heard a pair, only one in mono(the other was dead) playing a mono rolling stones record via a lenco TT and leak valve amp, excuse my french but, holy crap!!!
^:)^

Alan

They look tres cool indeed.

What did the other Sintras & RR1s go for?

Arfa

Sintra II: £211 and £371. The former were collection only mind.
RR1: auction was closed early, so no price, maybe they had a good offer...

Alan

Ah, thank you, your Roydal highness....

£211!!! Where were they, the Shetland isles?

Alan

More Royd Merlins! The third set in as many weeks...They are fast destroying their rep as some of the rarest Royds out there.

Well worth a punt if you are 'up noorf' as the seller hasn't picked a good time t'sell and has restricted his interest due to collection only.

mattlynch

Alan said:
More Royd Merlins! The third set in as many weeks...They are fast destroying their rep as some of the rarest Royds out there.

Well worth a punt if you are 'up noorf' as the seller hasn't picked a good time t'sell and has restricted his interest due to collection only.

hi Alan , seeing all these Royd's up for sale has me wondering what the sellers have found that can beat them , or have they all just gone a bit deaf with age?

Alan

Yeh, they all bought those all in one Bose systems..

uglymusic

If only I could afford one...

Alan

They were made for a different lass of punter Dave, don't feel bad!

8-}

Alan

Not quite eBay, HiFiWigWam classifieds: Something to do with our mutual friend and tame resident amp designer.

uglymusic

Oh, that one.

I thought you were being ironic for a moment there, with the amp designer who doesn't want to be our friend.

BTW, what flavour ice lolly is that?
:-\"

Alan

Que?

No, I did mean the friendly one. I wish the other one was friendly too, though.

uglymusic

It's a Magnum, geddit? :-D

Alan

Oh...no, not really!

Magnum isn't a lolly!

:-q

uglymusic

Oh yes it is! :-)

Uzinusa

Alan, sssshhhhh for goodness sake. I've got close up pics of those Merlins emailed to me and was hoping things would stay quiet :-)

Andy

Alan

Uzinusa said:
Alan, sssshhhhh for goodness sake. I've got close up pics of those Merlins emailed to me and was hoping things would stay quiet :-)

Andy

Ooops! Sorry Andy,

not to worry because hardly anyone reads here...

Merlins from Shahinians? That's some change mate, presumably a short term one?

Uzinusa

Ah Mrs Uz doesn't like the Arcs, so it's not worth making a deal of. I heard the Merlins earlier this year and thought they were superb and was tempted, as an interim measure maybe, to pick up a pair (these being v local suits me just fine as the post can't do any damage). Sure they won't have the scale but they should be sweet as a nut and will bring their own btw to the party.

Only joking re the sssshhhh Alan.

BW,

Andy

Alan

Go for it Andy, I heard Gromits two or three times and they are special, especially with really hight end amplification up 'em!

They are like minstrels but better, smoother but better detail. No harshness that I could hear. He had them on open stands, KAN I believe?

The later RR3 standmounts had their own integral stand by Royd, which is also light & open (4 round pillars, not as open as the KAN stands)

Alan

I was going to put these up a few days ago, but was too late:

Gale 401, and quite special ones as well fro the looks of them.

mattlynch

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Goodmans-speakers-top-range-massive-bespoke-enclosures-1960s-/320829680452?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DDLSL%252BSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D230731045264%252B230731045264%26po%3D%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5680589323637215316#ht_500wt_1287

great old speakers, nice price considering the condition

Brain_Dead

Alan said:
Not quite eBay, HiFiWigWam classifieds: Something to do with our mutual friend and tame resident amp designer.

Goodness me, these are very old the capacitor date is 1982.

The MC stage had re-chargeable batteries to reduce noise.

The power amp used Hitachi Fets which were made obsolete within 6mth of production.

The "Flat Earth" mag loved them. Long nights chatting over a hot curry with Malcolm and Chris dipping toast into a hot spice mix.

Fun days but hard work.

Were is Chris Frankland now???

Alan

Very special little speaks here, Royd Revelation 1 (RR1).

Cute, aren't they? Fantastic little things IMO!

uglymusic

Verra naice!

Alan

Alan said:
Very special little speaks here, Royd Revelation 1 (RR1).

Cute, aren't they? Fantastic little things IMO!

Flip me! :O

£465!

uglymusic

Royd prices on the up again?

Alan

A rare 'opportunity' if ever I saw one...

Probably works with a P90?

uglymusic

Rural Brittany? Something to do with @Stupinder?

I might have to bid :-)

Uzinusa

It's a fine example if ever I saw one. I've been hankering after a Weasel for a while, never thinking that I'd get a clean shot at the Stoat.

Alan

Pervert!

Uzinusa

Alan, is that really fair? We can argue later, however I'm just posting to tell you all what a damned decent bloke the Audio Stoat sell is. I asked him a straight question, and received a prompt reply. Thumbs up for this seller!

ah i give up with images today...

Q: "My Aardvark got covered in Honey". It's a Sam Rivers of Blue Note fame track. It already sounds weak in so many areas, lyrics excepted. Can you tell me how, if I'm blessed sufficiently by the God Thrangot, how the Audio Stoat will ruin My Aardvark got covered in Honey? Cheers, Andy

15-Mar-12A: How very dare you, sir or madam! The Audio Stoat will take your Aardvark covered in honey and roll it in delicious chopped, roasted hazelnuts making it even better than it was. Having had a word with the famous astronomer and all round good egg Professor Brian Cox he has suggested, after having carefully studied your birthchart, that there will be a dramatic change in fortune in the stars for you. He predicts you will bid a huge amount for this beautiful Audio Stoat 01 amplifier and win it. This in turn will make your family, who currently despise you, love you once again after they hear what beautiful music it doesn't play. Good fortune favours the naked! Neil Hillock for HP

Alan

Nice looking Royd Sapphire on eBay with decent pics.

Alan

Open baffles, acrylic, 15" and full range drivers...seems familiar! (although the listing does mention a crossover box)

uglymusic

Blimey! I thought you's found a joke pic to begin with there, Alan :-)

Alan

The look interesting, don't they?

uglymusic

Yes, they do. I'm wondering what Jim says to acrylic baffles.

I think I might take this over to the OBs thread.

Alan

Having spent a little time with the jedi master, my guess is:

"Not as good as chip. Or Torlyte." /Jim

uglymusic

I suspect that'll be his response, too. But we'll see.

Jim

Just looked at them.

I do think a timber baffle would be better, yes. But not sure how much there'd be in it TBH. I can certainly see (through) the attraction. It's not heavy and is self damped but I don't think acrylic is as stiff as chipboard. But I've not heard this and I'm wrong way more than I'm right so you never know.

This is the NoBox design straight from Visaton, it had some pretty good write-ups IIRC.

Alan

Rare and sought after indeed, Sintra 2:

Alan

Big Magnepans here and here! Fantastic stuff...

Alan

Not eBay, but PFM - some seriously cool loudspeakers and very very rare:

"Avondale RMS2 speakers. A pair of Les's fantastic speakers with
separate boxes containing the passive crossovers which I have never used
because I used them active with the 250s and Ixo. I have the boxes
although I'm unsure they are good enough to give to a carrier.I will
also include 2 x 3m pairs of Avondale Black Link speaker cables and some
shorter lengths which go from the crossover to the speakers. £775 reduced to £700"

I would take a punt on these myself, and do so blind if I had the cash.

Avondale.

uglymusic

They look interesting Alan.

I don't know them myself, but I have a feeling Jim mentioned something about Avondale speakers sometime. Can't remember what he said, tho'

:P

Alan

Neither does he... :-\"

uglymusic

I couldn't possibly offer a reason why :-B

Alan

Aren't you two similar vintage? I mean ages? b-(

uglymusic

I'll have you know I'm nearly 20 years younger than Christine Keeler!

Jim

uglymusic said:
They look interesting Alan.

I don't know them myself, but I have a feeling Jim mentioned something about Avondale speakers sometime. Can't remember what he said, tho'
:P

Indeedy I did. Les did lots of things that I would consider wrong. 2 VERY long throw drivers, both on the same plane, ported cabinets. Worst of all the cabinets are steel!! Les told me he had to make a special jig to get the drivers into the cabinets - without the jig the magnets on the back of the drivers would just stick to the cabinets :-)

But I'm a rank amateur and Les is a clever engineer.

I heard these a few times back in the day and they sounded bloody good.

And I have no idea why
:-S

I bought two drivers from Les way back when, larger but the same design to the ones above. Have started playing with them again just recently. And they do sound very fine.

Alan

Nice little active system, a kind of all in one solution if you will. WAF: 0/10.

Linky.

uglymusic

That looks fun!

Docfoster

Ooo let's have a wip round...
:-)

Brumjam

Not eBay but this is rather lovely:

http://www.hififorsale.com/adverts/for-sale/amps-and-pre-amps/display/1781/monbrisson-full-function-preamplifier

Alan

Stop Press!!! =))

--Linky--

uglymusic

=))

Docfoster

Alan said:
Stop Press!!! =))

--Linky--

That is great. You are a comedy-gold miner today mr. Brown. Thank you vm.

Alan

Ayefankyiouuu!

RobHolt

Brain_Dead said:

Alan said:
Goodness me, these are very old the capacitor date is 1982.
The MC stage had re-chargeable batteries to reduce noise.
The power amp used Hitachi Fets which were made obsolete within 6mth of production.
The "Flat Earth" mag loved them. Long nights chatting over a hot curry with Malcolm and Chris dipping toast into a hot spice mix.
Fun days but hard work.
Were is Chris Frankland now???

Hi Colin,

He's out of hi-fi and into photography.

HFW tried to interview him about the hifi days a couple of years back back he wasn't interest at all:

Here's his site:

http://www.chrisfranklandphotography.co.uk/fineart.htm

Alan

Not ebay this time, HiFi Wigwam. Corrr!

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