SM Audiophiles?

[Ewan]

Took my Michell Alecto power amplifiers apart today and then called Graham Fowler (the chap that originally designed/built them) at Trichord.
He has confirmed that they are the later, upgraded versions (so 250w each as opposed to 125w).
So that’s an unexpected bonus, and something the dealer I bought them from didn’t know. Result!

 

[Nibby]

Small world.

My first job when I moved to the UK was working in London for Phil Dudderidge and Graham Blyth in the 80s. A very good friend of mine who I first met there has worked at AMS Neve in Burnley more or less ever since. The pro-audio industry is very incestuous.

Coincidentally, I ended my working career in Melbourn in Cambridgeshire for a consultancy at the other end of the village from the old Neve factory. There is even a street named Rupert Neve Close where his old factory used to be.

For Soundcraft?

 

[doodlebug]

For Soundcraft?
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Yes, I originally worked for Soundcraft Magnetics, a subsidiary of Soundcraft that formed out of the ashes of Brenell Engineering designing and manufacturing reel-to-reel studio tape recorders. I transferred to Soundcraft Electronics when Magnetics closed down. I left Soundcraft, and the pro-audio industry, not long after Harman took over.

I remember going for an interview at Neve around 1987/1998 when Magnetics closed down. There are a few faces on the picture that look familiar but I couldn't put a name to them now. That photo must be over 30 years old!

 

[Nibby]

Yes, I originally worked for Soundcraft Magnetics, a subsidiary of Soundcraft that formed out of the ashes of Brenell Engineering designing and manufacturing reel-to-reel studio tape recorders. I transferred to Soundcraft Electronics when Magnetics closed down. I left Soundcraft, and the pro-audio industry, not long after Harman took over.

I remember going for an interview at Neve around 1987/1998 when Magnetics closed down. There are a few faces on the picture that look familiar but I couldn't put a name to them now. That photo must be over 30 years old!

I think the best days are behind now, so was a good move bailing out. So many of the big studios are gone, it’s a different world now.
The photo I’m guessing circa 1986.

 

[Wack61]

SME used to make the stylus heads for turn tables not sure whether they are still up there with the best of them ,

I'd go with a yes

 

[lozcb]

I'd go with a yes
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Great to hear there still in business , was always known for a quality product , as were Bowers and Wilkins for speakers .....both originally local guys made good

 

[CatmanV2]

Great to hear there still in business , was always known for a quality product , as were Bowers and Wilkins for speakers .....both originally local guys made good

B+W have a whole range now from budget to eeeeeek

C

 

[lozcb]

B+W have a whole range now from budget to eeeeeek

C

I used to have a pair of DM2 and a leak system , they were awesome in the day , probably antiques now lol bit like me

 

[zagatoes30]

I have a pair of B&W P5s and I am loathe to replace them, they look and sound great even Mrs Z agrees but they are probably now the weakest part of my system but I do love them

 

[Ewan]

Anyone else going to the hi-fi show in Bristol tomorrow?

 

[Ebenezer]

Used to go to these in my youf and drool over stuff I could not possibly afford. Came away with stupid things like that green pen that you were supposed to rub round the edge of your CDs to stop internal reflections and therefore give you instant aural nirvana, and a lot of brochures that gathered dust for years.
Difficult to really hear how good any of the stuff was in the pokey hotel rooms they were set up in. However hugely enjoyed the experiences though and always interested in the music they chose to demonstrate how good their kit was.
Eb

 

[DLax69]

Anyone else going to the hi-fi show in Bristol tomorrow?

If it's the one in Tennessee and/or Virginia (joogle it), I'm in...!

 

[Ewan]

Used to go to these in my youf and drool over stuff I could not possibly afford. Came away with stupid things like that green pen that you were supposed to rub round the edge of your CDs to stop internal reflections and therefore give you instant aural nirvana, and a lot of brochures that gathered dust for years.
Difficult to really hear how good any of the stuff was in the pokey hotel rooms they were set up in. However hugely enjoyed the experiences though and always interested in the music they chose to demonstrate how good their kit was.
Eb

I'll be doing exactly this.
What's the hi-fi equivalent of tyre-kicking? Knob twirling?

 

[Ewan]

Back from the office, plonked on the floor. Now to set it all up.

 

[DLax69]

I'll be doing exactly this.
What's the hi-fi equivalent of tyre-kicking? Knob twirling?

Adam! Martin! Do I have to be the one to make the "knob twirling" comment?!? Falling down on the job, you are...

 

[zagatoes30]

Question does an external power supply make a difference?

Answer A resounding YES! - OMG it absolutely stunning it opens up every instrument, they all feel like they have so much space to work in and everything is so much more precise

 

[CatmanV2]

Question does an external power supply make a difference?

Answer A resounding YES! - OMG it absolutely stunning it opens up every instrument, they all feel like they have so much space to work in and everything is so much more precise

I didn't want to try and lead the witness but that is *exactly* what I found when I plugged a PSX-R in. In fact so much that when it lost power I was wondering what the problem was before I noticed the light was off....


C

 

[Ewan]

Well - I collected a fair few brochures and pens at the hi-fi show. But just like all the other attendees (predominantly white middle aged men in anoraks and annoying back packs), I didn’t buy any actual hi-fi.
What did surprise me was just how good some very modestly sized speakers can sound. Shame I don’t “need” a pair...

 

[DLax69]

Well - I collected a fair few brochures and pens at the hi-fi show. But just like all the other attendees (predominantly white middle aged men in anoraks and annoying back packs), I didn’t buy any actual hi-fi.
What did surprise me was just how good some very modestly sized speakers can sound. Shame I don’t “need” a pair...

Since when did "need" have anything to do with anything...?

 

[CatmanV2]

Well - I collected a fair few brochures and pens at the hi-fi show. But just like all the other attendees (predominantly white middle aged men in anoraks and annoying back packs), I didn’t buy any actual hi-fi.
What did surprise me was just how good some very modestly sized speakers can sound. Shame I don’t “need” a pair...

I think they will sound 'good' Right up until you want some bass extension. Not at all convinced that you can get 'proper' bass from small boxes. As an example I was listening to Blackstar earlier, while expecting Mrs C to arrive home. After numerous attempts of going 'Oh is that her? No it's just the bass' she unlocked the door and her car had been completely masked....

C