Recent content by matthewpianist

  1. matthewpianist

    Cyrus one amplifier

    Yes, I know. All iterations of the modern Cyrus One were.
  2. matthewpianist

    Cyrus one amplifier

    The modern Cyrus One is a Class D amp. I had the One HD and found it very enjoyable, to the point I regretted parting with it. It was certainly one of the best modern amps I've owned. The original Cyrus One, from the 80s, is something of a legend like the NAD 3020, and a used one in good...
  3. matthewpianist

    Lending vinyl to friends

    I never lend vinyl, CDs or books to anyone. I take great care of my collections, and some of the things I have are irreplaceable other than finding copies in equally good condition on the used market, often at several times the price I paid. These days it's also less necessary as a way of...
  4. matthewpianist

    Which kind of amp and speakers do you have in your HiFi setup?

    I agree, it's a special amp.
  5. matthewpianist

    Which kind of amp and speakers do you have in your HiFi setup?

    I'm using a NAD 3020A - approximately 43 years old, but completely recapped and restored. I also have a 3120 (recapped and restored, but currently with a problematic phono stage), a Mission 778X and Audiolab 6000A MkII. They are all excellent amplifiers and I could live with any of them, but I...
  6. matthewpianist

    Question What's your next HiFi purchase?

    I don't think DACs have actually improved all that much, and in fact I often find myself preferring the sound of older CD players using their analogue outputs. The CD63SE is a fine machine, and I don't think it needs any external assistance.
  7. matthewpianist

    If you had insane amount of cash, what would be your personal HiFi Choice for 2026?

    It's difficult to say, as it would be so dependent on the room. I'm becoming very wedded to coaxial drivers, so I would likely stick with that approach to speaker design, and quite probably something from Fyne Audio, which I much prefer to KEF - though I know others are available. I do like...
  8. matthewpianist

    Question What's your next HiFi purchase?

    Happy retirement @Jasonovich - 20 years to go for me, but I'm sure you've earned yours, and I wish you many happy days enjoying the freedom to do the things you want to do.
  9. matthewpianist

    First HiFi for a teenager?

    I don't mention a turntable in my post - my point is that they may not have the space and funds to build a physical collection. If a turntable is involved, I agree with you.
  10. matthewpianist

    Sony SS-AL5 MK2 - new in original box

    Definitely 'unused' rather than 'new'. There is quite some difference.
  11. matthewpianist

    Old tech outlast new?

    To think this is now 42 years old! It's got a CDM1 swing-arm transport, a full metal chassis and it's non-oversampling - things you'd probably pay the earth for if anyone packaged them together in a new player today. I'm not aware that anyone makes a transport of that sort of bullet-proof...
  12. matthewpianist

    Old tech outlast new?

    Retrieved the CD104 from the cupboard during my lunch break, and it's sounding rather good. It's built like a slab of concrete.
  13. matthewpianist

    Old tech outlast new?

    I have a few bits of old tech that still work flawlessly: Rotel RCD965BX Sony CDP-990 NAD 5425 CD player NAD 5120 turntable JPW Sonata Mordaunt-Short MS10i Rogers LS2a/2 I also have a Philips CD104 which reads and plays discs perfectly, but which needs a bit of a push to get the tray to...
  14. matthewpianist

    Argon TT4 out, Thorens TD403DD in (?) Please, help!

    I experienced similar with the TD150 and with the Pioneer PL12D.
  15. matthewpianist

    Argon TT4 out, Thorens TD403DD in (?) Please, help!

    I still haven't been able to work out what the position is with the 'affordable' end of Thorens turntables these days. I suspect they are perfectly solid, and I'd certainly opt for one over an Argon, but I wouldn't want to stick my neck on the line far enough to make a recommendation to another...