I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a resolution
once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking here for a
few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old to
5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers
Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp
Meridian 506 CD transport
Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is
a good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

TIA

--
/d

The message
from Ovenpaa contains these words:

I posted a couple of days ago re M3 problems, and can now see a resolution
once I have tracked down some Audax tweeters, however lurking here for a
few days was a mistake because it has set me wondering should I upgrade?

I run a real mismatch in that my system ranges from nearly 25 years old to
5 years, and comprises:

Meridian M3 speakers
Archaic meridian 101B pre-amp
Meridian 506 CD transport
Linn LP12 with Ittok arm, Valhala and Stilton cartridge

We live in a tiny cottage, and listen to a wide range of music on vinyl
and CD ranging from Roy Harper through Lisa Ekdahl to Tricky with some
strange bits thrown in for good measure.

So my question is should I consider upgrading (maybe starting again from
scratch is a better way of putting it) and what does the group feel is
a good replacement or should I even consider an upgrade, and more to the
point what will it cost?

TIA

Why do you think your system is a mismatch, just because it has
components of varying ages?
What power amp are you using with your Meridian pre?

I don't have personal knowledge of the individual components to assess
where the weakest link or mismatch would be, but I find it hard to
imagine a scenario where a total replacement would be better than a
piece by piece upgrade--unless money is not a major issue! It would
probably focus the discussion more if you could indicate the sort of
money that you might consider spending.

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one. All this is also assuming
that you are able to sort out your speakers--looking at the discussion
on the other thread.

David

David Holgate wrote:

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.

You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.

--
Eiron.

Eiron wrote:
David Holgate wrote:

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.


You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.


Pedant :-)

Rob

The message
from Eiron contains these words:

David Holgate wrote:

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.

You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.

--
Eiron.

I thought someone would say that.

And *your* advice on the original question is...?

David

David Holgate wrote:


Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one.


You mean downgrade the preamp to a valve based one.

I thought someone would say that.

And *your* advice on the original question is...?

Fix the active speakers, add a subwoofer and an active crossover
to fill in the missing two octaves, compare the CD player with a new one
to see if it needs upgrading (it won't).
Rewire the preamp to get rid of any tone controls and other crap
in the signal path and possibly add a new phono preamp
(I don't know how the old Meridian 101B sounds.)

Will that do?

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 14:31:25 +0000, Eiron babbled on about:

And *your* advice on the original question is...?

Fix the active speakers, add a subwoofer and an active crossover
to fill in the missing two octaves, compare the CD player with a new one
to see if it needs upgrading (it won't).
Rewire the preamp to get rid of any tone controls and other crap
in the signal path and possibly add a new phono preamp
(I don't know how the old Meridian 101B sounds.)

Now this sounds like a plan, the CD transport should be good, the pre-amp
has no controls on it apart from Volume and balence.

By active crossover do you mean an amplified crossover, the subwoofer
would need amplification or I would need an active subwoofer, and
how/where do you connect the subwoofer, it (I am guessing) needs a stereo
feed or is this the active part?

Yes,I am a technophobe and know nothing about hi-fi, I swapped the system
for a spare motorbike some 15 years ago and only added the CD to be able
to play these new fangled CD thingies, so some pointers would be handy
here.

--
/d

thighs up tight to hold it all together.
Place breast side up in a large metal roasting pan.
Bake in 325° oven covered for 2 hours.
Remove cover, stick a cooking thermometer deep into one of the
baby?s buttocks and cook uncovered till thermometer reads 190°,
about another hour.



Pro-Choice Po-Boy

Soft-shelled crabs serve just as well in this classic southern delicacy.
The sandwich originated in New Orleans, where an abundance of abortion clinics
thrive and hot French bread is always available.

2 cleaned fetuses, head on
2 eggs
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 cup seasoned flour
oil enough for deep frying
1 loaf French bread
Lettuce
tomatoes
mayonnaise, etc.

Marinate the fetuses in the egg-mustard mixture.
Dredge thoroughly in flour.
Fry at 375° until crispy golden brown.
Remove and place on paper towels.



Holiday Youngster

One can easily adapt this recipe to ham, though as presented,
it violates no religious taboos against swine.

1 large toddler or small child, cleaned and de-headed
Kentucky Bourbon Sauce (see index)
1 large can pineapp

On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 12:28:07 +0000, David Holgate babbled on about:


I don't have personal knowledge of the individual components to assess
where the weakest link or mismatch would be, but I find it hard to
imagine a scenario where a total replacement would be better than a
piece by piece upgrade--unless money is not a major issue! It would
probably focus the discussion more if you could indicate the sort of
money that you might consider spending.

The problem was coming here! Then I had this sudden urge to delve
into system upgrades and such. I am more interested in what an
ideal system would be and at what cost, and as such have not set a budget.

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one. All this is also assuming
that you are able to sort out your speakers--looking at the discussion
on the other thread.

The speakers are active, so the amplifiers are built in.

--
/d

The message
from Ovenpaa contains these words:

The problem was coming here! Then I had this sudden urge to delve
into system upgrades and such. I am more interested in what an
ideal system would be and at what cost, and as such have not set a budget.

I really don't think there is such a thing as an ideal system, just many
possible fine systems. All the famous British hifi names are worth
investigating. To start with a bit of window shopping, you can look at
the recommended components in some mags, e.g. Hifi World, or even
Stereophile.

Richard Wall's advice applies: listen as widely as possible and don't
assume that new is better. If at all possible, visit a few dealers, and
work with the one who seems most helpful with advice and letting you
listen to a range of options, new and used.

When you've narrowed down your choices, ideally you should try to hear
what your short list sounds like in your own home. Assuming you are
serious about a purchase, a good dealer should be able to arrange this.
Have fun. There's no rush is there?

Assuming that you are happy with your power amp, I would suggest
upgrading your preamp to a valve based one. All this is also assuming
that you are able to sort out your speakers--looking at the discussion
on the other thread.

The speakers are active, so the amplifiers are built in.

Thanks, I should have realised that!