Are you into any other retro hobbies?

[pyrre]

Shoot - lots here!

Vintage and modern Hi-Fi. Audiophilia w/ a strong focus on LP's and SACD's. Classic/vintage gaming consoles and computers. Vintage arcade pinball and video arcade games. Vintage sci-fi mags. Tron memorabilia. Pac-Man memorabilia. 78rpm records and Victrola's. Antique radios and one old lady     lmao

I see a pair of clipsch and martin logans...
Do you by any chance have a pair of KEF ray.cookes model 105/3 you are willing to part with? Or know anyone willing to part with a pair?

As an answer to the tread. I am into HiFi, car audio, surround system.
Not so much retro HiFi these days, but i never pass on a chance of listening to a vacuum-tube amplifier(S) with a nice speaker setup.

[pyrre]

I've actually never owned a pair of KEF's, although I've heard them before and they're nice for box speakers. Not normally into large/heavy boxes myself. I just have the Klipsch because they're made in America, uber efficient (98db senstive) and I used to have a single ended triode amp hooked to 'em for a while. Now, they're hooked to a 250wpc Margules down in the basement for my 'rockin' out' system. Can actually hear those over my drums - yay.

Only other boxes I care for are B&W and Thiel. Otherwise, I'm all about planar magnetic (Magnepan - made in White Bear Lake, MN) or true ESL speakers such as Martin Logan's (USA once again). For anyone that doesn't believe there's a big difference between analogue and digital or that analogue trumps digital in spades, try listening to a real set of loudspeakers someday. If your hearing is okay, you'll be amazed - err... floored by the difference. Those types of speakers are soooo much more revealing. So much so in fact, that I really couldn't take boxed designs seriously anymore. Not even Wilson's - and I've heard their $40k system. Not impressed.

Well, the story goes; once you go ESL you never go back.
I have never had the pleasure of listening to any ESL yet.

[pyrre]

LOL! First time I heard 'em was back in the mid to late 80's as a teenager. Have been smitten ever since.

Say... I know space is usually at a premium over in Europa. Are those little Quad ESL's popular or readily available out by you? I know they're popular in the U.K.

In Norway ESLs are mostly "intended" for the rich and famous.
Or people with special interests.
The exact number is unknown, but it is not a great widespread use of ESLs here. By reading magazines you could probably count the owners on one or two hands.
And on a third count, they are rather expensive here.
(link to one retailer. in USD they would cost: $2 675
Very few people in Norway would spend so much on a pair of speakers. Not to mention the amplifier you need to drive those ESLs....)

[pyrre]

It's all a matter of priorities and interest. For instance, I'd purchase a $40k set of transducers long before I'd spend that on a car. No doubt that's a minority view, even here in the States. Everyone I know that's an audiophile (quite a few actually) are quite down to earth (it's about the love of music afterall) and lead relatively modest, humble and conservative lives. Great group of people and we share many more of the same interests. That said, I'd love to get into boating and sailing someday.

I'm pretty good on the audiophile front these days. After decades of buying, selling, trading, modding and repairing the things, pretty content with my current setup. Best digital purchase I've made in a long time includes an Oppo BDP-83SE unit modded by NuForce. Awesome all around digital rig that handles Blu-Ray, DVD-A/V, SACD's, HDCD and redbook of course. Absolutely love that machine!

I was active in the world of audio (and video). but now savings is spent on weapons and its accessories...
And some computer parts.

When i get my own home, audio and video will get back some of its priorities.