This “component” is something I’ve been planning to buy for some time as the starting point for investing in good foundations for my hi-fi.

I’ve long understood the idea that cables and stands do make a lot of difference to the audio and have had a stand, turntable shelf and half-decent cables for years now.

But so many people were writing about Vertex AQ‘s products and how good they are, that I became more and more interested. They sell three main types of product; equipment supports, mains filters and cables. The suggestion is that these items are as fundamental to the system as your components are.

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The situation with the speakers (Decware HDTs) is that they are still progressing, very near to the gluing together stage. I had a few setbacks which is why I got delayed a week or two; had to order some acoustic foam and am having to find some new tube for the ports (because, it turns out, since I bought the speaker plans Decware have revised the tuning and now I need more tube!). So things will be posted on here soon.

Tubes, valves, glowing thermionic devices. My input valve (Jan Philips 6922) suddenly went microphonic last week which only left me with one nice valve (Amperex PQ 6922) which I never use because it’s on its way out, and another horrible valve (Sovtek). Posted on some forums and got some really helpful suggestions for both new valves and cheaper NOS (new old stock). So I’ll be comparing those soon, may well write something about how they all sound.

What else?

I bought a secret new device which is just amazing, but rather than reveal what it is I will do a write up.

Got a whole raft of fantastic new vinyl. Norman Records is turning out to be a really superb shop to order from, their service is just excellent. They also have a great forum where you can find lists of music customers recommend.

Yes, I’m a sucker for DIY speakers! not satisfied with having built the Parker Audios and the Decware WO32 speakers I’m now building the Decware HDT “High Definition Towers”.

These used to be Decware’s flagship speakers and I’ve always wanted to build a single driver design. So far I’ve almost finished cutting the wood, just got to dry fit it and cut the internal cross pieces, then I’m ready to glue. It should be a week of glueing and they will be pretty much done.

One thing I had to do was get some new contact adhesive, as I discovered when I opened the old can that it had turned into a rock.

Expect photographs and a full write up soon!

I just wanted to show how vinyl is such a great thing to buy at the moment, even for people who’ve gone over to computers and iPods but perhaps still want something to play on their turntable (or like me, find the vinyl sound quality superior to everything else).

Most of the records I’ve been buying recently come with a card with a link to allow you to download the album in high quality MP3 format. So you really do get the best of both worlds!

Every time I go to Origin Live, in Southampton, I end up coming away with something different to what I expected to get. But in a very good way.

The first thing to say about Origin Live is that they are a little cottage industry making the most amazing turntables and tonearms. They’re based in a little industrial unit in Southampton and, as such, they were of more interest to me being close enough to actually visit (rather than just exchange emails, payment and receive goods from).

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