As a self-described “power-to-the-people” audio enthusiast, I strongly believe great sound reproduction can be achieved with modest equipment. I also believe paying attention to proper setup and synergy are effective alternatives to investing large sums of money in equipment. Below you will find a list of equipment in my setups as well as some photographs. Enjoy!
Mono Setup
| Console | The Fisher Model 51 Consolette in “provincial” (fruitwood) finish (production years 1957-58) |
| Record Changer | Garrard RC-121/4D (idler wheel) |
| Cartridges & Styli | Shure M35S cartridge with OEM stylus (moving magnet conical for LPs) @ 5 grams; Pickering V15 with OEM D1527 stylus (moving magnet conical for 78s) @ 5 grams |
| Integrated Amplifier | Fisher 51 (mono push-pull tube amplifier; 32 watts peak power; JJ 5Y3 rectifier, NOS ‘military grade’ 6SC7 phono stage, JJ 12AY7 driver, JJ EL84 output tubes) |
| Speakers | Three 8-inch full-range drivers: two Philips Norelco F.R.S. and one Jensen (alnico magnets, no crossover, wired in series, sealed enclosure) |
Stereo Setup
| Turntable | Technics SL-1200MK2 |
| Cartridge & Stylus | Shure M35X cartridge with OEM stylus (moving magnet conical @ 3 grams) |
| Preamplifier | Apt Holman |
| Power Amplifier | Analog Ethos AE1 (single-ended ultra-linear pentode design, 7 watts per channel into 8 ohms, point-to-point wiring, JJ 12AT7 driver tube, JJ EL34 output tubes) |
| Speakers | JBL Radiance Series R103 (1981, 10-inch woofers, 6 ohms, 90 dB sensitivity) |
| Software | Apple Music (reluctantly) for digital library organization Pro Tools subscription with Waves plugins for recording needledrops |
| Audio Interface | Allen & Heath ZEDi-8 |
| Digital Formats | Apple Lossless (ALAC) for CD rips 16/44 needledrops bounced to 320kbps MP3s for web |
(Note: The Realistic 32-1201 DJ mixer is not in the signal path. It is connected to an aux out on my preamp, and I only use it for its beautiful VU meters. I also think it’s a cool little testament to my DJing roots.)
