This is a complete rebuild of my hifi. During the past two years I have been looking for ads on fine old equipment. After buying the Tandberg tuner I was hooked on the 3000 series.
The bench is built with pieces from www.hyllcenter.se. I searched a lot of places to get a rack that could store vinyls in a nice manner.
My computer is plugged into the second tape loop of the pre-amp. Too bad it can't be chosen as a source here in the system builder. Anyway, it runs Ubuntu Linux and has an RME hdsp9632 sound card. Attached to the optical input I have a small DAB receiver. So from the mixing desk on the desktop I can control the chosen source of the pre-amp, the DAB and the sound of the programs.
Next improvement is finding a more audiophile turntable. I have a Clearaudio Stradivari pickup waiting, but it's probably a waste putting it on the Phantasie.
Single ended triode with 300B and 6922. Sold originally as a kit. This one was assembled by the constructor Erik Andersson. It is integrated and has 3 inputs so a pre-amp isn't really necessary. At times I think 9 wpc is a little to weak, but it's probably a good automatic keep-your-neighbours-happy filter. Currently replaced by Tandberg 3026A.
Thorens Phantasie
Piece to top the rest. It finds light like a diamond! Pickup is Ortofon MC-1 or something like that (high level mc)
Tandberg TPT-3001a
Fantastic sound. This one beats the rest when I want to have the best sound. It also digs out stations far away. This is my favourite! It might also be so because radio is my biggest hobby :-)
Tandberg TCA-3018a
It has all the inputs I need!
Tandberg TPA-3026a
I got this because I collect Tandberg stuff. It seems however like the 3026A will have a permanent place in the setup. It has all the nice features of the replaced Edison, and adds excellent power and dynamics.
Tandberg TCD-3014a
My original plan did not involve upgrading the tape deck, but when I found a nice 3014A for sale in Norway I changed my mind. This one is BIG and wrecks the geometry in the rack.
Tandberg TCP-3015a
Ok, it's madness to buy a 20 year old CD player, but I wanted to stick completely with Tandberg on the lower shelves.
Tandberg TD-20ase
This still has problems as the rec button is stuck. Still, it looks majestic with its large reels. Nixie clock in front is from www.logicapplied.se.
Proac Response D-28
Made in cherry veneer with side vented bass port at the bottom. I need to spend time to get them in the right position on the long side of my room. Replaced Proac Tablette 2000 Signature.
Svalander Home made Litz
This is highest purity silver 0.8mm thread inside cotton braided in a tight Litz. 2 + 3 meters.
Dogsplodge Solid Silver Litz 0.75m
This cable got good reviews in a discussion. It's hand made and sold on eBay by user dogsplodge. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZdogsplodgeQQhtZ-1
BTW, for those of you who understand Norwegian there is a nice forum about Tandberg. Here is a thread discussing the different products of the 3000 series, including lots of images,
That's a good piece of news about getting the 3015 to play all CDRs -- I'll mention it to a repair guy I plan to talk to soon about another one of my CD players that's starting to act up. Thanks!
The 3015A can surely be made to play computer-burned CDRs. My piece had the common problems of the door not opening, and a long warm up time before finding tracks. The local service man replaced a belt, added some lubricant, replaced 5 caps and finally replaced a transistor on the decoder board. Surprisingly that not only fixed the problems, but also made it able to play all my pirate CD:s. That would otherwise have been a big minus. The other fear was that the sound wouldn't match my 3 years newer Denon. Absolutely no need to change back :-)
This madness seems to dig deeper. Now I'm going for a TD20ASE on eBay...
Have to agree, the Tandberg 3000 series is beautifully designed. We have the 3012 integrated and 3015A CD player (retrofited with a digital out for use with a DAC)in the home office, and the 3011A tuner, 3002A pre and 3006A amp in the TV room--lots of room shaking power for movies and concert videos. Even non-audio lovers remark on the styling and sound. The 3015 won't play computer-burned CDRs, but that's a small issue. Oh yeah, I recently picked up a used 3030 receiver for the guest room. Now I'm looking for some small and efficient speakers for it. It was a low-priced, low-powered offering and I think it was built for Tandberg somewhere outside of Norway, but the tuner section gets better reception than the 3011.
one of the coolest systems on audiogon. most spend a fortune and wind up with generic 'stuff'. you have great taste in gear..a thinking man's hi fi for sure.
