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Audio Alchemy Nostalgia Trip

Back in the early/mid 90s I started my Hifi journey. I was a single guy, no responsibility, decent job and disposable income.

Having heard a friend's Naim Classic/Linn/Epos set up, I was hooked and off I went.

Not long after, I was the proud owner of a Naim Olive bi-amped system,with an Arcam Alpha CD transport and the Audio Alchemy DDE v.1.0. with Epos 11 speakers. Absolutely loved that system.

Roll forward half a decade or so later, I was married, new house that needed work - my beloved system was sacrificed and sold 🥴

That was the end of my Hifi journey part 1!

Forward to 2021, one divorce later, new partner, soon to be wife after 14 years. I jumped back in to my Hifi journey. My system continues to evolve, but I carried an itch with me from those good old days in my 20s; one was Naim, which I've scratched and moved on from. The second was the Audio Alchemy DAC

Ive been keeping an eye on fleabay for a decent working until with it's original power supply - last week I found one for £57 delivered.

Plugged it into my system, reduced sampling via Roon 🤪 and off I went.

I know audio memory is very unreliable, but I had tears welling up listening to tracks I was back then. What a trip! Lovely, lovely sounding DAC from a by-gone age.

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I have been so moved hearing this unit (again), I felt the urge to share

Thanks for reading guys 👍🙂

painter24
simao's avatar
simao
1,849 posts
 

Great post! Especially how we make these sonically emotional attachments to a particular piece of equipment that just sounded right to us and always will. 

For me it's the Reference 3A de Capo's I had, sold, mourned, found, and have again. And, like you, my audio system has emerged, faded, and re-emerged based on divorces and finances. 

Thanks for a good morning read. 

tweak1
3,681 posts
 

Back in the late 80s I had AA transport, dac, preamp had the trans and dac power supplies modified. For the last 3 year I have been using AAs last effort DDP-1 dac pre + PS -5 outboard power supply. Hard to beat. Comes up for sale once in a while for ~ $1500

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,123 posts
 

I can really relate to the memories of systems we have owned in the past. That said, there has been a tremendous amount of change and improvement in digital technology since that time, and I think that you would be well rewarded if you invest in a modern DAC, especially one of the non-oversampling types. 

During the period when you had your Audio Alchemy, I had a Phillips CD 960 which was considered to be one of the top one-box players at that time. I used it happily for years then sold it to a friend. A few years ago, I found out that he was no longer using it and had it stored in a closet. I bought it back from him and installed new belts for the transport. I was shocked when I listened to it to realize how "digital" it sounded in comparison to my ANK 2.1 DAC. There was just no comparison. Digital has really grown up.

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