Audiogon, Teres, OL Silver, Shelter, MU et al.

This is the last day of 2003, I would be remissed if I do not recount the wonderful experience I had with the Audiogon community who generously support my search for an analogue set up over the past 12 months. Like many of the novices in this hobby, I do not have time and money to waste as I have done with the low end equipments in the past 15 years. However, taking a plunge into this high end analog system is intimidating, to say the least, because I have neither the knowledge nor the mega bucks to spare. Yet, I like vinyl music. So I search through the Audiogon and Audio Asylum forums and read as much as I can learn. I find the Audiogon forum user friendly, its search engine and very interactive, and the information useful and accessible. Audio Asylum’s format and search engine are a bit clumsy -- may be I miss something there.

Then, I wrote to TWL, one of the very nice and knowledgeable persons at Audiogon. I am surprised that Tom responded to every (I mean every) email I wrote him. I asked him perhaps some of the stupid questions, but I never received any condescending remarks. Tom is fair and humble, he will not exaggerate or recommend things he would not own. Doug Deacon is another person who has helped me each step of the way as I put my system together. Thanks also to Chris at Teres, Jay at Audio Revelation, and John Chapman of Bent Audio, for all your assistance. I am sure there are many on Audiogon who have this kind of generous spirit.

Just a few days ago, I feel that my analog system is complete: Magus C (all Telefunken tubes), Bent Audio MU (TX103) step up, Teres 150 (I wish I can have the 200 series but 150 is what I can afford, and with no regret at all because it kills many turntables I have heard), OL Silver MKII arm with TWL’s Hi-Fi Mod, Shelter 501 MKII. My CD library is getting smaller and smaller and my LP library is growing. I have to fine tune the settings on the load resistance, the VTF, et al. But, I tell you, there is magic in my room every time I touch the silver arm. I am amazed that every time the stylus plays a good LP, I have as if a new set of ears. The cartridge and MU are not broken-in yet. This is not the best analogue system in the world, but perhaps the best for the money in my world.

I am grateful to a virtual community who take time to help me learn this fine art of music listening. You probably do not know how this art has helped my mental health and given me much joy in spite of pressures and pain in a broken world. I am touched.

If any of you have tips on fine tuning my system listed above, I would be grateful.

Thank you!

KK Yeo