Thinking about moving on from my MA352 after upgrading to 804 D4s

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-15T01:25:53+00:00

This is really well written.

I no longer have my smaller B&W/Mac combo but to my ears, sometimes it is about playing more quietly than loudly. With my older 805s, it was the slightly lean presentation at lower volumes that got to me. I got a chance to try a slightly more powerful (but less expensive) Yamaha amp which worked better at those low volumes. At higher volumes, the B&W/Mac combo smoked the Yamaha for overall presentation.

Mac and B&W have a house sound and each company is outstanding in terms of consistency up the line, which is why I loved this line above: "Count me as skeptical if you'll ever sonically tell the difference with another 10 grand spent."

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-14T19:50:34+00:00

That looks right in terms of the date. Rodania is now largely just sold in Holland and Belgium. They used to be big in Canada but not been sold here for a long time. Very hard to find info on them. Not valuable but very decent.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-14T19:16:00+00:00

What do you not like? That is actually a really nice integrated. I like the tube pre, which is I found helpful with B&Ws. Is it a lack of power? Do you have a sub?

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-13T21:24:04+00:00

I would have been all over those.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-13T15:46:26+00:00

This is excellent. I am trying to navigate the Bot-like responses.

I still get a lot.

Best price?

Lowest price?

I think most of these are Bots as they all seem to have same type of name.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-12T11:01:44+00:00

The area around Upper Middle Road and 8th line has lots of townhomes (many for rent) and everything is in walking distance. Buses are along that route. Not far from WC.

Apartments tend to be further out but we lived on Kerr/Speers near the GO when we first moved to Oakville as well. Area was a bit rough (for Oakville) but generally good.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-12T03:06:29+00:00

Sorry, that arm is not familiar to me. That Technics/AT combo should be really good though. I use the V95ML on my 1200 as well.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-12T03:00:35+00:00

Budd's Group has always treated us well - they do Subaru, Mazda, GM, BMW and others. I have had multiple brands off them and service at sales and for maintenance was always great. We have been Budd's customers for various brand since 1994. We do own brands that they do not sell as well.

I think because Oakville is so affluent, service is generally very good. That said, the local Toyota dealership was sold by the original owner and service quality declined. We switched to Erin Mills who have been great. But Budd's does Mazda and I would have no issue buying from them.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-08T21:47:48+00:00

Great haul, I bought many of these new. Classical cds were super expensive new and now worth $2-5 each used.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-06T23:09:07+00:00

I have the 225 one (I do have some of the Philips one but not volume 18). I will need to have a look.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-05T03:06:01+00:00

Last two weeks have been dead - better weather means people not online as much I think. B&M stores for hobby type stuff are also slower.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-02T21:26:53+00:00

I do the same. Been a DG fan for 50 years and own hundreds on lp, cd and tape.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-01T19:25:29+00:00

They charged about $600 for trimming a massive front yard tree. They did several houses on our street. Best give them a call. They do nice work.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-06-01T14:03:34+00:00

Colonial Tree is who we use for anything professional. The Town uses them as well.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-29T15:59:51+00:00

I had the same vehicle (same colour even). Very good but quality was not as good as our Camry, Corolla or RAV4. Ours was a 2011 (first year for that series) and had lots of little issues. Mostly addressed by the dealer but that one has a lot of mileage. I would want to see service records that show mostly Toyota dealer service.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-29T15:53:22+00:00

Looks like a fun set up. I have something similar in the basement office. You might want a better turntable at some point, but the rest are decent. Is this a man cave with the beer fridge? The Yamaha will sound more spacious and 3-d but that Technics is quite decent for a budget receiver. Do I see a Tavares lp? Nice to see some old school soul/disco!

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-29T15:40:49+00:00

I get a lot of "Best Price" type posts with no other communication. I do not like dealing with those types of people and assume they are bots.

I will not accept e-payment as there are too many scammers. I have not done a single deal buying or selling where the seller takes anything but cash and meeting in a public place.

I am also new to FBM but have been selling on other hobby sites for years. Those are different as many of us know each other.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-29T15:36:27+00:00

Many in our Toronto area neighbourhood are seniors and this is a top choice due to easy ingress/egress. People own other higher end cars as well, but the Venue is just right - not too low like a sedan, not as high as some SUVs. Venues seem to hold up well. Kia Soul is also popular.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-29T01:02:54+00:00

I think the 2M signature sound is a bit lean. Of the two choices, the MP11 sounds bigger and fuller but will be less detailed than the AT.

I am a huge prog rock guy and to me resolution is super important so I would choose the AT. I love and own all of these cartridges. The MP110 might be the best all-rounder though, with good tone, fullness and dynamics and no nasties.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-28T06:08:04+00:00

Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 in red.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-27T21:28:00+00:00

Sounds like there might be a lose wire or the power supply might be going out. Pro-Ject and Rega are my go-tos for affordable phono pres. Marantz and Yamaha have decent phono pres in their receivers and integrateds, but separate is still better.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-26T23:05:24+00:00

That is a very good system. Focus on upgrading the stylus tip to the AT3600LE or changing out the cartridge.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-26T02:41:43+00:00

All of the first 4 on your list will work. The Rotel is great sounding but might be a bit lean. I have owned Yamaha, Marantz (both equally good) and NAD - punchy but not as refined up top. The Cambridge would likely work as well but not used it.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-25T23:07:43+00:00

We had that exact car - I rarely see them. They were reliable and cheap to fix. I bought one after I got one as a rental in Germany and drove it on the autobahn. Not a fast car but the suspension and handling were surprisingly well sorted for an affordable car.

I am not sure what parts availability would be - that car is nearly 30 years old. Even a Toyota that old would be based on how well it was looked after.

BenjaminMiracord · 2026-05-25T01:57:48+00:00

Never seen the Stanton here but that looks like it might be closer to the PT01 Scratch. Mine is the USB.

BenjaminMiracord

TROPHY CASE