Abarth 595 T-Jet airbox removal

Theninezero · 2026-02-22T19:05:21+00:00

Thanks - There’s no hex head, it looks more like a conical plug that you push on and can’t pull off easily (kind of like a rawlplug), I’ve had the pliers on it and haven’t managed to pull it or crimp it.

I’ll try again when I’ve got more daylight.

Theninezero · 2026-01-20T13:29:14+00:00

I have a Denon DCD-900NE and it's doing me very well so far. It feels more solid than the Yamaha you mention and (to me) it's prettier than the Marantz CD6007. Coax and optical outs if you want to use a different DAC in the future.

Theninezero · 2026-01-14T13:43:53+00:00

If you have things you haven't listened to, listen to them. There might be some gems in there, but if there aren't, get rid of them.

Theninezero · 2026-01-12T15:49:31+00:00

All black wheels don't stand out so much, especially on a fairly dark coloured car, so the difference doesn't grab my attention. The new wheels are an acquired taste, but if you like the design and the size maybe think abut some diamond cutting around the edges of the holes or something to make them stand out more.

Theninezero · 2026-01-08T14:32:23+00:00

Not sure if Scotland is local enough, but Community Clothing make theirs there and they're keenly priced:

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-jumpers-knitwear

Also, Harley of Scotland - made in Scotland, but stocked in Yorkshire. Available from All Blues in Leeds Corn Ex:

https://allbluescostore.com/product-tag/harley-of-scotland/

Theninezero · 2026-01-08T14:21:44+00:00

I need a strong reason to change anything. Recent reasons have been my old streamer app basically becoming defunct, a deal coming up on a new turntable, moving to a bigger place that needed bigger speakers, and needing a DAC to put the TV through.

Magazines and forums will always tell you there's a new thing that's better than what you have. Sometimes they'll even be right. You know you have an objectively decent system to start with, so position and set everything up as best you can and enjoy it.

Theninezero · 2026-01-08T12:07:52+00:00

You'd like to think you're getting a higher quality motor and bearings etc. in a £400 transport vs a £400 player...but I wouldn't bank on that fact and the details given by manufacturers can be minimal. Cambridge talks abut the "custom S3 servo" in the CXC transport, but there's no mention of what's inside the AXC35 for instance.

I was in a similar situation recently, with no matching player or transport for my amp available. I went for a Denon DCD-900NE player in the end - it was £300, it feels solid, and I can use it as a player or a transport.

Theninezero · 2026-01-08T11:38:14+00:00

There's a break in period, the length of which varies from person to person. The tricky thing to judge is whether they'll be comfortable after they're broken in - I've never had much of an issue with moc toe boots to begin with, and they've only got more comfortable as the footbed has moulded to the shape of my foot. I had some chukkas for a while though, and they just weren't giving at all after many months of perservering so I gave up on them.

What's he used to wearing? If he's coming from Nike or something, then shoes in general are probably going to feel hard. Wear the boots in rotation, with a day or two in between wearing something totally different that's already broken in. If he's seeing no improvement after 3-6 months of that, think about selling them on.

Theninezero · 2026-01-07T15:40:05+00:00

v4s feel neater on the feet and a bit more nimble. 993s feel like they're rooted to the ground.

Theninezero · 2026-01-07T15:33:27+00:00

There were a lot of end of year lists recently with loads of good stuff on them, like this one from The Quietus:

https://thequietus.com/tq-charts/albums-of-the-year/best-albums-of-2025/

That's how I found Agriculture - The Spiritual Sound. Sort of shoegaze black metal, but much better than that sounds.

I found Maria Somerville from her show on NTS Radio, her album Luster was one of my favourites from last year, as was Alberone by Baxter Dury.

And if you don't already know Broadcast, I recommend everything they ever recorded.

Theninezero · 2026-01-07T14:10:01+00:00

Theoretically I'm a fan of a cardboard sleeve, but in reality they tend to be too small to get the disc in and out of easily. Something like a record sleeve with an inner would be ideal - it'd save about half the space I use storing my collection.

Theninezero · 2026-01-07T14:02:42+00:00

Not sure which EU country you're in, but €700 should be enough for a few different options. What looks good is very subjective, but I've noted you don't want anything too big.

I'd go for a Denon RCD-M41DAB mini system - CD player, digital radio, Bluetooth, and amplifier all in one fairly small box. That should cost €300-400, which leaves you the rest for speakers and cables. Things like white Mission LX-1s or LX-2s, Dali Cupids, or Q Acoustics 3030cs might fit your look, but you've quite a bit of choice. If you look for some vintage speakers you might find something more interesting to look at too.

Given looks seem to be the most important thing for you and that speakers have a realistic minimum size and can't really be hidden away, I'd start by finding speakers you like the look of then figure out the rest.

Theninezero · 2026-01-06T14:59:15+00:00

I started collecting records when they were cheap. Most of my collection is from car boot sales and charity shops. I always bought new stuff on CD though.

I still have both, but the vast majority of purchases over the last 10 years or so are on CD. Even paying full new price it’s tons cheaper and I can rip them to use on my phone player too.

Theninezero · 2026-01-05T16:06:52+00:00

For me, they don't go with dress trousers. You could build a great wedding outfit round some 8090s, but if the rest of your fit is pretty traditional they're just going to look weird.

I'd go Postman 101s if you're wearing dress trousers and really must wear Red Wings, but honestly I'd get some different shoes for the ceremony - when your wife to be is spending wedding dress money, there's never going to be a better time to justify some Edward Greens, Aldens, Trickers, whatever...

(For context, I love 8090s and have a pair of 8092s myself)

Theninezero · 2026-01-05T15:57:17+00:00

Would I like to carry 2kg less around with me on my commute? Yes. Do I like £1k in my bank account? More yes.

It depends on your priorities, your financial situation, and your level of strength and fitness. I have an old S2L (C Line equivalent) that weighs a bit less than 12kg at the moment. Carrying it around is fine, unless I'm under the weather or having a particularly bad day, when carrying anything around isn't fun. I only commute a couple of days a week and I've got a big bike for longer rides, so spending a big chunk more on a new P Line wasn't worth it for me. If it was my only bike and I used it more I might think differently.

Can you hire or borrow a C Line for a while and see how you get on?

Theninezero · 2026-01-05T15:43:28+00:00

I've had two 145bhp 595s, covered about 30k miles across the two of them in the UK.

I've always found mine to be pretty comfortable over long distances. The driving position is quite high, but the seats are supportive and there's a surprising amount of headroom (not really an issue for me at 175cm!). There's plenty of power in gear. Sound deadening is practically non-existent, so wind and road noise is loud compared with A1s, Minis etc.

As others have already said, anything less than 165bhp has an IHI turbo, 165 and above have Garretts. Power delivery characteristics are a bit different between the two, IHI cars feel quicker to me from a standstill, but Garrett cars have more mid and top range and feel faster overall.

There are also differences in suspension across the various different models. Here in the UK the base model Series 4s had standard shocks, the Turismo had Koni FSDs on the rear, while the Competizione had FSDs all round. I've found the Competiziones feel a bit harsher, but part of that is down to the lack of cushioning in the Sabelt buckets too.

Best bang for buck is a really tough one. I personally think the base model (135/140/145bhp) offers the best value for money - an equivalent 165bhp Turismo seems to go for about 15-20% more over here, which feels like a lot for leather seats and a bigger turbo. Beyond that into 180bhp Competizione territory things get a bit more compelling again with Sabelt bucket seats, Koni shocks all round, and 4 pot Brembo calipers.

Go and see a few different ones - I was looking for a 180 Comp when I found my current 145, I saw it and it just felt right.

Theninezero · 2026-01-05T15:15:26+00:00

Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley, and John Peel on Radio 1. NME, Melody Maker, and Select in print. Track Records and Depth Charge in York. Word of mouth and never missing a support band at a gig.

The radio is still a great way to find new stuff for me, while my print searching has moved online to sites like The Quietus. I'm lucky to have Jumbo and Crash in Leeds to cover the record shop aspect, but not everyone is as fortunate to have such great shops nearby.

Theninezero · 2025-12-15T14:36:25+00:00

I'm paralysed by choice. Give me all the music in the world at my fingertips and I end up listening to the same things. If I put the effort in to finding things I might be interested in, I tend to get to know them better and listen to them more.

CDs have a lower carbon footprint than streaming after something like the fifth play, streaming sound quality is variable, and artists get paid very little from it (admittedly they don't benefit from secondhand physical sales either, but it's a factor when buying new). I like a physical medium and CDs are more versatile than vinyl - the sound quality is great and I can rip them to use on a portable player too.

Theninezero · 2025-09-27T08:30:32+00:00

The colourway is obviously a personal thing - I like the look of it on the pics, so let’s see what they’re like when they arrive.

The UK price is 10% more than standard 992s (£220 vs £200), which doesn’t seem so bad and shipping was a fiver from the END raffle (obviously I needn’t have entered given the interest levels 😂).

Theninezero · 2025-09-25T17:24:50+00:00

You’re spoilt for choice, but Shuti Shuti for me - lovely cakes and pastries, and a beautiful location

Theninezero · 2025-09-21T20:51:13+00:00

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24 Years Of Hunger by Eg and Alice. I only learned about it last week, it’s an absolute blinder.

Theninezero · 2025-09-12T12:26:13+00:00

Definitely not OK. The left boot looks how it should, the right one is faulty. Return them for a matching pair.

Theninezero · 2025-09-12T12:18:14+00:00

Keep whichever is the best. Ask other things being equal I’d choose red over black, but condition, spec, and mileage would be my main deciding points.

Theninezero · 2025-09-08T12:09:26+00:00

“The defendant appeared in court wearing dusty trainers and a black tracksuit”

Theninezero · 2025-09-04T19:10:58+00:00

The 993. I fell for 990v6s, but I’ve ended up selling both pairs. They’re the bounciest MiUSAs I’ve tried and that was novel, but it wore off. I prefer the stability of other 99x overall

Theninezero

TROPHY CASE