Skylabs Audio

[@hugobloemers4425]

Hi Stephe, you are really great at engaging with your audience, I think that is part of the appeal of your channel. The eleven questions would make the comment perhaps a bit too long but I think my journey in audio started really with an electronic experiment set I got when I was 6, it was called the Philips EE1050. I later got all the expansion sets and then when I was about 9, a friend of mine thought me to solder. Later at 16 I worked as TV and Audio repair tech as a side job while at school. That really got me in to Audio. It was all the 70's stuff we call now vintage. But my first HiFi gear was all tube based, so I was spoiled right off the bat. The all tube Philips HiFi mono tuner I still have is the best sounding tuner I have ever heard, hand down, great reception as well. Later I started repairing industrial electronics as a career and electronics and audio as hobby fell to the way side. But I kept all my records, tapes and CDs. My second go at this hobby was started by a vintage Dual 1019 I bought. A deeply flawed turntable that has this addictive magical X factor you can find very difficult. It looses out on every A/B listening test you do, but when the test is over you return to it any way because it has this special thing you can not put your finger on. When I have time, I now repair (mainly) automatic turntables.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks for sharing your story!

[@dtg474]

As you know i was with you from the beginning. It has been great fun watching and learning from you and every Monday i cant wait for the rants. But i have learned a great deal from you. Thank you too. Keep up everything you are doing

[@KeithSkronek]

you do a great job and I enjoy watching all of your episodes. Happy holidays.

[@dylanmosley3030]

The first two minutes are absolute gold! The rest is great too! lol. But the first two minutes I love. I’m busy trying to get through a lot of your older content and I’m hoping next year to build along with one of your diy solutions. Have a great Holiday and keep having fun.

[@samgates2059]

When I first got into "stereo" Everyone had one or two tape decks, a tuner and who knows what else and you needed a way to control all of it. Everyone had tone controls and tape monitors and dubbing. A preamp was the control center of the system. You just aren't old enough to have been exposed to all that.

[@timessquarerecordscom1469]

My favorite piece is the Skunkie EL 34 single ended that you built amp

[@1mctous]

It'll be my next Skunkie-built purchase, after the EAR 834 clone she built for me. I only need 4-5 W/channel.

[@BobTrainor]

Really enjoyed hearing your passion for the hobby. It really came through. I agree on the awesome listening room. I’d loved to have that. Merry Christmas & happy new year! ❤✌️

[@sethjohnson1590]

Thank you. Been with you from the start. Cause you go the extra mile tweaking. Pioneering through things. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!🎉

[@jefffeith4201]

Fun video! Thanks for sharing. Everyone should enjoy what they have without the pressure to upgrade. We appreciate you! Happy holidays!

[@hanksta34]

Kevin's voice and channel are relaxing. One of his myths busted was that you don't need a subwoofer. I ordered one right after watching and was glad I did.

[@phatsmitty]

The room!!!! Yes, the benefit of the listening environment.... excellent point 🙂Fortunate that my 'open floorplan' living room / dining room / kitchen seem to compliment each other as I move around doing chores. Also, my basement is unfinished, the exposed insulation and floor joists make a fantastic sounding room. Thanks for another great video

[@ericgonzales854]

Thank you.. Merry Christmas happy New year

[@benjaminhenry5284]

Hope you have a wonderful Holiday! With any luck i’ll get a Skunkie amp this year.

[@fierychilipeppers494]

You seem like a really good person. I wish you well.

[@WoodandSteel]

CSN "Long Time Gone" great bass, great vocals, inspired instruments. I've found that this song is a go/no go guage for the amps I build.

[@middleearthltd]

I am a power-amp pre-amp user I don’t like integrated amplifiers with DACs, phono stages, room correction etc. crammed in the box I prefer separate components I especially like your color pre-amp 👍

[@MS-pw8yu]

"Getting lost in the music" is what I say I do. I also say to people "You need to surrender yourself to the music." when they try to listen to my system. BTW, I heard you say you may upgrade your table. I just updgraded my turntable from AT 120 to the new Rega P3 RS edition that just came in stock. I may have it tomorrow and I cannot wait to confirm or deny if the table makes that big a difference.

[@jchborg90277]

Re preamps 1) most of us audio guys need the source switching function 2) they sound different, hence the obsession over what they contribute to the sound.

[@mddawson1]

Wishing you and Dolly a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

[@ericlane5949]

A REGA tt would be completely different from what you’ve had in the past. It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on them.

[@plconard3713]

Make sure you drink from the cup, not the bottle! Merry Christmas. Found your channel recently and enjoying your videos. Planning on a Sparkos Gemini purchase early in the new year.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Tell Andrew Skunkie sent you :)

[@plconard3713]

Will do!

[@roa5359]

Wishing you a peaceful Xmas

[@sethjohnson1590]

Back in the day an equalizer was also common because of how one liked to listen to their music and some recordings were lousy.

[@robinkleinsteuber5217]

Have a most Merry Christmas! 😉🍗🍾🎄☃️❄️🎶🎶

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Same to you!

[@CraigHollabaugh]

Thanks and Merry Christmas.

[@Keith-ux9ku]

I need a preamp because I switch between sources. I got vinyl, CDs, DVD/Blu-ray, a streamer and an analog am/fm tuner. I don't like plugging and unplugging gear.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

You just need a source selector? I'm talking about adding gain.

[@humanitech]

I always loved music.... but the first time I listened to a real Hi-Fi system was back in the late 70s! At my older sisters boyfriend place....who if memory still serves me well had a thorens turntable, armstrong amp and some celestion speakers ...and some really good weed 😂😂😂😂... the rest was a lifetime of sonic wonder, amusement and amazement that still continues

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Love the story!

[@louiesipes2257]

Merry Christmas😊

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@radiodf]

Hi, Just recently discovered your channel, most interesting,. The piece of gear that got me started was my Pioneer KP500 car stereo, purchased used in 1979, still have it. I added to to it a matching AD320 20W amp and a pair of RS Minimus 7 speakers. My favorite piece of (home)gear, is my Onkyo TA2080 cassette deck, purchased new in 1980. I have a Turntable, but cassettes have always been my thing :) Besides being a Ham, Ive worked in Electronics for 45 years, doing everything from Broadcast Engineering to designing wireless data equipment. Favorite piece of music to test/demo equipment; Instrumental cover of, Your Song, done by Sounds Orchestral. Its on my YT CH. Product that I just dont understand why other love: Surround Sound; God gave me TWO ears. I dont need FIVE speakers,. Reminds me of the Quadraphonic craze of the mid 70s,. Fav music format: Easy Listening Instrumental/Beautiful Music. See: The Elegant Sound. Cheers :)

[@flyingmattyboy]

1) Ear834 clone (first build). I could finally hear my record decks full qualities. 2) Diy RH84 amp. 3)Yamaha streamer cd all in one unit. Just dont use it. 4) Can't choose one :) 5) money is less of an object as I diy. Would love to try your 300b with decent tubes and ISO iron. 6) records for me too. 7) dont understand the need for solid state (200w etc) amps. 8) trying bi amping probably. 9) LP12. 10) RH84 amp. 11) Disco antistat record cleaning kit.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Thanks for sharing!

[@flyingmattyboy]

Merry Christmas Stephe. Thanks for the great content and inspiration.

[@dozo99]

Heard your thoughts about a new Turntable. Give Mofi a chance. they start to turn up used also. I'm using the Studiodeck with the AT OC9XML step-up and the EAR clone. you wil be amazed. promise!

[@Michael_k_DK]

1. First time I saw a nakamichi rx202 I was lost 2. My nakamichi PA7E 3. It was a b&O receiver beomaster 6000 4. Toto Africa 5. Mcintosh full system with tubes 6. Cd 7. streamers 8. Two m125 from tubes4hifi 9. My turntable thorens td320 mk2 10. My minidisc 11. My headset from jbl

[@sethjohnson1590]

Paris Hilton's cover of if ya think I'm sexy ~ Rod Stewart 🤣 Yes definitely viynl for me.

[@merronphillips7079]

I love tubes but the best none tube stereo I have is Sansui QXR 9001 quad I got the hole setup with turn table and lb and all the rest

[@sjhorton1184]

I've seen a few of his videos including his "challenge" video as well as a few responses to it. Fun and that's the point after all isn't it?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Yes it should be fun! Some folks take it too seriously!

[@ConorHanley]

Personally, I don't get the 'Magic of Vinyl' as I grew up with LPs but never looked back when CDs arrived. Not to say vinyl can't sound great but you really need a more than halfway decent rig to get the benefit. But everyone be themselves and whatever you roll its the music that counts.

[@cobar5342]

My tunnel was opened by hearing Santana's Abraxis on vinyl through a Kuzma turntable into 300B OTL monoblocs and then into 10 inch full range speakers

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

One of my fav albums od all time!

[@AitchAitch999]

1 SME 3009 tonearm, bought new when I was a student in 1978 2 DIY tube amp loosely based on Mullard 3-3 3 None, researched and listened to every purchase 4 Joan Armatrading, Love and Affection 5 Sibelius speakers, Vertere DG/Sabre Turntable Arm and Cartridge, my self built KT88 monoblocks 6 Vinyl 7 Power conditioners 8 Pre-Amp - a yet to be designed and built DIY product 9 Self built tonearm…it looks great, made from layered hardwoods, performance is lacking! 10 An old Philips CD player, made me want to listen to CDs again which is only about 1/4 of my music collection though 11 The Vinyl cleaning process from Neil Antin

[@NickP333]

SKYLABS AUDIO #hifitag CHALLENGE QUESTIONS: 1 - Piece of gear that sent you down the rabbit hole 2 - Favorite piece of gear you own right now 3 - Product you regret buying 4 - The 1 demo song to test a system 5 - Perfect system, money no object 6 - 1 music format you’d choose 7 - Piece of gear people love that you don’t understand 8 - Your next upgrade 9 - Piece of gear you’d keep on looks alone 10 - Last upgrade that made you want to revisit your entire collection 11 - A recent accessory you can’t imagine living without out ***These are some great questions above***

[@tamayaytam]

On this pre amp subject, there are some integrated amps incorporate tubes in preamp stage then high bias class ab power amp like vincent. Can a tube preamp make a class d sound more analog like, tube like if i use it? Does it contribute or another item in the line?

[@BronsonOsborne]

merry christmas

[@edhuslik]

Looked up the price for the EML 300B tubes you mentioned. $1,000 a pair. How much did you pay for your amp to begin with?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

As it sits, about 2K in parts to build it from scratch.

[@Michael-bj4sz]

I guess I’m just as confused about preamps as you are. I don’t know how I could live without a preamp. How would I connect my phono amp, FM tube tuner, music streamer, dac (designed specifically for my cd transport) and my tape dec? My favorite piece(s) of equipment are my MC 30 mono amps and my Hagerman phono amp. I regret selling off stuff more than something I purchased.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

With a source switchbox.

[@chelillingworth9466]

I have the Adcom GFP-750 pre-amplifier, it sounds great and is built like a tank, I like that it has a switch to go to passive which I used depending on what source I'm using sometimes. The gain generally sounds better as I need it to drive my DIY pass labs amp

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I did preface, if you need the gain, sure it makes sense. I use one on my KT120 monos. I just find it odd people wanting to put a pre-amp in front of something like an R8, which already is a tube amp and has a bunch of inputs and very high input sensitivity. And as far as switching sources, put the input jacks up front or on the side and just swap the cables :)

[@Keith-ux9ku]

Don't you have sand in your system if you are using voltage regulators in your 300B amp?

[@nbramaputra]

We love you ! Low end hi fi is king and detend it.ofkours better with hig end,but its to exspensive.we love you ! I have alott of reals with band but only go fore real cheep tape decs.my nowyamaha is dual and 30 $ tape decs are complicated.we know the sound from history.its enough fore me love you ! Im having a pickering 5000 needing diamant can i gett it?and 300 b on buget? My self made costed more tan anny other . But it was copy of ge

[@merronphillips7079]

Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon

[@shodan6401]

A Preamp? That's easy. What's the piece of kit you said you'd never get rid of? You said it was a Preamp. The Phono Preamp that unlocked the magic of vinyl for you. Well, that's the same thing that a very good Preamp can do for the rest of your sources. I'd recommend the VTA SP-14 Linestage by Roy Mottram. It uses 6SN7s for its outputs. And it's not a $300 kit, because you are not going to get any benefit from that level of Preamp. Aside from Speakers, this is the single-most important piece of gear in your audio chain. And it's worth every penny. Whatever your source, the air, the Soundstage, the delicate details, the holographic imaging, it's all just so damn good. Just like the magic that the Phono Preamp revealed for you and your vinyl - now spread that across your entire system, regardless of the source. Good Preamps rule...

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

A phono pre had RIAA eq and you can't listen to vinyl without one. I don't need to add another preamp between it and my amp. Or maybe I should use 3 preamps?

[@peterlundskow4061]

I will answer the questions in next day or so. My question to you is concerning record cleaning. Are you satisfied with what you use? Have you considered one of the vacuum or ultrasonic cleaners?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I haven't yet. So far a simple carbon brush and this AT velvet brush seems to work.

[@sethjohnson1590]

Fisher 200 kx stratkit

[@alaingingras7224]

No offence but maybe an air filter .A 20'' fan with furnace filters on the output !You are dealing with a lot of dust .This arrangement was tested against a famous German Manufacturer .Came out of the gate as equal .800$worth for 40$

[@Prometheus1979]

Only a hobby?? Are you nuts??? I said that when I started riding Harley’s. Now I’m on number 4 and 50 grand later I’m still dumping money into it. I could have bought a house cash with all the money I spent on Harley’s over the years. Just a little joking, MERRY CHRISTMAS and keep the good work. Always look forward to your videos.

[@The-light909]

MERRY CHRISTMAS🎉

[@Keith-ux9ku]

Don't you have sand in your system if you are using voltage regulators in your 300B amp?