It’s time to feature on Audiophile Notes a great music lover from the Netherlands: Mr. Roeland, a 37 year old Hi-Fi freak with a huge passion for vinyl records. He is also a proud owner of a couple of Solidsteel S3-3 Hi-Fi Racks to support his audio set-up.
Mr. Roeland, how did you become passionate about high fidelity?
It started around the age of 16. I always loved music but that was the time I really started to notice how much more I enjoyed music played on decent equipment vs the old little stereo I had In my bedroom. So I started saving and bought a Multi channel Harman Kardon receiver and Jbl Northridge E series 5.1 speaker-set. I used to watch a lot of concert and music dvd’s at the time. I sometimes drove my mother crazy with loud music In my room. I soon realized that music gave me more pleasure In stereo and started buying cd’s. I left my parents house some years later and sold my JBL/Harman Kardon set and bought a decent stereo amp and 2 speakers. In my heart I always wanted to play records and when a friend of mine bought a turntable I had to get one also.
Describe your Hi-Fi/ AV System and tell us more about your components. Is there something from your equipment that you would never substitute?
My hifi system Is a pretty basic system:
A Transrotor Zet 1 turntable with a Nagaoka MP500 cartridge and a Konstant Studio power supply.
Goldnote Phono 2 phono preamp with It’s own power supply
Rotel Michi RHA10 active pre amp and RHB10 Power amp.
Dynaudio Contour 1.1 speaker
Wireworld cables.
My Transrotor turntable will never go! It was my dream to get one and saved years to be able to get one!
What is your favorite music genre? Which are your reference albums you generally choose for “testing” your system?
My favorite music genre was roots reggae for years! It Is still a big part of the music I play today but my taste has become more eclectic and I listen to all sorts of music now, however black metal and other really heavy rock music will never be friends with me I guess.
Favorite music to test my system Is the music I know best and the music I listened to the most the days before.
Which is your favorite “moment” of the day for listening music with your audio system?
My favorite moment to play music are evening times after dinner, and also Sunday mornings, because that’s when I am most relaxed.
Which audio format do you listen most? Digital or Analogic? Can you tell us why?
As you can see my setup Is only analogue, I just love records! Not so much because of the sound but more of the beautiful artwork, the Inconvenience which forces you to really sit down and listen! And I love cratedigging!
When you first heard about Solidsteel brand?
I guess the first time I saw Solidsteel products was on Frank’s Instagram account @soulmining (We interviewed Frank last year, you can find his interview here). I really loved the simple and elegant design!
In which terms have you noticed benefits in using Solidsteel products? (Audio quality, Design, smart components positioning) What would you recommend to other music lovers?
Solidsteel products are so easy In use, you can switch positioning and ad or take out shelves In just a few minutes, no need for tools It Is a clever design! Audio components have lots of room to breath, and the products really live up to there name: they are solid!
The sound In my setup really benefited from using the Solidsteel S3 Series, the soundstage widened and more clarity In the Imaging of Instruments.
I would recommend this to any music lover!
Considering your attention for any aspect connected to your components, their proper position and the music room ambient, which advice do you feel to give for those who are approaching the Hi-Fi world? What is “essential” for creating a first audio system?
I think It Is essential to really know what you want to achieve. Decide what your budget Is and go to a Hi-Fi store with good reviews. There Is so much out there to chose from so good advice from professionals Is a must Imho.
What’s your feedback about emotions in music? Do you like attending music concerts, live shows and events?
I really love going to live music, be It reggae festivals of a couple of days or a small jazz quartet, there’s nothing better than live music, sadly due to Covid there hasn’t been a lot going on, but I managed to go to a jazz quarter last weekend. It was amazing after more than a year, the artist were all emotional too!
Suggest three music albums that we absolutely can’t miss.
Tony Allen – There Is No End
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
A great record by afrobeat/jazz drummer Tony Allen, It marks the end of his career (end life) but doing so he gave a voice and a podium to young rappers and musicians.
Bob Marley – Survival
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
This Is my favorite record of all time! A record which helped me through a lot of difficulties. Funny thing not one song of this record Is featured on the best of Legend.
Anderson .Paak – Malibu
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
Just one of the best things that happened to music the last decade.
Many thanks to Mr. Roeland for giving us a personal point of view about the Hi-Fi world and his favorite music. If you want to discover more about him check @music_on_vinyl on Instagram.
