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Post by MartinT on Jun 19, 2017 6:54:59 GMT
When I got home I rebuilt my system and had a listen to some of the same tracks we had heard earlier. Van Morrison's Satisfied from Common One has become my go-to track of late for system quality. The energy in that song is palpable and the brass section quite stunning. If it sounds flat, your system has problems!
Your keywords are very appropriate for what the Ayre does that I've never heard quite to that extent from another player: Authority, Scale, Separation, Pronounced, Easier. It simply lays the music out with a dynamic authority that continually surprises me. At the time I bought it, it was the only CD component in the Stereophile A+ category, and that was before the MP (Minimum Phase) firmware upgrade and way before Tony's further breathing over it. It is not a component that will easily be replaced in my system, if ever.
Good luck in your search if you start looking for one. I don't think many got into this country.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 19, 2017 17:54:56 GMT
Most surprised you rated the Black ravioli so much over the Stillpoints.
On my system I rated them a bit better, say half a step up
Might be other items I have under the kit or something else........
Will have a test sometime
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2017 18:16:47 GMT
Yes Mike, I was equally surprised, but there was a significant audible improvement by adding the Black Ravioli.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2017 18:19:08 GMT
Yes Mike, I was equally surprised, but there was a significant audible improvement by adding the Black Ravioli. Actually, genuine question, could it have been so dramatic because I placed the differently to the Stillpoints? i.e. two at the front and one at the back, whereas I would normally do two at back and one at the front with the Stillpoints?
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Post by MartinT on Jun 19, 2017 20:15:18 GMT
I doubt the disposition would make much difference. It's the damping properties of the Black Ravioli being against the equipment underside that seems to have the almost magical effect on sound.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 19, 2017 20:56:28 GMT
Puzzled you heard so much difference.
A quick listen or an hour or so apart and no difference
Marginally better to use 4 BR under the Isis. In for a penny.....
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Post by MartinT on Jun 19, 2017 22:07:10 GMT
Yes, I experimented under the Ayre and decided that two BRs close to each other at the rear and two widely spaced at the front work best.
The BRs under the Cambridge were an amazing change for the better. Really brought it up in SQ. I am no longer surprised at what BRs can do!
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 20, 2017 7:19:27 GMT
Think we are discovering how BRs can work.
Plain supports they are not
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 10:50:49 GMT
I was certainly quite surprised how much difference they made compared with the Stillpoints, which I preferred over the original Black Ravioli.
They opened up the sound, tightened everything up and made it more listenable... I wonder if they make more difference on my CD Transport because it is that much lighter than either the Ayre or Rega.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2017 11:10:21 GMT
I think you should consider another set for the Caiman-II as well. 6 should do them both.
Sell that Naim streamer and you'll have tangible improvements and money left over. The granite mats will only cost you about £12.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 12:44:34 GMT
Certainly something I am going to explore further.
I am also going to look out for an Ayre CD Player or Rega Isis, both of which I know will bring a big improvement over my current source.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 20, 2017 13:57:18 GMT
Granite mats next visit to Costco.
Sell that Naim. Get some money in
Isis more common than Ayre from what I have seen. Not that many of either around though.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 20, 2017 13:59:55 GMT
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2017 14:13:47 GMT
Does it come in black?
Seriously, Paul asked the same thing about the Ayre and we spotted the black/silver options marked on the box. I've never, ever, seen a black one!
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2017 14:16:00 GMT
...and just to prove me wrong:
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 14:45:42 GMT
The trick is to get MikeMusic to buy a TAD cd player and then there will be an Isis for sale ... Good suggestion - MikeMusic, wanna upgrade the Rega?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2017 14:46:54 GMT
...and just to prove me wrong: hmm I think it looks prettier in Silver honestly... looks a little more dull in black... but would fit in my system better
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 20, 2017 15:32:50 GMT
Upgrade the Isis ? In a word...... No I've heard the 2 top end TADs. They are better than the Isis for sure. If money was no consideration I could well have a full TAD set up, but it is ! A black Ayre eh ? Bet that sounds really good The big surprises for me were the bits making the system sing so well.. Auditions available
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Post by MartinT on Jun 20, 2017 16:50:40 GMT
hmm I think it looks prettier in Silver honestly... Yes, so do I.
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Post by SteveC on Jun 20, 2017 16:54:05 GMT
I was certainly quite surprised how much difference they made compared with the Stillpoints, which I preferred over the original Black Ravioli. They opened up the sound, tightened everything up and made it more listenable... I wonder if they make more difference on my CD Transport because it is that much lighter than either the Ayre or Rega. Paul, Which Stillpoints were you using? Original Universal type (volcano shape) or the latest Ultra SS range? Steve
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