Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 18:07:52 GMT
LOL
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 12:47:23 GMT
Not my biggest ever purchase but I'm shocked by how good this wee gem is:  It seems to have a minor issue right now though. It distorts slightly on certain transients. Things like piano set it off. It doesn't get worse or better and occurs in the same places on the same tracks, so I reckon it's microphony from the cheap Chinese tubes. When tapped they literally buzz...and that with them n my hand, not in the amp! I've ordered some JJ Teslas in the hope of getting it perfect. What a smashing little amp though. Not a kick in the arse away from some really good amps and better than many I've paid daft money for. Ideal to take abroad too. |
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 19, 2015 16:05:07 GMT
What exactly is it please Andrew?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 16:26:37 GMT
Oops, sorry Chris. It's a Roth Cocoon. It has valve preamp stage and 13w MOSFET power stage, plus an iPod dock. It comes with a really nice metal remote which controls the amp and iPod too. All you need is a pair of speakers and you're away. It will also take a feed from its two phono inputs or a jack input too. Someone told me it was stupidly good and I just had to try one. I've only tried it with my CDX and DCMs but it's really lovely. So much detail and treble sparkle too.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 19, 2015 17:17:30 GMT
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 19, 2015 17:22:56 GMT
Is it more robustly made than it looks in the photo? It seems a bit plasticy there - maybe it's something to do with the proportions and shape.
(....sorry, I really don't mean to sound critical of your new toy!)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 17:33:40 GMT
It's actually really solid othe flesh. The case seems to be a solid lump of aluminium. Tiny of course, but i guess that's part of the attraction. There's a separate toroid in a metal box that you can hide away, so it's not quite as didn't as it looks.
What surprises me is the sound. I'd have sworn it was a valve amp, yet it's only the preamp stage that's valve. I've had a few cheapie Chinese valve amps and thoght they were very poor. I'm really looking forward to trying better valves, because it's already so good with the throwaway ones it came with.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 17:37:58 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Aug 19, 2015 17:39:21 GMT
Glad about the build!
Do you intend to use it as a dock?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 17:49:09 GMT
Yes, I have a handful of IPods, all with large capacity and all with lossless files. I used to run a Wadia 170i iPod dock into a DAC,mbut this is far better put together. They go for so little, they are a ridiculous bargain.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 17:53:40 GMT
Looks like something that would cost a lot more if it had a "Hifi" name |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2015 14:03:19 GMT
The tiny wee Roth Cocoon is sounding better than ever and the microphony problem has been removed completely wth new JJ Tesla valves. I'd like to say a huge thank you to Stuart from www.ampvalves.co.uk/ for such fab, friendly and fast service. He also charges less than the other "Hifi" valve suppliers for exactly the same valves. As long as he stocks the ones I need, he will be my only port of call for future valve purchases. BTW I think the Roth is an even bigger giant killer than ever! |
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Aug 22, 2015 8:53:47 GMT
How satisfying! Glad it's giving you pleasure.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 12:05:50 GMT
I'm sure some people will think we are both mad, but I feel that's their loss. The difference isn't small and it's very hard to go back. I feel the small minority of speaker designers who have incorporated some form of upward firing have got it right and the rest have simply gone with the herd. You may know better than me, but was Roy Allison the first to experiment with an upward firing bass unit? Maybe Sonab? Those Arcam's are excellent speakers. Had mine stolen 20 years ago and the replacement tarted up model didn't sound as good to me. If you like upward firing I suggest trying NVA cubes. RD is talking about introducing a smaller cube 3 version but used ones do come up occasionally, more often the old wood cabinet versions. Would also suggest the Castle Howard S2 or S3. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 17:22:38 GMT
But the Howards Still have forward facing units in addition to the upward facing unit. I just dont want anything facing me.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2015 21:45:44 GMT
A few bits have come and gone since my last update. An Exposure 7, Expander, 9 and Dual 4 Regulated had a very short stay. Good as they were, I still preferred my ancient 3 and 4. Another Audion Super Sterling KT120 was pinched by another mate before I had time to appreciate it. No point in putting pics up as these look the same as previous kit I had. I did have a pair of Usher S-520 but they had discoloured, which put me off a bit. They were OK but nothing spectacular.  I did find a bit of a rarity that I know nothing of. It's a big MOSFET power amp from OTL (Open Technologies Ltd) apparently made in Bristol. I'm still getting to grips with it but it's rather good. It's as suave and unflappable as Roger Moore and seems to have oodles of power. It's really easy to relax with and I find myself enjoying music for long periods without critically listening.   |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2015 21:54:51 GMT
I have also inherited a pair of walnut JPW P1s which I will refurb and refoam. I may well re-wire and upgrade the crossover too.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Sept 3, 2015 22:05:59 GMT
I hope your postman gets a good Christmas box!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2015 22:08:50 GMT
It's the UPS guys to thank! They are both fab guys and take great care. Really friendly and helpful too. I very nearly bought another Krell KSA50 but I'm trying to downsize my Hifi physically and enjoy a more compact system for a while.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2015 15:13:16 GMT
I'll stick up some pics later on the week, but I'm currently enjoying a new (to me) CD player and scratching my head at just how good it is. A Copland CDA266 is now sitting in place of my Naim CDX. I've had a Copland amp before and liked it. The word that best described it was "sophisticated". Compared to my Exposures, it lacked clout and boogie. It didn't really prepare me for the sound of the CD player though. It's so clear, vivid and vital. Not at all what if expected. It is working an absolute treat with the OTL amp. I hadn't really expected much much to be honest. Naim players have buried everything else so easily. The Naim will undoubtedly still sound great when I come back to it, but the Copland really does sound so much better to these ears. I will need extended listening with other bits of kit to suss out its capabilities fully, but it's off to one heck of a good start. I also bought a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 210 for AV duties. I find them enjoyable for what they are and prety good value. I needed white speakers and these came up. Nobody could ever say they weren't entertaining. In fact they make me smile at their pluckiness, especially given their size  |
|
