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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2017 14:13:28 GMT
No specifically for the Pi, Mike.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 10, 2017 14:17:35 GMT
So a 2nd blog then just for the Pi ?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2017 14:22:44 GMT
So a 2nd blog then just for the Pi ? Yup, I'll probably just add my thoughts to the other Pi thread.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2017 14:40:03 GMT
Had a very enlightening afternoon yesterday. With Mike's assistance, we made some impressive observations about my system and the room.
My electrics clearly need some work. When we plugged in his cleaver electrical boxes there was a clear improvement.
The 4 way Russ Andrews box he brought opened up the sound significantly.
He also helped get the speakers more stable which has certainly helped.
The biggest improvement had though was from some marble place mats placed on the different components, they were remarkable and for very little outlay, I'm on the case.
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2017 16:26:41 GMT
How would you compare the CXC to that dvd transport that we had a listen to?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2017 16:32:12 GMT
How would you compare the CXC to that dvd transport that we had a listen to? Much better, wider and deeper soundstage, smoother, warmer presentation. Also more complete. Less detached top and bottom, like we found was a weakness of the Denon DVD player.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 10, 2017 16:33:13 GMT
I too was enlightened ! Responding to Paul's thoughts that the speakers or another element in the system was spoiling the sound quality I took along various bits.
My guess was the mains was at fault, or mostly at fault and I wanted to stop Paul spending money where I could !
We started listening to the system with the Naim NDX streamer playing. Did not sound good. Swap to the new-to-Paul Cambridge CXC. Surprising. Far better sound quality from a box a fraction of the price. Sound still not quite right to either of us A few checks to the system showed those items in the right place so no fault found there.
Fairly sure this was the order we then went in. (Please correct me if I'm wrong Paul) Replacing Paul's current mains block with a Russ Andrews Purifier 8 socket block fed by a Russ Andrews Signature mains lead. All kit then plugged into the Purifier block. Big step up in sound quality - nice. Russ Andrew Super Purifier and Tacima SC 5723 plugged into other sockets in the room. Another step up in sound quality - that really surprised me. I thought I was imagining such a big step up. Granite placemats placed on top of the Beresford Caiman DAC, Cambdridge CXC and Exposure Pre amp. Another surprising improvement. Just placemats ! MCRU Ulitmate mains cable replacing the Russ Andrews Signature feeding the Purifier block. Small improvement.
Speakers next. I wondered about the toe in and we experimented, to the point where we had improvement. I'm no expert so this is one for Paul to play with. While doing this I noticed the stands were wobbly so tightened up to the floor. Nice little improvement, but we think there is more to be had by taking out the (non) Focal stands and replacing with original Focal spikes.
Big improvement with the problem Paul hears with some vocals but he still hears it, albeit much less. I confess I cannot hear this so the next stage is to hear the relevant tracks on my or another system.
Last but not least disconnect the surround sound amp from the Exposure Pre Amp. That also improved the sound. Another surprise for me.
Tracks played James Taylor from October Road, various including Baby Buffalo as such a wonderful track Rag n Bone Man Mandolin Orange - new to me and pretty good Mavis, of course
Did I forget any Paul ?
Recommendations starting with the least expensive Sell the Naim streamer to fund any other purchases and still have money in hand, Granite placemats on all that will take it. (not record deck or anything that produces heat !) A couple of mains purifiers around the room. Upgrade the mains block. The Purifier did a good job.
Let me know what I may have forgotten Paul !
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Post by julesd68 on Jun 10, 2017 17:01:53 GMT
I think it's pretty clear that the Naim streamer should be politely shown the backdoor!!
With some of funds raised you could get the well received and much cheaper Cambridge CXN streamer since you like the convenience of streaming. I would put the rest of the loot towards new floorstanders. The beryllium tweeter is just too difficult to live with on some, especially modern recordings. It was better with good analogue recordings on vinyl.
You will get a good price for the speakers and the Naim, so no reason you couldn't look at the likes of Sonus Faber / Audio Physic / Chario speakers.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 12, 2017 8:10:46 GMT
Secondly it's got a massively wide and deep sound stage, and contains tonnes of detail. Summarises quite well all the things that Naim don't do.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 12, 2017 8:14:46 GMT
The beryllium tweeter is just too difficult to live with on some, especially modern recordings I'm not sure about that, although the Focal and Usher implementations are different.
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Post by puffin on Jun 13, 2017 7:34:35 GMT
Sounds like a great day was had. This is the sort of thing I did for too many years until I have (think I have?) the right sound for me. I think Mike should pimp himself out to other TAS members to see if he can work his magic on their systems.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 13, 2017 10:35:57 GMT
I start with cheap and work up Mains, supports and granite placemats can be nicely cheap Can also be expensive too. VFM then has to be the watchword.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2017 15:55:57 GMT
I too was enlightened ! Responding to Paul's thoughts that the speakers or another element in the system was spoiling the sound quality I took along various bits. My guess was the mains was at fault, or mostly at fault and I wanted to stop Paul spending money where I could ! We started listening to the system with the Naim NDX streamer playing. Did not sound good. Swap to the new-to-Paul Cambridge CXC. Surprising. Far better sound quality from a box a fraction of the price. Sound still not quite right to either of us A few checks to the system showed those items in the right place so no fault found there. Fairly sure this was the order we then went in. (Please correct me if I'm wrong Paul) Replacing Paul's current mains block with a Russ Andrews Purifier 8 socket block fed by a Russ Andrews Signature mains lead. All kit then plugged into the Purifier block. Big step up in sound quality - nice. Russ Andrew Super Purifier and Tacima SC 5723 plugged into other sockets in the room. Another step up in sound quality - that really surprised me. I thought I was imagining such a big step up. Granite placemats placed on top of the Beresford Caiman DAC, Cambdridge CXC and Exposure Pre amp. Another surprising improvement. Just placemats ! MCRU Ulitmate mains cable replacing the Russ Andrews Signature feeding the Purifier block. Small improvement. Speakers next. I wondered about the toe in and we experimented, to the point where we had improvement. I'm no expert so this is one for Paul to play with. While doing this I noticed the stands were wobbly so tightened up to the floor. Nice little improvement, but we think there is more to be had by taking out the (non) Focal stands and replacing with original Focal spikes. Big improvement with the problem Paul hears with some vocals but he still hears it, albeit much less. I confess I cannot hear this so the next stage is to hear the relevant tracks on my or another system. Last but not least disconnect the surround sound amp from the Exposure Pre Amp. That also improved the sound. Another surprise for me. Tracks played James Taylor from October Road, various including Baby Buffalo as such a wonderful track Rag n Bone Man Mandolin Orange - new to me and pretty good Mavis, of course Did I forget any Paul ? Recommendations starting with the least expensive Sell the Naim streamer to fund any other purchases and still have money in hand, Granite placemats on all that will take it. (not record deck or anything that produces heat !) A couple of mains purifiers around the room. Upgrade the mains block. The Purifier did a good job. Let me know what I may have forgotten Paul ! A very thorough and accurate explanation, Mike, thanks
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Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2017 16:46:58 GMT
I spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at Paul's today - thanks, Paul!
Paul was still concerned that his Focal speakers are to blame for unacceptable brightness/harshness. We started off by having a listen and I thought the sound was somewhat flat, closed in, lacking in soundstage but not harsh as such, and had good bass. I asked Paul what mode the Caiman-II was in and we found it to be in mode 2. I changed it to mode 4 and we listened again. There was a big improvement in spaciousness and dimensionality, and a sense of body around vocals. Bass improved a little, too.
Next we had a look at the Stillpoints under the Cambridge transport and I asked if we could substitute some Black Ravioli footers (3). The difference was laughable, something I am getting used to when hearing what Black Ravioli can do. A complete layer of brightness disappeared to reveal more detail, atmosphere, dynamics and a better sense of being there. The whole performance of the system was on a better level and bass was deeper and tighter.
Our final change in the session was to bring my Ayre player out as Paul had wanted to hear what both this and Mike's Isis can do with CD as a medium (and SACD in the case of the Ayre). If there was any remaining suspicion that the Focals did not suit Paul's system and room, they were finally dispelled. The system sounded superb and his Focals suit the room very well. I'll leave it to Paul to tell more, although it's a little unfair to substitute a budget transport and DAC for the Ayre except to do as we had intended: hear what the system can really do with a no-holds-barred source.
Things for Paul to investigate: Black Ravioli footers (6) - under the Cambridge and Caiman-II. Granite placemats on the transport and DAC. Mains treatment - get serious with a regenerator and some plug-in noise suppressors. Investigate alternatives to the Exposure amp if more goodness in spaciousness and air is the way he wants to go.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 17:31:26 GMT
Yes, very enjoyable afternoon, thank you Martin.
I was impressed by how much difference was heard from mode 4 on the Beresford DAC, and then the Black Raviolli, they'll definitely be going on my Christmas list.
The Ayre was outstanding, and easily bettered the Cambridge/Beresford combo, but they are hardly a fair comparison in reality when you consider the difference in cost.
Although come to think of it, the Naim NDX I have was beaten hands down by the Cambridge/Beresford combo and it retails for a similar price to the Ayre, so shows how good a CD player it really is, I may have to look out for one.
We llistened to:
K.D. Lang - Drag Van Morrison - Common One Mary Black No Frontiers Nitin Sawhney - Beyond Skin Mighty Sam McLain - Give It Up To Love Antonio Vivaldi - Four Seasons Metamorphoseon - Belkis, Queen of Sheba
Shout if I forgot anything, Martin.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2017 17:37:42 GMT
The Belkis is by Respighi (Metamorphoseon is another piece).
We also listened to Yello Touch and Toy albums.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 20:04:41 GMT
Aha, you're right, how did I forget the Yello albums I liked both Classical pieces.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 21:41:13 GMT
So what did the Ayre bring to the party that my usual combo doesn't, in summary...
Authority - makes you want to sit up and listen
Scale - larger, wider and deeper soundstage and bass.
Separation - instruments were clearly positioned, clearer and more prominent.
Pronounced - vocals were clearer, with more detail and construct.
Easier - much more pleasent and relaxed sound.
Thanks to Martin for allowing me the opportunity to hear this superb source in my system.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 18, 2017 21:59:01 GMT
I hope it helped, Paul.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2017 23:53:03 GMT
It certainly did, thank you.
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