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Post by MartinT on Nov 4, 2018 18:30:40 GMT
julesd68 music we played yesterday, for reference...
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 5, 2018 12:40:44 GMT
Not forgetting this superb Shosta - was this a jandl100 discovery Martin? |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 5, 2018 12:56:21 GMT
Oops, I missed that one. Yes, the Shossy 10 and Bach Passacaglia are Jerry finds and went straight into my playlist.
So what did you think of listening to purely Spotify on Saturday, Jules?
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 5, 2018 13:58:48 GMT
First thing I should say is congrats to Martin for creating such a magnificent listening room! It really is just perfect - everything is beautifully arranged in terms of media and equipment; such a comfortable space too, you couldn't want for more.  The system is also radically different to the last time I heard it. Back then the Ushers were in a much smaller space. Now they have room to 'breathe' and despite their monolithic appearance, in terms of performance they don't dominate the room at all - fed the right material they certainly do that magical disappearing act. It's difficult to imagine what Martin would need to get to better the performance of these speakers, as I don't find them lacking in any area; they are beautifully integrated. Of course I haven't heard all the incremental steps that Martin has made with the system since I last heard it but I'm thinking that moving from the Chord to the Belles power amp has had quite a dramatic effect. The sound is now more relaxed and warmer than I remember which means you can certainly listen at decent volumes without any hint of fatigue. In terms of streaming, nobody can question the convenience of the likes of spoti and the world of new music it opens you up to so effortlessly. What I need to do now is to find out whether it's something that I will run in addition to my vinyl system or whether it cant take over as my main source. That I don't know until trying as I am so used to the analogue sound, but having now heard both Martin's and John's streaming systems, I'm now putting together a digital system of my own to see if I can get it to work to my satisfaction. Certainly I feel it's a journey I have to take. |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 5, 2018 15:28:00 GMT
Thanks, Jules.
I do think that the Ushers will be my final speakers. Never say never, but if you think that the only speakers I've heard to even equal them are the much pricier Wilsons and I would need to go even higher up the chain to beat them, I'm simply not going to have the funds to go there*. I have a strict policy of never thinking about what I can't afford. In any case, I can hardly be dissatisfied with the superb all-round performance of the Ushers.
* for instance, the Wilson Alexia were $47,500 back in 2013.
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Post by Slinger on Nov 5, 2018 16:02:17 GMT
...I'm now putting together a digital system of my own to see if I can get it to work to my satisfaction. Certainly I feel it's a journey I have to take.  |
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Post by John on Nov 5, 2018 16:18:24 GMT
😀
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 9, 2018 17:54:23 GMT
Thanks, Jules. I do think that the Ushers will be my final speakers. Never say never, but if you think that the only speakers I've heard to even equal them are the much pricier Wilsons and I would need to go even higher up the chain to beat them, I'm simply not going to have the funds to go there*. I have a strict policy of never thinking about what I can't afford. In any case, I can hardly be dissatisfied with the superb all-round performance of the Ushers. * for instance, the Wilson Alexia were $47,500 back in 2013. New 'entry level' Wilsons here Martin - can't imagine even the best ones would be better than what you have ... www.whathifi.com/news/wilson-benesch-announces-entry-level-precision-series-speaker-range |
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Post by jandl100 on Nov 9, 2018 17:56:11 GMT
That's the wrong Wilson.  |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 9, 2018 18:02:47 GMT
No, no, no Jules. Wilson Benesch make utterly horrible speakers, some of the worst, most grating, cold, hard speakers ever made. You'd hate them!
I'm talking about Wilson, the American company.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 18:12:17 GMT
No, no, no Jules. Wilson Benesch make utterly horrible speakers, some of the worst, most grating, cold, hard speakers ever made. You'd hate them! My God Martin that is one serious understatement possibly one of the most over hyped under performing speaker brands ever to have saddled us with dire sound truly grim (possibly except the Arc's which are punchy, fast, upfront, wait a minute Naimies love them!) |
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Post by julesd68 on Nov 9, 2018 19:40:57 GMT
So you don't want a pair then Martin??   That's funny - I thought when you said Wilson you were abbreviating the unmentionable WB ...  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2018 21:44:04 GMT
Does anyone like the WB brand? I know the press aren’t the most honest / accurate bunch but they seem to get universal praise.
I heard the cardinals and a full dcs stack years ago, but I was ill so not in the frame of mind to listen properly, plus they were playing some audiophile pap that told me nothing.
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Post by petea on Nov 9, 2018 22:07:41 GMT
I heard their Circle 25 deck and arm playing through a Regal Elicit R amplifier into Vertex speakers a couple of months back and, although not completely to my taste, it sounded pretty natural and fairly engaging. My neighbour is looking to buy a system and wants something that sounds good but also has some visual impact. It ticked quite a few of those boxes and was in budget.
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Post by John on Nov 10, 2018 6:01:23 GMT
I had a WB speaker early on. The Actor. It was uninspiring and did not stay in the system for long,
I heard the circle I was not to impressed with it, but it was at a show and hard to get decent sounds at shows
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Post by MartinT on Nov 10, 2018 13:32:29 GMT
Does anyone like the WB brand? I know the press aren’t the most honest / accurate bunch but they seem to get universal praise. Interesting point, Martin. I've seen positive reviews and I've heard WB speakers on several occasions. There is no way I can reconcile what I read with what I heard. It does make me wonder about reviews sometimes. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Nov 10, 2018 14:59:32 GMT
There are those who rave about Naim speakers.
Even many Naimees don't like them
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2018 15:43:24 GMT
There are those who rave about Naim speakers. Even many Naimees don't like them They are one speaker I have never liked, even in the days I was under the Naim spell, I just couldn’t stand them. |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 15, 2018 19:48:43 GMT
I started up Qobuz again, this time with the Studio hi-res package. Initial listening sounds very promising.
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Post by MartinT on Nov 20, 2018 12:22:14 GMT
As well as enjoying listening to all manner of music from Qobuz and Spotify, I've decided to order another grounding box, this time the newly released SGS-1s Signature. Andrew at SGS says "The signature opens the soundscape further, timbre is more apparent with voice even more natural, we have found having an SGS on each speaker negative terminal and signature on source or preamp is like a major system upgrade! System dependant of course."
I might in time try an SGS-1 on each speaker (by buying a second one) but for now I want to explore the large impact the SGS-1 has had when connected to my preamp and DAC by trying the SGS-1s in that position. eBay are offering 6 x Nectar points for 'Black November' so it's my Christmas pressie to myself!
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