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Post by Dave on Aug 26, 2014 23:36:27 GMT
Will do Chris. Incidentally I spotted these on ebay this evening if you want another pair  |
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Post by Dave on Sept 12, 2014 20:12:16 GMT
Been a while since I updated my blog so here goes:   I have been back inside the AV21's again as the 2.2uF film caps I fitted to the x-overs just weren't doing it for me.The x-overs now contain 1ohm M-Resist MOx resistors and Elna RBD 'lytics which have raised the bar somewhat from how they were sounding with the standard components. Plans are afoot to strengthen and improve the cabs by adding extra ply or MDF panels to both the front and rear baffles which currently are recessed into the cabs by 5mm. Not only will these panels add structural integrity but the front panel will bring the drive unit pairing out flush with the edge of the cabs thus improving HF dispersion.  By mid-week next I should be taking delivery of a pair of monitor Audio R852's which will be here on approval. These are a two way sealed enclosure design which I hope will work well in my listening room and if so, they will be replacing the DM2's and Skibo's.  |
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Post by Dave on Sept 16, 2014 21:10:29 GMT
Well, the MA's are here. There was a feint chance I may have ended up with a pair of Harbeth HL1 mk4's too but unfortunately that deal fell through, I am not disappointed however as the R852's are a breath of fresh air. What they have highlighted, and it was the first thing to leap out at me, is the extent to which this room has been compromising the bass response of just about every medium to large speaker system I've had in here, but not these, oh no. Bass is tight, very well extended and tuneful. I've suspected this to be the case for some time however the R852's have revealed the full magnitude of the problem. The clarity of these things is exceptional as is imaging and sound-staging.
Anyway, back to the music for now. I'll keep them in the near-field system for a few days then transfer them over to the main system for more fun and games...
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Post by Dave on Sept 25, 2014 20:58:53 GMT
There have been a few minor changes however the MA's are still performing near-field duties. I've swapped the generic ICE multi-strand speaker cable for the Cable Talk Talk 3 from the main system and replaced the Gear City IC's between the 306 and BTE with a set of Belkin PureAV Silver's. The Gear City's are fine IC's but in this system they sound a little bass light. I installed my RFC Neptune's initially however oddly they were a bit dull sounding from the upper-mids onwards, bass extension and definition was epic though. The Belkin's are far more balanced but lack the last word in absolute clarity. In the main though I now have the best of both worlds and so the system as a whole is sounding mighty fine. This is easily the best system I have ever run and I am enjoying it immensely  |
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 26, 2014 6:50:12 GMT
So, to sum up for us then Dave, what is the full line-up of the system at this stage?
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Post by brian2957 on Sept 26, 2014 9:49:44 GMT
Aye be interested to read what you're using at present Dave.
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Post by Dave on Sept 26, 2014 19:35:31 GMT
So, to sum up for us then Dave, what is the full line-up of the system at this stage? It is getting a tad confusing, isn't it? Sorry chaps... 
Righto, the only sources I am currently using are the Arcam CD72 and my music server. They both run into the Rega DAC; the CD72 via a good quality optical lead of indeterminate manufacture sourced from MCRU (freebie) and the server via a Profigold digi-coax lead (I forget the model but it's a good'un).
The Rega is connected to the BTE passive via a pair of Brian's excellent Klotz MC5000 based IC's and the BTE drives the Quad 306 through a set of Belkins as I documented above. Speakers are the MA's and cables are Talk 3's. The main system is in bits just now
The purpose of this exercise is to determine what will eventually end up in the main system once I have sourced some open framed speaker stands for the MA's
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 26, 2014 20:25:40 GMT
Good good, thanks for that Dave.
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Post by Dave on Nov 1, 2014 20:04:56 GMT
It has been a while, sorry 'bout that chaps. Since I last posted here the system configuration has stabilised and I am very happy with the result. After some pretty extensive auditioning of various cables I settled on NVA SSC's between DAC, pre and power Amp. Of all the cables I auditioned the NVA's allowed the system to really stretch its legs with ease. From knowledge gleaned from those in the know it is likely that these cables work particularly well in systems containing passive pre-amps and that certainly appears to be the case here. Also gone are the Cable Talk Talk 3 speaker cables I used previously which have made way for Van Damme HiFi Series 6mm items. Talk 3 is an excellent cable however the Van Damme takes performance to a whole new level. There is more focus and greater definition present with the VD's installed plus they allow the system to throw out the most delicious three dimensional presentation of a performance. As well as the cable changes there has also been a component update. Walpurgis from AoS paid me a visit yesterday and he brought with him a Meridian 206 CDP to trial in my system which was for sale, not anymore though as it is now mine. The sheer presence and transparency this unit can convey was obvious to me from the first disk we played. This player has such an effortless and natural quality to it which, along with the other changes I've made recently, has increased the resolution of this system enormously. Background music is a thing of the past as it is almost impossible not to be drawn into the performance when music is playing, it's a nice feeling  |
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 1, 2014 20:14:23 GMT
Are you using the new CDP as a transport with the Rega DAC Dave?
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Post by Dave on Nov 1, 2014 20:18:50 GMT
I tried all outputs Chris and much prefer the sound via its own DAC. There may be a DAC upgrade in the offing as I was mightily impressed with the Monarchy Audio M22C Geoff also brought along to the party. Unfortunately, try as I did, he wasn't all that keen to leave it in my care even though I did say I'd take very good care of it for him...  |
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Post by ChrisB on Nov 1, 2014 20:24:04 GMT
Oh, OK so the Rega will be booted then.
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Post by Dave on Nov 1, 2014 20:31:09 GMT
I'm not 100% certain yet, I'm going to suck it and see until after Christmas. The music server still sounds mighty fine through the Rega however CD's sound slightly better direct from the 206, it will all come down to available funds and whether I spot anything suitable |
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Post by MartinT on Nov 1, 2014 22:14:01 GMT
Meridian 206 is an unexpected left-field addition, Dave. It's nice when that happens. Glad it's doing it for you.
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Post by Dave on Nov 1, 2014 22:17:25 GMT
Thanks Martin, I like it a lot. The Arcam CD72 is a great CDP but the Meridian is in a different league entirely |
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Post by Dave on Dec 15, 2014 0:08:37 GMT
I've been busy in my absence and went and bought one of these. it is sounding mighty fine:
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 15, 2014 0:17:53 GMT
It's a Trio KA???.......something!
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Post by Dave on Dec 15, 2014 0:29:43 GMT
It is a KA-801 Chris Dual mono design 110wpc/8ohms Damping factor: 100 (I'm told that is impressive although I know not why) All I care about is that it sounds sublime |
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Post by John on Dec 15, 2014 5:05:20 GMT
Yes those old Trio KA can sound pretty good
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Post by ChrisB on Dec 15, 2014 6:53:21 GMT
Nice. It seems a long way technologically from a passive pot and a Quad 306 though. You obviously prefer it, or you wouldn't be using it.
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