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Post by MikeMusic on Dec 14, 2016 10:24:30 GMT
Certain items have to be black, Hifi of course as well as racks. Not having used black cutlery before I will have to investigate to see if it makes food taste better !  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 10:35:51 GMT
Undoubtedly Mike, undoubtedly  |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jan 3, 2017 16:37:41 GMT
Speaker shuffling. A new and surprising experience for me. Tony (Coherent) came around to move the whole stereo image to the left. He did a lot of minor shuffling and opened up a whole new area for me. Having had Isobariks for years and always having them right up against the wall this is all new to me What I found hard to grasp was moving the speakers by a small amount or altering the toe in, toe out moved the image around so much and changed the music. These photos show (just) where the stands were before. A good result for me and thanks very much to Tony for his time   |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jan 3, 2017 16:43:00 GMT
Then there was the other reason Tony came in. After playing with supports I wanted to try out the latest Black Ravioli pads. Initial listening says they make a difference. Even upgrading from the older BRs on the Belles You can see the chunkier ones here under the Belles Pre as well as the older ones which are part and parcel of the Belles at the extremes  Will shortly do the second test. What do they sound like removed, as Tony says they improve after a few days. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2017 16:46:17 GMT
Jesus mike rats been around that Input switch? Looks like Long Toenail flipping to me.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2017 17:40:33 GMT
Looking good there Mike |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 3, 2017 17:59:36 GMT
I agree that playing around with speaker positioning can reap big rewards. I have much more out-of-the-box imaging with wider speaker spacing than I ever achieved before. It gives the lie to the notion that only small speakers can image.
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Post by MikeMusic on Jan 4, 2017 8:48:08 GMT
Jesus mike rats been around that Input switch? Looks like Long Toenail flipping to me. Surprised me too I had never seen it before. The camera picks up some odd detail not visible to the eye in normal light |
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Post by MikeMusic on Jan 4, 2017 8:51:03 GMT
I agree that playing around with speaker positioning can reap big rewards. I have much more out-of-the-box imaging with wider speaker spacing than I ever achieved before. It gives the lie to the notion that only small speakers can image. Still understanding it. There were lots of things going on that were brand new to me. Not just *the* image moved around, constituent parts were doing different things. I wondered if the room favoured the right had side. Now I'm back to just wondering ! |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 24, 2017 20:03:52 GMT
Marigo make nice CD mats
Just trying out an Ultima Signature mat
Nice little tweak that surprises me with the extra detail over the Signature
Need to play more to be sure, but this seems a very worthwhile upgrade.
Listing at around £170 it is very good VFM
More soon
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Post by MartinT on Feb 24, 2017 23:05:30 GMT
Just trying out an Ultima Signature mat Good mat, isn't it? Do you bother with the orientation or just bung it on? |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 25, 2017 9:05:33 GMT
Surprisingly good, especially as my other mat is already so good
Ah I remember you mentioned orientation with yours.
I have no instructions. What do I do ?
Also is there a front and back ? Can't see one
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Post by MartinT on Feb 25, 2017 9:22:03 GMT
The thick line is supposed to face up, perpendicular to the printed text. Doesn't work with a few CDs that have no 'up'.
I use the less shiny/speckled surface as the top side.
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 25, 2017 11:05:58 GMT
Thanks. Will try that out
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 21, 2017 15:00:59 GMT
Small and useful tweak brought around after visiting Martin T.
I already have Russ Andrews Purifiers around the system so I bought (the idea) of having different manufacturers devices.
Up pops a TACIMA SC 5723 Mains conditioning Plug on Ebay for a nice price.
I'm £12.50 out of pocket if it doesn't work. Can re sell of course.
Yesterday I listened with just the Tacima plugged in. Sounded fine.
Took it out. Sounded different and not quite as good.
Plugged back in and listened again
Now I can hear waht I was missing. Some clarity, some bass and detail and a not so 'papery' sound.
Worth £12.50. Oh yes very much so.
Plugged in Russ Andrews Purifiers of different models around the room, listening each time.
Improvement every time which surprised me.
Happy and rather surprised Bunny
Looks the same item on Ebay at just over £40. Still excellent value for what it does although it does say Filtration not conditioner, looks the same though
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Post by MartinT on Mar 21, 2017 19:30:46 GMT
I have eight different ones so far, mostly plugged into the music room sockets but a couple in the main house, too.
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 31, 2017 10:59:32 GMT
Pursuing the mains filtering I spoke to our Tony who brought along a box yesterday to try out. Had a listen from cold and found it good. Tony advised it would get better. Seems it has. The Audio Magic Transcendence is the item 4th pic down and more Doesn't look much I know Currently taking the place of the P10 which is a big thing and doing what seems a fine job. Comparisons coming soon |
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Post by MikeMusic on Mar 31, 2017 15:28:03 GMT
Useful being retired..... been listening today to albums I know well.
There seems to be a solidity and depth in the mid and bass
Worked out the fastest way to change over all kit back to the P10 and leaving it to warm up.
One advantage the Audio Magic has is Schuko sockets so no fuses.
The P10 is set up for UK so has UK plugs and fuses. Wish I'd gone for Schuko when I bought the P10.
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 10, 2017 16:36:53 GMT
The Audio Magic box went travelling. Came back for the weekend so more testing. Test 1 System as is. P10 regenerator, Rega Isis, Belles Pre and Monoblock power amps, TAD E-1 speakers. P10 fed by the excellent Coherent 6D mains cable. Test 2 Coherent 6D changed for a Coherent BD mains cable to the P10 More detail, solidity, musicians enjoying themselves more. Trying to put a percentage on it is difficult and a study in Zen, but say 20% better. Test 3 Audio Magic box in place of P10 More of the same. Even more clarity, space between instruments and notes. 15% better. Test 4 TAD D 1000 CD player for Isis More clarity. More musical. The boss with her one working ear says a big improvement, say 15-20% Me, the hifi 'expert' can't seem to hear what she does, I'm thinking 5-10% More tests to come between CD players with a 3rd pair of ears and me having another bit of the cherry John's visit on Saturday had all the potential new kit in place and he liked it |
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Post by MikeMusic on Apr 26, 2017 7:25:45 GMT
Tidying up:
The Audio Magic box was sitting on a Torlyte stand on carpet and sounded fabulous.
Temporary set up while trying it against the P10.
Decided to move it onto the Creaktiv rack, granite placemat on top and latest black ravioli under.
Expecting subtle improvements.
Audio Magic box on a Torlyte stand - very good.
Audio Magic box onto Creaktiv rack - surprisingly good and noticeably better. More space, detail, bass.
Granite placemat added on top of the Audio Magic box. More of the same although not such a big jump.
Black ravioli under the Audio Magic box. Improvement again, about the same as moving onto the Creaktiv rack.
Test CD away, back to the album I was playing.
Amazing difference to before.
All this from tidying up.......
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