My humble kit

[KMair]

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[Beechwoods]

Humble? That looks like a fantastic set-up. The VPI Scout is a stunner! The speakers also look particularly nice. How does it all sound together?

[KMair]

I am very pleased with the sound. The sound is neutral without being cold or fatiguing. There is a lot of air around the performers, even with the cd playback. The ushers though not being full range speakers, provide an impressive sound stage. There is also amazing depth of soundstage and imaging is pinpoint and very lively. When listening to system there is a very good synergy present with these components.

[Marco]

I like the way you've set it up, too... Speakers and rack properly positioned, gear supported on a proper hi-fi rack, cables nice and neat... No weak-willed, Nancy boy capitulation to WAF! ;)

Nice one :smoking:

Marco.

[KMair]

Thanks for the kind words! In a couple of weeks I plan on adding a Dynavector phono stage which should improve analog playback

[KMair]

I just bought this digital camera so forgive me as I'm really enjoying it.

The rubber pucks under the scout's feet were purchased at an appliance store. They are made to be placed under washing machine, but I thought they looked better under the turntable! I did get a little more detail from vinyl with this tweak.
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l391/vinyljunkie64/IMG_0024.jpg

[Marco]

Nice stuff! I like VPI T/Ts because they are beautifully engineered.

I heard that Rotel power amp was a bit of a beast. Can you confirm? :eyebrows:

And I bet it forms a synergistic combo with the preamp and CDP. Rotel gear isn't really championed sufficiently enough, IMO. In my experience it's usually built very well and offers superb sound-per-pound (dollar) value. More people should buy it.

Marco.

[KMair]

The Rotel amp has proven to be a very good value in my system. For those on a tight budget like myself I would whole heartedly recommend it. This amp to my ears sounds just slightly warm for SS gear.

The preamp IMHO is now the weakest link in the system. If I'd never get to upgrade it I could live happily with it in this rig for ever. It's just that I know there is better preamplification out there at a higher price point. This reciever , preamp must not be to bad because I had a friend over to listen to this rig and he was blowed away. This gentleman is a die hard tube man and a reviewer of audio gear and it was quite obvious how impressed he was. This fellow is very critical of equipment. He kept commenting on how great the synergy was, as well as music being neutral, yet lively.

Speaking of Rotel they appear to get beat up in some forums or completely ignored which is unjust. I would recommend them to anyone starting out in this hobby or lifestyle.

[Marco]

What you're saying doesn't really surprise me at all. It is excellent kit and I knew it would synergise well together.

One-make systems are often compromised and don't offer the best performance for a given budget, but Rotel, IMO, are one of hi-fi's unsung heroes.

Marco.

[alb]

Rotel gear isn't really championed sufficiently enough

I suppose that's true to some extent. Their budget stuff was often What Hifi "flavour of the month", but the more expensive models were sometimes ignored.
I always thought it was good value, dependable hifi.

[Beechwoods]

Rotel gear isn't really championed sufficiently enough

I must admit that I've had my eye on one of their mid-70s tuners for a while. Nice simple lines...

[Marco]

You won't go wrong, Beechy. Their tuners were always a bit tasty :)

Marco.

[mistygreenandblue]

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Hello KMair,

Unusual shaped room (ceiling line) the last time I was in a building like that it was of military use....How do you find the acoustics differ from the normal square box like affairs of most housing? Unless of course all the properties are alike in your region (I notice you aren't in the UK) and you have a lack of boring square box builds to reference against?

[KMair]

This room is the upstairs portion of our Cape Cod style house. This style home was quite popular in the 50's and still many people are drawn to them.

As for how it sounds compared to a more conventional boxy type, I've read different comments where people preferred the sound of an angled ceiling. I can tell you that I lucked out with this room as it is wonderful sounding. The one thing I've learned since moving is that the further I bring these speakers away from rear walls the deeper the soundstage became.

[Steve Toy]

Nice setup KMair. You come across as a rather discerning chap. It has been said before that Rotel make very good power amps but haven't yet come up with a decent pre.

Back in 1999 I used a full-blown Rotel system comprising of RCD 991, RA 971 integrated and RB 971 power amp to biamp into a pair of B&W 602 S2s on Atacama SE 24 stands filled with kiln-dried sand. It was a good and well-balanced system at the time.

PS: I heard those Usher speakers of yours recently - they are rather nice. Their UK distributor is a registered member here as it happens.

[jandl100]

Those speakers, or a very similar model from Usher, has just received a rave review in Stereophile.

Nice system you have there! :)

[Ali Tait]

They look quite similar to a pair of Sonus Fabers that I heard at my place years ago.I remember those were very nice.

[KMair]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l391/vinyljunkie64/IMG_0110.jpg

Tried getting different angled shots of stylus but ,unfortunately this was best of the lot. Sorry!

[Jay]

Looks like a room I could spend a lot of time in. Beautiful setup, Jay

[KMair]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l391/vinyljunkie64/IMG_0369.jpghttp://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l391/vinyljunkie64/IMG_0371.jpg

Added this to system and proved to be a massive upgrade! My dealer had been using it for some time in show room and suggested I borrow it. After listening to it I knew that I had to have it. The Rotel cdp has come to life with this and now there is much more details and more relaxed sound. The dynamics are explosive with this preamp!

Cheers!

[Marco]

Nice preamp! Do you find the swing-tag makes all the difference? ;)

Marco.

[KMair]

No, just thought I'd let it on for good luck. The last tube amp i had was a hair pulling experience! It had gremlins to say the least!

[john dolan]

Some changes to my system since i was last here http://dik.dolan.googlepages.com/wadamp1.JPG