Gromit's music centre...

[ray70]

Richard - I have a MK5G so you can see one in the flesh in a couple of weeks. I chose the Mk5G purely on looks - after the functional looks of the NAS and Heavy Kit, I was ready for some bling in my hi-fi life!

It looks so good, my wife has not commented on how ugly it is - an absolute first for any hi-fi component I have ever owned. Of course, it sounds even better.

By the way, the step up and Denon cart combination are really beginning to sing now. I was listening to Joni Mitchell Blue over the weekend. Both the LP12 and NAS struggled on the "California" track where Joni's voice goes from low to high in an instant. With the LP12 and NAS, I got distortion as she went up the range. The bling bling Technics took it all in it's stride, and Joni's voice sounded like I've never heard it before.

[Marco]

Hi Ray,

I can relate exactly to what you're describing

Which Denon cartridge and step-up transformer are you using?

Marco.

[ray70]

Hi Marco. I'm using the Noteworthy Audio step up (purchased from Gromit) and a Denon DL304. This is my first taste of a MC / step up, so I decided to take the "budget" approach. The Noteworthy retails for £200 I think, but Gromit sold it to me for £100, and the Denon was £170.

However, I really like what I hear, and I will invest more in a MC / set up in the future - just want to get some mileage from my current equipment first though. I've read with interest your thoughts on the Auditorium and that's certainly on my list, as is the 103pro. I have to admit the Denon cart and step up that Scoobs posted a link to is very tempting, but too early and way too expensive for me at this stage. I'm in Tokyo on business later this year and may use the trip as an opportunity to invest in a new MC and step up.

For the time being though, I am just enjoying my tunes

[Gromit]

Richard - I have a MK5G so you can see one in the flesh in a couple of weeks. I chose the Mk5G purely on looks - after the functional looks of the NAS and Heavy Kit, I was ready for some bling in my hi-fi life!

It looks so good, my wife has not commented on how ugly it is - an absolute first for any hi-fi component I have ever owned. Of course, it sounds even better.

By the way, the step up and Denon cart combination are really beginning to sing now. I was listening to Joni Mitchell Blue over the weekend. Both the LP12 and NAS struggled on the "California" track where Joni's voice goes from low to high in an instant. With the LP12 and NAS, I got distortion as she went up the range. The bling bling Technics took it all in it's stride, and Joni's voice sounded like I've never heard it before.

Nice one Ray - can't wait to hear your 1210.

Glad also that the Stepnote etc is working out well - that with the P10 really is quite a superb phonostage and IME almost unbeatable at the price.

I've been spending a couple of days doing some swapping around here - NAS with Heavy Kit/without and with the Ringmat (in various combinations) vs the 1210. A lot of fun has been had, and some fairly conclusive opinions formed.... I think

[Gromit]

A lot of fun has been had, and some fairly conclusive opinions formed.... I think

Current state of play having done some quick back-back listening vs the NAS this morning....good job neighbours are out as we've been hitting the Royds hard with some Rush 'Moving Pictures'. Track used was YYZ (well you would wouldn't you??)

Award ceremony as follows...

1. NAS with Heavy Kit - bass is almost 1210-like, more colour to cymbals, better note shape, more punch to side/snare drum. Bass guitar has excellent tonal clues (ie it sound more like a bloke playing a bass guitar!). 'Angrier' lead guitar, more impact etc.

2. Teccy - better bass than above, a bit colourless in the hi-hat/ride cymbal dept and doesn't smack one in the face with the drumkit quite as hard. Bags of drive and get-up-an-go though. Perhaps a little too samey in the snare drum back beat - the HD NAS tells more about what the drummer's doing as each drum-hit offers a very slightly different volume/tone.

3. Std NAS. Warmer, more euphonic, 'nicer' (barf) perhaps. Don't do nice in this house; I want it sounding like it has blood coursing through its veins. Still sounds pretty damn good mind.

Now this was a weird one - put the 1210 on top of my QS rack (5 shelves populated by amps/CD player etc) and it sounds farctionally better than on the small Audiotech table. The first turntable I've ever owned which has demonstrated this - on the LP12/Gyro and NAS it was a sonic disaster.

[BajaGringo]

Nice and clean look...

Congratulations!!!

[Gromit]

I now have my very own 1210 - a low mileage, nigh-on mint Mk2 which is now ready to be fettled/wrecked by yours truly...



Listening to some old Rave lp's at the moment...ye gods what's happening to me!!! Combination of some solid state amplification with loads of grip, a pair of little Royds and a 1210 fitted with a Lyra....

[Gromit]

The full rig - I really don't want to sell the NAS but as we've just bought a new house (with a brick-walled 24'x14' living room yeeha!) things are a little 'tight' around here at the moment...

[scoobs]

Blimey that's a pretty formidable stack you have now. Good luck with the house move Rich. I would image in a room that size you're NVA's will really be able to let their hair down a bit.

[Mike Reed]

Brilliant room dimensions, there. Unusual too! Is it a Victorian house or one specifically made? It's that 14 feet width, you see, that I find interesting.

You need some seriously large speakers to reproduce the scale those dimensions can give you, i.m.o.