whats the weak link in my system

[Firebottle]

+1 for the above, the room can have such vagaries that a given set of speakers can sound so different in different environs.

[YNWaN]

I think a number of excellent points have already been made in this thread. What would be the next step for your system really does depend on a whole host of personal factors; such as, what quality have you heard in other systems that you feel is missing from yours, does something specifically bother you, is your room setup optimal etc?

As some may know, I also use a pair of NS-1000Ms (as does a friend) and have heard them in a number of different environments and used with quite a numerous number of different amplification setups. My personal taste is for powerful solid sate - in fact I have ended up with 675wpc into 4 Ohms! I have heard the Yamaha’s with a number of valve amps but, although they work just fine, the bass has never felt right to me (I haven’t heard a very powerful valve amp through them - but such amps are expensive). Personally I would look at replacing your amplification. Your pre-amp may be the exception but Nakamichi amplification never did anything for me in the past. I would also say that the Rock TT has a dry, damped, quality that some love - but you may not actually be one of them - are you sure it is to your taste?

[karma67]

I think a number of excellent points have already been made in this thread. What would be the next step for your system really does depend on a whole host of personal factors; such as, what quality have you heard in other systems that you feel is missing from yours, does something specifically bother you, is your room setup optimal etc?

As some may know, I also use a pair of NS-1000Ms (as does a friend) and have heard them in a number of different environments and used with quite a numerous number of different amplification setups. My personal taste is for powerful solid sate - in fact I have ended up with 675wpc into 4 Ohms! I have heard the Yamaha’s with a number of valve amps but, although they work just fine, the bass has never felt right to me (I haven’t heard a very powerful valve amp through them - but such amps are expensive). Personally I would look at replacing your amplification. Your pre-amp may be the exception but Nakamichi amplification never did anything for me in the past. I would also say that the Rock TT has a dry, damped, quality that some love - but you may not actually be one of them - are you sure it is to your taste?

ive not heard any other systems to compare mark, i enjoy the TT alot,it was an upgrade from my direct drive pioneer, again ive not heard any turntables to compare,its very lonely down south lol

[YNWaN]

ive not heard any other systems to compare mark, i enjoy the TT alot,it was an upgrade from my direct drive pioneer, again ive not heard any turntables to compare,its very lonely down south lol

Ah well, therein lies your issue I’m afraid . Your Pioneer was OK but not that special in the overall scheme of things. Your Rock is a significant step up but then so would lots of other decks have been. What you really need to do is get out and hear a lot more equipment and systems. In the past NS-1000Ms have been part of a number of systems at the Wam organised Scalford show (three different pairs a couple of years back). The Wam is under radically new ownership now and next years Show is at a new venue so I don’t know how it will turn out (well I hope) but you really should arrange to visit.

[James the Albarry lover]

If you're considering going down the valve route take a look at Albarry they're very well know for sounding like a valve amp sometimes even more so, they're two different ones on eBay at the moment, they're hard to find and very highly thought of

[montesquieu]

If you're considering going down the valve route take a look at Albarry they're very well know for sounding like a valve amp sometimes even more so, they're two different ones on eBay at the moment, they're hard to find and very highly thought of

Paul Coupe had a set of the top level Albarrys for a while. Sounded good and I agree, without a lot of typical solid state nasties, but the Radford STA25 MkV he has at the moment sounds better all round with his HPDs.

[James the Albarry lover]

Paul Coupe had a set of the top level Albarrys for a while. Sounded good and I agree, without a lot of typical solid state nasties, but the Radford STA25 MkV he has at the moment sounds better all round with his HPDs.

Had a little look at that Radford just now they look like a serious bit of kit and a real bargain compared to the price of the more recent Albarrys

[karma67]

ok a bit more info,
digital sources are fine,with analogue ive had this feeling of there's something not right,(all be it minor) since going from the 2m black to the decca cartridge.
the 3 things that have not changed in this has been the amp,the tonearm and the pre amp and the speakers.

ok lets say the tonearm needs a service or the bearings are worn,what detrimental affects would i hear?
option 2 the amp isn't a good match for the speakers,again what would i hear?

[Macca]

ok a bit more info,
digital sources are fine,with analogue ive had this feeling of there's something not right,(all be it minor) since going from the 2m black to the decca cartridge.
the 3 things that have not changed in this has been the amp,the tonearm and the pre amp and the speakers.

?

There is your answer, if digital sounds fine it isn't the amplification or the speakers.

[YNWaN]

Your point about something not seeming quite right since moving to the Decca does rather put a question mark after that change of cartridge. I have a Decca Gold in my cartridge collection and whilst it is super fast sounding it is rather dry and, almost, clinical.

If the amps aren’t in total control the bass becomes a bit detached with the NS-1000Ms, it sounds slower and softer in character than the rest of the frequency range.

If it is the arm bearings then the top end lacks texture and on climaxes there can be an edgy quality (though both the cartridge and amplification could also do this).