View Full Version : DaveS system
A few pics of my system.
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/DSCF1254.jpg
Listening chair on the opposite side of the room...obviously. :)
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0004.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0005.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/DSCF1256.jpg
Usually have the blind down to protect from the sun.
Very nice David , I want one as in all of it :drool:
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely! :)
The Grand Wazoo
09-07-2011, 00:14
Very nice.
And a copy of 'The Atomic Mr Basie' sitting over in the alcove. I can't fault you!
The Black Adder
09-07-2011, 10:32
Sweet! Love the speakers... Fwoore!
Audiophile porn there. Looks like some glossy home interior mag shots.
Mark Grant
11-07-2011, 17:18
It all looks great, I particularly like the the look of the speakers.
Cheers gentlemen. I'm actually thinking of upgrading the speakers to a pair of Kharma Ceramique 3.2fe's. As good as the Ushers are, they just dont have that seamless integration between the tweeter and midrange that the Kharma's do. It's either that route or change the amp to an Airtight atm2.
jandl100
12-07-2011, 07:16
Lovely looking room and system, Dave. :thumbsup:
I bet it was fun getting those speakers up the stairs! :eyebrows:
I'm actually thinking of upgrading the speakers to a pair of Kharma Ceramique 3.2fe's.
I spent a couple of very happy years with the original Kharma Ceramique 3 speakers. Lovely things, just naturally musical, and as you say, seamless.
I bet it was fun getting those speakers up the stairs! :eyebrows:
Oh it was "fun" alright! 5 sets of stairs that resulted in nasty lower back injury. Thankfully, no permanent damage.
Spectral Morn
12-07-2011, 12:06
Very nice system Dave
You are going to hate me saying this but I will anyway. Try removing the chair from between the speakers I think you will be quite shocked how much better your system will sound with the chair gone.
Regards D S D L
Very nice, Dave. I couldn't make out the power amp - what is it?
Nice to see Ushers being used by others, I think they don't deserve their relative obscurity. Lovely room :)
Very nice system Dave
You are going to hate me saying this but I will anyway. Try removing the chair from between the speakers I think you will be quite shocked how much better your system will sound with the chair gone.
A few people have said the same thing to me Neil but without the sofa the sound is a bit boomy and echoey on some recordings. I usually push the sofa right back to the wall anyway when Im listening so I'm not really loosing much as a result. I reckon the soft cushioning may help with any reflections off the glass too.
The tv is on the opposite wall so my other half insists that the sofa stays where it is! :(
Very nice, Dave. I couldn't make out the power amp - what is it?
Gamut D200 mk3
Spectral Morn
12-07-2011, 12:52
A few people have said the same thing to me Neil but without the sofa the sound is a bit boomy and echoey on some recordings. I usually push the sofa right back to the wall anyway when Im listening so I'm not really loosing much as a result. I reckon the soft cushioning may help with any reflections off the glass too.
The tv is on the opposite wall so my other half insists that the sofa stays where it is! :(
ahhhhh fair enough, nuff said.
Regards D S D L
Gamut D200 mk3
I've never heard a Gamut but they seem to have a good reputation. I take it that it does the business?
I've never heard a Gamut but they seem to have a good reputation. I take it that it does the business?
It does the business alright. The power stage uses only 2 MOSFET devices, one for the positive and one for the negative half of the circuit and it is able to draw 200W out of them. Plenty of power on tap when needed but the subtlety is there too. Perhaps it doesnt have the wide dynamics of my previous Krell Kav400xi amp but the Gamut is a much better amp all round. It works well with the Music First pre too.
Very nice system David love the speakers, and a loverly living room
HighFidelityGuy
15-07-2011, 08:13
Very nice, Dave. I couldn't make out the power amp - what is it?
Nice to see Ushers being used by others, I think they don't deserve their relative obscurity. Lovely room :)
I initially thought it was an Usher R-1.5 but then realised the front panel was different and that they only come in silver. I'm sure I recognise it though. :scratch: Could you let us know what the amp is Dave? :) Nice system by the way! And I love that room. :thumbsup:
Could you let us know what the amp is Dave?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showpost.php?p=233468&postcount=15
Thanks guys. Actually my speakers and amps are all up for sale now. If the sale is successful I'll be going for a pair of Kharma Ceramique 3.2fe's driven by either a Jadis DA50S or an Airtight ATM2 or a Leben CS-600 amp.
RochaCullen
18-07-2011, 16:01
Thanks guys. Actually my speakers and amps are all up for sale now. If the sale is successful I'll be going for a pair of Kharma Ceramique 3.2fe's driven by either a Jadis DA50S or an Airtight ATM2 or a Leben CS-600 amp.
Hi Dave,
Where do you have your kit listed for sale?
Nathan
New addition to the system. Gone is the Gamut D200Mk3 and in its place an Airtight ATM-2. 80watts per channel of pure valve magic. Cabling is a bit messy but has been tidied up since. I've been waiting to get this amp for a long time. I had to put the TT on the second shelf as there wasnt enough room for heat dissipation with the Airtight amp there.
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/AirtightATM23.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/AirtightATM24.jpg
The Grand Wazoo
29-07-2011, 21:00
Very nice - that final photo shows the Air Tight gear in it's true light. It just oozes proper quality fit & finish.
Rare Bird
30-07-2011, 10:30
The valve amp looks real nice... my type of thing
Spectral Morn
30-07-2011, 14:14
Lovely amplifier, S/H or new? Looks new...........
Regards D S D L
It's S/H and in mint condition, it certainly looks new alright. This amp was in used in my dealers own system at home so it was well looked after. S/H Airtights don't come up very often so I wasnt going to miss this chance.
My system and listening room have changed completely in the last year or so. The previous amp, the Airtight ATM2, I just couldnt keep it as it wasnt a great match for the Kharma 3.2fe speakers. Far too lean and bright in the treble.
I've had a year of torture trying swapping in and out different amps and sources but to my sheer delight it has all come together in the last few weeks and I can honestly say that for the first time in over a year I'm back in audio nirvana.
System consists of:
Speakers: Kharma 3.2fe (These have the new Kharma driver fitted)
Preamplifier: Kharma P1.0
Power amp: Kharma MP150 monoblocs
CDP: Resolution Opus 21
Phonostage: Pro-ject Tube SEII
Turntable: Clearaudio Performance SE with Statisfy arm and Maestro MM cart
Cables: Various Nordost and Russ Andrews
Pics were taken on crappy phone.
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0126.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0129.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0128.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0124.jpg
http://i672.photobucket.com/albums/vv81/daveinbuda/IMAG0127.jpg
Can I have your room please? :D
The Kharma monoblocks look so small. Presumably they do the job of driving their big speakers?
yes the Kharma monos look small but they are rated between 100-150watts and handle the speakers with ease. They are class D amps hence the small form factor. I was sceptical at first but they have turned out to be one of the best amps I've ever heard, easily outclassing all valve amps that I've had before. The reviews of these monos speak for themselves.
macvisual
05-08-2012, 19:17
Lovely hi-Fi system and room there Dave, w-O-O-w stunning..!
Is that an upstairs conversion etc, a dedicated hi-Fi (man's room) ? Please tell me more about your room.
Ah, class D explains their size. Nice, I've never come across them.
Usually have the blind down to protect from the sun.
The speakers seem quite laid-back
A very beautiful system and home! These Kharma mono's were very enthusiasticaly reviewed in a swedish magasine!
Have you moved or simply relocated the hifi within your home?
Regards Mike
Floyddroid
08-11-2012, 22:54
Gorgeous.
Quite a few changes to my system recently. A pair of Audioplan Kontrast V speakers and a Devialet 120 took up residance for the second half of last year after I sold my previous system. The Audioplans & Devialet was a really good system but recently a pair of Quad 989's became available and it was just too good an opportunity to miss out on as did a second hand Jadis DA88S. Jadis have always been an amp I've lusted after ever since I heard a pair of the old Jadis JA30 monos a few years ago. I'm absolutely delighted with my system now. I thought my old Airtight ATM2 was a beast but this Jadis is wider, deeper and heavier.
Turntable is a Clearaudio Performance SE with Satisfy Carbon arm and Maestro MM cart. Phonostage is a Pro-ject Tube Box 2.
CDP is a bashed up Arcam CD23 that has been through the wars but still sounds bloody great. On the lookout now for a nice big chunky looking CDP to replace it with.
Had to split up the rack as the shelf spacing isn't enough plus the Jadis puts out a fair bit of heat.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/14252490787_eb270fc12f_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3888/14435574321_2de4aae89c_b.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/14438984125_9b825ff108_b.jpg
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3866/14406888524_c4180f7e70_b.jpg
Floyddroid
20-06-2014, 20:34
Great looking system.
Gordon Steadman
20-06-2014, 21:08
It would interesting to compare the 989s with the old 57s plus REL. I remember a magazine article that suggested that the 57s had finally met their match. If its true, its about bloody time, they've had 57 years!!
Lovely system and room but it would drive me nuts having to kneel down to put a record on.
It is interesting that you swapped the Devialet out. From what I have read elsewhere they are a bit special.
Lovely system and room but it would drive me nuts having to kneel down to put a record on.
It is interesting that you swapped the Devialet out. From what I have read elsewhere they are a bit special.
The rack is temporary for now. I'll be adding a few more wider spaced shelves in the coming weeks to raise the height. For the moment the search for a good CDP is on. Not interested in streaming or comp audio so a really good big chunky CDP is what I'm after.
I had the Devialet driving the Quads for a couple of days. It performed really well and it would probably have the edge over the Jadis at frequency extremes. But the Jadis has that midrange magic up its sleeve and it has this uncanny knack of making poorly recorded material listenable and enjoyable. That's really important for me as my music collection is very broad and varied in terms of genre and recording quality. I'm really sensitive to any sort of brightness or glare in a system and the Jadis and Quads dont have any of that.
It would interesting to compare the 989s with the old 57s plus REL. I remember a magazine article that suggested that the 57s had finally met their match. If its true, its about bloody time, they've had 57 years!!
I have a hifi friend who has 57's and a sub driven by a Jadis DA50. From the reports I've heard its supposed to sound bloody marvelous. I'll be getting a listen to it soon. I think the 57's have a better midrange than the 989's but the 989's have a more extended treble and bass and can go a bit louder.
More than enough bass coming from mine as it is. No need to add a sub for now.
Gordon Steadman
21-06-2014, 13:20
More than enough bass coming from mine as it is. No need to add a sub for now.
I have been using mine without a sub for 25 years and have never thought they lacked real bass just that they didn't have the bloated mid bass thump that many seem to think is real.
However, since I've had the sub in place, I do feel the lack if its not on. It just underpins and gives a good sense of what a pipe organ is doing down there. I have it coming in at around 40htz and at fairly low level.
I also never feel the need for any more treble. I have friends who have modern tizz and boom boxes who tell me the Quads are dull. I tend to disagree with them:ner:
However, since I've had the sub in place, I do feel the lack if its not on. It just underpins and gives a good sense of what a pipe organ is doing down there. I have it coming in at around 40htz and at fairly low level.
I'm quite a fan of French Organ music and that's probably the only reason why I'd ever add a sub. Nothing quite like the 32'ft bombard of a Cavaille-Coll instrument. :-)
jandl100
23-06-2014, 08:35
Wow, Dave, you're a guy who likes to ring the changes!
:thumbsup:
Must be a fairly massive difference in presentation going from the Kharma speakers to Tall Quads!
Ah, I know what you mean about the Jadis magic - I once owned a pair of JA80 monoblocks - I wouldn't call them accurate, more like coloured in the mids and truncated at the freq extremes :eyebrows: - but by gum they did the "Music Thing" marvellously! Just so nice to listen to. :)
Have fun and enjoy - the system looks great and I feel sure it sounds great, too. :cheers:
....you're a guy who likes to ring the changes!..
Must be a fairly massive difference in presentation going from the Kharma speakers to Tall Quads!
That isnt half of the story! lol
Since the Kharma's I've had Sonus Faber Cremona floorstanders on the end of a pair of massive Classe CAM350 mono blocks. I couldnt bear the lean and pitched up treble of the Kharma's. Not sure why they were sounding like this but they did have the Ceramique driver replaced by the new Kevlar one. I suspect that it somehow upset the balance of the speaker. Same with the old Airtight ATM2. It was lean and bright, not the norm for a valve amp perhaps but I just couldnt live with it.
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2910/14263432412_5ce11419f6_b.jpg
Ultimately, the SF/Classe combo failed to really excite me and I was just walking past it for weeks on end. I sold the entire hifi and built myself an high end bad ass PC out of the funds. Was out of hifi for nearly a year.
System reboot:
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/14110159298_ea5afeea62_b.jpg
In came a pair of Audioplan Kontrast V speakers on the end of a Devialet 120. Really liked this system and it was great to have a good sounding system in the room again. Audioplans are a weird looking speaker and dont look much but they sound really good. Not ultra detailed and perhaps a bit on the warm side for some people but the sound had a likeable quality which is not to be underestimated.
and as mentioned earlier, below is the current system, the Quad 989's and the Jadis JA88S. The best sounding system to date or more importantly one that suits my tastes in listening. There are speakers I've had which do rocknroll a bit better but for chamber, vocals, blues, jazz and symphonic this system now beats all I've owned previously.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3913/14252490787_eb270fc12f_b.jpg
jandl100
23-06-2014, 17:47
That isnt half of the story! lol
Since the Kharma's I've had Sonus Faber Cremona floorstanders on the end of a pair of massive Classe CAM350 mono blocks. I couldnt bear the lean and pitched up treble of the Kharma's. Not sure why they were sounding like this but they did have the Ceramique driver replaced by the new Kevlar one. I suspect that it somehow upset the balance of the speaker.
An awesome boxswapper, indeed. :thumbsup:
I heard a couple of pairs of the Kharma 2.3 at Scalford - and that's what I heard, too - lean & bright, very "hifi". Yuk. It may just be the sound of that speaker model.
I've owned the lower in the range Kharma Ceramique 3 - just a small 2 way design - and they sounded a lot better balanced to my ears, I kept them for 2 years which is a long time for me. I enjoyed them a lot, but ultimately found them a bit too refined and sophisticated - I replaced them with a pair of JBLs! :eyebrows:
RochaCullen
25-06-2014, 13:11
I'll have to get up to Dublin and gate crash one of your listening sessions. Those quads look great, I can't imagine how they sound.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.