Justin & Jerry's Hifi Blog

[Macca]

Was just thinking about Fletcher-Munson and so forth. I/e what measures flat does not sound flat, a house curve sounds flat.

[User211]

Was just thinking about Fletcher-Munson and so forth. I/e what measures flat does not sound flat, a house curve sounds flat.Thought so.

I've just spent hours messing with digital EQ and a test mic and tried to implement in the crossover what I thought needed to be done.

What makes.me think what I have is about right is whenever I apply EQ over different tracks on a average the response I have in the actual crossover is about the best I can do.

[Macca]

It's a digital active x-over? I'm sure you've said before but I can't remember. Anyway what's right is what works for you, as always.

[User211]

It's a digital active x-over? I'm sure you've said before but I can't remember. Anyway what's right is what works for you, as always.No.

It's is far cheaper. In fact it is free. Equaliser APO and the Peace GUI.

Highly recommended thought I do wonder how good the maths is in the filters.

[Macca]

Need a full digital active set up if you are going to get EQ to work properly I suspect. Maybe a bridge too far.

[User211]

Experiments with DIRAC adversely effected SQ too so it's put me off the idea of dumping cash on it.

[User211]

BTW if any members want to listen PM me. I might let you in LOL.

[jandl100]

New speakers for my 2nd system.

https://i.imgur.com/pPG1Ccj.jpg

Infinity Cascade Model Nine.
Review (https://www.hifiplus.com/articles/infinity-cascade-51-channel-speaker-system/?page=2)
... 'From the outset, the Cascades impress with two characteristics: stunning clarity and terrific surround sound imaging. You’ll notice the speaker’s clarity every time you put on music recordings or soundtracks that are rich in textural details, or that combine multiple complex voices or sound effects.'

I can't disagree with that; really excellent clarity and image focus.
They only go down to about 70hz and are meant to be used with a subwoofer. I am using a Jamo sub200 - 200W and an 8 inch driver, it works well.

[struth]

Do they have a connection for a sub or do you just wire the sub up in parallel

[JohnJo]

Wow, very different design so would expect something different on the sonics front.

Are they hard to drive?

[jandl100]

Do they have a connection for a sub or do you just wire the sub up in parallel

wired up in parallel

The amp I am using has 2 sets of switched speaker outputs making it easier to set the sub up.

[jandl100]

Wow, very different design so would expect something different on the sonics front.

Are they hard to drive?

Yes, they're interesting, aren't they.
Very easy to drive.

[jandl100]

another review - https://hometheaterreview.com/infinity-cascade-model-nine-loudspeaker-reviewed/

' The Cascade Model Nine delivers exceptional, and I mean exceptional, transient response--fast transient sounds such as cymbal and snare drum hits and the pluck of an acoustic guitar string are almost hair-raising in their immediacy and resultant sense of realism. Low-level resolution is equally superb'
'The sonic impression is one of quickness, cleanness and agility.'

[User211]

Does the sub go as high as 70 Hz?

[jandl100]

xover can be set from 40hz to 150hz.
Sounds best toward the higher end.

[Barry]

https://i.imgur.com/pPG1Ccj.jpg

They look ideal to use in my AV system (to replace my bulky B&W DM2a speakers). Though i'm not sure I want the added complication of having to use a sub-woofer. I tried one with my Quad 57s and couldn't get on with it all. :(

[jandl100]

Quack !!


https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60829343_292752528299183_2348028899549511680_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=d610b9ca67b80fc51aadc0c5dba050d5&oe=5D9C91CF

[ReggieB]

This has been doing the rounds recently - Australia:

https://pics.me.me/dog-head-cats-head-t-food-%3Cp%3Eaustralia-is-home-to-33872607.png

[walpurgis]

It was built like that deliberately.

[struth]

the dog side is all the convicts:lol:

[jandl100]

No, no :nono: - this thread is all about ducks.

[struth]

Quack !!


https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/60829343_292752528299183_2348028899549511680_n.jpg ?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=d610b9ca67b80fc51aadc0c5dba050d5&oe=5D9C91CF

i like that Jerry:D

[User211]

Good job nobody posted what Sweden/Norway looks like.

:D

[jandl100]

A couple of new amps to play with.
Both excellent if with rather different capabilities.

https://i.imgur.com/91dhiwC.jpg

[southall-1998_mk2]

Krell....nice! Hows the sound?

S.

[Roy S]

Does it sound similar to the KAV250a Jerry? I sometimes regretted moving that on until I got the Luxman.

[jandl100]

Does it sound similar to the KAV250a Jerry? I sometimes regretted moving that on until I got the Luxman.

I'm a big fan of the 250a as well.
A bit bright imo, but hugely entertaining.

The 400xi has only been here a few hours so I am still only starting to settle in with it.
But I would say it's much nearer neutral tonally while still being very vivid and lucid.
The Crayon amp pips it for 3D staging, but doesn't have the dynamic scale of the Krell [which has over 10x the power].

[jandl100]

Now in their 10th year, I thought that my MBL speakers deserved a bit of a treat. :)

Rather than pay audiophile prices I looked at what the pro market had to offer, and that led me to Auralex speaker platforms, specifically their Propad XL, which just happens to be the right size.
They're a 3 layer arrangement - foam/MDF/rubber and the mounted speaker wobbles around a bit when gently prodded. -- and I placed a sheet of cardboard underneath to allow them to be slid around without too much hassle (how's that for thinking ahead!).

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41HwFjWbOLL._SR600%2C315_PIWhiteStrip%2CBottomLeft %2C0%2C35_PIAmznPrime%2CBottomLeft%2C0%2C-5_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I wasn't looking forward to putting the 45Kg speakers on to them, but it turned out to be not much bother at all.

https://i.imgur.com/vgDPi9X.jpg

Really pleased, obvious improvement immediately compared to the granite slabs they had previously stood on.
I thought the sound was nicely detached from the speakers before. Well, this shows that there is always room for improvement!
And everything is more vivid and present.
And the soundstage / imaging. Woof!

Happy 10th Year, to my MBLs. :partytime:

[Macca]

Concrete floor Jerry?

[jandl100]

Nope, wooden floorboards, Martin.

[User211]

Does it sound similar to the KAV250a Jerry? I sometimes regretted moving that on until I got the Luxman.Luxman.

It's taken me 7+ years and a whole load of amps to find out that the only amp that can drive Apogee Duettas properly is a 60 Watt Luxman. It's the only amp that seems to have enough power!!! Plus a whole shedload of other virtues.

Anyway Jerry I sent you a PM a while back and no answer.

Have you decided you hate me?:)

[JohnJo]

Luxman.

It's taken me 7+ years and a whole load of amps to find out that the only amp that can drive Apogee Duettas properly is a 60 Watt Luxman. It's the only amp that seems to have enough power!!!

60 watt with a 1250VA (watt) transformer though :eyebrows:

[User211]

60 watt with a 1250VA (watt) transformer though :eyebrows:And power output that leaps into lower impedances.

We're spoiling it...:D

[jandl100]

Have you decided you hate me?:)

Of course I hate you.

Actually, I just forgot to reply. :doh:
It's an age thing, getting forgetful as well as bald. :wheniwasaboy: :hifive:

[Roy S]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190612/908cba168dddaf6d065755d60594e063.jpg

[jandl100]

Some cable ramblings, by popular request, the ins & outs of the last few months' interconnect journey.

EDGE cables - available dirt cheap on eBay and used by some 'high enders' on AOS who don't really believe in cables. These are good! Fine resolution and clarity, just a little grainy up top I think. A bit 2D. But very good. I happily used these for quite a while and I keep them for 'spare'.

Esoteric Audio USA Airlitz - they aren't especially transparent or detailed or dynamic. But there's something about them that I really enjoy. First impressions were "Wow, I like these!". Perhaps a nice spaciousness and musical enthusiasm, they just allow the music to flow with an impressive vibrancy. Hmm. Keepers, but I'm still not sure why, as they somehow don't tick the usual hifi boxes.

Blackbird Audio Spitfire (no relation ;),available on Amazon) - I got onto this via a headphone extension cable recommended by a friend, which impressed me for its clarity. Same kind of sound with the interconnects - good clarity and 2D focus, doesn't really dig that deep into the texture of the sound but for £20 or so I'm not complaining! A very good budget cable.

Morrow Audio MA2 and MA4. Interesting designs, the range starts with the low cost MA1 at $60, thru MA7 at $3k and then two more even more costly. The main difference seems to be the number of individually insulated 'SSI' cable strands used, MA1 having 8 strands and the top model having 288!
MA2 (14 strands) came along first - very natural tonally and an ability to dig into the ambient cues on a recording which helps it come to life which is very unusual at the price ime.
More recently a pair of used MA4 (48 strands) came up on eBay. Very impressed, a huge amount of fine detail and somehow very 'solidly grounded', for want of a better term, the soundstage/imaging is somehow locked into place.

Black Cat Neo Morpheus. Without doubt this sounds like a 'high end' cable. There seems to be a bit of a trade off between precise image focus and deep texture, presenting a slightly diffuse image but a gutsy insight into tonal timbre and small scale dynamic inflections. Overall, a powerful, gutsy and dynamic sound. Bloody good, I did put these up for sale due to the imprecise image focus, but am now keeping them medium/long term for their excellent overall capability. Could well synergise nicely with kit yet to come along!

DNM Reson - about as simple as a cable can be, and dead cheap. But sounding very lucid and clear with very good detail. Also good focus laterally, but a bit 2D in my system (which does 3D very well when fed appropriately). Without doubt a superb value.

And some balanced/XLR cables by BetterCables. Yes, really. :doh: :) Came along on eBay and some good user comments online so I took a punt. Very very good! Excellent clarity and vividly present, with precise uncluttered focus. Difficult to compare XLR and RCA cables in my system, at least, as I suspect my Benchmark DAC is better at balanced output than single ended. Definitely keepers for when XLRs are needed.

RS Audio Duet - a hybrid of silver and palladium. Don't ask me why they chose palladium as a conductor. Maybe because it sounds damn good? That's the cable that's connected up as I type this. The best cable so far, for me. Difficult to criticise until something better comes along!

[southall-1998_mk2]

Just checked out the DMN website. Their prices on cables look pretty reasonable.

S.

[Alex_UK]

Thanks for sharing, Jerry! I thought I was all settled on cables but now I am pondering! :)

[brian2957]

Very informative Jerry , thanks :)

[Bigman80]

I feel left out [emoji23]

If I'd know you were doing a cable tryout, I'd have sent you some of mine to throw into the mix!

Next time [emoji4]

[jandl100]

Oops, I somehow managed to forget my passionate love affair with Black Rhodium Opera DCT++.
Probably the most expensive of my recent i/c investigations.
Very impressive all round, an engrossing and entertaining listen that really brought subtle dynamic shading to life, but ultimately a little smooth for my tastes, just a little but consistent laidbackness that began to bug me after a while.
A lot of folks seem to like 'smooth', if so put this one on your Want List!

[jandl100]

I feel left out [emoji23]

If I'd know you were doing a cable tryout, I'd have sent you some of mine to throw into the mix!

Next time [emoji4]

That's a thought.
I was just following my usual stream of consciousness box cable swapping muse.
It's an ongoing thing, I certainly haven't completed the journey (i.e. I'm not dead yet) so if you fancy throwing something into the mix, Oli, that would certainly be interesting.

The only reason I made the above multi-cable review post was that a couple of folks asked me about what I'd been up to after seeing a few cables appear in the classifieds!

[Bigman80]

That's a thought.
I was just following my usual stream of consciousness box cable swapping muse.
It's an ongoing thing, I certainly haven't completed the journey (i.e. I'm not dead yet) so if you fancy throwing something into the mix, Oli, that would certainly be interesting.

The only reason I made the above multi-cable review post was that a couple of folks asked me about what I'd been up to after seeing a few cables appear in the classifieds!Ha, I know mate. I follow what you're up to with interest and as you know, I like a bit of cable swapping myself

I have a couple of cables here that I can send your way if you want a listen. Bigbottle Emeralds and Spotfires.

They have AECO plugs on at the moment so I could compare the merits of the Emerald fairly. I'll send them as is if you want?

[jandl100]

I have a couple of cables here that I can send your way if you want a listen. Bigbottle Emeralds and Spotfires.

They have AECO plugs on at the moment so I could compare the merits of the Emerald fairly. I'll send them as is if you want?

That would be fun. :)

[Bigman80]

That would be fun. :)Cool, give me week, I'll drop you a message and we will get them over to you.

[lordmortlock]

A couple of new amps to play with.
Both excellent if with rather different capabilities.

https://i.imgur.com/91dhiwC.jpg

Two lovely amps there Jerry. Which ones getting more air time?

[jandl100]

Two lovely amps there Jerry. Which ones getting more air time?

The Krell is the newbie, so that's on currently.
It certainly is a great amp.
I did have a thought last night about going back to the Crayon, that'll probably happen tomorrow.

[User211]

Is the Krell similar in character to the KAV-250a you brought here? Not great IMHO on my speakers but fabulous on yours.

[jandl100]

Is the Krell similar in character to the KAV-250a you brought here? Not great IMHO on my speakers but fabulous on yours.

The 250a was great fun but a fair bit on the forward side imo.
The 400xi is pretty much neutral, I think, but has the same sort of unstoppable power delivery. I like it a lot.
I suspect it doesn't quite match the exceptional subtlety of the Crayon, but I need to go back to that to confirm.

Certainly both are excellent amps.

[jandl100]

So, the Big Duel between the Crayon CFA-1 & Krell 400xi solid state integrated amps. :fence:

https://i.imgur.com/91dhiwC.jpg

28wpc vs 290wpc* of KrellPower. (* according to Stereophile, who measured one).
And yes, you can hear that difference.
The Krell just cruises through the biggest dynamic swings with my ~86dB/W speakers.
The Crayon does surprisingly well up to about mezzo forte and then starts getting a bit confused, rough and squealy. although for momentary dynamic peaks the Crayon seems able to draw on an unexpected reservoir of power, but it can't maintain that.

Apart from the high power presentation thing, it's fairly even stevens between them.
Tonally very similar, I would call them neutral.
Hi rez and fast.
Good to very good at 3D soundstage, well focussed images, with tonal colouring well presented, taut well defined bass.
Very transparent and open sounding.
Both are a real pleasure to listen to.

And then, after a few hours of being powered up, the Crayon starts to stretch its legs - and seemingly quite suddenly the Crayon opens up in both 3D imaging and tonal texture.
The first few times I listened to the Crayon, well, I was about ready to prepare the eBay listing to sell the thing. It was good, but anything it could do was matched by the Krell, and then add in the unlimited dynamic power of the Krell and on balance there was no real contest tbh.

Then came the day when it was pissing down with rain and we were staying in, so the Crayon stayed on all day.
It was early afternoon, when I suddenly looked up and thought "wtf?!?". Transformation, big time. It was the texture of the sound that had suddenly deepened with a whole new layer of subtle resolution being presented. This in turn enhanced the soundstage/image presentation - my speakers are good at the disappearing act, but with the warmed up Crayon this improved even further, and not by a little.

Both Krell and Crayon are very good "low-high-end" amps, if you know what I mean.
Then the Crayon warms up, and steps up to another level of subtlety and deeply textured musical conviction with big dollops of palpable presence.

No, it would need more efficient speakers than mine to do real justice to heavy metal or electronic dance, let alone big orchestral climaxes.
I can easily imagine some other folks having different musical priorities and favouring the Krell, but for 95%+ of the music I listen to I suspect the Crayon is the best amp I have owned so far.

Jake (lordmortlock) knows my audio and musical tastes well, I bought the Crayon amp from him and he won't be at all surprised by my reaction to it, I think!

[Macca]

You can send the losing Krell to me Jerry, I'll give it a good home.

[jandl100]

You can send the losing Krell to me Jerry, I'll give it a good home.

Noooo, both are staying for a while. :D

I've only had them a couple of weeks, so still learning what they both can do.
It only takes a minute or so to swap between them - although the warm up period of the Crayon is a pain. The best thing is probably to swap the cables to the Crayon last thing at night and have it ready for action for the following day.

[Macca]

Okay, when you are ready to move it on you know where I am.

[Firebottle]

And then, after a few hours of being powered up, the Crayon starts to stretch its legs - and seemingly quite suddenly the Crayon opens up in both 3D imaging and tonal texture.


I suspect the Crayon is the best amp I have owned so far.

Very interesting result Jerry and quite some statement at the end :D

Excellent stuff. AoS would be a duller place without a few inveterate box swappers :thumbsup:

[jandl100]

The Crayon amp seems to be an interestingly different technical design, way beyond my humble ability to understand!

Details in the 6moons review here - https://6moons.com/audioreviews/crayon/crayon.html
and the Crayoin website http://www.crayon-audio.com/en-cfa-1-2-black/

[Firebottle]

Wow, some write up.
Basically it has a switch mode power supply, bridge mode outputs and no coupling caps. Plus very effective RFI filtering and pc board layout.

[jandl100]

What's the idea behind the live input sockets?
I've been warned never to swap cables unless the amp is turned off.

[Firebottle]

It's not the input sockets that are 'live' as you say, but they do have RFI filtering on signal and ground connections.
It is the speaker terminals that are both 'live' as it is a bridge output, so don't earth either output connection.

Always a good ides to switch off before changing any connections, I have blown fuses by not doinfg so in the past (oops).

[jandl100]

Ah, OK - thanks, Alan.

[User211]

Nah the Crayon is obviously coloured (did you see what I did there?).

IMHO quite a few amps go 'all nice' when they have been on a long, long time. Annoying to say the least. But sometimes they go 'all nice' too far. And you crave for a bit of bite back.

It's hi-fi. Can't and never will win. None of us.;)

[jandl100]

Don't think I mentioned it getting nicer, just betterer. ;)

[lordmortlock]

So, the Big Duel between the Crayon CFA-1 & Krell 400xi solid state integrated amps. :fence:

28wpc vs 290wpc* of KrellPower. (* according to Stereophile, who measured one).
And yes, you can hear that difference.
The Krell just cruises through the biggest dynamic swings with my ~86dB/W speakers.
The Crayon does surprisingly well up to about mezzo forte and then starts getting a bit confused, rough and squealy. although for momentary dynamic peaks the Crayon seems able to draw on an unexpected reservoir of power, but it can't maintain that.

Apart from the high power presentation thing, it's fairly even stevens between them.
Tonally very similar, I would call them neutral.
Hi rez and fast.
Good to very good at 3D soundstage, well focussed images, with tonal colouring well presented, taut well defined bass.
Very transparent and open sounding.
Both are a real pleasure to listen to.

And then, after a few hours of being powered up, the Crayon starts to stretch its legs - and seemingly quite suddenly the Crayon opens up in both 3D imaging and tonal texture.
The first few times I listened to the Crayon, well, I was about ready to prepare the eBay listing to sell the thing. It was good, but anything it could do was matched by the Krell, and then add in the unlimited dynamic power of the Krell and on balance there was no real contest tbh.

Then came the day when it was pissing down with rain and we were staying in, so the Crayon stayed on all day.
It was early afternoon, when I suddenly looked up and thought "wtf?!?". Transformation, big time. It was the texture of the sound that had suddenly deepened with a whole new layer of subtle resolution being presented. This in turn enhanced the soundstage/image presentation - my speakers are good at the disappearing act, but with the warmed up Crayon this improved even further, and not by a little.

Both Krell and Crayon are very good "low-high-end" amps, if you know what I mean.
Then the Crayon warms up, and steps up to another level of subtlety and deeply textured musical conviction with big dollops of palpable presence.

No, it would need more efficient speakers than mine to do real justice to heavy metal or electronic dance, let alone big orchestral climaxes.
I can easily imagine some other folks having different musical priorities and favouring the Krell, but for 95%+ of the music I listen to I suspect the Crayon is the best amp I have owned so far.

Jake (lordmortlock) knows my audio and musical tastes well, I bought the Crayon amp from him and he won't be at all surprised by my reaction to it, I think!

Absolutely. Funnily enough I thought of you as soon as I heard it.

Interestingly I’m missing the crayon far more than I thought I would. Agree re the warm up period, and I simply wasn’t getting enough use out of it to get to the good stuff for long enough, but I’d have it back in a heartbeat. It doesn’t sound like any other amp I’ve heard.

So no need for eBay when it’s eventually time to move it on Jerry, I’ll definitely be evoking the buy back clause! :-)

[jandl100]

So no need for eBay when it’s eventually time to move it on Jerry, I’ll definitely be evoking the buy back clause! :-)

OKey-dokey. :)

So, I have a buyer for the Crayon and a definite expression of interest for the Krell.

A box swapper's dream come true. :lol:

[jandl100]

Cables are funny things with the way they interact with kit.

I like the Krell with the RS Audio Duet silver/palladium hybrid interconnects, and the Crayon with the Black Cat Neo Morpheus copper cables. I seem to have settled on these for the moment.

Speaker cables chez-Jerry are in a bit of a state of turmoil, with various options being trialled.
More on this anon when the frenzy eases up a bit.

[Macca]

OKey-dokey. :)

So, I have a buyer for the Crayon and a definite expression of interest for the Krell.

A box swapper's dream come true. :lol:

No I will deffo have the Krell off you. I don't know how much longer mine's going to be in the shop but I'm fed up with slumming it.

[Bigman80]

Jerry,

Macca has been hoping I flog my Krell for weeks lol, Sell him this one and help him out, poor chap

[jandl100]

No I will deffo have the Krell off you. I don't know how much longer mine's going to be in the shop but I'm fed up with slumming it.

Ok
Gosh, I hadn't realised yours was still on the sick list.

I need to find a box for it, it didn't come with one. I had to go collect it.
And it's an 18 inch square, or something like that, so not easy!

.... Assuming I do part with it. It's been on my Want List for many years.

[Macca]

No worries Jerry. Hopefully mine won't be in bits for much longer. But I still intend to get another Krell as a spare so if you do decide to sell at some point give us a shout.


I remember waiting for you to move on the Parasound as I fancied that but when it didn't look like you were going to ever part with it I bought summat else. Then about 3 days later you put it up for sale.

[jandl100]

No worries Jerry. Hopefully mine won't be in bits for much longer. But I still intend to get another Krell as a spare so if you do decide to sell at some point give us a shout.


I remember waiting for you to move on the Parasound as I fancied that but when it didn't look like you were going to ever part with it I bought summat else. Then about 3 days later you put it up for sale.

Ah, that Parasound was nice. 18 months stay chez-Jerry, so it must have been doing something right.

Yes, I'm OK to move the Krell on, the Crayon is sounding stunning.

Just been up into the loft and I don't have a box big enough - amp size is 17x19 inches, so you want a few inches spare around that.
Suggestions for a source for a suitable box?

[Macca]

I could post you an empty box but that sounds crazy.

[jandl100]

I could post you an empty box but that sounds crazy.

Seems sensible to me, if you have one the right size.

I've just been looking on ebay and they seem to sell in minimum quantities of 5, and we'd have to pay the postage on those to get them!

[Macca]

Okay I'll look and see what I've got.

[User211]

Current setup with Luxman now making it to the table. Preamp had to go on the floor.

Note Lampi hi-tech damping device. It doesn't make much difference TBH so got moved.

Should probably sell some amps.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190620/8690aa6b227de3e91c6790efe7e8d545.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190620/ad55c6d2c5de5173f7a5c3ef643d88da.jpg

[struth]

Those panels are huge. No wonder u need a humungus amp

[Alex_UK]

Those panels are huge. No wonder u need a humungus amp

Oh, they're speakers! I thought those were the beer fridges! :doh:

[User211]

Those panels are huge. No wonder u need a humungus ampWas just reading communications from the chap that sold me the Luxman. We were talking about the 9 months it took to sell it on eBay and me trying to get another to run bridged.

'Ha, if you get another at that price you have the luck of the Devil. Hard to come by. A fella from England sent me a message asking why it hadn’t sold, he had the M-600a. I don’t know how half the country hears that’s into audio, seems to me they haven’t a clue.'

:)

[struth]

Big amp so guess it was overkill for most folk.

[User211]

Hm only one chassis though. Plenty on eBay now that I know full well cannot compete with it as a Duetta driver that take up far more space and cost far more.

[paulf-2007]

Current setup with Luxman now making it to the table. Preamp had to go on the floor.

Note Lampi hi-tech damping device. It doesn't make much difference TBH so got moved.

Should probably sell some amps.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190620/8690aa6b227de3e91c6790efe7e8d545.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190620/ad55c6d2c5de5173f7a5c3ef643d88da.jpg
What are the guitars Justin.

[User211]

What are the guitars Justin.Gibson Les Paul Supreme and Washburn bass.

The LP is nice. Flamed maple both sides. Hollow body but you wouldn't know it. Still weighs a ton.

[paulf-2007]

Gibson Les Paul Supreme and Washburn bass.

The LP is nice. Flamed maple both sides. Hollow body but you wouldn't know it. Still weighs a ton.
Nice, not that old then if it's flamed maple. PRS have forced fender and Gibson to put nice tops on their guitars.

[jandl100]

Back to the Krell 400xi integrated amp last night.

No, it doesn't have the soundstage and imaging precision and believability of the Crayon amp, no amp that I have heard can challenge that. But the Krell isn't bad in that regard and it does have a truly magnificent dynamic sweep; Berlioz' Requiem was stunning, classical music doesn't get bigger and bolder than that ime. The 28wpc Crayon simply can't match that with my medium sensitivity speakers.

Hmm, what I want is a 290wpc Crayon amp.
... or maybe bi-amp, with the Krell driving the MBLs' bass units [xover 160hz] and the Crayon on the rest? The amps are very similar tonally, so that might work. Although on the very rare occasions I have tried bi-amping in the past with different amps it hasn't been convincing.

Anyway, the Crayon is convincing for most of my music choices, which tend to be on a small or moderate scale. Swapping a few cables for the big music is a bit of a pain but doable.
I'll stay with the Krell for a few days and see how I get on with it. Immediate comparisons can highlight differences that in the longer term become less important; the Krell is a very fine amp in its own right.

[User211]

I thought the Krell had gone to Macca.

I sense another crossover mod coming along.

Some parametric EQ applied over the last few weeks at various levels in various places indicates the Luxman sounds even better on average with a cut between 4 to 8 KHz of about 2DB.

It just sounds more balanced that way. I'll be getting the test mic out to see what is really going on this week sometime.

The words 'on average' are really important. There are no standards for EQ on recorded music, and in high performance systems that can be really obvious.

No frequency response is optimal for all recordings. And much of why a track sounds great on one system as opposed to another is simply down to this annoying fact.

[Macca]

Well the amp and source will have a flat frequency response and the room and loudspeakers won't. But I don't see how having a standard for EQ on recordings would help that? or am I misinterpreting what you are saying?

[User211]

Well the amp and source will have a flat frequency response and the room and loudspeakers won't. But I don't see how having a standard for EQ on recordings would help that? or am I misinterpreting what you are saying?

Standard EQ for recordings would be ridiculous. That would mean that reggae couldn't be recorded without excess bass. Who would want that?:) Do you get what I am saying now?

Anyway, the Lampi isn't flat as the frequency response changes with valve rolls. It's easily measurable.

Currently PX4 is sounding the best with the Luxman but it does have a bit of a mid to upper end hype in it.

I might leave it as it is TBH. A couple of DB digital EQ doesn't hurt much in the way of SQ, and some of that is purely due to PX4 usage.

[jandl100]

I thought the Krell had gone to Macca.


Hmm, so did we, but we failed to find suitable boxes.

And then I tried it again...
It really is a very good amp. And it does stuff beyond the ability of the Crayon.
Current plan is to leave it fully powered up for a few days and see what transpires sound wise.

[User211]

Was it made after Dan left the company?

Not kept up with Krell models at all.

I'd be amazed if my evaluation didn't come down firmly in favour of the Krell in your system. Your speakers do need a fair amount of power.

That said until heard...

[Edward]

I thought the Krell had gone to Macca.

I sense another crossover mod coming along.

Some parametric EQ applied over the last few weeks at various levels in various places indicates the Luxman sounds even better on average with a cut between 4 to 8 KHz of about 2DB.

It just sounds more balanced that way. I'll be getting the test mic out to see what is really going on this week sometime.

The words 'on average' are really important. There are no standards for EQ on recorded music, and in high performance systems that can be really obvious.

No frequency response is optimal for all recordings. And much of why a track sounds great on one system as opposed to another is simply down to this annoying fact.

Justin,

Interested to know where/how in your audio chain you are applying the parametric EQ. And why you chose 2db in the 4-8Khz range?

cheers
E

[User211]

Justin,

Interested to know where/how in your audio chain you are applying the parametric EQ. And why you chose 2db in the 4-8Khz range?

cheers
EI say so - it just sounds more balanced i.e. not overly bright.

That said change valves in the Lampi and a lot changes. So setting the crossover optimally for PX4 is a little over the top which is probably why I won't bother.

Equaliser APO and the Peace GUI. It's free and excellent apart from a dated looking GUI.

Google it and try it. Brilliant. Especially since it is free.

[Edward]

I say so - it just sounds more balanced i.e. not overly bright.

That said change valves in the Lampi and a lot changes. So setting the crossover optimally for PX4 is a little over the top which is probably why I won't bother.

Equaliser APO and the Peace GUI. It's free and excellent apart from a dated looking GUI.

Google it and try it. Brilliant. Especially since it is free.

Cheers Justin

Yes looks good. And the price is good. :)

Other than CD I had assumed you are an analog sort of guy, but I guess you have a computer in the audio chain.

I'll have a play with the software. :peace:

[Firebottle]

.... I had assumed you are an analog sort of guy,

What with a Lampi in the system? Digital files must be lurking somewhere :eyebrows: