View Full Version : Zoldar's system
What a great forum full of passion and knowlegde. An introduction seems fitting. Here goes.
Due to a lack of space (2-room apartment) I'm using monitors. These are generaly in the window. Only on Hi-Fi evenings do they come into the room on the stands.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EROvVJ9WeWQ/TslXAovNf6I/AAAAAAAAAv4/Ve_18GGME_A/s640/IMG-20110523-00096.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-002j3oT3Efs/TWLGO7lFw4I/AAAAAAAAAmM/G1WWmvnnYNY/s300/DSC08328%252520%252528300x225%252529.jpg
Speakers: Triangle Genese Trio Sub: BK XXLS400FS Stands: Partington Super Dreadnought LS cable: Ocos
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3YigDfgbIEA/TNhkiUGNsjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/csOrO3q6mVU/s640/P1050510.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T8gLUBoavYs/TslXixrxyjI/AAAAAAAAAw4/CCpYe5nWAkw/s640/P1050877.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aUtERHLvbuw/TslXnda_oUI/AAAAAAAAAxE/RkMhx6dAmFo/s640/P1050899.JPG
Amplifier: Graaf GM50b. Equiped with Electro Harmonics KT90H, quad matched in the Graaf.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-41lBlDENrO0/TslXT3NvU6I/AAAAAAAAAwo/p2J0sOwrIRw/s640/P1070053.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rA8lOp7N4wQ/TslXTEvje8I/AAAAAAAAAwg/sR4p4oouDcM/s640/P1070054.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oNOr_Km-X-0/TslXPkTucnI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/wSFJDaj6OmM/s640/P1070059.JPG
Simaudio Moon 300D DAC
IC XLR: van den Hul the Rock hybrid 3T
http://pics.ricardostatic.ch/ImgUsers/2/6/651/65132/6513278/651327824_2_Big.jpg
(multi-channel) SACD and CD-transport: Sony DVP-NS900V QS
Streamer: Logitech Squeezebox Touch or windows laptop with Musical Fidelity V-Link
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-afyIxsnyX-k/TslXA9sVoWI/AAAAAAAAAv8/R8ra1xfmIbA/s640/Rotterdam-20111120-00269.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KKVEkTK4khA/Tf-12756UmI/AAAAAAAAAsA/hMDdDtr4df8/s640/P1060024.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxSlqQqVlYg/TslXBEL5pnI/AAAAAAAAAwI/-fVioRxm9Q8/s640/P1070812.JPG
Analog: SRM Tech Arezzo (base model) Isolation Platform
Arm: Rega RB251 with Cardas rewire Incognito.
Mat: Funk Firm Achromat
Phono Element : Ortofon 2 m Black
Phono amp: Graham Slee Reflex M Ultra-Linear
Rack: Solid Tech Radius
From 2012, there is a new living room of 5x5M. Then the final piece will be bigger speakers.
Reid Malenfant
04-12-2011, 17:53
Hi Francisco, some lovely looking kit you have there chap :)
Perhaps you'd be good enough to pop in the "welcome" section & give us a proper introductory post please?
Thanks very much in advance :cool:
Spectral Morn
04-12-2011, 18:37
Welcome to AOS Francisco
Very nice system. I own the Sony DVD player you have and it is still a great player. Graff amplifier is lovely too, I have heard rumours that they are returning back to the marketplace soon.
The Graff and Triangle's are a good match having heard a similar set up at a HiFi show once. The former UK distributor for Graff was also a Triangle distributor too once and he would partner the two brands quite often.
Regards D S D L
Hi Francisco, some lovely looking kit you have there chap :)
Perhaps you'd be good enough to pop in the "welcome" section & give us a proper introductory post please?
Thanks very much in advance :cool:
Thanx. I added an introduction in the welcome section.
Welcome to AOS Francisco
Very nice system. I own the Sony DVD player you have and it is still a great player. Graff amplifier is lovely too, I have heard rumours that they are returning back to the marketplace soon.
The Graff and Triangle's are a good match having heard a similar set up at a HiFi show once. The former UK distributor for Graff was also a Triangle distributor too once and he would partner the two brands quite often.
Regards D S D L
Thank you. I decided to sell the Marantz SA8003 I owned. It was only being used as a CD transport and I thought that to be overkill. I only own about 7 SACD so something cheap and simple would suffice. Then I picked this one up for 40 euro's or so. It plays SACD's even in multi-channel :stalks: It sounds very decent too. Never had a better bargain.
Dutch importer of Graaf (analogue audio) mentioned a new Graaf GM50 is comming just 2 weeks ago. This would be great! It's the one component I see myself keeping for a long long time.
Reid Malenfant
04-12-2011, 19:35
Thanx. I added an introduction in the welcome section.
Yes, noted & replied to & thank you very much indeed :)
You really do have some tasty looking equpment there Francisco, is the Graff valve amp OTL (I know Graff are well known for these) or transformer coupled?
Certainly looks nice with the viewing window :drool:
Wow - that's a tasty system you've got there Francisco. :drool:
Yeah, that Graaf looks mighty nice. Does it sound as good as it looks? :)
Very nice looking equipment, Francisco, and a Solid Tech rack, too. You're the first person I've come across who also has one. Welcome ;)
Yes, noted & replied to & thank you very much indeed :)
You really do have some tasty looking equpment there Francisco, is the Graff valve amp OTL (I know Graff are well known for these) or transformer coupled?
Certainly looks nice with the viewing window :drool:
Thank you very much. The Graaf is not OTL. Note the output transformers have 3 leads. It is a balanced amp from input to output. I came upon it in the classifieds section. Went for an audition and thought it worth the strech. I was looking for something like a Prima Luna Dialogue two, which sells new for about the same money. The Graaf just blew me away. It's the way voices, guitars and cymbals are put into the room, in lifelike fashion.
Rare Bird
04-12-2011, 21:44
Very nice system. I own the Sony DVD player you have and it is still a great player.
Welcome Fransisco
Aye i have an expensive Sony DVD/CD player with built in 24/96 DAC, picture quality is superb, best ive ever seen..
Zoidburg
05-12-2011, 08:42
Welcome to the forum mate, nice to see someone using an SRM deck I have the Athena which Iv had for about a year and really like a lot.
Welcome to the forum mate, nice to see someone using an SRM deck I have the Athena which Iv had for about a year and really like a lot.
Thank you Zoidburg! How cool is that? Another SRM deck owner :mex:
trio leo
05-12-2011, 22:22
Welcome to AoS Fransisco,
lovely looking system, your turntable looks fabulous, I hope you enjoy some great music with what you have, I'm all vinyl and still loving it, may you contribute to and enjoy some useful tips from the enthusiasts in this forum.
Kind regards Al
Wow - nice kit, nice apartment. :)
Lodgesound
07-12-2011, 21:46
LOvely lookng kit and place you have there - where in The Netherlands are you?
Thanx. I live in rotterdam.
The hunt foor new speakers has begun. I will ask for advice in another thread.
jandl100
10-12-2011, 09:38
Lovely looking system. :thumbsup:
And it's GRAAF, folks, not Graff. ;)
... I had the 5050 Graafiti power amp. A wonderful thing. :)
And I do like those SRM turntables! :drool:
Thanx man! :o
I think it's some web site that got the spelling wrong. It stuck pretty good :lol:
GRAAF is Gruppo Ricerche Audio Alta Fedeltà. And the GM stands for the designer Giovanni Mariani. Everything is so easy in italian :eyebrows:
GRAAF is Gruppo Ricerche Audio Alta Fedeltà. And the GM stands for the designer Giovanni Mariani. Everything is so easy in italian
Quello è sicuramente la verità! :)
Marco.
jandl100
11-12-2011, 09:35
Bloody foreigners - coming here, taking our jobs.
:eyebrows:
Light Capture
17-12-2011, 13:21
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3YigDfgbIEA/TNhkiUGNsjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/csOrO3q6mVU/s640/P1050510.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T8gLUBoavYs/TslXixrxyjI/AAAAAAAAAw4/CCpYe5nWAkw/s640/P1050877.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aUtERHLvbuw/TslXnda_oUI/AAAAAAAAAxE/RkMhx6dAmFo/s640/P1050899.JPG
Amplifier: Graaf GM50b. Equiped with Electro Harmonics KT90H, quad matched in the Graaf.
I have never seen a system with the Graaf tube integrated until now. I'm glad I finally came across someone that is using it. I heard their earlier 25wpc model at one time, and have always wanted to to hear the one you own, after reading the glowing reviews when it was first released. I can imagine the synergy with the Triangle speakers is perfect. Congratulation on a well conceived system.
I have never seen a system with the Graaf tube integrated until now. I'm glad I finally came across someone that is using it. I heard their earlier 25wpc model at one time, and have always wanted to to hear the one you own, after reading the glowing reviews when it was first released. I can imagine the synergy with the Triangle speakers is perfect. Congratulation on a well conceived system.
I was looking for a way into tubes after being bowled over by a Cary Audio Design SLI 80 and Triangle Genese Quartet. I literally got goosebumps after hearing David Gilmour ripping through the air in front of me on Delicate Sound of Thunder. This combo was way out of my reach.
After audiotioning some PrimaLuna's, which didn't do the magic (maybe 50%), I was ready to give op on tubes. Simply too expensive for me. Then I ran into this GM50b from a guy who was stopping with audio. It was a stretch but this used GM50b cost roughly the same as a new PL dialogue 2. I only needed 5 minutes to hear it's spell and ran with it.
It does wonders for voices, guitars and cymbals. Its's al so clear, beatifully detailed and clean. No grit whatsoever. But it can rip the air when needed. The best thing is that it does not sound in any way tube whimpish in the Bass, rythm and Slam department. I have a NAD C370 here with more than twice the power and it trades punches with it. No, it knocks it so far away, sounds so much bigger, bolder and well...alive that even the wife will not have something alse playing.
Sorry for the rant, but that is what the Graaf does to me. It turns me into a blabbering idiot about music and all things audiophile :cool:
It turns me into a blabbering idiot about music and all things audiophile :cool:
That's what it's all about Zoldar, and it's great to hear from others who have achieved a little audio Nirvana!
Beautiful set-up you have there. I used to have a Graaf WFB One - 50/50 set up driving first Triangle Solis and then Triangle Ventis XS speakers so I am fairly familiar with the sound. Excellent stuff!
As a suggestion, I see you use OCOS speaker cables; have you tried Triangle's own Silver Ghost? I had great results with them and they are not that expensive.
If you are considering changing speakers - I would recommend you stick with Triangle (great synergy with Graaf's) - perhaps a used Magellan Duetto (very nice)?
Otherwise, if you get the chance, Chario Sonnets might be a possibility.
Have a good weekend.
John
Thank you very much. Haven't tried Silver Ghost. I bought the ocos after having some pretty expensive loans at home.
I am in the middle of a speaker change. Moving to a bigger house with some room for floorstanding speakers. Next week I'll have the 3 final candidates to try at home.
Triange Genese Quartet
PMC Twenty.24
Monitor Audio GX300
Let's see if the other contenders can do as much magic as the Triangles.
Very nice mate, nice veiw from the window too...
I'm cursed!:wah:
Last week my NAD C370 shorted out leaving me with no HT power amp. Could be worse he?
Today the Graaf cave a crackle through the Triangle's and I was just in time to pull the plug while something went up in flames inside. That is about as exciting as falling down a flight of stairs, while tied to a chair, set on fire, backwards...
Must make an appointment with the import company tomorrow.
Sorry to hear that Zoldar. :( Still, at least you did get to the plug in time...
That was very a beautiful system, Zoldar!
I confess that I have very little knowledge about Graaf but it must be one of the best looking amps out there.
I sold my solid tech before moving to the UK and I don't even know sells them here!
New house, new room and the new speakers are here.
First the Graaf. It's been refitted with matched EH KT90h tubes and a resistor wich burned out. Let's hope these last longer than 6 months. :doh: Italian character he?
The HT amp could not be fixed and was sold. Enter Onkyo TX-NR 709 for movies and multi-channel SACD's.
And last but not least: Trinagle Genese Quartet speakers do the magic with the graaf :cool:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hhPwd3Od4Xw/TyMYcoMFUAI/AAAAAAAAAyo/ximlKCfShps/s640/IMG-20120126-00315.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iK8NxWyArEo/TyclOq_W4OI/AAAAAAAAAzA/ydVZX9vxV2g/s512/Lansingerland-20120130-00334.jpg
Testing the PMC's Twenty 24 and Triangles.
The Triangle's won.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sjouE1nhj38/TzGki2Cqs5I/AAAAAAAAAzY/9Znf1-V0GqI/s640/hifidility%2520007.JPG
The Trio standmounts moved to the rear.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zINDcJMtJXk/TzGksLpJXwI/AAAAAAAAAzw/j1UHdYqDhwM/s640/hifidility%2520026.JPG
Hi Zoldar,
I had little doubt that the Triangle's would be a great fit and match with your system. Tried and tested. Lovely speakers!
About the Graaf; I heard that the company is now owned by Audio Futura (Audio Analogue) with new models along the way - I guess they could also handle servicing if needed in the future (hopefully not).:cool:
ursus262
08-03-2012, 12:34
Uitstekende apartement - waar in Nederland woon je? Ik hou van het flesje van Jenever op tafel!
What a great forum full of passion and knowlegde. An introduction seems fitting. Here goes.
Due to a lack of space (2-room apartment) I'm using monitors. These are generaly in the window. Only on Hi-Fi evenings do they come into the room on the stands.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EROvVJ9WeWQ/TslXAovNf6I/AAAAAAAAAv4/Ve_18GGME_A/s640/IMG-20110523-00096.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-002j3oT3Efs/TWLGO7lFw4I/AAAAAAAAAmM/G1WWmvnnYNY/s300/DSC08328%252520%252528300x225%252529.jpg
Speakers: Triangle Genese Trio Sub: BK XXLS400FS Stands: Partington Super Dreadnought LS cable: Ocos
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3YigDfgbIEA/TNhkiUGNsjI/AAAAAAAAAiU/csOrO3q6mVU/s640/P1050510.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-T8gLUBoavYs/TslXixrxyjI/AAAAAAAAAw4/CCpYe5nWAkw/s640/P1050877.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aUtERHLvbuw/TslXnda_oUI/AAAAAAAAAxE/RkMhx6dAmFo/s640/P1050899.JPG
Amplifier: Graaf GM50b. Equiped with Electro Harmonics KT90H, quad matched in the Graaf.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-41lBlDENrO0/TslXT3NvU6I/AAAAAAAAAwo/p2J0sOwrIRw/s640/P1070053.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rA8lOp7N4wQ/TslXTEvje8I/AAAAAAAAAwg/sR4p4oouDcM/s640/P1070054.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oNOr_Km-X-0/TslXPkTucnI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/wSFJDaj6OmM/s640/P1070059.JPG
Simaudio Moon 300D DAC
IC XLR: van den Hul the Rock hybrid 3T
http://pics.ricardostatic.ch/ImgUsers/2/6/651/65132/6513278/651327824_2_Big.jpg
(multi-channel) SACD and CD-transport: Sony DVP-NS900V QS
Streamer: Logitech Squeezebox Touch or windows laptop with Musical Fidelity V-Link
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-afyIxsnyX-k/TslXA9sVoWI/AAAAAAAAAv8/R8ra1xfmIbA/s640/Rotterdam-20111120-00269.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KKVEkTK4khA/Tf-12756UmI/AAAAAAAAAsA/hMDdDtr4df8/s640/P1060024.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxSlqQqVlYg/TslXBEL5pnI/AAAAAAAAAwI/-fVioRxm9Q8/s640/P1070812.JPG
Analog: SRM Tech Arezzo (base model) Isolation Platform
Arm: Rega RB251 with Cardas rewire Incognito.
Mat: Funk Firm Achromat
Phono Element : Ortofon 2 m Black
Phono amp: Graham Slee Reflex M Ultra-Linear
Rack: Solid Tech Radius
From 2012, there is a new living room of 5x5M. Then the final piece will be bigger speakers.
2 upgrades.
The first is a Supra LoRad 2.5 power cable with iec/schuko by Iego (24k gold/cryo). I thought this WAS MUMBO JUMBO hifi myth. It isn't. I plugged the Graaf with this powercord and measured higher DB and heard more drive, slam from the bass, while the highs became less forward and less glassy. Some warmth was introduced as well. Very good as I had times when the sound turned a bit thin and hard.
Second is a free program called REW, room equalize wizard. It is very helpfull in dialing in your subwoofer to integrate with the main speakers. And localizing your room modes.
below a graph with and without sub.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lGelxVby2y8/T8IDmbyg49I/AAAAAAAAA10/6RMJUAw77xs/s800/subcornerlow.jpg
new house is filling up with furniture. kept lots of room for the stereo after much negotiating with my better half :eyebrows:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7AYmE2ukQZE/T8Ia0THpGWI/AAAAAAAAA2g/f_HvYoQ-U-M/s720/P1080469.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ns8uofp4SmE/T8Ia_MRDnJI/AAAAAAAAA20/Cay2ACzIzRk/s720/P1080480.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-vMFlEjSAyvg/T8Ia-x-sFuI/AAAAAAAAA24/h6rbUtmhrVw/s512/P1080481.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_ncanU3S7gE/T8IbAJf8oFI/AAAAAAAAA3E/nychkIwSABM/s720/P1080484.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_NnZ2FTq9l8/T8IbKv7e6ZI/AAAAAAAAA3M/c20T9B-8SoI/s720/P1080513.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4y1IEsS9Bes/T8IbNejs-7I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/atykSOf8cJw/s720/P1080520.JPG
late night sessions aplenty :cool:
Canetoad
27-05-2012, 14:18
Hi Zoldar,
Looks great! I was wondering what you are using to light behind the TV?
Reid Malenfant
27-05-2012, 16:12
Looks great! I was wondering what you are using to light behind the TV?
Nothing, it's a Philips TV with ambilight :)
Nothing, it's a Philips TV with ambilight :)
You win the toaster! :D
The Ambilight is part of the TV but you can switch it on while it's off. It the goes "alan's psychedelic TV set" on you in multi colored hue's, changing softly.
Reid Malenfant
27-05-2012, 17:38
You win the toaster! :D
The Ambilight is part of the TV but you can switch it on while it's off. It the goes "alan's psychedelic TV set" on you in multi colored hue's, changing softly.
:lol: Actually I kind of cheated, I have a Philips with ambilight spectra 3 as well (56" 21/9 TV), so I knew what I was looking at & your signature confirmed it.
I have mine set permanently to as near an approximation of 6500K colour temperature, it aids in screen viewing :cool:
:lol: Actually I kind of cheated, I have a Philips with ambilight spectra 3 as well (56" 21/9 TV), so I knew what I was looking at & your signature confirmed it.
I have mine set permanently to as near an approximation of 6500K colour temperature, it aids in screen viewing :cool:
Fabulous tv set! :eek:
I must get around to setting the ambilight at around 64k as well. The DVE calibration blu ray has a specific patern for adjusting rear wall lighting.
What happens to the sub titels of TV broadcast and IMAX full screen blu rays (like the dark knight and avatar)?
I was thinking of going that route but have some doubts regarding scaling.
Reid Malenfant
27-05-2012, 17:56
There is a setting on the TV to shift the picture up slightly to see the subtitles if watching in 2.35:1 (cinema) mode.
If your watching a standard 16/9 IE 1.78 or 1.85:1 picture then you can either watch it with black bars either side of the screen or scale it so you fill the screen width & lose a bit of the top & bottom of the picture.
The Oppo BD95 player I happen to have can shift the subs without moving the picture itself.
The picture is to put it mildly jaw dropping :eyebrows: There is no problem with it's scaling as long as you turn off the bells & whistles. IE keep it at the native refresh rate (not 200Hz) & turn off the perfect pixel cobblers to.
All mine does is scale when I watch a 2.35:1 film & I quite often do the same on 1.85:1 films as well. Losing a bit of the picture is no big deal when the screen is full :cool:
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