Hello from (freezing!) Ireland [Archive]

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krh1

16-12-2011, 21:19

Hi Everyone,

Hello from (not so sunny) County Antrim. I'm a total newbie here, but have had a quick glance at the various forum areas and look forward to investigating them more closely later.

I'm currently awaiting delivery of my new system comprising Michell Gyro SE/TecnoArm, Triangle Color floorstanders, and an as yet undetermined amp (though currently looking likely to be an Electrocompaniet ECI-3). This will join an Audiolab 8200CD, Graham Slee Reflex M phono stage, and a Linn Adikt cartridge, as well as a now little-used tuner and cassette deck dating back to the mid-eighties.

This will hopefully bring to an end what has been a frustrating time for me hi-fi wise as i've been without vinyl replay for about two years, after the (not so untimely) demise of my Linn Axis - another mid-eighties remnant that gave good service and enjoyment beyond the call of duty.

Most of my collection is on vinyl so I'm looking forward to finally being able to enjoy it again.

I also listen quite a bit on headphones and have a Graham Slee Solo UL and recently purchased Audeze LCD-2 phones.

I've quite a wide taste in music (reggae, blues, world music (that term never sounds quite right to me!), some jazz, even film soundtracks) though mostly I'm into Beatles, Stones, Dylan, Hendrix, Neill Young and various other 'classic' 60s/70s bands and performers, though I have been known to listen to music made in the last 10 years as well :)

As mentioned above I'm not quite decided on which amp to go for yet. I like a full-bodied, warmish sound (but one still able to rock out when required) and had originally earmarked the Creek Destiny 2. Unfortunately I haven't been able to hear one yet as local dealers don't stock them. I have heard Roksan Caspian M2, Electrocompaniet ECI 3, and Puresound A30 (valve).

Of these I think I prefer the Electrocompaniet for its full, rich sound which I think should complement the openness of the Gyro and Triangle speakers.

But if anyone has experience of the Creek or any good advice I'd be grateful for your input.

Cheers,
Ken

Tweedle-Dee

16-12-2011, 21:48

Hi Ken,
You're very welcome to AoS. There's a few of us here from 'this side of the pond'. Anyhow, you have the makings of a lovely system there with your new acquisitions and your dilemma over which amp to choose is an enviable one given the models you've listed. I have no personal experience of these brands, but expect some pearls of wisdom will follow from others of these parts.

Kind regards,
TD

keiths

16-12-2011, 22:02

Hi Ken,

Welcome to AoS from me too. I hope you enjoy your new system and also the forum.

Alex_UK

16-12-2011, 22:07

Hi Ken - sounds like it is Christmas in your house! ;)

Buy the valve amp, and stay warm! ;)

Enjoy AoS, glad to have you on board. :)

krh1

16-12-2011, 22:50

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Hi Ken - sounds like it is Christmas in your house! ;)

...

I keep telling myself that it's an 'investment' and that I can look forward to 20 years + worth on the new turntable. Sometimes I even believe it...:doh:

One of the things with indulging the hi-fi bug again - the expense seems to spiral, once you factor in the extras like cables, record clamps, even a dust cover for the Gyro!

I've already stretched beyond my previously set limit...and am puzzling over quite how I got here :scratch: , but I hope the soon to be enjoyed audio nirvana will make it all worthwhile.

Hi Tweedle-Dee, nice to know there's a few 'locals' on the forum too.

Spectral Morn

16-12-2011, 23:08

Hi Ken

Welcome to AOS

Moore's HiFi in Newtownards used to do Creek, not sure if he still does or not.

Regards D S D L

krh1

16-12-2011, 23:11

Thanks for that. I'll check it out. :cool:

Reid Malenfant

17-12-2011, 17:05

Hi Ken, welcome to the forum from me to :)

Best of luck getting the right amplifier, what you really need is a home demo so you could hear it in your system ;)

I hope you enjoy your stay, all the best :)

krh1

19-12-2011, 18:05

Thanks for the welcome.

Planning some home demos in the New Year, and going to check out Creek and Naim at a local dealer recommended to me through the forum.

Happy Christmas to everyone.

zygote23

20-12-2011, 07:51

howlindawg

20-12-2011, 12:26

krh1

21-12-2011, 00:45

I have the Electrocompaniet amp you are thinking of Ken and I love it. I moved from an Icon Audio Stereo 40i valve amp as I wanted a little more grunt for my ProAc's and boy does it deliver.

Good luck with the search, hello to Aos and if you fancy listening to an Icon just gimme a shout ;) I'm just down the road in Craigavon..

Hi Steve. I had a listen to the Electrocompaniet at the dealer's and was impressed. It produced a fantastic sound with John Coltrane and some folky material, but I didn't get a chance to try it out with anything rocky or harder-edged and have some doubts that its rich, warm sound might be a little too soft for some material? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on that.

I'll be trying it out at home so will get a chance to check it out more fully.

Thanks for the offer on the Icon. Heard some good things about them.

krh1

21-12-2011, 00:51

Welcome Ken.

That sounds like a nice system you're pulling together there. I'd suggest you take your time selecting a suitable amp. The Triangles can be difficult to partner properly but they're worth the effort of getting the choice right. Listen to as many amps as you can with your own speakers before making a final selection.

Hi Martin, yeah, I'll definitely take my time with the decisions. Made too many mistakes in the past (usually due to not properly auditioning components and being too swayed by reviews in the magazines)

If you have experience with the Triangles what would you suggest I look for amp-wise? Did you find anything that worked particularly well with them?

howlindawg

21-12-2011, 08:24

If you have experience with the Triangles what would you suggest I look for amp-wise? Did you find anything that worked particularly well with them?

I heard the triangles with a Manley stingray integrated and the combination was wonderful.

If I were in your shoes I'd also try them with Sugden amplification.

macvisual

21-12-2011, 10:44

Hi Ken,

A warm welcome to you!

I myself am originally from Co.Antrim, now living in bonnie (cold) Scotland. That's a nice system you have there.

Have a great/warm Crimbo, enjoy!

-pete-

krh1

22-12-2011, 00:55

Thanks Pete. Have a good one yourself!