lotus340r
16-03-2012, 23:29
Evening chaps. I'm known over on PFM but first time posting here, I am richard from Sunbury on Thames ....
I am currently building up a system. I had one last year that I arrived at by quite a painstaking process but had to sell it quite quick. I am back now again and building everything up again but doing things perhaps a little differently this time.
Last year the end result was a Well tempered GTA + Miyabi 'standard', Dynavector L300/HX1.2 and Shahinian obelisk 2's. It was a beautiful system which worked very well in my room. I got there through trying a whole host of other equipment, mainly naim amps, SBL's, isobariks, a few linn sondeks and finally a few cartridge variations on the WTA (akiva, XV1s, DV20x). I never actually got around to finalising the digital source. I did have a Naim CDS3/XPS for 6 months or so which I enjoyed but it didn't work so good in the dynavector setup. I tried a rega Isis which worked wonderfully and also a Klimax DX which I really liked but it seemed to work much better through the Linn Klimax preamp.
Anyway, this time round I want to nail the digital source early on and I definitely want the convenience of a streamer. I have heard a few DACS and been unimpressed. The only source I have rated which rivalled a very good finely voiced CDP was the KDS. On the one hand I am loathed to buy into the whole Linn thing because its not really me but on the other hand it's a simple solution with great backup, good residuals and a non-anxiety purchase. If anyone however knows of any alteratives I should be audioning then please let me know.
So going back to the system, I have started with shahinian obelisk speakers again as I love the sound and they work so well in my room. These then automatically choose the power amp which has to be a fairly heavyweight SS. I did consider some high powered tube monoblocks (vtl, manley snapper etc.) but I want a system that I run the TV and DVD through as well so don't want everything to be tubes. A SS that I can leave on all the time is a much better option. So I am looking at the likes of plinius (recommended by Shahinian) at the moment and also pass labs.
I am a big fan of preamps and wanted to spend a bit in this area. I was intially looking at trying something like an LS26 or a REF3 or even a REF5 but then I got interested in the CJ ACT2 mk2 and this is looking likely now. On that note, my long term goal would be to try a CJ premier 350 SS power amp which would be a great combination. Hard to find though so if i can pick up a cost effective plinius in the meantime then perhaps that is the best solution.
As for Vinyl, whilst I loved my WTA I would like something a bit more exotic this time and something a bit more exact and better made on the engineering side. I have heard a Raven AC so would like to try and get one of those but they are tricky to find secondhand. I may just have to settle with a Raven 1. The other deck that appeals is a Rock V as well. For the arm on the Raven I like the Phantom but will more likely go for the TW acustics 10.5. For carts I am not certain. I like a warmer balance and a sensous midrange. A lot of it depends on the whole system balance but I expect that I will be looking at Benz's, possibly another Miyabi or even a Koetsu.
Anyway, that's me. Its quite an exciting adventure. Looking forward to buying lots more music again. The Obelisks here and i have just been runinng them with a little Nait 1 and already things sound really promising. I realise that some of this will be more of a starting point and some chopping and changing will have to occur but I am a form believer that you have to actually live with equipment in your own home and gradually hone the system as time goes on. Shop demos have never done a great deal for me and I am more of a dive in at the deep end sorta guy.
I am currently building up a system. I had one last year that I arrived at by quite a painstaking process but had to sell it quite quick. I am back now again and building everything up again but doing things perhaps a little differently this time.
Last year the end result was a Well tempered GTA + Miyabi 'standard', Dynavector L300/HX1.2 and Shahinian obelisk 2's. It was a beautiful system which worked very well in my room. I got there through trying a whole host of other equipment, mainly naim amps, SBL's, isobariks, a few linn sondeks and finally a few cartridge variations on the WTA (akiva, XV1s, DV20x). I never actually got around to finalising the digital source. I did have a Naim CDS3/XPS for 6 months or so which I enjoyed but it didn't work so good in the dynavector setup. I tried a rega Isis which worked wonderfully and also a Klimax DX which I really liked but it seemed to work much better through the Linn Klimax preamp.
Anyway, this time round I want to nail the digital source early on and I definitely want the convenience of a streamer. I have heard a few DACS and been unimpressed. The only source I have rated which rivalled a very good finely voiced CDP was the KDS. On the one hand I am loathed to buy into the whole Linn thing because its not really me but on the other hand it's a simple solution with great backup, good residuals and a non-anxiety purchase. If anyone however knows of any alteratives I should be audioning then please let me know.
So going back to the system, I have started with shahinian obelisk speakers again as I love the sound and they work so well in my room. These then automatically choose the power amp which has to be a fairly heavyweight SS. I did consider some high powered tube monoblocks (vtl, manley snapper etc.) but I want a system that I run the TV and DVD through as well so don't want everything to be tubes. A SS that I can leave on all the time is a much better option. So I am looking at the likes of plinius (recommended by Shahinian) at the moment and also pass labs.
I am a big fan of preamps and wanted to spend a bit in this area. I was intially looking at trying something like an LS26 or a REF3 or even a REF5 but then I got interested in the CJ ACT2 mk2 and this is looking likely now. On that note, my long term goal would be to try a CJ premier 350 SS power amp which would be a great combination. Hard to find though so if i can pick up a cost effective plinius in the meantime then perhaps that is the best solution.
As for Vinyl, whilst I loved my WTA I would like something a bit more exotic this time and something a bit more exact and better made on the engineering side. I have heard a Raven AC so would like to try and get one of those but they are tricky to find secondhand. I may just have to settle with a Raven 1. The other deck that appeals is a Rock V as well. For the arm on the Raven I like the Phantom but will more likely go for the TW acustics 10.5. For carts I am not certain. I like a warmer balance and a sensous midrange. A lot of it depends on the whole system balance but I expect that I will be looking at Benz's, possibly another Miyabi or even a Koetsu.
Anyway, that's me. Its quite an exciting adventure. Looking forward to buying lots more music again. The Obelisks here and i have just been runinng them with a little Nait 1 and already things sound really promising. I realise that some of this will be more of a starting point and some chopping and changing will have to occur but I am a form believer that you have to actually live with equipment in your own home and gradually hone the system as time goes on. Shop demos have never done a great deal for me and I am more of a dive in at the deep end sorta guy.