Getting there slowly

[Idlewithnodrive]

A couple of piccies of my system as it currently stands.

It's been in a bit of a state of flux for the past few months while I've been trying to find a speaker / amp combination that doesn't swamp my VERY small listening room with over bloated bass.

Think I've finally cracked it though :)

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4188.jpg

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4172.jpg

The speakers are without doubt the key to this room and the Trends Audio 10.1 controls the bass (which is actually reasonably quite low and nicely tuneful, not at all monotone) very well indeed.

[loo]

Lovely looking system you have there
I really like that Lenco
do you have more pics:stalks:

[Idlewithnodrive]

Thanks for that Paul.

I don't have any more pics of the TT but I shall get some taken and up over the weekend.

Cheers

[stupinder]

That turntable looks stunning

[Idlewithnodrive]

Thanks Stu :)

[jason]

That's a nice system Mike very tidy. Nice TT is that a HR psu? does that run the deck?

Jason.

Just spotted its the Dino phono stage:doh::cool:

Very nice:)

[rusty bearing]

:stalks:Thats definately one of the most stylish lenco's i've seen and is that copper beastie tubehunters pre(?) that was up for sale last month?

[Idlewithnodrive]

Thanks for your appreciation guys; I'm pleased that you like it.

The best bit is, it sounds really good too :)

[Idlewithnodrive]

is that copper beastie tubehunters pre(?) that was up for sale last month?

Aye, it is one of Duncans.

Very good it is too, amazingly transparent.

[macvisual]

Hi Mike,

Lovely system there, wOw. Can you expand info regards the turntable and your other audio bits please?
Is that a power amp sitting on the floor etc? What do you think of the T-amp?

Thanks;
Pete

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hi Pete,

Sure the deck was originally a Lenco GL-72 which now has a GL-75 motor, bearing and heavy platter installed. Half of the original top plate has been cut away and replaced with Copper sheet and the deck now sits rotated 90 Degs, bolted into 30mm slate on RDC cones. The armboard is 2 mm acryllic but there is a cut out underneath for flush mounted armboards also. The next one will be a copper bonded Ali one.

The arm is a Jelco 250S, the headshell a Sumiko and the cart is a DL-103 which I love.

The whole thing sounds like only a well sorted idler drive can; great timing, dynamic, rhythmic, just throwing the music out at you. Good bass and a believable 3 dimensional soundstage.

The pre is a Duncan built PGA2311 based one with a separate toroidal tranny and the T-Amp is a Trends Audio TA10.1 in power amp mode. I generally run a pair as monoblocks but I inadvertently fried one so am currently looking for another.

I really rate the 2024, all of the textured bass and bass control of the 2020 but more refined in the mids and highs. Tone and timbre is unusually good for the tri-paths and they really play to the Royd Minstrels strengths, which is unbelievable imaging and the ability to completely disappear. They still amaze me. Stupidly good for the money tbh.

The CDP is a Rega Apollo, another component that surprised me and the phono stage is the Trichord Dino. I like the fact that the Dino can comfortably handle the DL-103 (low output MC) through to standard MM output carts with aplomb.

The unit on the floor is a Belkin PF40 mains conditioner and I have successfully convinced myself that the system sounds better with it :). If nothing else it is better protected.

Think that's about it.

Sounds great to these ears and I'm really happy with it.

Here endeth the sermon :)

Cheers folks.

Mike


Hi Mike,

Lovely system there, wOw. Can you expand info regards the turntable and your other audio bits please?
Is that a power amp sitting on the floor etc? What do you think of the T-amp?

Thanks;
Pete

[Idlewithnodrive]

Just a few more piccies as promised -

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4190.jpg

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4191.jpg

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4203.jpg

Sorry they're so samey but hey, it's a turntable on a rack :)

[lewis]

Hi Mike,
Very nice system you have there. I'm interested in the rdc cones for use under my tt, did you notice any improvement in sound quality after fitting them?

Andrew.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hi Mike,
Very nice system you have there. I'm interested in the rdc cones for use under my tt, did you notice any improvement in sound quality after fitting them?

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew :)

Yes, I did notice a difference, everything seemed to open up and tighten up a bit. Bass particularly was better defined and the whole soundstage image seemed to focus better.

A night and day difference ? No.

A difference ? Yes, certainly.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[lewis]

Thanks Andrew :)

Yes, I did notice a difference, everything seemed to open up and tighten up a bit. Bass particularly was better defined and the whole soundstage image seemed to focus better.

A night and day difference ? No.

A difference ? Yes, certainly.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I'll give them a go at some point. :)

[Idlewithnodrive]

Bit of an update.

Now playing sweet sweet tchoons through and old Jap tank of an amp :gig:

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/IMG_0168_zps5e377761.jpg


Sorry for the lousy camera pic but you get the idea.

[Gromit]

:thumbsup:

[johnwhit]

Lovely Stands Unique system rack, are those shelves standard thickness?

ATB,

John

[Idlewithnodrive]

Lovely Stands Unique system rack, are those shelves standard thickness?

ATB,

John

They're 10 mil John.

[johnwhit]

I think mine are only 6mm, they look reasuringly solid.

John

[Idlewithnodrive]

I think mine are only 6mm, they look reasuringly solid.

John

Yep, they came in 6 and 10 mm sizes

[johnwhit]

I must have gone for the cheap option:)

John

[Idlewithnodrive]

Added a Yamaha CDX-1060 CDP to what is now becoming a really good sounding system to these ears. WoW !

A beast (10 Kg) of a CDP that has bought CD replay near as dammit up to the standard of my vinyl, very surprised indeed.

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4234_zps9fd421b9.jpg

[Idlewithnodrive]

Latest snap of my tiny listening room

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4293_zps9c2b44e1.jpg

and of the TT

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4326_zps86c9d745.jpg

[MartinT]

Excellent idea to rotate the Lenco mech by 90 degrees. It looks like it was made for that. Nice system rack, too.

[Haselsh1]

That looks like a fab system and I love the look of the turntable. The room may be small but it looks perfectly formed as they say. Nice setup you have there.

[ppat2]

Hi Mike. That is a beautiful turntable and nice setup all around. Your speakers, have you ever tried them out further from the back of the wall?

[Idlewithnodrive]

Thanks for the kind comments chaps.

I am pleased with the TT, it sounds even better than it looks.

The rack is my longest standing piece of kit.

The speakers are about 15" out into the room and are side ported. I find that at this distance I don't get the bass issues that all other speakers I have had in the room have suffered with.

The bass is now as deep as I have had in the room and is nice and tight and tuneful, being well controlled by the Sony 670ES.

The CDP is also a bit of a dark horse, far better than my previous Rega Apollo in just about every respect.

Happy with what I have here (for the time being anyway) :-)

[Idlewithnodrive]

Long while since I posted an update.

Had a few bits and pieces through but this is where I currently am.

Looks a bit bonkers but sounds awesome IMHO :)

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/IMG_0034_zpsb0c47e5a.jpg (http://s894.photobucket.com/user/TheMJMan/media/IMG_0034_zpsb0c47e5a.jpg.html)

Sorry for the lousy quality pic but it gives a pretty good idea.

[RochaCullen]

How is the sony getting on with the 44s?

I've recently aquired a set of these also from a fellow AOSer. Great speakers.

I am currently driving mine with a set of 8 watts a pop Audio Note mono blocks they sound great if a little recessed in the midrange. I must plug some solid state into them soon and see what difference it makes.

I love the stands by the way, I'd say they do the job perfectly.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Hi Nathan,

The Sony is actually doing a very good job of driving them indeed.

I started off by using a Crown DC300A but that didn't gel; a bit woolly and warm. The Sony, however, is a lot more open, more detailed and seems to have sharpened everything up nicely.

The "stands" were a stop gap (surprisingly :) ), just until I could find some proper stands, but as each block weighs 20Kg and they are obviously rock solid, they do a sterling job; work perfectly, just not that easy on the eyes :)

You are right though, they are ridiculously good speakers for their age and cost. Well pleased so far.


How is the sony getting on with the 44s?

I've recently aquired a set of these also from a fellow AOSer. Great speakers.

I am currently driving mine with a set of 8 watts a pop Audio Note mono blocks they sound great if a little recessed in the midrange. I must plug some solid state into them soon and see what difference it makes.

I love the stands by the way, I'd say they do the job perfectly.

[MartinT]

I used breeze blocks stood on their ends when I was in Sergeant's quarters in Germany in 1984 (I was a civvie attached to them), with a pair of Videotone Minimax 2s on them, driven from a rather nice Marantz portable cassette deck and MOSFET kit amps.

[Idlewithnodrive]

Industrial looking (and cheap) but sounds awesome. One happy bunny here :)

http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4423_zpsce170fb9.jpg