losenotaminute's system

[losenotaminute]

Some images for your viewing pleasure.

The PS PS10 arrived home today so EAR 834P not in use. Cambridge Audio CDP acquired from Macca last week. Hifi stand from Amazon for £90. Constructive criticism only please, Linn and Naim haters can step away ;-)


Linn Sondek LP12 turntable (c1981) with Ittok LV II arm and Asaka cartridge (1990s)
Lentek Audio moving coil step-up pre-amplifier (c1978)
Pure Sound P10 valve phono stage with moving magnet cartridges
Naim NAP 90 power amplifier
Naim NAC 92 pre-amplifier
Ruark Equinox floorstanding speakers (55kg each)


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[Macca]

Good to see the Cambridge in it's new home! Ruark Equinox have been on my 'need to hear' list for a long time. Like the desk too :)

[Rare Bird]

Lawrence is that Lentek ? if so i thought they came out more late 70's!

[losenotaminute]

Lawrence is that Lentek ? if so i thought they came out more late 70's!

Yes, you are correct I think it was 1977, was getting confused. Only a few years out, for something that is 35 years old it still works very well.

[Haselsh1]

Lovely system and a pleasure to see. Though I am a massive valve fan I love the Naim gear.

[Rare Bird]

Yes, you are correct I think it was 1977, was getting confused. Only a few years out, for something that is 35 years old it still works very well.

Hi Lawrence, yes be 1977. Welcome btw..

[htm_1968]

Nice setup. I ran a NAC92/NAP90 with a Rega Planar 3 and then an LP12. Absolutely loved those amps. Those Ruarks look interesting too!

[losenotaminute]

Nice setup. I ran a NAC92/NAP90 with a Rega Planar 3 and then an LP12. Absolutely loved those amps. Those Ruarks look interesting too!

Yes, I am happy with the amps, they may not have the latest technology, but they produce a nice warm and detailed sound. My hearing is going a bit at the top end (I can get to maybe 12Khz) but the pairing of the Naim and the Ruark's makes a good combination.

The Ruarks are quite interesting as they have the crossovers in bottom of the stands. The base is just solid lead, so they weigh 110 llbs each, which I think is around 50kg. The cabinets are quite deep, as you can see from the picture, and the MDF is very thick. I gather that they were reviewed well when they came out in the 1990s, and many considered them to be under-priced at $3,000 a pair. I've heard a couple of stories told to me of people who owned Ruarks, changed them for another speaker, and then changed their minds and went back.

What phono stage did you use with your LP12? I have recently had my PS P10 returned after a repair and I have to say it sounds more alive than the EAR 834P that I was using while it was away.

I would like to try a valve amp at some time, but having just bought the CD player and also a new PC (fanless and totally silent) I think that will have to wait for a while. I might try and borrow a Pure Sound amp at some point to compare it with the Naim.

I read a lot of sniffy comments about Linn turntables - some people object to the prices and others to the fact that they use wood in the construction. From my perspective buying hifi is more of a pleasure when you get something that has some heritage and is made to last. There is certainly something about the LP12 that apeals to me, but then I may be a bit old fashioned and a sucker for the Linn marketing! As they have been in production for 40 years, you can get all of the parts and you can find people to service them (or take a DIY approach). I also suspect that I should benefit from a TT with suspension as my flat is on the third floor and the floors are very bouncy. I may be completely wrong in this view, but I certainly can't afford to move house.

Lawrence

[Rowlf]

That was a very impressive system Lawrence.

The LP12 looks mint despite its age. You must have taken good care of them. I also love how to keep it so nice and tidy with the wirings.

[The Grand Wazoo]

Very nice.
You invite constructive criticism: I'd suggest that you could be getting better results by placing your speakers somewhere else. The turntable right next to one and the desk & chair in the middle can't be helping things too much.
Just a thought.

[losenotaminute]

Very nice.
You invite constructive criticism: I'd suggest that you could be getting better results by placing your speakers somewhere else. The turntable right next to one and the desk & chair in the middle can't be helping things too much.
Just a thought.

Yes I agree that it is far from ideal, but unfortunately I don't have many options given the size of the room and the lack of wall space. I tend to find that if I turn the volume up I get a reasonable sound stage! Fortunately the room isn't square, one wall is angled and I have plenty of things in the room to act as bass traps. A new stone built house (with a full sized snooker table) would be the ideal upgrade but beyond my current budget :).

[Marco]

Hi Lawrence,

Welcome to AoS. Nice system! I like your LP12. For me there's just something intrinsically right, aesthetically, and indeed musically, about an Ittok LV II arm and Asaka (or Karma/Troika) on an LP12. I actually prefer the Ittok to the (supposedly superior) Ekos! ;)

How do you find using the Lentek with your Asaka? Is it a good match? It's a nice sounding unit (I have a modified one, which I use with a DL-103), but somewhat hissy, although it's clean hiss, not hum, and only audible when there's no music playing. Do you use the Lentek mostly with the P10 or the EAR?

You should check out the Lentek modifying threads here on AoS (just do a search) - there's a lot you can do to the little beastie to *really* make it sing! :trust:

I agree with Chris' comments about your set-up, but I totally understand your circumstances, and so instead would commend you on how cosy your room looks and that you've fitted a very nice system into what looks like your home office. I applaud the listening to quality tunes in one's working environment, as I do the same thing myself!

Enjoy the forum :cool:

Marco.

[losenotaminute]

Hi Marco,

Thank you for the welcome and the kind words. Thank you also for the forum, I have been looking through old posts trying to learn as much as possible
I'm also very happy with the cd player I purchased from Macca, buying from the forum is so much better than the horror that is eBay these days.

I like the Lentek, the system does have a very quiet hiss, I thought I was getting the same with the EAR, which has it's own step-up, so I had put that down to the Naim. I'll check out the modifications although I don't have the nerve to try anything myself, yet. Next upgrade likely to be the cart, but funds now depleted

I am quite excited about the new pc I've ordered for the room, it's a nofan A40 from quietpc, absolutely silent. I think they could have a big market amongst audiophiles. I'll post some pictures and a review when it arrives.

Lawrence



Hi Lawrence,

Welcome to AoS. Nice system! I like your LP12. For me there's just something intrinsically right, aesthetically, and indeed musically, about an Ittok LV II arm and Asaka (or Karma/Troika) on an LP12. I actually prefer the Ittok to the (supposedly superior) Ekos! ;)

How do you find using the Lentek with your Asaka? Is it a good match? It's a nice sounding unit (I have a modified one, which I use with a DL-103), but somewhat hissy, although it's clean hiss, not hum, and only audible when there's no music playing. Do you use the Lentek mostly with the P10 or the EAR?

You should check out the Lentek modifying threads here on AoS (just do a search) - there's a lot you can do to the little beastie to *really* make it sing! :trust:

I agree with Chris' comments about your set-up, but I totally understand your circumstances, and so instead would commend you on how cosy your room looks and that you've fitted a very nice system into what looks like your home office. I applaud the listening to quality tunes in one's working environment, as I do the same thing myself!

Enjoy the forum :cool:

Marco.

[htm_1968]

What phono stage did you use with your LP12? I have recently had my PS P10 returned after a repair and I have to say it sounds more alive than the EAR 834P that I was using while it was away.

I read a lot of sniffy comments about Linn turntables - some people object to the prices and others to the fact that they use wood in the construction. From my perspective buying hifi is more of a pleasure when you get something that has some heritage and is made to last. There is certainly something about the LP12 that apeals to me, but then I may be a bit old fashioned and a sucker for the Linn marketing! As they have been in production for 40 years, you can get all of the parts and you can find people to service them (or take a DIY approach). I also suspect that I should benefit from a TT with suspension as my flat is on the third floor and the floors are very bouncy. I may be completely wrong in this view, but I certainly can't afford to move house.

Lawrence

Hi Lawrence,
When I had the NAP90/NAC92 in my system I ran a Naim Prefix with a HiCap as I've always run MC cartridges. I have slowly upgraded my LP12 to the point where it is full specification now. TBH, I could not care less about the "sniffy comments" about Linn. In my system the LP12 is peerless. We have tried SME's, Thorens, and Nottingham Analogs to name but three, but prefer the synergy between Linn and Naim. I guess this is a matter of personal preference and budget. There isn't really a right or wrong answer is there?

Cheers,

Olan