Holiday System

[Spectral Morn]

I was - as I sit here tonight enjoying Dead Can Dance: Within The Realm of A Dying Sun 24bit 88.2 - in the wilds of Scotland (about 7 miles from Glamis) wondering if I am alone in bringing a modest hifi system away on holiday with them ?

This modest setup includes Acer Laptop, 2TB WD Elements Hard Drive, iFi Audio iUSB Power, IFi Audio iDAC, (new iFi Audio usb Gemini cable), Teac Reference 300 integrated amplifier, Sennheisser 560 Ovation mk2 Headphones, pair of Mission 70 speakers, Kimber KCAG RCA to RCA Interconnect, Mark Grant 2.5 mainscable feeding laptop PSU (seems to make a difference) and some chunky OFC speaker cable.

The amount of space required to do this, two modest boxes sat on the back seat of the car coming over here and the end result - despite speakers sitting on the floor - lovely music on tap. Of course a computer source takes up less room in this case than a CD player and loads of CDs.

So am I the only sado to do this?


Regards Neil

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/011_zps2d5c3732.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/011_zps2d5c3732.jpg.html)

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/001_zps88c1e5c7.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/001_zps88c1e5c7.jpg.html)

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/004_zpsc31a2395.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/004_zpsc31a2395.jpg.html)

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/006_zps325dcf01.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/006_zps325dcf01.jpg.html)

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/007_zps315686b6.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/007_zps315686b6.jpg.html)

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/010_zpsce1297cf.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/010_zpsce1297cf.jpg.html)

[Firebottle]

It appears you may be :eyebrows:
.... but I'm impressed that you do.

Have you thought of something possibly based on a collapsible tripod to support the speakers? Wouldn't be the most rigid support but would fold up to a small volume.

:cool:Alan

[Marco]

Respect, Neil! :D

Hope you're having a nice holiday up there, too... The room you're in looks interesting! :)

Marco.

[The Grand Wazoo]

When we're travelling in the UK and have the room to accommodate a small system, we take one with us. Can't be without music unless it's totally unavoidable!
We use the little Genexxa LX5's, a Standac and an Amptastic thingy. In days gone by, we used the exact amp that you have there Neil - temporarily swiped from my daughter's system.

Is that a Morso Squirrel woodburner that I see there in that fireplace?
Hope you have a great break Neil.

[walpurgis]

I have a surprisingly good sounding portable system.

A TDK S-60 multimedia speaker system with a Sharp MD-88 MiniDisc player! The whole lot with some discs fits in a carrier bag.

[Rare Bird]

Take -Away: I use Notebook running FLAC through HRT 'Headstreamer'/Sony 'MDR-ZX600' Headphones...

[Spectral Morn]

It appears you may be :eyebrows:
.... but I'm impressed that you do.

Have you thought of something possibly based on a collapsible tripod to support the speakers? Wouldn't be the most rigid support but would fold up to a small volume.

:cool:Alan

Hi Alan


I have thought about it, but usually there is somewhere to site them, a mantle piece or window sill. However in this cottage's case those surfaces are already in use and I don't want to modify - too heavily - the lay out of the cottage.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

Respect, Neil! :D

Hope you're having a nice holiday up there, too... The room you're in looks interesting! :)

Marco.

Hi Marco

So far so good, weathers to be a bit damp today so I will be visiting Glamis Castle and popping down to Dundee to have a look in Grouchos Record Shop.

The cottage is nice I will post some photos up later.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

When we're travelling in the UK and have the room to accommodate a small system, we take one with us. Can't be without music unless it's totally unavoidable!
We use the little Genexxa LX5's, a Standac and an Amptastic thingy. In days gone by, we used the exact amp that you have there Neil - temporarily swiped from my daughter's system.

Is that a Morso Squirrel woodburner that I see there in that fireplace?
Hope you have a great break Neil.

Had a look at the woodburner but I can't see a make or model number on it.

The Teac 300 amp is very good for what it is. That Reference 300 system components always got good reviews - very much a sins of omission not commission set up. Genexxa LX5 I have always wanted a pair. Nice setup to take away with you Chris glad I am not the only sado :) lol.

Thanks Chris I need the break - since late last year things have been horrible and stressful, so some chill out time was required.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

Take -Away: I use Notebook running FLAC through HRT 'Headstreamer'/Sony 'MDR-ZX600' Headphones...

Nice set up Andre

Its hard to be away from music for long. For me it feels like leaving a limb behind.


Regards Neil

[Rare Bird]

^

Hi Neil
Yes i go crazy without music. I like HRT products they sound amazing for the money & i was quite shocked how good those Sony headphones were for such a small outlay..

[Tim]

:respect:

Happy hols . . .

[Spectral Morn]

I have a surprisingly good sounding portable system.

A TDK S-60 multimedia speaker system with a Sharp MD-88 MiniDisc player! The whole lot with some discs fits in a carrier bag.

Hi Geoff

I have been taking a small Aiwa CSD-EL50 away for years, its a lovely sounding system albeit its a compromised sound but again I don't think it mucks things up too badly.

http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/001_zps70f82277.jpg (http://s549.photobucket.com/user/davros124/media/001_zps70f82277.jpg.html)


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

:respect:

Happy hols . . .

Thanks Tim :)


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

^

Hi Neil
Yes i go crazy without music. I like HRT products they sound amazing for the money & i was quite shocked how good those Sony headphones were for such a small outlay..

Hi Andre

There was one for sale here on AOS a little while ago. I was curious but the lack of 192 ability and a slight shortage of funds put me off but if I see one again I might have a punt.


Regards Neil

[walpurgis]

I think any small 'holiday system' is going to be a compromise, but the point is the music, not what it's played on.

I visit friends who use the most diabolical sounding equipment, but when they put a few sounds on that I like, I still enjoy it, so that proves the point really.

[walpurgis]

I have been taking a small Aiwa CSD-EL50 away for years, its a lovely sounding system albeit its a compromised sound but again I don't think it mucks things up too badly.

For the purpose, that's all that matters Neil.

[Tim]

Keep an eye out for the Music Streamer II+ Neil, worth the extra outlay over the Streamer II IMO, but they are all superb TBH and real value for money. I'm using my Streamer II+ most of the time now and will shortly be plugging it directly into a 405-2 and with the short USB direct connector you would be surprised how good it sounds - less is more.

I always found it a little bright with the Brio-R, but with the QUAD so far it seems a perfect match, not had much listening yet as the 405 is away for service, but looking forward to getting it back. Those HRT's certainly punch well above their weight and for something you can slip in a pocket and power from a USB port, what's not to like :D

[Spectral Morn]

Keep an eye out for the Music Streamer II+ Neil, worth the extra outlay over the Streamer II IMO, but they are all superb TBH and real value for money. I'm using my Streamer II+ most of the time now and will shortly be plugging it directly into a 405-2 and with the short USB direct connector you would be surprised how good it sounds - less is more.

I always found it a little bright with the Brio-R, but with the QUAD so far it seems a perfect match, not had much listening yet as the 405 is away for service, but looking forward to getting it back. Those HRT's certainly punch well above their weight and for something you can slip in a pocket and power from a USB port, what's not to like :D

Hi Tim

An interesting product for sure, and one I would like to compare to the iFi Audio iDAC.


Regards Neil

[Rare Bird]

Hi Andre

There was one for sale here on AOS a little while ago.


Regards Neil

Hi Neil
I think you maybe refering to the Music Streamer, i saw one of those for sale here, not the head streamer!

[Spectral Morn]

I think any small 'holiday system' is going to be a compromise, but the point is the music, not what it's played on.

I visit friends who use the most diabolical sounding equipment, but when they put a few sounds on that I like, I still enjoy it, so that proves the point really.

Agreed but start from a high quality start off point and despite the setup compromise - speakers on the floor is a defo no no - it should still sound very good as I am finding out.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Neil
I think you maybe refering to the Music Streamer, i saw one of those for sale here, not the head streamer!

ahhhh yes that was what it was Andre :doh: I must confess I know very little about those products and they do look similar to each other.


Regards Neil

[Rare Bird]

I think you'll be more than impressed with the Streamer II, i was gob smaked when i first heard one with FLAC files, Tim likes them a lot too..

[Tim]

I think you'll be more than impressed with the Streamer II, i was gob smaked when i first heard one with FLAC files, Tim likes them a lot too..
:thumbsup:

Very good VFM and I like their simplicity, John (Welder) was a big fan too and had the Pro. The Pro has been replaced by the new HD version which has balanced outputs and it does 192k too.

http://www.audiostream.com/images/3413hrt2a.jpg

http://www.audiostream.com/images/3413hrt2.jpg

Second hand Streamer II's can be hand for around a hundred which is a real bargain - the II+ adds a little more bass and refinement, not heard the HD yet.

[AlexM]

I've got a MS II+, and it compares to my home DAC.. slightly different presentation, but very enjoyable and musical. I was pleasently suprised by it's sound quality - it compares well with most sub-1k DACS, albeit that it is limited to 24bit/96Khz (so what!). If I were in your situation, I'd stick my MS-902is, Denon UD-M31 my laptop and the MS II+ in the boot of my car.

Regards,
Alex

[Spectral Morn]

:thumbsup:

Very good VFM and I like their simplicity, John (Welder) was a big fan too and had the Pro. The Pro has been replaced by the new HD version which has balanced outputs and it does 192k too.

http://www.audiostream.com/images/3413hrt2a.jpg

http://www.audiostream.com/images/3413hrt2.jpg

Second hand Streamer II's can be hand for around a hundred which is a real bargain - the II+ adds a little more bass and refinement, not heard the HD yet.

Hi Tim


That does look interesting with all the bases covered.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

I've got a MS II+, and it compares to my home DAC.. slightly different presentation, but very enjoyable and musical. I was pleasently suprised by it's sound quality - it compares well with most sub-1k DACS, albeit that it is limited to 24bit/96Khz (so what!). If I were in your situation, I'd stick my MS-902is, Denon UD-M31 my laptop and the MS II+ in the boot of my car.

Regards,
Alex

Hi Alex

Yep pretty much what I have done - that would be a nice holiday system.


Regards Neil

[bobbasrah]

Not dissimilar needs Neil, but similar requirements for working overseas....:rolleyes:
Home : Laptop + 02US + 2Tb drive + Dayton 100a + Alpair 7.3, the Alpairs should get boxed at some point, then demounted when I leave the project - fits neatly in the case. Not the most refined of amps, but drowns out the local racket...:steam:
Work : Laptop + Epiphany Acoustics EHP02 + 2Tb drive + Beyer DT990.
All but the speakers are a tight fit into the laptop bag for a fast exit, just hope if all hell breaks loose slowly I can unscrew the Alpairs before legging it... not exactly a holiday setup I guess:mental:

[pjdowns]

Hi Neil and hope you're enjoying your holiday.

I always take away with me an iPod Mini and Sennheiser PX100 II headphones when I go away from home.

[Ali Tait]

Not the only saddo Neil, I worked away from home for 20+ years. Had a pretty good portable (ish) system by the end- Valab class A monoblocks, MF F22 preamp, pair of bespoke bookshelf speakers built by Colin Topps for me, using Alpair 7's. All fed from a HD full of FLAC via my laptop. Sounded pretty good. Had a Sky box hooked up too.

[Figlet108]

...I worked away from home for 20+ years...
Wow Ali, now that's commitment. Did the wife even recogonise you when you finally returned?
:)

[Ali Tait]

:lol: She's now the ex wife..

[Figlet108]

Well that's one way to send a message to a wife you have outgrown: "Just going out to work, darling. I may be some time..."
:wave:

[Theadmans]

Last week we had a holiday in a cottage in Southwold. I comtemplated taking my Bushmaster, Squeezebox Touch, 2TB External Harddrive and Sennheiser HD650s.

However, I couldn't be arsed so I just loaded some of my favourite albums onto the 32GB memory card of my cheap Chinese Tablet and took the Sennheiser HD650s to plug into the Tablet direct. As an afterthought threw in a bottle Laphroig Single Malt into the Car boot too.

Each evening after the kids had gone to bed I glugged a nice large glass of Laphroig and settled down with the tablet and HD650s. Have to say Tangerine Dream's Phaedra - amongst others - sounded pretty good. Sometimes I wonder if we over complicate this Hi-Fi hobby !

[Rare Bird]

More & more listern to my little holiday system, the more i think to myself why the hell do i go through all the grief of a main system, i could happliy live with the simple little system, but then it's just my old fashion ways & my 60's/70's obsession of things that era that always pulls me away from the idea..Shame im as puddled, i might get somewhere in life if not :lol:

[Ali Tait]

Well that's one way to send a message to a wife you have outgrown: "Just going out to work, darling. I may be some time..."
:wave:

:D Aye, it was traumatic at the time, but I look back now and think what an idiot I was for sticking it for so long..

[Tim]

Sometimes I wonder if we over complicate this Hi-Fi hobby !
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/orangeyes_zps73933c22.gif

Yes some do and listening to music for me has never been something I considered a hobby ;)

[Rothchild]

For UK holidays (normally with a group of friends) I regularly travel with a pair of Alesis M1 Actives (MK1 - much nicer than the later MK2s), an Edirol UA25 and laptop. Always important to always travel with at least one 'most useful cable in the world' (1/8th inch jack to RCA) and a couple of RCA/1/4inch jack adapters so folk can plug in their pods /phones /etc or so you can jack in to whatever 'ghetto blaster' you can find along the way.

Have also (on occasion) gone on holiday with large pair of 70's goodmans (10inch bass drivers), pair of 1210s, mixer, box of records, laptop, edirol etc etc but all my mates spolied that stuff by having kids and becoming boring!

HoHum!

[Spectral Morn]

Not dissimilar needs Neil, but similar requirements for working overseas....:rolleyes:
Home : Laptop + 02US + 2Tb drive + Dayton 100a + Alpair 7.3, the Alpairs should get boxed at some point, then demounted when I leave the project - fits neatly in the case. Not the most refined of amps, but drowns out the local racket...:steam:
Work : Laptop + Epiphany Acoustics EHP02 + 2Tb drive + Beyer DT990.
All but the speakers are a tight fit into the laptop bag for a fast exit, just hope if all hell breaks loose slowly I can unscrew the Alpairs before legging it... not exactly a holiday setup I guess:mental:

I won't ask, just in case you would have to shoot me afterwards :eek:

Regards Neil

[The Grand Wazoo]

.....The Teac 300 amp is very good for what it is. That Reference 300 system components......

Oops! I thought it was the Ref. 500 - that's the one we used & my daughter still does

[pjdowns]

Well that's one way to send a message to a wife you have outgrown: "Just going out to work, darling. I may be some time..."
:wave:

:rfl:

[Spectral Morn]

More & more listern to my little holiday system, the more i think to myself why the hell do i go through all the grief of a main system, i could happliy live with the simple little system, but then it's just my old fashion ways & my 60's/70's obsession of things that era that always pulls me away from the idea..Shame im as puddled, i might get somewhere in life if not :lol:

Hi Andre

I am really enjoying the music, not the hifi aspects which are pretty much missing - speakers on the floor tends to do that - but tonality, emotion etc.

But I know what's missing so I could not settle for this as is, but a few tweaks here and there, better amp, speakers, cabling etc and ahhhhh :scratch: I would end up with what I have at home lol


Regards Neil

[pjdowns]

Sometimes I wonder if we over complicate this Hi-Fi hobby !

I sugest we probably do Adam... but it ain't half fun ;) :)

[Spectral Morn]

Oops! I thought it was the Ref. 500 - that's the one we used & my daughter still does

Hi Chris

yep 500 is a better amp and a wee bit bigger, about twice the size if I recall right, but a 300 is still a nice wee integrated for not a lot of money at the time and S/H now a veritable bargain.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w63/greatgig/orangeyes_zps73933c22.gif

Yes some do and listening to music for me has never been something I considered a hobby ;)

Nor I, its a kind of food that I must eat regularly or I starve.


Regards Neil

[The Grand Wazoo]

I've never heard the 300, but Emily's 500 is excellent. Apart from how it sounds, it's built as a proper amp should be built.

[Spectral Morn]

Last week we had a holiday in a cottage in Southwold. I comtemplated taking my Bushmaster, Squeezebox Touch, 2TB External Harddrive and Sennheiser HD650s.

However, I couldn't be arsed so I just loaded some of my favourite albums onto the 32GB memory card of my cheap Chinese Tablet and took the Sennheiser HD650s to plug into the Tablet direct. As an afterthought threw in a bottle Laphroig Single Malt into the Car boot too.

Each evening after the kids had gone to bed I glugged a nice large glass of Laphroig and settled down with the tablet and HD650s. Have to say Tangerine Dream's Phaedra - amongst others - sounded pretty good. Sometimes I wonder if we over complicate this Hi-Fi hobby !

It didn't take me too long to pack what I brought with me but I viewed it as a necessity so made the time. The single malt and music sounds quite appealing.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

I've never heard the 300, but Emily's 500 is excellent. Apart from how it sounds, it's built as a proper amp should be built.

they sound pretty similar Chris, but the 500 has more current delivery, has a more fleshed out tonal palette and gives more space and air to the music + the very slightly peaky treble of the 300 is pretty much absent in the 500.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Neil and hope you're enjoying your holiday.

I always take away with me an iPod Mini and Sennheiser PX100 II headphones when I go away from home.

Yes Paul I am thanks and the weather is holding up, just had a nice walk round Glamis castle's grounds.


Regards Neil

[Spectral Morn]

Not the only saddo Neil, I worked away from home for 20+ years. Had a pretty good portable (ish) system by the end- Valab class A monoblocks, MF F22 preamp, pair of bespoke bookshelf speakers built by Colin Topps for me, using Alpair 7's. All fed from a HD full of FLAC via my laptop. Sounded pretty good. Had a Sky box hooked up too.

Hi Ali sounds like a nice set up.


Regards Neil

[pjdowns]

Yes Paul I am thanks and the weather is holding up, just had a nice walk round Glamis castle's grounds.


Regards Neil

That sounds lovely Neil - glad you're having a good time :)

[Ali Tait]

Hi Ali sounds like a nice set up.


Regards Neil

Aye, only problem was it was getting steadily less portable!

[The Grand Wazoo]

Genexxa LX5 I have always wanted a pair.

Well now, I've been tinkerin' with my pair and they're almost done but I hooked them up to the main system half an hour or so ago. Well, what a transformation! They were pretty good before, but now they are a different animal altogether. I've rebuilt the crossover and configured it so it can be bi-amped. The Levinson power amps are currently givin' 'em a right old rogering and they're sounding rather fine! The bass driver was always their downfall, but I do believe I've found a way to get it to work properly....bless it's teeny little cotton socks. No more booming and now the bass player appears to have found some more strings on his instrument. Fantastic!
Thread to follow!

[Rare Bird]

Those JBL Control 1 Pro speakers are suppose to be alright are they not? they would be cool for an holiday system being nice & small..

[The Grand Wazoo]

Yes, pretty rugged too, so good for coping with being knocked around. I don't think they're as good as they used to be though.

[Spectral Morn]

Well now, I've been tinkerin' with my pair and they're almost done but I hooked them up to the main system half an hour or so ago. Well, what a transformation! They were pretty good before, but now they are a different animal altogether. I've rebuilt the crossover and configured it so it can be bi-amped. The Levinson power amps are currently givin' 'em a right old rogering and they're sounding rather fine! The bass driver was always their downfall, but I do believe I've found a way to get it to work properly....bless it's teeny little cotton socks. No more booming and now the bass player appears to have found some more strings on his instrument. Fantastic!
Thread to follow!

Hi Chris

Interesting, I look forward to reading it.


Regards Neil