View Full Version : System update
A couple of changes Rega RS1's -> Acoustic Energy 305's and CA Dacmagic 2 & Pioneer BDP-150 -> Cambridge Audio 752BD
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11857375984_b1d9b001f0_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/barryjp/11857375984/)
Very nice and tidy! Like the look of the AE's, certain that they sound good too!
Regards /Mike
costerdock
10-01-2014, 14:12
Great looking system - I bet it sounds fantastic. Congrats
mr sneff
10-01-2014, 14:15
Looks good, neater, tidier and cleaner than my system :)
RobbieGong
10-01-2014, 19:18
I am liking it !!! :) Love tall systems. What is your rack ? and turntable support ? Combined well.
I am liking it !!! :) Love tall systems. What is your rack ? and turntable support ? Combined well.
Hi Robert, the rack is an Atacama Equinox and the shelf Sound Organisation.
RobbieGong
10-01-2014, 20:15
Hi Robert, the rack is an Atacama Equinox and the shelf Sound Organisation.
Cheers Baz.
The Sony CDP has gone and the Rega Mira3 has been replaced, the rack moved opposite so the speakers can go further apart and back a foot.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3954/15592369325_cfef713238_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pKQYaT)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15413867140_9699a4faea_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pu56G1)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3945/15575871666_3a464172e7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pJopZu)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5601/15591936945_630128402b_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/pKNKD4)
Hi Barry,
That’s a very nice and obviously well thought out system. I particularly like the amp/speaker combo, which should show really well what the best (affordable) modern equipment is capable of.
Respect for using a NAD pre and power, which should not only work superbly well with your speakers, but gel together musically to produce a rather convincing and effortless sound - nice one! :cool:
Marco.
P.S The pic of your T/T deserves to go into the ‘Show us your belters’ competition in Analogue Art.
Hi Barry,
That’s a very nice and obviously well thought out system. I particularly like the amp/speaker combo, which should show really well what the best (affordable) modern equipment is capable of.
Respect for using a NAD pre and power, which should not only work superbly well with your speakers, but gel together musically to produce a rather convincing and effortless sound - nice one! :cool:
Marco.
P.S The pic of your T/T deserves to go into the ‘Show us your belters’ competition in Analogue Art.
Thanks for the heads up Marco, I'll check out the opposition in case I need to do a better one :eyebrows:
The buying of the NADS prompted the rack and speaker replacement, straight away the sound was all on top of me and it was obvious some space was needed.
The speakers were 5 foot apart now 7.5 foot and a foot further back, plus slightly toed in, I had a problem with power leads in the new position so bought a 6 way MDU what a surprise that was !
Zoidburg
22-10-2014, 17:36
Very classy looking system you have there Barry.
Aligauld
22-10-2014, 18:13
Hi Barry,
That really is a beautiful system you've got there.
Cheers,
Alistair
Thanks Alistair :thumbsup:
The Rega looks very pretty in your neat and well put together system Barry.:)
Thanks Andy, I must admit I like things to look right :)
A couple of changes in the last few months , I replaced the NADC370 integrated with a C162 pre , this unbeknown to me at the time would see my beloved modded Rega/2M Black shown the door. Having noted that the Pre's phono stage MM was pretty good not as good as the P10 mind you ,I then read in an old USA mag that the MC side was a revalation for an in built. Having tucked this info away , I thought I'd look out for another T/T to try an MC cart with the NAD pre. Along came the Systemdek , a few tweaks and an audition with a other MC stage and yep :)
A new AT33EV cartridge and I haven't stopped playing records .
Also got a Toshiba SD9500E , flagship DVD player , beautiful machine for use with the DVD-A discs I've been buying , that I'll listen to if I don't switch the Systemdek on first ;)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/380/19548400334_0e59c19714_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/vMqEn5)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/300/19983013570_c9edf897fd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/wrQaJJ)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/454/19550074033_81123e6fcd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/vMzeTX)
That Systemdek looks mint for a used buy. Very tidy system you have there.
Idlewithnodrive
31-07-2015, 15:28
That rig looks cracking Barry; seems to be an excellent result all round :)
That Systemdek looks mint for a used buy. Very tidy system you have there.
Yes I see it has the Acrylic Platter option fitted - that's a good set up. If you are looking for a fairly cheap upgrade, the next time you replace the belt have a look at the Origin Live upgrade belt - I fitted on to my Systemdek, and it's a noticable improvement. (their bearing oil works well on the Systemdek too!) Just be careful to measure your existing belt when ordering, I found that their data on Systemdek belts did not match my deck.
Thanks for the comments guys, Graeme the Acrylic platter was fitted very recently , I got it from Audio Note who sell them for this deck, it cost £10 less than I paid for the deck !
I fitted a new belt and oiled the bearing , also removed the hardboard base and fitted an underslung Isokinetik weight which I already had.
System looks great, and very well thought out. Knowing what difference a decent counterweight does for the RB250 im sure it sounds very good too!
How do you source DVD A material today? EBay/Amazon?
Atb Mike
How do you source DVD A material today? EBay/Amazon?
Atb Mike
Very rare , although Steven Wilson seems to like it as a lot of his remasters have a 5.1 and Stereo DVD-A editions.
I've recently bought ELP , Yes , Wakeman , Porcupine tree, Deluxe sets which all have 2CDs and a DVD-A disc.
Various sources , the first two ELP now out of print I got from their webshop in America.
Haselsh1
01-08-2015, 15:35
Damn fine turntable you have there and loving the look of the black version.
Thanks Shaun , I don't normally like black ash , in this case I had no choice and I am quite fond of it.
More changes :eyebrows:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/633/21082205816_5e983ce3ff_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y7XPib)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5676/21098369862_11b02d080d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/y9oEiC)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/779/20485848384_2a32cd4931_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/xdgk1u)
Coplands always look/sound good to me.
Maybe keep a lookout for one of their excellent matching cd players?
Coplands always look/sound good to me.
Maybe keep a lookout for one of their excellent matching cd players?
Yes I'm tempted one would look nice on the rack but I just wouldn't use it . All my CD's are in the loft I use my CA 752BD for FLAC and DVD-A which are displayed on my TV.
HDMI audio is switched off and the dedicated stereo outputs are used.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/688/20509893904_4952008a89_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/xfoyUq)
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5722/20944648978_b6cfa9aa05_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/xUNNry)
Coplands always look/sound good to me.
Maybe keep a lookout for one of their excellent matching cd players?
Yes I'm tempted one would look nice on the rack but I just wouldn't use it . All my CD's are in the loft I use my CA 752BD for FLAC and DVD-A which are displayed on my TV.
I spoke too soon , I have bought a CD player and my CD's (or some of them ) are no longer in the loft.
The Copland amp has gone as I could not get the sound right in my room a shame as it was a lovey thing. The NAD combo returned well it did until Tuesday when I took a chance on another integrated.
Photos coming soon :)
And the Photos :-
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/21953948493_7edae96a31_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zrZJ2k)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/779/22388307429_c8a35931f2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/A7nVNv)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/647/21952371794_f9540060cd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zrRDjS)
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/620/22387151810_27a04cfea5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/A7h1h3)
Yet again; Beautiful photography!
And very nice kit, but foremost a very inviting music room!
They really get your attention these well built Sony's :)
I'm sure it sounds terrific!
Thanks Mike , the Sony D777es Tuner is possibly the best piece of kit I've ever used , it just oozes quality.
Some changes , mainly I have got rid of my PC workstation and have bought a laptop which has enabled me to reposition my rack and I can no finally use my remotes from the listening position.
After dabbling in CD with a Sony then an Exposure I decided to re-introduce my Toshiba as a transport and get a DAC , don't look a gift horse in the mouth is my motto and when I saw the Arcam FMJ D33 reduced by 66% I got one , thats my digital playback put to bed , period !
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1571/24457137951_88b3c791ca_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Dgce3g)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1625/24243926050_29d13055ae_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/CWmsz1)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1479/24457152021_8e3fd97c22_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DgcidR)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1639/24171711859_4a97176237_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/CPYkNK)
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1572/23912653423_4b5a2326a6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Cr5AKZ)
RobbieGong
22-01-2016, 16:36
Nice Barry! - what speakers are you pushing ?
Thanks Robert , Acoustic Energy 305 , there are some pics in this thread.
thats my digital playback put to bed , period !
Oh yeah ? :doh:
Arcam out and in comes :
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1628/25374908593_6704a93fb3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/EEi3h2)
Tosh in the loft and in comes :
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1669/26003793435_9734ff49e9_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FBSeQ8)
Idlewithnodrive
23-03-2016, 14:01
Oh yeah ? :doh:
Arcam out and in comes :
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1628/25374908593_6704a93fb3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/EEi3h2)
Tosh in the loft and in comes :
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1669/26003793435_9734ff49e9_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FBSeQ8)
Very nice.
So, is that your digital playback put to bed then ? :)
Very nice.
So, is that your digital playback put to bed then ? :)
Yes!! ;)
interesting! Does the Sony have HDMI out?
I'm curious about the M51/C510 partly for their HDMI input.
interesting! Does the Sony have HDMI out?
I'm curious about the M51/C510 partly for their HDMI input.
Hi Mike , the Sony doesn't have HDMI out , I didn't buy it to use with the NAD M51.
The reason for the DAC change was to be able to get the full resolution from Blu-Ray Audio discs , SPDIF out of Blu-Ray is limited to 48khz , you need a DAC with HDMI.
My CA Blu-Ray player plays SACD's but it converts the DSD into PCM hence the reason I bought the Sony.
Ah! Of course!
Can you offer some general advise on whether BluRay audio is worth the effort of getting a HDMI based DAC?
Besides, i've heard so much good about the Arcam DAC and not not much at all bout the NAD!??! Any comments on difference in analog output between these two?
Thanks Baz!
There is nothing to choose between the two DACs both fabulous sound if I had to pick my favourite I'd go for the Arcam but I wanted HDMI input . HDMI DACs are very rare at the moment , Essence , NAD and Bryston , I think thats it . You can buy HDMI de-embedders that have HDMI in and SPDIF out , I had one and it works great but its another box , another plug .
Blu-Ray Audio ? as with all media its dependent on the recording , also not many titles , the first one I got was Genesis' Selling England marketed by High Fidelity - Pure Audio , I have this album on vinyl and two remastered CD versions the Blu-Ray blows them away its awesome.
So, is that your digital playback put to bed then ? :)
Yes it was and yes it is now :lol:
18 months since my last update and during this time I decided to stop chasing gear around and the system has been settled for about 8 months , tried to simplify things , all in one digital box , MM cart to use built in Sonneteer stage .
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4420/36352555074_37c4d1a012_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Xomm7W)
Systemdek XII900/Rega 250/Clearaudio Aurum Beta S/Heed Orbit 2
OPPO UDP-205
Sonneteer Alabaster
AE 305's
That's what I like to see Barry. A neat and tidy system of nice things. Loving your work.
That's what I like to see Barry. A neat and tidy system of nice things. Loving your work.
Why thank you Andrew :)
Neat n tidy...like it.
Hopefully Barry you have boxswapitus out your system now? :)
Something to be said for enjoying the kit you have.
Good choice on the Oppo 205, digital swiss army knife and endgame machine if its Dac hits the spot for you.
New Sabre dac in the 205, how do you rate its analogue outs compared to any Dacs You’ve had in?
Curious new 203 owner asking!
New Sabre dac in the 205, how do you rate its analogue outs compared to any Dacs You’ve had in?
Curious new 203 owner asking!
The DAC is so good more detail in FLACs, Hi-Res Blu-Ray/DVD-A and CD than my Arcam or NAD . The SACD playback is also superb and the DLNA receiver is spot on for streaming whereas the Cambridge BD752 was a little bit hit and miss. Yes as you say an endgame digital machine .
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