Getting there

[custodian]

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae50/Custodian/_DSC1531_zps43602b2a.jpg (http://s956.photobucket.com/user/Custodian/media/_DSC1531_zps43602b2a.jpg.html)


Posted this already in welcome thread. Mods feel free to delete from there.

[jandl100]

So you have all that fabulous kit .... to watch bloody footie! :doh: ;)

Some seriously wonderful kit there. :thumbsup:

When you aren't watching obscenely overpaid dumb-asses kicking a ball around, what music gets played chez-Custodian? :)

[agk]

Nice speaks, shame about the wall art ;-)

[losenotaminute]

Nice speaks, shame about the wall art ;-)

I'm not sure I would sleep well with those speakers in the house, too many nightmares

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8707069617_97ff3f0570.jpg

[custodian]

Yes, pic on tv was unfortunate. However her indoors is mad keen on football!

Music choice? Well it covers a very broad range. I enjoy Bach. Last night we listened to three of the suites for unaccompanied cello. Earlier we listened to Musica Nuda (highly recommended album I heard first in the AN room at the Bristol show.

I like opera and we go to Coventry Garden fairly often so that gives a reality check on sound quality.

Of course, with those speakers and the Halcro amps, the system can also rock!

[losenotaminute]

Yes, pic on tv was unfortunate. However her indoors is mad keen on football!

Music choice? Well it covers a very broad range. I enjoy Bach. Last night we listened to three of the suites for unaccompanied cello. Earlier we listened to Musica Nuda (highly recommended album I heard first in the AN room at the Bristol show.

I like opera and we go to Coventry Garden fairly often so that gives a reality check on sound quality.

Of course, with those speakers and the Halcro amps, the system can also rock!

Who was the cellist? I think the Paul Tortelier Bach suites are outstanding. I'm waiting for my new cello to be setup at the moment and will collect it next weekend. This is my favourite :


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYah2xc3Gp0

[custodian]

I do like the Tortelier interpretations however last night it was Janos Starker and also a short interlude of the Rostropovich later. recording. Starker was the first live performance I ever heard (1957 Edinburgh Festival) and I've had a soft spot for his Bach ever since.

[John]

That is one impressive system you have

[custodian]

I'm not sure I would sleep well with those speakers in the house, too many nightmares

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8537/8707069617_97ff3f0570.jpg

Trust me, no problem.

Like daleks, they have problems with stairs!

[custodian]

That is one impressive system you have

Thanks John.

A few upgrades in the pipeline though. DCS Vivaldi on order to replace Scarlatti is next major change together with upgrade to higher accuracy clock from existing Quarzlock rubidium clock

[losenotaminute]

Trust me, no problem.

Like daleks, they have problems with stairs!

LOL. I'm not sure that's correct though. According to one source:

"The base of a triffid is a large muscle-like root mass comprising many thick tentacles. When dormant/docile, these tentacles are rooted into the ground and are used to draw nutrients, as with a normal plant. When active, triffids use these tentacles to propel themselves along at a moderate walking pace. They are capable of moving faster over open ground. Triffids' roots/tentacles are sufficiently articulate to allow them to climb stairs, and strong enough to allow them to push through fencing. They are not, however, prehensile enough to allow them to use tools."

[custodian]

LOL. I'm not sure that's correct though. According to one source:

"The base of a triffid is a large muscle-like root mass comprising many thick tentacles. When dormant/docile, these tentacles are rooted into the ground and are used to draw nutrients, as with a normal plant. When active, triffids use these tentacles to propel themselves along at a moderate walking pace. They are capable of moving faster over open ground. Triffids' roots/tentacles are sufficiently articulate to allow them to climb stairs, and strong enough to allow them to push through fencing. They are not, however, prehensile enough to allow them to use tools."

Oh dear. Anyone want to buy some triffid speakers?

[losenotaminute]

Oh dear. Anyone want to buy some triffid speakers?

You should be OK as long as there aren't any spectacular night time light shows from space :-)

BTW, can I hijack the thread a bit more and use this opportunity to plug my friend's book for those who are fans of John Wyndham, Tom has written a very Wyndham-esque sci-fi novel which I thought was really excellent:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Ticket-Tom-Duke/dp/1481250515/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394372773&sr=1-1&keywords=tom+duke

He has just finished his second novel which I'm also looking forward to reading shortly.

[custodian]

Only if you send me a free copy

[custodian]

I thought I'd go through the various components, explaining how I got to the particular choice and what, if any, upgrade might be on the cards.

Starting with the support system. This really is a key component. I'm neither an electrical engineer nor a civil engineer so don't look for a detailed technical discussion. My choices were empirical and subjective. I may have rationalised the choices with some pseudo science but mainly I bought stuff that made the system sound good.

Stage 1
First serious support system used was the Base system which is a rigid wooden stand with seperate wooden platforms that have two polymer strips along the underside. I suspect the system was not particular resolving so really would not have made it easy to choose optimum support system. Probably the main thing I learned in this stage came from a spell using Sap Relaxa magnetic levitation platform. This uses strong magnets to float the platform in free air. One school of thought would say that this could be an ideal solution. However the Sap Relaxa had a very negative effect on sound quality, irrespective as to which audio component was on top.

Stage 2
Finite Elemente Master Reference.
As system got more resolving, I decided to pay more attention to support systems. Tried Finite Elemente at home and was very impressed with results. Much more detail seemed audible without any added brightness.

Cost was a major issue, however results so good that I ended up with 3 racks and 2 amp stands, each equipped with the appropriate support feet. In truth, the support feet had a greater effect than the racks. The cheaper Ceraballs had the least positive effect, causing an increase in brightness. The Cerapuc feet were a very positive improvement whilst the Cerabases were used for heavier components such as power amps.

This system was in use until recently when, through a chance used ad, the HRS stuff came along.

Stage 3
This is the current rack system. I had the chance to try it and was so impressed that I took the plunge and bought a complete system.

When I'm home, I'll post some detailed pics and a description of how the system works. Sound quality is much better than with the Finite Elelemente stands. The FE stuff sounds coloured and a touch bright. The Harmonic Resolution system is completed with Nimbus support feet and by seperate damping plates which sit on top of each component.

Further details and pics to follow.