View Full Version : A Trip to Mr Ed's
Steve Toy
01-12-2009, 14:10
I popped round to Mr Ed's yesterday and got to hear his system which consists of the following, not including the AV setup:
DCS Puccini CD player and Word Clock, Accuphase integrated amp used as a pre and Hot Tubes 80 Watt KT88 push/pull amplifier all on Music Works Revo racks, MIT interconnects/cabling, Music Works Reflex Plus Block and Recoil leads with those new fancy plugs.
Speakers are Focal 927s with Beryllium tweeters. No doubt Jerry will be along to tell us how harsh and spitty they sound. They don't. This was without doubt the cleanest and most detailed top end I've heard anywhere all seemlessly integrated into the rest of a very cohesive, coherent and extended frequency range.
This system seems to do everything right - tunefulness, timing, openness, delicacy, nuance, texture and ultra dry yet tuneful, articulate and textured bass that seems to come from nowhere.
I played Bar fly by Ray Lamontagne and it is probably the best I've heard it.
Pure class. All we need now is some pics...
Focal Electra 927BE "harsh" and "spitty" ??? :scratch: How can this be ? :confused:
Steve Toy
01-12-2009, 14:48
Answer: the system behind them is substandard.
Dave Cawley
01-12-2009, 16:15
It's taken me a long time to sort out my Focal 1038Be unusually touchy but great if/when you get them to work!
Dave
Focals of old (smaller ones anyway) used to have an under-damped bass which either swamped the room or disappeared altogether depending on the port damping. The tweeters were incredibly clear, yet were often set far too high in "HiFi" fashion. Only heard the huge monsters once and they sounded soooooo sloooooooooooow and bland. They looked impressive though..
hifinutt
01-12-2009, 19:24
i would very much like to hear the new 1028 and 1008 , i was entranced by the micro be
and also would like to hear the diablo. anyone have them / are they much of an improvement on the 1027?
i would very much like to hear the new 1028 and 1008 , i was entranced by the micro be
and also would like to hear the diablo. anyone have them / are they much of an improvement on the 1027?
I'm sure someone else will ask, but could you kindly pop into the Welcome section and let us know a bit about yourself? Your system, music tastes, first name, where you are from, etc?
I notice your first post was an ad, which is fine, but we've been berating another new member who's first post was trying to flog something, so we'd better be fair to everyone! :eyebrows:
Welcome, btw, you've obviously been lurking a while!
Steve Toy
01-12-2009, 22:45
Yup Hifinut good to have you around as you seem to be the kind of person who will fit in here. However, as Alex says you need to pop into the welcome area, introduce yourself and furnish us with a few basics like a first name and an approximate location. We like to deal with real human beings here.
:)
Pure class. All we need now is some pics...
Go on them, just the music bits.
Left hand table is Clearaudio Champion, Arcam AV888 processor and 1/2 of Steve Jackson's power amp (which drives the centre channel). Right hand table is dCS Puccini and Puccini U-clock, with Accuphase E-407 being used as music preampo and its power amp section being used to drive the Focal SR1000be surround speakers. On the right is a full stereo Steve Jackson power amp, in the corner a Focal Sub Utopia (A/V only) and one of the Focal 927bes.
It's all a bit cramped, plans are afoot to move the stereo amp to free up some breathing room for the dCS table.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4573/mredsystem.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/mredsystem.jpg/)
Regards,
Ed.
Spectral Morn
03-12-2009, 10:42
Go on them, just the music bits.
Left hand table is Clearaudio Champion, Arcam AV888 processor and 1/2 of Steve Jackson's power amp (which drives the centre channel). Right hand table is dCS Puccini and Puccini U-clock, with Accuphase E-407 being used as music preampo and its power amp section being used to drive the Focal SR1000be surround speakers. On the right is a full stereo Steve Jackson power amp, in the corner a Focal Sub Utopia (A/V only) and one of the Focal 927bes.
It's all a bit cramped, plans are afoot to move the stereo amp to free up some breathing room for the dCS table.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4154555025_95749477af_m.jpg
Regards,
Ed.
Can we have a bigger photo please ?
Regards D S D L
Indeed :)
You can see bugger all in any detail there, Ed! ;)
Glad you guys had a good time, btw.
Marco.
jandl100
06-12-2009, 08:45
no doubt jerry will be along to tell us how harsh and spitty they sound.
How dare you put words into my mouth like that?
Totally outrageous.
A written apology is expected.
Photo doesn't show for me.
Steve Toy
06-12-2009, 10:56
Jerry, what is your opinion of the Focal sound then?
Classical music fan and un-repentant box-swapper .... & Tannoy non-fanboy - I hates 'em!
Moreover, Jerry, why have you felt it necessary to add that bit to your signature recently?
Don't get me wrong, I don't give a monkey's bollocks what you think of Tannoys (as much of it is simply due to ignorance), but adding "I hates em!" to the end seems provocative and unnecessary :(
You've already made your point by stating that you're a "Tannoy non-fanboy". The "I hates 'em!" bit is just silly.
If you were to put: "I hates the ones I've heard so far", that would be rather more accurate! ;)
Marco.
aquapiranha
06-12-2009, 11:42
He's just yanking your chain Marco, Jerry would never set out to upset anyone.
I don't have a problem with that in the slightest, Steve (I like a larf), as has been proven by Jerry's previous signature of:
"Classical music fan and un-repentant box-swapper .... & Tannoy non-fanboy" being allowed to stand for some time. It's the recent addition of "I hates 'em!" to the end which I feel is a step too far. I'm not upset - I just think it's unnecessary.
How would others react who use the equipment mentioned if we all put what kit we "hated" at the end of our signatures?
Not everyone is as thick-skinned as me!
Marco.
(Beresford DAC non-fanboy... I hates 'em! - NOT!) ;)
Steve Toy
06-12-2009, 16:20
Jerry could do with learning not to judge components in isolation.
His signature could read:
Classical music fan and unrepentent box-swapper. Shooter of messengers.
His signature could read:
Classical music fan and unrepemtent box-swapper. Shooter of messengers.
:lol: You are a very naughty boy!
Marco.
Steve Toy
06-12-2009, 16:30
I know :laugh: :spank:
Steve Toy
06-12-2009, 16:32
Jerry, if you answer my question above (post #14) I'll be able to consider your application for an apology :eek:
Well I guess that if you dish it out (Jerry's sig) then you have to take it back in return... We can all "yank chains"! ;)
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4351/1044v.gif (http://img237.imageshack.us/i/1044v.gif/)
Marco.
Spectral Morn
06-12-2009, 17:01
Jerry could do with learning not to judge components in isolation.
His signature could read:
Classical music fan and unrepemtent box-swapper. Shooter of messengers.
Perhaps learning to spell...ummmm ;) Might be an idea first. :eyebrows:;):lol::lol::lol: I know the M is beside the N....but !
Regards D S D L
Steve Toy
06-12-2009, 17:04
The issue isn't one of spelling then, is it Neil? as you later went on to point out correctly.
5/10.
Typographical error, me thinks - probably whilst wearing rubber gloves! :eyebrows:
Marco.
Spectral Morn
06-12-2009, 17:09
The issue isn't one of spelling then, is it Neil? as you later went on to point out correctly.
5/10.
Oh well you can't blame me for having a try....;):lol::lol::lol::lol::doh:
Regards D S D L
Spectral Morn
06-12-2009, 17:10
Typographical error, me thinks - probably whist wearing rubber gloves! :eyebrows:
Marco.
You too then.....:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:
Regards D S D L
LOL! I've got an excuse though... I've just polished off a goodly chunk of this (which Del made today) along with home-made Yorkshire puds:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3819/roast-rib-of-beef
...and half a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin! :cocktail:
Marco.
jandl100
06-12-2009, 18:59
Jerry, what is your opinion of the Focal sound then?
I am still stunned at the memory of the beryllium tweeter in the first Grand (?) Utopia speaker I heard at a Show - simply the best 'conventional' (i.e. non-ribbon or stat, which just do things differently) tweeter I have ever heard. In my experience, though, the 'lesser' (i.e. built down to a price) Be tweeters are nowhere near as good. They tend to brightness and would need accompanying components on the soft/dull side of the fence to synergise well.
jandl100
06-12-2009, 19:05
He's just yanking your chain Marco, Jerry would never set out to upset anyone.
Thanks, Steve.
Am I really the only one around here who can understand why I took offense at Mr Toy making an assumption about my audio judgement? :scratch:
jandl100
06-12-2009, 19:23
There, is that better, Marco? :)
Classical music fan and un-repentant box-swapper .... & Tannoy non-fanboy - I hated every single one that I have ever heard! :ner:
Thanks, Jerry. I feel that's now much more representative of reality! Besides, the amendment will save you backtracking too much after you've heard mine at Scalford Hall :lol:
;)
Marco.
jandl100
06-12-2009, 19:34
Thanks, Jerry. I feel that's now much more representative of reality! Besides, the amendment will save you backtracking too much after you've heard mine at Scalford Hall :lol:
;)
Marco.
Hi Marco
I really would love to be able to backtrack on my Tannoy judgement. It isn't the sensible approach for a box-swapper to have to ignore a manufacturer. ;) I'd much prefer to keep my options open.
But I do wonder about the need to go to the nth degree of tweakiness with just the right vintage and type of driver/cabinet etc as you have done, to get them sounding decent (assuming I think that yours do sound decent - remember that we probably assess things against quite different musical criteria given the differences in our musical tastes). I recall that you have previously agreed with my dismissal of the usual "Tannoy-sound" as grainy in the mids and prone to treble shriek.
Hi Jerry,
I really would love to be able to backtrack on my Tannoy judgement. It isn't the sensible approach for a box-swapper to have to ignore a manufacturer. I'd much prefer to keep my options open.
Hey, you can't like everything, dude! :)
But I do wonder about the need to go to the nth degree of tweakiness with just the right vintage and type of driver/cabinet etc as you have done, to get them sounding decent...
No doubt I've gone to the nth degree of tweakiness to get mine sounding the way they do (and they're not finished yet!), but there are still plenty of fab souding Tannoys out there other than mine - you've just missed them so far ;)
remember that we probably assess things against quite different musical criteria given the differences in our musical tastes).
Yep, of course that's definitely a factor. However, I do own and enjoy some classical music (my favourite composer is Dmitri Shostakovich - I love the brooding melancholy of his work), and it sounds absolutely majestic through the Lockwoods...
When crescendos kick in and an orchestra is at full tilt the sound is reproduced with massive scale and gravitas, conveying a real feeling of 'being there'. I know because we often go to hear the BBC National Orchestra of Wales http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/now/ play at the local hall.
I recall that you have previously agreed with my dismissal of the usual "Tannoy-sound" as grainy in the mids and prone to treble shriek.
Yep, I am 100% with you on that! With (I would say the majority) of Tannoys you can hear the horn tweeter quacking away, generating peaky treble shriek galore with most material. It's painful. In fact, apart from certain models in the current Prestige range I wouldn't touch modern Tannoys with a barge pole! :vomfest:
However.................. That sort of presentation is a million miles away and completely alien to what I enjoy from the Lockwoods, with 15" Monitor Golds. The fact is the best of the vintage drive units (and I include some HPDs in this) are rather unique and voiced in a totally different way to the Tannoys you've heard.
Pop 'em in a top-notch cabinet, and upgrade the (ageing crossover components) and you have something very special indeed on your hands... :rave:
All will be revealed at the pie show!
Marco.
jandl100
07-12-2009, 07:07
Quote: From Jerry:
I recall that you have previously agreed with my dismissal of the usual "Tannoy-sound" as grainy in the mids and prone to treble shriek.
From Marco:
Yep, I am 100% with you on that! With (I would say the majority) of Tannoys you can hear the horn tweeter quacking away, generating peaky treble shriek galore with most material. It's painful. In fact, apart from certain models in the current Prestige range I wouldn't touch modern Tannoys with a barge pole!
Yep, we are as one. :cool: We appear to have very similar perceptions of the 'traditional' Tannoy Sound despite our somewhat different musical tastes.
It's just that I have yet to hear a Tannoy I would choose to live with. Yours may fit the bill - but the GRFs I heard at a recent Show didn't - they avoided the mid grain but couldn't escape the occasional treble shriek ... I honestly suspect it's inherent to the particular horn-loaded nature design of the tweeter - although I look forward to yours maybe proving me wrong!
Roll on Scalford - I'm really looking forward to the whole Show!
jandl100
07-12-2009, 07:14
Well I guess that if you dish it out (Jerry's sig) then you have to take it back in return... We can all "yank chains"! ;)
Marco.
Yep _ I am 100% with you on that. I am more than happy to have my 'chain pulled' in a good humoured way.
But with on-line posted communication that requires the use of a smilie (be it a wink, a LOL sign or, mayhap, a dancing carrot!).
Mr Toys comments about me are sadly lacking any form of indication of good natured, well intentioned humour.
I therefore take Mr Toy's comments as they were obviously intended - as an insult.
Steve Toy
07-12-2009, 08:50
They were not intended as an insult Jerry. Nothing personal at all. I am amused on occasions by the way you judge components in isolation though but it really is nothing personal.
jandl100
07-12-2009, 12:57
Hi Jerry,
.... we often go to hear the BBC National Orchestra of Wales http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/now/ play at the local hall.
Marco.
Oooo - you lucky bugger. A very fine orchestra! :violin: :)
Indeed, Jerry - Del and I love going to their concerts. We love pretty much any form of live music, especially where it involves the playing of 'real' instruments, by which I mean un-amplified, (it's also where 'benchmarks' for hi-fi are formed), therefore we're attending the concerts not really as classical music lovers, per se, but music lovers in general. We enjoy occasionally going to the ballet for that reason, too :)
It's just that I have yet to hear a Tannoy I would choose to live with. Yours may fit the bill - but the GRFs I heard at a recent Show didn't - they avoided the mid grain but couldn't escape the occasional treble shriek ... I honestly suspect it's inherent to the particular horn-loaded nature design of the tweeter - although I look forward to yours maybe proving me wrong!
Whist we both enjoy a bit of banter and robustly defending our viewpoints, it's mostly just tongue-in-cheek. I'm not out to 'convert' you to a Tannoy fan (and that's certainly not what the pie show is about), but perhaps offer you a 'different flavour' with Tannoys than you've sampled previously.
I can't guarantee that you'll like them (that's impossible), but I'm confident you'll be pleasantly surprised, if perhaps them not being entirely to your taste. One thing they don't possess is the 'treble shriek' you and I can both hear in other Tannoy designs. What your opinion of them is thereafter will of course be entirely up to you and very interesting to find out :cool:
Roll on Scalford - I'm really looking forward to the whole Show!
Same here. We're out to have a larf and perhaps prove a point to some detractors (elsewhere) from last year ;)
Marco.
Meanwhile, here are some gratuitious pics of some lurvely Tannoy 15" Monitor Golds, wot I use... :eyebrows:
'Little & Large':
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2881/tannoymonitorgolds.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/tannoymonitorgolds.jpg/)
'You don't get many of these in a pound':
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9611/monitorgold6800.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/i/monitorgold6800.jpg/)
'No subwoofas needed':
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3483/monitorgold2800.jpg (http://img163.imageshack.us/i/monitorgold2800.jpg/)
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/2834/sign0004.gif (http://img46.imageshack.us/i/sign0004.gif/) :fingers:
Marco.
The Grand Wazoo
09-12-2009, 23:39
Gerroff!
Ya call that a bleedin' woofer?
Nah bruv, you needs sum o' dese li'l tinkas
http://www.soundimage.dk/images/Giant%20woofer.jpg
You're right; I'm just playing at it!! :lolsign:
Does that guy look as if he's got any friends?
Marco.
The Grand Wazoo
10-12-2009, 00:07
Does that guy look as if he's got any friends?
I think they're either in hopsicle with bleeding ears & perforated chest diaphragms or he got sealed in when they finished building the crossover. Now he's awaiting his fate................
The Grand Wazoo
10-12-2009, 00:14
No, I was wrong - it's a stereo pair. I've just found his mates!
http://www.gizmowatch.com/images/60-inch_sub-woofer.jpg
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