What to change next?

[mightymonoped]

I'm in a bit of a general quandary really..

I like the sound of the system I have right now, but I'm conscious of it's limitations and those of my current environment (having gone from a large room in a detached house to cozy apartment living).

Kit I currently have is:-


Rega Planar 3 with RB300 and Goldring 1012GX
Audio Analogue Puccini SE (first model)
Audio Analogue Paganini CD Player
Mordaunt Short MS400 (vintage 70's speakers with one careful owner)



It's a lovely 'musical' system with a warm and involving character but is not at it's best in terms of detail or soundstage.

I'm told the AA Puccini is has a lot of the characteristics of a valve sound (considering it is SS) and this is something I very much like. I already know it can deliver better resolution and imaging (as it did with my previous Triangle Zephyrs).

I'm not really looking to invest more time and money on the turntable at this point as I've tweaked the Rega already and my vinyl collection is not going to grow (at this point).

I suppose I'm looking for the best bang for the buck with what is next. Problem is, I keep going back and forth between amplifier and speakers? The room size and nature of apartment living means I'm not looking for big floor standers (I tend to listen at limited volume anyway). The speakers I have are lovely and I'm wondering whether I should dip a toe into the world of valve amplification (of which I know nothing) or just change the speakers to make the most of the still very capable Puccini SE?

Questions, questions! Any input or advice as to what to do next is welcomed!

Tony

[hifi_dave]

I would suggest changing the speakers will bring the biggest improvement for your money.

[Dynamics]

Yes I reckon you have answered your own question, speakers are definitely the thing to look at.

I saw you live in Maningtree which is always, I thought, a nice place. Used to take our dog for a walk over there a lot when I lived in the area.

There are not many decent hi fi dealers in Colchester anymore I don't think. Ipswich maybe, but there is martins in Norwich but I tend to think the better ones are in 'Essex boy' Essex down south if you know what I mean.

[walpurgis]

Hmm. The MS400 may be old, but it wasn't a bad speaker at all. Is it still on its original crossover capacitors? It could be worth investigating, as old electrolytics can kill the sound of potentially decent speakers. It's a cheap and simple upgrade.




.

[spendorman]

As Geoff says, replace old electrolytic capacitors in the crossovers. In my view the 400's cabinets are a bit small. Larger cabinets would help, this is what I found with the version that use the EMI elliptical bass unit. There was another version that use a round bass unit. Some versions have KEF T15 tweeter, others have a soft dome unit, possibly Heco/ Peerless.

[mightymonoped]

These are in original spec. Elliptical bass units and original hf and super-tweeter. Will post details as I have the original docs with the speakers. [emoji4]


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[walpurgis]

Could be a cheap boost to the sound of your system!

[mightymonoped]

Thanks all! Definitely going to look at replacing the capacitors as I'm not aware of any mods having been made. May update the speaker sockets at the same time as they are in need of it too. I remember being entranced by these speakers at their original owners around 25 years ago; would be nice to see if I can get some of that magic back.


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[mightymonoped]

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/mightymonoped/HiFi/C342C625-D8BE-443A-A9A9-525B34BEB4B1_zpssgxq6agm.jpg
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/mightymonoped/HiFi/6E94A7A1-624B-4510-945D-09BD9B7819DA_zpsg9o25ivn.jpg



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[walpurgis]

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/mightymonoped/HiFi/C342C625-D8BE-443A-A9A9-525B34BEB4B1_zpssgxq6agm.jpg
http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/mightymonoped/HiFi/6E94A7A1-624B-4510-945D-09BD9B7819DA_zpsg9o25ivn.jpg


I have that too (and a mountain of other vintage brochures).

[mightymonoped]

http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd465/mightymonoped/HiFi/3B736D11-5C6B-424E-BA14-33DD8EA17E44_zps8rb1vmah.jpg

Will take a look inside tomorrow..any advice on replacement rev electrolytic capacitors to use would be appreciated as this is all a big learning curve for me.


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[walpurgis]

They likely will be the old black and red Alcaps. I use modern Alcaps as replacements.

[struth]

Used to have a Puccini amp. Quite liked it in many ways but it was perhaps a tad soft

[Martyn Miles]

'What to change next?'

Fortunately I have reached the time of life when I am really happy with what I have.
The silliness of youth, changing kit like girlfriends.
Something to be said for being over Sixty...

[mightymonoped]

Used to have a Puccini amp. Quite liked it in many ways but it was perhaps a tad soft

I certainly can see that, even when comparing it to some of it's peers when I bought it, and it's certainly sounds softer with the MS400 than it was with the Triangles but it has kept me more interested in what I'm listening to than thinking about the characteristics of the systems sound, if you know what I mean?
The change of environment may have put an end to that spell and it may be time to look at revising the kit. I saw another thread on the forum that was 'Tone v Detail', I guess I've been leaning towards tone.


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[mightymonoped]

'What to change next?'

Fortunately I have reached the time of life when I am really happy with what I have.
The silliness of youth, changing kit like girlfriends.
Something to be said for being over Sixty...

Hi Martyn,
This is the first real change (other than selling speakers I no longer had room for) in more than 25 years..not exactly Quixotic! [emoji4]
Tony


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[struth]

I certainly can see that, even when comparing it to some of it's peers when I bought it, and it's certainly sounds softer with the MS400 than it was with the Triangles but it has kept me more interested in what I'm listening to than thinking about the characteristics of the systems sound, if you know what I mean?
The change of environment may have put an end to that spell and it may be time to look at revising the kit. I saw another thread on the forum that was 'Tone v Detail', I guess I've been leaning towards tone.


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Think i moved to a triode valve amp from that which had better drive( missed the velvety tone mind a bit) very well built too. A big Sony or other Jap amp might change your presentation too. All depends on what you like. Best to keep old one until your sure you like change.

[MikeMusic]

If you haven't already put in an unswitched socket.
Then a bank on the wall or a Schuko block so the fuses don;t get in the way

[mightymonoped]

Well, I've got some capacitors and new binding posts for the speakers. Planning on fitting them at the weekend. On a complete tangent however, I impulse bought a iQAudio Dac+ and have set up a NAS with a view to rebuilding my iTunes library in lossless format. Oh my goodness does it sound good! Seems to have breathed a new lease of life into the system, and that's before fiddling with the speakers. Currently enjoying rediscovering my music collection again! [emoji4]


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[Anthony K]

Interconnects , speaker cable and mains maybe

[Dynamics]

Hi Tony
Did you listen to any speakers. If so which ones. Any good?
Simon

[mightymonoped]

Still fiddling with the MS400 as it's an opportunity to see if a capacitor replacement improves things without really risking anything. I do value the mid-range 'rightness' and the new addition of the iQAudio Dac+ has reminded me of what I like about the system and the synergy it seems to have. As I am unlikely to be moving anytime soon, when I do replace the speakers it will have to be with something that is similarly engaging.
Only problem for me is that there aren't too many opportunities to check stuff out and I may have to take a chance in the end.
Would quite like to hear some opinions of types such as the
Kef LS50
Q Acoustic Concept 20
As these seem to be the kind of thing I am looking for?
I'm not going to start building my living accommodation around my hifi anymore, whatever I get will have to fit in with everything else. Similarly, I'm not going to start looking at rewiring the flat or an endless round of interconnect/cable evaluations. I don't have the time or inclination to do that anymore.
I don't mind a bit of DIY on the main components as I'd like to get some experience and address my woeful soldering skills.
Who knows, I may even stretch to a bit of speaker building at some point?

[mightymonoped]

Well, months have passed and I have done a bit of noodling with various bits. My preferred source is now digital via an Allo Boss DAC (currently running in). Amplifier is currently being serviced/repaired and I have acquired what I thought would be the best option for this room, a mini-monitor style speaker in the form of the AVI NuNeutron, picked up at a reasonable price on fleabay.

I’ve spent a while playing with the AVIs, and they certainly are a very capable speaker. Tried them out in different positions and setups (standmount and 2.1 with an ok sub).

At the end of it all, I have come back to the MS 400 as my preferred setup. There is an effortless, natural sound to the MS that trumps the dynamics, detail and imaging of the AVI for me. Highly likely that I’d need a beast of an amp to get the best out of the AVI and this is unlikely to be happening soon.

May hang on to them for now as I really want to check then out with the Puccini/Allo Boss before I move them on. Definitely worth trying as it has taught me a lot about what I’m looking for, not sure if I can articulate it but I’ll know it when I hear it. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171105/a9942c0aece6f634fa083ab6ed5b300b.jpg


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[walpurgis]

Which version of the MS400 are they Tony? There were ones with round bass uints and others with ellipticals. Some had KEF T15 mids and some had what I believe may have been a Peerless or Audax dome.

[mightymonoped]

Which version of the MS400 are they Tony? There were ones with round bass uints and others with ellipticals. Some had KEF T15 mids and some had what I believe may have been a Peerless or Audax dome.

I believe they are T15 mids with elliptical EMI bass.

T


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[mightymonoped]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171105/c2ea420b2d1b9ed17027a5dd86f1932e.jpg


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[walpurgis]

Yes. That is the EMI unit.

[mightymonoped]

Yes. That is the EMI unit.

I know it could benefit from being in a bigger cab, but it doesn’t seem to do too bad at the moment. The speakers still seem to sound better with each source upgrade and the synergy seems good in this room.


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[Haselsh1]

Demo'd the KEF LS50's before buying my current loudspeakers as an example of something completely different and they were so different I just couldn't take them seriously. Their sound is very thin with no fullness or warmth and there is what was to me a complete lack of bass. There was no way I could listen to them at the dealer for more than a minute or so. I then changed to a pair of stand mount B&W's and the midrange improved massively but still no bass. So I ended up buying my current loudspeakers which are floorstanders. Obviously everyone has very different sonic characteristics and demands from their system but you did ask for experiences of these units.