Yorkshiremans gear 2017

[Yorkshireman]

Hi

Just thought i would share a pic (very bad phone pic in bad light) of my system as it stands now.

Wall colour to be changed soon

Out go the Leema Acoustics Dac and power amps,
and in come a Bel Canto 2.5 DAC and a pair of Herron Audio M1A Mono blocks.

Sound wise this is a massive improvement in sound, much more musical, better tone, depth, seperation, tighter low end and sweeter highs, more detail.

Very happy :)


https://image.ibb.co/gw7yLF/SYSTEM.jpg

[hifinutt]

I saw those heron for sale so glad you have them . glad its sounding good . I use the bc 3.5 vbs , I just wondered if you use a pre in the system as I find the bc dac is much more musical with a good pre in the system. I have tried many times using the bc straight into my msb power amp [class A] but always end up using a pre which makes a MASSIVE difference

[Yorkshireman]

I saw those heron for sale so glad you have them . glad its sounding good . I use the bc 3.5 vbs , I just wondered if you use a pre in the system as I find the bc dac is much more musical with a good pre in the system. I have tried many times using the bc straight into my msb power amp [class A] but always end up using a pre which makes a MASSIVE difference

No i just use the dac straight into the power amps, i will have to look at borrowing a pre from someone and having a listen, what would you suggest trying ?
I'm very pleased with the Herrons, and got a great deal on them, such a big improvement on the Leema amps and dac.

[hifinutt]

well a music first pre amp will blow you away . I once had a friend with some fabulous b&w 803 in a huge room . powered by a bc dac 3 into some ref 1000 . yes it was good , detailed and all that . but just a tad digital .

his wife was a musician and we put this mfa into the system and immediately the soundstage was widened and massive , in fact some parts of the room shook

there are quite a few mentioned here

http://hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/121535-best-high-end-pre-amp-solid-state/

there is of course the bc pre 3 vbs if you can find a well priced one . no more than 700-900 pounds . which will go into your vbs .

I just adore trying out pre amps , I am currently blown away by one but its a tad expensive and not really an option I guess [ grandinote proemio]

[Yorkshireman]

Thanks for the info and recommendations I will do some research.

[Yorkshireman]

Just added a Coherent 5D AES Digital cable, and the difference is amazing, sound stage has opened up, instruments and voices are better separated, bass is better defined, all together a smoother presentation.

[Firebottle]

Really glad you are getting superb results with the direction you have chosen to go Mark.

Happy days :thumbsup:

[Yorkshireman]

Really glad you are getting superb results with the direction you have chosen to go Mark.

Happy days :thumbsup:

Thanks Alan, I'm still hopeful, of persuading her to go with a vinyl setup at sometime in the future and one of your phono stages, but at the moment the CD system is sounding sweet.

[Dynamics]

Thanks Alan, I'm still hopeful, of persuading her to go with a vinyl setup at sometime in the future and one of your phono stages, but at the moment the CD system is sounding sweet.

Nice looking set up and I like the look of your speakers. Some nice wooden racks would really set off the look even more I'd say. Hi fi racks maybe. Happy listening

[Yorkshireman]

Nice looking set up and I like the look of your speakers. Some nice wooden racks would really set off the look even more I'd say. Hi fi racks maybe. Happy listening

Simon, im working on a design to make a wooden rack, my either going to use oak or maybe an ash ply which is weight loaded or even a combination of both, still in the design stage at the moment.

[Macca]

Looks like a very capable system, loads of space around the speakers too. Like that.

Couldn't live with that yellow wall though ;)

[Yorkshireman]

Looks like a very capable system, loads of space around the speakers too. Like that.

Couldn't live with that yellow wall though ;)

Thanks, the yellow walls will be history soon.

[hifinutt]

Just added a Coherent 5D AES Digital cable, and the difference is amazing, sound stage has opened up, instruments and voices are better separated, bass is better defined, all together a smoother presentation.

great cable , glad its working for you

[Yorkshireman]

Had a little change to the system.

Out goes the Bel Canto DAC2.5, and in comes a Bel Canto DAC 3.5mkIIvb & VBS (with Tony @ Coherent systems mods) & Coherent Reference DC cable.

I must say its made quite a difference, and is sounding fantastic.

Some of you will be wondering why i have an extra vbs, thats because my CD2 is powered by a VBL which only has one output,
so had to get the VBS to power the DAC, and it has Tonys modifications :)

https://image.ibb.co/cREOnv/DAC.jpg

[hifinutt]

fabulous , now all you need is a pre amp !!! .

[Yorkshireman]

fabulous , now all you need is a pre amp !!! .

Yes it will have to wait a bit, till I get some more cash!
Ive had a look around an see quite a few passive pre amps, ranging from £100 - £00000's, I have thought about building my own, just not sure.

[walpurgis]

I bought one of these for peanuts. It sounds surprisingly good. Decently made too. It even arrived pretty quickly from China. Might tide you over for now.

[Yorkshireman]

This maybe a daft question,
but what does a passive pre amp bring to the party ?.
There is no active circuit to modify the signal, the passive pre as far as i can see just adds resistors, and more cable, and connections in the signal path.

[walpurgis]

This maybe a daft question,
but what does a passive pre amp bring to the party ?.
There is no active circuit to modify the signal, the passive pre as far as i can see just adds resistors, and more cable, and connections in the signal path.

It puts less in the signal path than an active pre-amp.

Most are potentiometer based and may offer input selection and volume control. Some just volume control only. There are more complex types that employ stepped attenuators. LDR and TVC examples also exist, although the TVC pre-amps usually offer some gain.

[Yorkshireman]

So on a passive pre what is the benefit of having one, than not having one ?.

As without one there is less in the signal path ?.

[walpurgis]

So on a passive pre what is the benefit of having one, than not having one ?.

As without one there is less in the signal path ?.

You have to have some means of controlling what goes into your power amp. You'd not use one with an integrated amplifier (normally).

[Yorkshireman]

You have to have some means of controlling what goes into your power amp. You'd not use one with an integrated amplifier (normally).

I already have that with my DAC as the output is variable, thats why I ask, as Phil, (hifinut) recommended getting one.
Im just trying to understand what it would bring to my setup.

[walpurgis]

I already have that with my DAC as the output is variable, thats why I ask, as Phil, (hifinut) recommended getting one.
Im just trying to understand what it would bring to my setup.

In that case you probably have no need for one unless you wish to select more than one source, but there are switching boxes that can do that job just as well for maybe less money.

[Yorkshireman]

In that case you probably have no need for one unless you wish to select more than one source, but there are switching boxes that can do that job just as well for maybe less money.

I only use 1 source my CDP,the dac has quite a few inputs even an analogue.

Thanks for all the info Geoff.

[walpurgis]

Thanks for all the info Geoff.

No probs! :)

[hifinutt]

its great you have bought stuff from tony , he has been to my house a good many times with gear and I have bought a lot . he once bought a belles vt-01 pre amp and I have never forgotten the texture and improvement in sound it gives

there is a huge amount written on passive pre amps if you google . however many argue over which is better . I took a passive music first pre to a friend and you could hear a huge improvement in soundstage and listenability.

many times as I have mentioned , if my pre is off for repair or sold to pay for house renovations [ loads sold for this reason !!] I have to use my 3.5 as a pre amp . yes its fantastic bass , and detail but I find sometimes if I turn it up it is not so good , it is a bit fatiguing . now with a good pre amp it is marvellous and I could listen all day

last week I had a fabulous italin pre amp , oh my gosh , did it bring realism and improved bass to the sound from my dac. !! now using my modwright dm pre which is also superb . you can get pre amps really cheaply so its great to experiment . if you don`t like you can sell . I am sure there are folks nearby who can bring one round to try

[Yorkshireman]

its great you have bought stuff from tony , he has been to my house a good many times with gear and I have bought a lot . he once bought a belles vt-01 pre amp and I have never forgotten the texture and improvement in sound it gives

there is a huge amount written on passive pre amps if you google . however many argue over which is better . I took a passive music first pre to a friend and you could hear a huge improvement in soundstage and listenability.

many times as I have mentioned , if my pre is off for repair or sold to pay for house renovations [ loads sold for this reason !!] I have to use my 3.5 as a pre amp . yes its fantastic bass , and detail but I find sometimes if I turn it up it is not so good , it is a bit fatiguing . now with a good pre amp it is marvellous and I could listen all day

last week I had a fabulous italin pre amp , oh my gosh , did it bring realism and improved bass to the sound from my dac. !! now using my modwright dm pre which is also superb . you can get pre amps really cheaply so its great to experiment . if you don`t like you can sell . I am sure there are folks nearby who can bring one round to try

Hi Phil, thanks for the update, there is a passive pre on the forum classified now, a glasshouse with a few mods to resistors etc, would that be worth a try or do i want to look for something non passive ?.

[hifinutt]

yes , is that marko`s . he`s a great guy and yes that would be well worth having . not sure why not sold before

[hifinutt]

if you look on mfa news website site . a little way down you will see a link for Musgrave review in hi fi critic . that has discussion of the various passive pre amps inc glasshouse

https://mfaudio.co.uk/latest-news/

hattor also seems popular

[Yorkshireman]

if you look on mfa news website site . a little way down you will see a link for Musgrave review in hi fi critic . that has discussion of the various passive pre amps inc glasshouse

https://mfaudio.co.uk/latest-news/

hattor also seems popular

thanks Phil

[hifinutt]

just a thought , if money was tight , you could operate your cd2 very well indeed using your vbs which has 3 outputs . and sell the vbl which would be redundant . be worth experimenting one day

[Yorkshireman]

just a thought , if money was tight , you could operate your cd2 very well indeed using your vbs which has 3 outputs . and sell the vbl which would be redundant . be worth experimenting one day

That did cross my mind. I will have to experiment

Interesting little article on pre amps, may have to give the little glasshouse a try

[hifinutt]

yes I know the vbl theoretically is better to use it on its own with the cd2 but I used my cd2 very effectively using the vbs . I know tony will probably disagree with this though !!

[Yorkshireman]

Well thanks to Phil (hifinutt) for his advice, and pointing me in the direction of a Music First Audio pre amp, thanks Phil.

I now have a pre in they system and wow what a difference it has made,
I was very sceptical about what a passive / tvc could add, but I have been very supprised, im loving it.


https://image.ibb.co/h2TSEa/MFA1.jpg


And now one of the inside


https://image.ibb.co/b2850F/MFA2.jpg



:)

[walpurgis]

Funny that. Many seem to disregard TVC pre-amps, but I'd not part with mine, it sounds wonderful.

[Yorkshireman]

Funny that. Many seem to disregard TVC pre-amps, but I'd not part with mine, it sounds wonderful.

Geoff, Ive had it in the system for 2-3 weeks now and cannot fault it at all, give a nice sweet sound, with great bass extension, and very nice highs.
Must admit I wasnt convinced how a load of wire (as in the tvc) could possible add anything, but I was very pleasantly supprised.

[hifinutt]

so pleased you could get it , i do love mfa amps

[Yorkshireman]

so pleased you could get it , i do love mfa amps

Phil, its transformed the sound :)

I have also changed the VBS & VBL over, and with the VBL now feeding the DAC the soundstage has open up more with each instrument becoming clearer than before, with more tone and texture ovrall, bass has also tighten up.

Feeding the signal from the DAC to the MFA pre via XLR has also enhanced the sound, over using RCA cables :)

[hifinutt]

i guess because the xlr gives out more power

XLR 5.5Vrms or 7. RCA 2.75Vrms outputs

good suggestion re the vbl just feeding the dac

[Yorkshireman]

Well its been a while since my last update and a lot has happened,

I decided I needed to upgrade my pre and was set on upgrading my MFA classic copper to a V2 with upgraded transformers, I was lucky enough to get one on loan to try and while it was an improvement it was not as much as I was led to believe, it gave a slightly wider sound-stage and slightly better instrument separation, but i dint feel it was worth the £600. (only my opinion). I made an impulse purchase, and bought a used Trafomatic Reference one pre amp, I loved the smooth valve sound and was pleased with my purchase, upon playing more tunes over the coming weeks I was falling out of love with the sound, it was just not what I liked. I definitely prefer my sound neutral, clean and tight, so I was again on the lookout for a passive pre. A loan of a Townshend Allegri was lined up from a friend of a friend, as soon as it went in the system I knew that was it, aster a few more weeks I was loving the Allegri pre, neutral with a slight hit of sweetness, nice smooth top end and textured, tight, extended bass. So I placed my order for a New (thought i would treat myself) Townshend Allegri+ (the new version 2 of the Allegri). As soon as it arrived in it went, 1 week of constant running in, and wow, even better than the original Allegri, deeper tighter bass, smooth midrange and sparkling topend.

Next I turned my attention to isolating my speakers and rack, I had already decided upon using Track Audio Isolation feet / platforms, I found a used pair of large speaker platforms for a steal of a price, and also some separate isolation feet at a nice price, all were snapped up. The speakers were positioned on the leveled platforms, and wow, getting the speakers off the floor has really tightened the presentation and opened up the sound. Next i fitted the isolation feet to the rack i was using 3 feet on each part , again this helped with imaging and getting everything isolated from the suspended floor.

I also experimented with Black Ravioli pads under the equipment, and this had a positive outcome, reaping better tone and texture.

My next update was to update my Coherent 4D interconnects to 5D, giving a smoother, detailed, openness to the music.

Last update was to change my Missing link cryo ref mains cables to LessLoss DFPC Reference mains cables.

I have been listening to music more and more over the last few months and Im loving the system, I would hesitate to say in done but for now i am. (After Ive painted the walls)

https://image.ibb.co/cHFccG/IMG_1817.jpg

[Macca]

Textbook speaker placement. Do they completely disappear, soundstage wise?

[walpurgis]

Very nice system. I like the equipment stands.

[Yorkshireman]

Textbook speaker placement. Do they completely disappear, soundstage wise?

On most albums yes, soundstage has the illusion of being 3-4 feet wider each side than the speakers (and the room) and has great depth to it as well.

[Yorkshireman]

Very nice system. I like the equipment stands.

Thanks, they are Optimum 660 http://www.optimummodular.co.uk/product/opt660/
that I have modified and placed Track Audio Isolation feet on them.

Bought cheap off another forum.

[jandl100]

I don't doubt what your ears are telling you, but I do find it interesting that adding a passive pre can have such a beneficial effect.
Do you turn off / bypass the pre-section on the Bel Canto DAC now that you use the Townshend passive pre?
I would usually associate the extra drive from an active pre as the gain (pun intended!) to be had from inserting a preamp.

[Audio Al]

Well its been a while since my last update and a lot has happened,

I decided I needed to upgrade my pre and was set on upgrading my MFA classic copper to a V2 with upgraded transformers, I was lucky enough to get one on loan to try and while it was an improvement it was not as much as I was led to believe, it gave a slightly wider sound-stage and slightly better instrument separation, but i dint feel it was worth the £600. (only my opinion). I made an impulse purchase, and bought a used Trafomatic Reference one pre amp, I loved the smooth valve sound and was pleased with my purchase, upon playing more tunes over the coming weeks I was falling out of love with the sound, it was just not what I liked. I definitely prefer my sound neutral, clean and tight, so I was again on the lookout for a passive pre. A loan of a Townshend Allegri was lined up from a friend of a friend, as soon as it went in the system I knew that was it, aster a few more weeks I was loving the Allegri pre, neutral with a slight hit of sweetness, nice smooth top end and textured, tight, extended bass. So I placed my order for a New (thought i would treat myself) Townshend Allegri+ (the new version 2 of the Allegri). As soon as it arrived in it went, 1 week of constant running in, and wow, even better than the original Allegri, deeper tighter bass, smooth midrange and sparkling topend.

Next I turned my attention to isolating my speakers and rack, I had already decided upon using Track Audio Isolation feet / platforms, I found a used pair of large speaker platforms for a steal of a price, and also some separate isolation feet at a nice price, all were snapped up. The speakers were positioned on the leveled platforms, and wow, getting the speakers off the floor has really tightened the presentation and opened up the sound. Next i fitted the isolation feet to the rack i was using 3 feet on each part , again this helped with imaging and getting everything isolated from the suspended floor.

I also experimented with Black Ravioli pads under the equipment, and this had a positive outcome, reaping better tone and texture.

My next update was to update my Coherent 4D interconnects to 5D, giving a smoother, detailed, openness to the music.

Last update was to change my Missing link cryo ref mains cables to LessLoss DFPC Reference mains cables.

I have been listening to music more and more over the last few months and Im loving the system, I would hesitate to say in done but for now i am. (After Ive painted the walls)

https://image.ibb.co/cHFccG/IMG_1817.jpg

Where is the most important item :scratch:

The record player :eyebrows:

[Yorkshireman]

I don't doubt what your ears are telling you, but I do find it interesting that adding a passive pre can have such a beneficial effect.
Do you turn off / bypass the pre-section on the Bel Canto DAC now that you use the Townshend passive pre?
I would usually associate the extra drive from an active pre as the gain (pun intended!) to be had from inserting a preamp.

I was very sceptical before trying a MFA passive, I could not see how it would have any benefit.

I just set the output of the dac to 100%, but if you were to set the dac output to 95% and up the output on the pre you get the same sound.

Either way I'm very pleased with it.

[Yorkshireman]

Where is the most important item :scratch:

The record player :eyebrows:

I have thought about it, but for now, CD only.

[Audio Al]

I have thought about it, but for now, CD only.

OK I see Compromised Disc's it is then ;)

[jandl100]

I was very sceptical before trying a MFA passive, I could not see how it would have any benefit.

I just set the output of the dac to 100%, but if you were to set the dac output to 95% and up the output on the pre you get the same sound.

Either way I'm very pleased with it.

Maybe the passive pre is acting as an impedance matching buffer between the CDP and the power amps?
I've certainly found that that type of interaction can be very beneficial.

-- I'm not even sure that makes any sort of technical sense with a passive pre! :scratch: :lol:

[YNWaN]

It does if one based on a TVC - as here (not if it’s just a pot in a box).

[walpurgis]

It does if one based on a TVC - as here (not if it’s just a pot in a box).

It'll certainly make an audible difference. I use TVC units as well as passives and actives. TVC's are my preference most of the time (but not always :)).

[Yorkshireman]

I must say I like the TVC pre, better than an active pre in my current system.