BMB’s Noise Maker

[blackmetalboon]

My system has come a long way from its humble beginnings, an Arcam Alpha 7 Amp and NAD 510(?) CD player paired with some ancient Wharfdale speakers found in my parents loft! Gear came and went as I chased the upgrade path which brings us to how it is today.

Whilst 2 channel is my main passion, I do enjoy a good film, so my system also provides me with a 5.0 set-up for movies.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1781/43500250822_f3dab3297a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29gYa3w)

Current set-up;

Left
Chord Electronics DSP8000 Pre/Processor
Chord Electronics Media Engine
Centre
Chord Electronics CPA 4000E Pre Amp
Chord Electronics SPM 1200E Power Amp
Chord Electronics Mezzo 140 Power Amp
Right
Humax Youview Box
Pioneer BDP-LX58 Blu-ray player
Chord Electronics Blu CD transport
Chord Electronics QBD76 DAC
Chord Electronics Mezzo 50 Power Amp

B&W N802 (main speakers)
B&W N805 (rear speakers)
B&W HTM2 (centre speaker)

I do have plans under way to streamline the system, reduce the box count and free up much needed space (which I’m sure I’ll just end up filling with more shiny boxes!).

[Audio Al]

Blimey :eek:

Some serious kit :eyebrows:

Yum :D


Where is the record player :scratch:

[blackmetalboon]

Blimey :eek:

Some serious kit :eyebrows:

Yum :D


Where is the record player :scratch:

Where it belongs, in the 1970’s :lol:

On a serious note, vinyl was dead when I got into music and hifi. Even with the current vinyl revival it doesn’t interest me for various reasons, mainly space, cost and upkeep.

[Audio Al]

Where it belongs, in the 1970’s :lol:

On a serious note, vinyl was dead when I got into music and hifi. Even with the current vinyl revival it doesn’t interest me for various reasons, mainly space, cost and upkeep.

OK Fair enough , however you dont know what you are missing out on ;)

[alphaGT]

Most impressive! I can imagine those B&W’s driven by Chord amps sound quite nice. Most folks don’t realize the years of time and effort that go into such a system. I know I’m the same way, it’s hard not to be damn proud of it! Cheers!

Russell

[RobbieGong]

Wow !! Never heard a pair but always loved the look of the 800 series B&W's. What are they like ?

[blackmetalboon]

I’m happy with them, they are the longest surviving piece of gear I’ve owned (16+ years). I had a reasonably big shortlist of speakers at the time but one by one they were ruled out for various reasons until I was left with the N802’s.
They give a great sense of scale with the ability to go low enough for my needs while still keeping it tight. The 800 series, especially the later revisions, had a reputation for being bright and forward which is something I haven’t really experienced with them. I’ve had music sessions lasting 4-5 hours without any listener fatigue that usual blights a forward sounding speaker.

Aesthetically, I think the 800 series is a classic timeless design, although I’m not too keen on the new 800 D3 look.

[Macca]

Fantastic system.

[cueball1981]

Hi

Awesome system BTW! Looks stunning too! If you ever do 'streamline the system', I'd be very interested in parts or ALL of it! Let me know! :-)

[hornucopia]

OK Fair enough , however you dont know what you are missing out on ;)
A bit 'I know best' here?
I once ran a test with fellow vinyl hardcore people, Sat them in front of a Rock playing a record.
After the usual comments about how much better/'real' etc., the sound was, I lifted the arm.
Music kept going -it was a CD playing.

[Leeken]

Them b+w are my dream lottery win speakers,whole system is to be honest,beautiful.

[blackmetalboon]

Hi

Awesome system BTW! Looks stunning too! If you ever do 'streamline the system', I'd be very interested in parts or ALL of it! Let me know! :-)

The streamlining has commenced, the Blu CD transport and QBD76 has been replaced with a Chord Red Reference MKIII CD player which freed up a shelf for my Melco N1A to slot back into the system, but I have long term plans for a second system with the now surplus items.

[blackmetalboon]

A bit 'I know best' here?
I once ran a test with fellow vinyl hardcore people, Sat them in front of a Rock playing a record.
After the usual comments about how much better/'real' etc., the sound was, I lifted the arm.
Music kept going -it was a CD playing.
:lol:
I tend to be in the camp where mastering/production is more important than the source medium.

[Barry]

Lovely system - you are clearly a fan of Chord gear. :)

[blackmetalboon]

Lovely system - you are clearly a fan of Chord gear. :)

I’m not sure what gave you that idea!:)

I’d like to say that’s all the Chord gear but that would be a lie!!!

I stumbled across Chord by accident, once I knew which speakers I wanted I knew I’d need an amplifier with a bit of muscle and was looking at the usual suspects Krell, Musical Fidelity etc.. when I saw a review for a Chord Pre/Power combination. Luckily I managed to hear it at the old Heathrow Hifi show and at a local dealer, who also stocked B&W. While I liked what I heard I was still undecided as Chord were a relatively new company and longevity/reliability/servicing were a bit of an unknown quantity. It wasn’t until I saw their list of commercial and pro-audio customers that it became a bit of a no brainier and I took the plunge. Almost two decades later I’m very happy with my decision.