View Full Version : Final setup !! (For now[emoji12])
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Hi guys since my last post about the new LP12 ive been busy putting in the extra saturdays grafting on site to get me to where im at now.
Its really is one of the sweetest combos ive ever heard. The synergy is incredible.
Firstly I added a naim 180, nac 72, and and avondale DR’d hicap into the mix . They were all freshly serviced and are just about run in now so sounding as sweet as they should.
Im thinking of dropping the Ryan sound lab (rsl) boards that i here so many good things about into the 72, so maybe thats the next tweak?
If anybody has any experience with these and or NCC200 boards with the 180 then i’d be grateful to hear your thoughts please as thats another possibilty in the future.
The newest member of the family are these stunningly beautiful Spendor SP2/3R2 in cherry.
These have possibly been the biggest most jaw dropping upgrade of the lot and could possibly be my last ever speaker.
They replaced some Q Acoustics floorstanders which were great but probably a bit mismatched with all the new gear, but money doesnt grow on trees so it was one thing at a time.
Wow they are so dynamic, rich, detailed, warm, and vocals are eerily real. Ive been listening to Jonathan Wilsons ‘Fanfare’ album which is an audiophiles dream. All analogue recording in his studio and musicianship of the highest order so his records all sound superb. Check him out if you havent already. [emoji1362]
No wonder Roger waters snapped him up for his touring band.
Anyways, I think this will keep me (very) amused for a long time coming... The hard work has really paid off this time.
Cheers
Karl
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No doubt a great sounding set up, I'm a fan of Marantz CD players, they punch well above their weight. Really nice clean lines and no clutter, I like that.
Very nice setup. Very tidy. Congratulations ;)
A very nice set up Karl and I expect it sounds great. Your room and system look first class. I am a big fan of the Spender SP2 speaker myself having owned a pair of originals for the last 32 years. They still sound great but I am sure the newer incarnations are even better? I particularly like your stands, who is the manufacturer and model as I could do with a new pair. The SP2 has a great transparency and natural ability especially with vocals and instrumental timbre. I much underrated speaker I feel in the modern age but once heard never forgotten.:)
No doubt a great sounding set up, I'm a fan of Marantz CD players, they punch well above their weight. Really nice clean lines and no clutter, I like that.
Thanks, I agree mate they are brilliant for the money and the built in dac is handy for quickly plugging a phone into ( especially when the missus is around as i dont know if i trust her near the TT[emoji12])
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I use the Ryan Sound Lab cards in my 72 and cannot praise them highly enough (but then you may have already read my comments as I was the first to write about them in the UK). I see you have already had quite a few mods made to your LP12, so I would recommend you got an audition of the Tranquility bearing mod (bear in mind I helped design it so am not unbiased).
Yes i did actually read some of your threads and theres not a single bad word said about them so i defo think this will be next for me. Id be interested to know how the phono cards compare to my firebottle? I wonder if theyd be better?? The linn is pretty tricked up now, minus a keel and trampolin but i would never be able to spend that much on a sub so its out of the question for me . Im going to get the skale for my nima at some point and will have another look at the bearing also thanks. What improvements does it bring?
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Very nice setup. Very tidy. Congratulations ;)
Thanks mate its really is magical. Perfectly balanced .
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A very nice set up Karl and I expect it sounds great. Your room and system look first class. I am a big fan of the Spender SP2 speaker myself having owned a pair of originals for the last 32 years. They still sound great but I am sure the newer incarnations are even better? I particularly like your stands, who is the manufacturer and model as I could do with a new pair. The SP2 has a great transparency and natural ability especially with vocals and instrumental timbre. I much underrated speaker I feel in the modern age but once heard never forgotten.:)
Thanks matey, i havent heard the old ones mate so i cant compare(no doubt theyre nothing short of brilliant though).
These saw off some stiff competition from the likes of harbeth ,ATC, PMC. They just seemed to work better in my setup and room. Great synergy!
I actually made the stands myself. I found a pair on analogue seduction but when i saw they were £500 i thought sod that, so i knocked em up one night , then painted them over another couple. It was really simple snd they work a treat https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180731/ec2c55f10ac2efb2d84d48abbac6ea85.jpg
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stairpost
31-07-2018, 20:41
That's a very nice looking LP12.
That's a very nice looking LP12.
Thanks buddy.. i have to agree with you there [emoji12]
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Nice set up and room, Bigbird!
Linn and Naim are going well together.
ATB,
Ivo
Nice set up and room, Bigbird!
Linn and Naim are going well together.
ATB,
Ivo
Thanks buddy although the system has changed a bit now. I offloaded the naim setup and went for the top spec Croft pre and monoblocks and a Whest phono stage . Completely wipes the floor with the naim rig now, Very happy indeed [emoji16]
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Wow, that came out of the blue. Nice looking LP12 which shouldn't need modifying any more. Pleased your enjoying.
Wow, that came out of the blue. Nice looking LP12 which shouldn't need modifying any more. Pleased your enjoying.
Thanks man. It really was a snap decision but an offer i couldnt refuse came up so i flogged my naim rig in 24hrs which allowed me to fund the croft setup. Link here
Croft vs Upgraditis [emoji1677][emoji43]
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Ive also decided to offload the LP12 to fund a new project. Its a funny old game this . I spend all my time and money getting my setup “finished” then as soon as i do i change it [emoji23]
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Firebottle
31-07-2019, 06:50
You haven't messed about have you Karl, top flight Croft units.
Excellent stuff :cool:
ovlov854
31-07-2019, 07:58
Great looking set up and a particularly beautiful LP12.
Where did you get the plinth from? It has a fine looking grain
You haven't messed about have you Karl, top flight Croft units.
Excellent stuff :cool:
Thanks Alan, its go big or go home from now on haha. Ive just added some NOS 1956 RCA valves in all the hotspots and its taken another huge leap in performance again. Very happy with it all indeed. Ive just bought a Reed tonearm to go on my next turntable project which i will be putting together over the coming months. Will the madness ever stop
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Great looking set up and a particularly beautiful LP12.
Where did you get the plinth from? It has a fine looking grain
Thanks . Its santos rosewood, very highly figured so beautiful character . The company was ‘layers of beauty’ . Its masterfully crafted. The mitres are impeccable, the grain perfectly matched , lovely glossy finish, and ive had the calipers on it and it is millimeter perfect dimensionally so all the parts sit square and flush. Id highly recommend them.
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