Ezio's system as of May 2010 [Archive]

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eziodoc

23-05-2010, 00:33

Nice system, very nice. I would love to see some pictures...please.

You also have great taste in music.

Regards D S D L

I will try, starting from two Garrards...

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4541/garrardshindogarrarde.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/garrardshindogarrarde.jpg/)

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After... close-up of my solid state Matti Otala's Citations XX-XXP (for my ears, but not only, the best amp ever..)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1061/kcitationxxxxp.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/i/kcitationxxxxp.jpg/)

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After... a view of my (not ready yet) music room with JBL 4343 and West Royal (and Marantz 7 and XX-XXP)..

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7097/roomfd.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/roomfd.jpg/)

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My never used (until today) Tannoy ST200...

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7897/st200.jpg (http://img231.imageshack.us/i/st200.jpg/)

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Citation XX-XXP amps plus Marantz 7 reissue pre..

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/866/marantz7citation.jpg (http://img580.imageshack.us/i/marantz7citation.jpg/)

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Sansui TU-919..

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/7201/sansuitu919.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/i/sansuitu919.jpg/)

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My Sonus Faber Electa Amator (First Series) with original wood-stone stands...

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3796/sonusfaber.jpg (http://img155.imageshack.us/i/sonusfaber.jpg/)

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Electa Amator - close up..

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6663/sfelectaamator.jpg (http://img227.imageshack.us/i/sfelectaamator.jpg/)

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For now... I will add other...
Sorry for the room confusion, but I'm moving to this room these days..
And sorry also for images quality, pictures was taken with my Nokia N95 mobile phone...:confused:

Ciao

Spectral Morn

23-05-2010, 09:33

Thank you Ezio

I look forward to seeing more photos but....so far WOW :)

Regards D S D L

Marco

23-05-2010, 09:41

Themis

23-05-2010, 10:09

Simply stunning ! I don't know the amps, but... all these speakers are [failed to find the right superlative] ! :eek:

These Amator are a piece of art... :cool:

The Vinyl Adventure

23-05-2010, 10:43

bloody hell! them speakers are massive... impressive!

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 10:52

Awesome stuff, Ezio! :eek:

I'd love to try a pair of those supertweeters with my Lockwoods... Indeed, I fully intend to in due course. Out of interest, how much did they cost you?

I also love the JBLs (my kind of speaker!) and of course the utterly awesome Westminster Royals...

You want a nice valve amp to drive those, though! ;)

Marco.

Valve amps?

From my old small music room (stored yet...:()

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3272/leaktl121tl25plus.jpg (http://img243.imageshack.us/i/leaktl121tl25plus.jpg/)

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The other TL12.1.....

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5820/leaktl121first.jpg (http://img156.imageshack.us/i/leaktl121first.jpg/)

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eziodoc

23-05-2010, 11:17

Simply stunning ! I don't know the amps, but... all these speakers are [failed to find the right superlative] ! :eek:

These Amator are a piece of art... :cool:
Thank you, Dimitri :),

these speakers are my choice after 30 years of listening...
The Sonus Fabers Electa Amator (first series) are really beautifully made and sounding;
I remember only the tweeter T330 Dynaudio Esotar, on 1992, was unreasonably expensive..

With the adjustable stone-wood stands are really wonderful and with a very high WAF.. ;).
My wife, until a week ago, stolen me the stands for his flowers :lol:

Ciao

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 11:37

Awesome stuff, Ezio! :eek:

I'd love to try a pair of those supertweeters with my Lockwoods... Indeed, I fully intend to in due course. Out of interest, how much did they cost you?

I also love the JBLs (my kind of speaker!) and of course the utterly awesome Westminster Royals...

You want a nice valve amp to drive those, though! ;)

Like Neil, I can't wait to see the rest of your gear :cool:

Marco.

Thanks, Marco ;) ...

I really think the ST-200 will be a great upgrade for your Lockwoods;
from the instructions manual: you can add them to all old Tannoy speakers, also the Lancasters are described...
But the real upgrade for your ears can be decided only after listening.
This is my suggestion: listen, listen, listen..
To me the sound is richer and complete, but you only can decide if it's same for you and if this purchase
(ten years ago 1.500 euro circa) it's a good choice for you.. ;)

Ciao

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 11:42

bloody hell! them speakers are massive... impressive!

... And unfortunately my other JBL 4345 are greater than the JBL 4343 you can see in picture..... :(
4343 = woofer 38cm
4345 = woofer 46cm.....

Ciao

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 12:07

Simply stunning ! I don't know the amps, but...

If you agree, you can read details here:

http://www.popolo.com/citation.html (they are exactly the items I bought; not similar, but THEY, from this seller..).
http://www.hifi-museum.com/temp/hkcitXX.htm
http://www.thevintageknob.org/THEVAULT2/CITATIONXX/CITATIONXX.html
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?18533-Harman-Kardon-Citation-XXP-and-XX-Amp

Ciao

Themis

23-05-2010, 12:22

If you agree, you can read details here:

http://www.popolo.com/citation.html (they are exactly the items I bought; not similar, but THEY, from this seller..).
http://www.hifi-museum.com/temp/hkcitXX.htm
http://www.thevintageknob.org/THEVAULT2/CITATIONXX/CITATIONXX.html
http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?18533-Harman-Kardon-Citation-XXP-and-XX-Amp

Ciao
Thank you Ezio, I'm currently reading them. Very impressive, indeed. I wonder why HK didn't stick to this design later on... A real pity, it seems. :doh:

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 12:55

Thank you Ezio, I'm currently reading them. Very impressive, indeed. I wonder why HK didn't stick to this design later on... A real pity, it seems. :doh:
This pair was born only for demonstration, from H/K, of its leadership on the amplification market..
Matti Otala was recruited to make a "no cost project", no compromise, simply the better ever. Only 100 made (100 XXPs and 100 XXs).

It's an amp (the XX) capable of peaks of 200 ampères istantaneous...
Really fast and well sounding..

Ciao

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 12:57

Thank you Ezio

I look forward to seeing more photos but....so far WOW :)

Regards D S D L

Thanks.. :)

Spectral Morn

23-05-2010, 14:40

Its a pity Harmon Kardon in the main only make AV now, quite good AV but not hifi.

I love the combined look of the Amators on their stands.

Regards D S D L

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 16:46

Its a pity Harmon Kardon in the main only make AV now, quite good AV but not hifi.

I love the combined look of the Amators on their stands.

Regards D S D L

Agreed, about Harman/Kardon... Totally... :(
My wife loves the Amators (and its stands, of course :ner:), but she loves also the Royals... :lolsign:
Not same feeling she has for the JBL... "What's this ugly blue color :eek:??? "

Ciao

Primalsea

23-05-2010, 19:00

I must admit the Grundig CD player made me chuckle!! But I guess it can actually be that bad otherwise you wouldn't use it.

Ali Tait

23-05-2010, 19:22

Is that Grundig not the one with tda1541? If so,I think it's innards are the same as Marantz CD94.I believe Lukas on lampizator reckons it's the best player he's heard.

retro

23-05-2010, 20:24

Ali Tait

23-05-2010, 21:23

Ok cheers Andre.

Rare Bird

23-05-2010, 21:29

Sorry i didnt wurd it properly. If it's a standard 'CD35' wont have the 'TDA1541'.. The 'X' Version would have the 'TDA1541'

kcc123

23-05-2010, 21:35

Wow! What a system! :stalks:

I still remember those Citation amps and they are among the best.

Those JBL 4343 and 4345 speakers are loved by the Japanese and many Hong Kong people though some of them live in small apartments with tiny rooms. :scratch:

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 23:12

Sorry i didnt wurd it properly. If it's a standard 'CD35' wont have the 'TDA1541'.. The 'X' Version would have the 'TDA1541'

The CD 35 has the TDA1540, the CD35X has the TDA1541.
I've both: in my opinion the CD35 sounds a bit better than the X version.
And both sounds better than my Philips CD960.. :rolleyes:
Also my Philips CD100 (the first player on the market) sounds better than the CD960 (to me, of course..).

By the way: in picture you see the X version..

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5913/cd35xclose.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/cd35xclose.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Ciao

eziodoc

23-05-2010, 23:43

I must admit the Grundig CD player made me chuckle!! But I guess it can actually be that bad otherwise you wouldn't use it.
I also had same reaction, the first time.. after first listening my chuckle disappeared...
You could have great surprises from Grundig goods (not all)...

Ciao

eziodoc

24-05-2010, 02:55

I'm not in TT,but must admit-gorgeous :stalks:
Never reed something about that amp/preamp.I will follow links you posted
I like the curtains :lolsign: and Tannoy's :eek:
It will be wonderfull listening room.Are you thinking about room treatment?

And Sansui and SF.What can I say?One of my favorites.If I had more space,SF Electa Amator would be kept.
At this point there are ones on sale in Croatia for 2000 Euros.Very rare speakers,and good friend of mine is using SF Extrema speakers with some Krell amp and AR preamp.

Thank you, Robert,

in effect curtains (very heavy woven) are only the first step of room treatment..
I'm looking for panels for the room, but I'm yet studying the models..

The Amators (the first ones) are really a gem: very rare today and ecceptionally well sounding. I can only suggest you to keep a pair, if you can find one.
The Extrema is the other masterpiece from SF..

P.S. I hope you will be soon to visit me and my music room.
Croatia is close and if you are a good swimmer... :)

Ciao

retro

24-05-2010, 14:23

Tnx for invitation,same goes for you.
If ever I'm in your area,will call you.
My SF Amator is finished story.Sold last year.I did not have room for both pairs.WLM is much better mach for me,and unlike many hi-end speakers do not require much power to play properly (sensitivity is 97dB),and are less sensitive to their position in room.
PS-I'm very good at floating.From Vis to Pescara is just few days of floating (if wind and oceans current are favorable) :lolsign:

eziodoc

24-05-2010, 17:37

Hello Robert,

please, look your Gallery's page... ;)

Ciao

insomnia

25-05-2010, 17:14

Awesome speakers. I've always wanted to hear the Tannoys Westminster speakers but never had the chance. I also like their classic, elegant look. Do you use them with valves or solid state?

eziodoc

25-05-2010, 18:36

Awesome speakers. I've always wanted to hear the Tannoys Westminster speakers but never had the chance. I also like their classic, elegant look. Do you use them with valves or solid state?
Olà Antonio,

I own them with SS system you see in my gallery (H/K Citation XX & XXP) and also with my tube system, Marantz 7 reissue and two Leak TL.12.1.

Ciao.

DSJR

25-05-2010, 19:38

eziodoc

25-05-2010, 19:54

I found Extremas bland, thick and rather dull sounding for UK rooms. Only their £6K asking price made them desirable - and the fact that Douglas Adams replaced some Maggies with a pair (probably when Ab Sounds gave up the franchise).....
Hello Dave,

did you listen the SF Electa Amators 1° model in your english room ?
What are the differences between italian and english rooms ?

Ciao.

Rare Bird

26-05-2010, 08:27

Also my Philips CD100 (the first player on the market)

I'm suprised you not mentioning the Grundig 'CD30'

Marco

26-05-2010, 08:44

Hi Ezio,

What are the differences between italian and english rooms ?

It's to do with the difference in climate.

Our rooms are nearly always centrally heated and usually have thick curtains and carpets (which absorb high frequencies), and yours are usually cooler and (often) have marble floors and blinds (which do the opposite) :)

Having said that, I think that Sonus Faber speakers are one of the better Italian hi-fi designs. Italian hi-fi, in my experience, is often more style over substance - and I say that as an Italian! :cool:

Marco.

eziodoc

27-05-2010, 04:46

I'm suprised you not mentioning the Grundig 'CD30'
I don't know what people (and if) knows the great quality of (good) Grundig systems.. :eek:.
I don't want to open a flame.. :)

eziodoc

27-05-2010, 05:18

Hi Ezio,

It's to do with the difference in climate.

Our rooms are nearly always centrally heated and usually have thick curtains and carpets (which absorb high frequencies), and yours are usually cooler and (often) have marble floors and blinds (which do the opposite) :)

Having said that, I think that Sonus Faber speakers are one of the better Italian hi-fi designs. Italian hi-fi, in my experience, is often more style over substance - and I say that as an Italian! :cool:

Marco.
My music room is not yet ready, as you can see... :(
It has thick green stretches rear the louspeakers and I must to put great carpets before them
and absorbent panels to the walls and the ceiling.. (for high frequencies, of course.. :lol:) ..
I'm thinking also how I can to reduce the bass frequencies reflections on the room... :scratch: (perhaps with absorbent cilynders to corners..).

I think do exists also a lot of unknown italian hi-fi as good as beautiful.. :rolleyes:
The SF Electa Amators (1° issue) are, in my opinion, one of the best speakers I listened (like the Extremas and the Guarneri - first model)

Ciao

Marco

27-05-2010, 08:50

eziodoc

27-05-2010, 18:56

Hi Ezio,

I think that your room will come together very nicely and you'll have many happy hours of musical enjoyment with your superb system :)

I agree; I think that Sonus Fabers are very good, providing that they're driven by tight sounding, 'grippy' amps (I'm thinking mostly solid-state here) which make the most of their sonic qualities.

As for build quality - well, they are superbly made... Franco Serblin had some style! :cool:

Marco.
Hello Marco,

the only problem with SF Electa Amators is they love the SS, not tube..

About acoustic treatment of my music room :violin:, I'm open to all suggestions... :mental::confused: ..........

Ciao

Marco

27-05-2010, 19:09

Hi Ezio,

the only problem with SF Electa Amators is they love the SS, not tube..

I completely agree - it's all about system synergy :)

About acoustic treatment of my music room :violin:, I'm open to all suggestions... :mental::confused: ..........

That's not really my field of expertise, Ezio - the best people to help you there are the likes of Martin T, and particularly, Shuggie.

Send both of them a PM and I'm sure they'll help :cool:

Marco.

Spectral Morn

27-05-2010, 19:16

I found Extremas bland, thick and rather dull sounding for UK rooms. Only their £6K asking price made them desirable - and the fact that Douglas Adams replaced some Maggies with a pair (probably when Ab Sounds gave up the franchise).....

He gave up his Timpani's for Sonus Fabers :eek::mental::doh::(

Regards D S D L

retro

27-05-2010, 21:46

All those who do not like sound of SF they were not heard in right light.Too bad :( While it is true that Extrema's is so hungry.At my opinion,nothing below 200W of SS is not good enough.

One example for synergy,or something close .Somewere in mid 90',while experimented with some mid price setup appeared to be very good sound at a time.Some Pioneer DVD was transport feeding Audio Alchemy DA.Tube preamp was small CJ and old Hafler is connected to Diapason Adamantes (Italian again :)) I swear that was incredibly good sound.Even changes CJ for AR preamp deteriorated sound.

Ezio,can you comment on sound of Sansui AU-919 and SF.I'm sorry that I did not have any old Sansui until I had SF.

DSJR

28-05-2010, 17:44

Sonus Faber seem to have changed their voicing over the decades. As Marco has suggested that Italian rooms are rather livelier than ours, this may suggest why many of the Italian speakers I've heard sound so muted and warm/thick in a UK environment..

I'm well out of touch, but later SF speakers had improved crossovers which abandoned bi-wiring and sounded far better integrated and rather livelier I think. I can assure you guys that the well obsolete "Signum" sounds better with valves or hybrids, needing the fantastic 3-D quality available IMO...

I'm hoping the latest SF's continue the trend as above. They're not "monitors" by any means (they're too characterful for that), but they're hugely satisfying to listen to nonetheless..

By the way, Harbeths sound fantastic when free standing away from walls in lively rooms, as they have a clean dispersion characteristic.

twelvebears

29-05-2010, 05:38

The SF Electa Amators (1° issue) are, in my opinion, one of the best speakers I listened (like the Extremas and the Guarneri - first model)

Ah the Extremas...... *stares off into the distance*

WHY did I ever sell them?! Surely I didn't need the cash to move into the flat THAT badly?

Oh well.

Gotta love dedicated listening room though. Work on mine starts next week, though it won't be as big as yours!

eziodoc

03-06-2010, 00:36

The CD 35 has the TDA1540, the CD35X has the TDA1541.
I've both: in my opinion the CD35 sounds a bit better than the X version.
And both sounds better than my Philips CD960.. :rolleyes:
Also my Philips CD100 (the first player on the market) sounds better than the CD960 (to me, of course..).

By the way: in picture you see the X version..

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5913/cd35xclose.jpg (http://img52.imageshack.us/i/cd35xclose.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Ciao

This is the Grundig CD35 no-X version

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/9794/grundigcd35.jpg (http://img191.imageshack.us/i/grundigcd35.jpg/)

This is my RtR Grundig T 925 (two tracks):

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8139/grundigts925.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/grundigts925.jpg/)

Rare Bird

06-06-2010, 16:22

This is my RtR Grundig T 925 (two tracks):

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/8139/grundigts925.jpg (http://img683.imageshack.us/i/grundigts925.jpg/)

Is that some kind of new Tagliatelli leader tape in the reels :lol: