New look listening room

[Snoopdog]

After years of trying to compromise by merging my hi-fi and AV systems into one system/space, I decided 2010 was right for a drastic rethink.

This was the old lounge with all-in-one system.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/018-2.jpg

The sofas, plasma, velodyne sub and Meridian digital theatre kit has now been moved to another room and after some redecoration and the purchase of a very comfortable 'dedicated' listening chair, the new hi-fi room looks like this.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/015-2-1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/020-1.jpg
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http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/022-1.jpg

The extra space has allowed me to move the system rack well away from the speakers and connect via a single socket, to a dedicated AC mains CU installed in a cupboard under the stairs adjacent to the listening room.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/019-2.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/009-1-1.jpg

For those who think me anti-social for just having the one chair in the hi fi room, there is provision/space for guest seating in the event of a visit from my fellow geeks:)

The new AV room now has two sofas, 50" Pioneer plasma and Meridian DSP processor/5.1 system for TV/home cinema viewing and can double as a very respectable 'second' system which will play CD/DVD-Audio. Pictures to follow.

[The Vinyl Adventure]

what are the white column things?

[Marco]

Looking really good, Steve :)

Aside from the top-notch components in use, I applaud your attention to detail in terms of system (and room) set-up!

Your system without doubt ranks as one of the best which embraces the principles we value on AOS - well done! :respect:

Marco.

P.S I can't see where the dungeon is, though :eyebrows:

[Marco]

what are the white column things?

Room acoustic treatment, dude :)

Marco.

[Snoopdog]

Looking really good, Steve :)

Aside from the top-notch components in use, I applaud your attention to detail in terms of system (and room) set-up!

Your system without doubt ranks as one of the best which embraces the principles we value on AOS - well done! :respect:

Marco.

P.S I can't see where the dungeon is, though :eyebrows:

Thanks Marco

The 'gimp' only comes out after dark;)

Hamish

Room tuning DaaD's by Acustica Applicata http://www.acusticaapplicata.com/prodotti.php?lang=eng

First and second reflections are dealt with by GIK 242 panels on the side walls and behind speakers against patio doors. A GIK monster bass trap sits on the window sill behind the listener.
http://www.gikacoustics.com/room_setup.php

[The Vinyl Adventure]

i thought they must be, they are very posh looking! they also slightly remind me of some kinda dr who baddy ....especially the one in front of the tv ;)

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Thanks Marco

The 'gimp' only comes out after dark;)

Hamish

Room tuning DaaD's by Acustica Applicata http://www.acusticaapplicata.com/prodotti.php?lang=eng

First and second reflections are dealt with by GIK 242 panels on the side walls and behind speakers against patio doors. A GIK monster bass trap sits on the window sill behind the listener.
http://www.gikacoustics.com/room_setup.php

id always imagined room treatment to look horendous but they are fairly teasteful and dont look out of place at all with the decor

[Snoopdog]

i thought they must be, they are very posh looking! they also slightly remind me of some kinda dr who baddy ....especially the one in front of the tv ;)

The DaaD in front of the TV was necessary for dealing with the effect of the large screen when listening to music.

Now that the plasma has gone from the room, soundstage and imaging have improved.

Speakers do benefit from having a bit of space around them to work their magic.

[Snoopdog]

id always imagined room treatment to look horendous but they are fairly teasteful and dont look out of place at all with the decor

Agreed! I suppose only the Italians could come up with designer room treatment:)

Now that the lounge with TV and guest seating has been relocated, I no longer have to compromise with domestic acceptability in the main reception room. The hi-fi room is now my retreat for listening to music and reading.

It wouldn't really matter what the acoustic treatment looked like in a dedicated room but the Acustica Applicata DaaD's do appear quite 'arty' albeit expensive:( http://www.audioconsultants.co.uk/products/stands.html

Alas, with the Euro as it is now and the price charged by the sole UK importer, I shall not be buying any more. The GIK range of panels are also manufactured in UK (Bradford), are effective and very reasonably priced.

[John]

What a cool system great TT and phonostage good speakers to Very impressed Steve

[Snoopdog]

What a cool system great TT and phonostage good speakers to Very impressed Steve

Thanks John.

Whest PS.30RDT phono stage is awaiting 'upgrade' to Special Edition status as soon as James Henriott gets back from his holiday:)

[John]

James is a good guy really knows his stuff so sure it be worth it I used to have the same phono stage stunning if you get the right arm and cartridge harmonics will scream out of your system

[Snoopdog]

James is a good guy really knows his stuff so sure it be worth it I used to have the same phono stage stunning if you get the right arm and cartridge harmonics will scream out of your system

Indeed! Probably one of the nicest guys in the industry. The Special Edition upgrade promises greater reasolution and soundstage thanks to the addition of ClarityCaps, updated RIAA filter capacitors, new DBPM (discrete bipolar module) and reworked power supply.

James is going to replace my casework with the new black version which should harmonise with the rest of my source components:)

Continuing the theme of the original post, here are some pictures of the new AV room. Components are Pioneer 506XDE 50" HD plasma, Virgin V+ HD cable box, Merdian G91A DAB Digital Sound Controller/DVD-Audio/CD player, Meridian DSP5200HC centre speaker, Meridian M60 active main speakers, Meridian DSP33 rear speakers, Velodyne DD15 sub, Nordost Thor mains distribution, Nordost Valhalla & Vishnu mains power cords, room treatment courtesy of GIK bass traps and panels.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/032-1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/026-1-1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/031-2.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/034-1.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/037-1.jpg

The AV system works really well in this room. I watched the Stevie Wonder concert at the O2 a week or so ago on BBCHD and the sound and picture was stunning.

[Spectral Morn]

Very nice set ups Steve :)


Regards D S D L

[Snoopdog]

Very nice set ups Steve :)


Regards D S D L

Thanks Neil.

[alfie2902]

:stalks:WOW:stalks: Steve 2 lovely looking systems & rooms there! :stalks:

Your main listening room looks stunning even with all the treatments! Acustica Applicata DaaD's must be the best looking treatments I've ever seen!

Lovely equipment :eek: very nicely set-up! I bet this sounds lovely :eyebrows: One of my favourite turntables & arms too :stalks:

If you ever have a bake-off count me in ;) I'd love to hear this system!

Stunning system mate :)

[Steve Toy]

This has got to be an AOS reference system.

[Snoopdog]

Alfie, Steve

Thanks once again for your kind words.

The approving comments of my fellow AOS enthusiasts really does make it all worthwhile.

[Steve Toy]

In a future bake off it might be an idea to do a direct comparison between the Mark Grant and the Music Works leads both terminated with the Furetech Rhodium connectors.

Having only made the comparison so far between MW and MG leads without Furetech I can confirm that the MW lead has a characteristic bloom in the upper bass/lower mid. The MG lead also suubjectively exhibits a lower noise floor and better dynamics, texture and nuance.

Without Furetch on the ends they cost around £50 depending on length. With Furetech they cost £290 for a 1.7m lead.

I believe the MW version costs £600.

However it is agreed that the MW Reflex Block is probably the best out there for dealing with issues of microphony.

[Snoopdog]

Well, here we are, five years down the road and now fully retired with a (hopefully) final house move with a larger living space, offering opportunities to accommodate my hi-fi and A/V systems in one room (again!).

The hi fi system hasn't changed radically, with the same amps and speakers in place. What has changed, is the digital front end, with an upgrade from my dCS Paganini Transport & DAC, to a dCS Vivaldi Transport + DAC + Master Word Clock.

2015 also saw me dip my toe in computer audio for the first time (yet another source that I thought I would never embrace!) and the addition of a Melco N1A Digital Music Library as another source component. The Melco N1A is a great sounding piece of kit at a reasonable price and is "plug and play" with a quality USB cable into the dCS Vivaldi DAC. 4TB of HD space should be ample, but there is also the facility to "grow" the library by adding another desktop HD via an expansion port on the rear of the unit. Ethernet connection to my home LAN allows control via an Apple iPad (using Linn Kinsky app at the moment until Melco sort their own out!). To me , it was a much simpler solution than a laptop, NAS and switch setup.

I may fiddle about further with equipment placement, but this is it for the time being!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/Mobile%20Uploads/940A1853.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/Mobile%20Uploads/940A1853.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1848.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1848.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1846.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1846.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1839.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1839.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1836.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1836.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/Mobile%20Uploads/940A1810.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/Mobile%20Uploads/940A1810.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/Mobile%20Uploads/940A1816.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/Mobile%20Uploads/940A1816.jpg.html)
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http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1842.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1842.jpg.html)

[Wakefield Turntables]

very very very nice. :stalks:

[RobbieGong]

Yep !!! very very nice indeed !!

[Puffin]

Looks a bit shit to me:D

[HackneyRF]

That's a really lovely set up and space Steve. When first scrolling down the thread I did wonder how you would entertain your guests!
Fear not. Very impressive indeed. And I bet it sounds as good as it looks.

All the best

Loz

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

Nice to see you checking in again, hope you are well :)

System's looking fab, and I bet it sounds it, too! Are you happy now with how it's all come together?

Marco.

[Snoopdog]

Thanks everyone!

Hi Marco. Yes. I am very well thank you and my hi fi "mojo" seems to have returned (via an immersion in my other expensive hobby, photography) after my voluntary abstention from forum life and attendance at shows for the past five years!

My interest in our particular "madness" was rekindled when I first heard the new dCS Vivaldi components about two years ago. Once I decided to retire fully, I first had to deal with selling my previous home and finding what will hopefully be my final house purchase prior to warden-controlled accommodation!

Having found the right house and location and getting settled into a new community, the time was right to revisit my audio system and refresh a few items. I wasn't prepared for how much more could be extracted from the silver disc. The Vivaldi system is phenomenal and I am rediscovering my CD collection in plain PCM, upsampled to DXD and DSD!

Previously "difficult" recordings are rendered wholly listenable. For example, yesterday I played the Maroon 5 album, "Songs about Jane" for the first time in a few years. It was always a very dynamic, but 'hard' recording, where it was tough to get the volume level right and remain in the same room!

The current room allows the speakers to be spaced about 9' apart and far enough away from the side walls to reduce first reflections and there aren't the severe nulls and peaks I encountered in my previous property, where the room dimensions were 24' X 11'.

I am really glad I decided to embrace Computer Audio and even happier when I auditioned the various 'plug and play' contenders and discovered the Melco N1A, which, to my ears, out-performs the competition, costing twice as much!

Iv'e no doubt that those with the knowledge about streaming media and component cost, will scoff and say that £1600 is a lot to pay for a box with a couple of hard discs, power supply etc., but I believe that Melco have done a brilliant job and the result is a very musical and user-friendly solution to adding a mass-storage player to a hi fi system. I have the option to either rip music from my collection, directly onto the Melco's HD, via a LAN ethernet connection, from my PC, or onto a USB stick (preferred method when purchasing hi-res files online) which plugs in and uploads to the Melco, which is virtually silent in operation.

Bottom line though? Yes. I am happy at how it's all come together!

[Tarzan]

Steve, your forum cred went down as soon as you said l played Maroon 5 yesterday:lol:

On a more serious note however that has to be the AOS reference system- well done Sir!:)


PS- could say a few words regarding the sound of your Raven T/T?:eek:

[Box13]

I would love to know what all the boxes are, I have no experience of any of them.

[Audio Al]

I would love to know what all the boxes are, I have no experience of any of them.
.
.

My System:- dCS Vivaldi Transport + dCS Vivaldi DAC + dCS Vivaldi Master Word Clock, Melco N1A Digital Music Library, TW Raven One tt/Graham Phantom II/Transfiguration Orpheus L, Whest PS.30RDT SE, Karan Reference MkII preamp, Conrad Johnson Premier 350SA power amp, Avalon Indra loudspeakers, MIT Oracle MA/MA-X interconnects, MIT Magnum MA speaker cables, Tellurium Q Black Diamond USB cable MusicWorks ReCoil mains power cords + Furutech FI connectors, Stillpoints ESS405 rack/component stands, Vertex Elbrus Point3 balanced PSU, Acoustica Applicata DaaD/GIK panel room treatment, dedicated mains.

Google is your friend;)

[Box13]

I personally never use it.
I thought the owner might like to write about his prized possessions?

[Snoopdog]

For all those curious to know more about the "boxes" that make up my system, here goes ................................

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1839.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1839.jpg.html)

From top to bottom:-

Melco N1A Digital Nusic Library (computer audio)
dCS Vivaldi Master Word Clock
dCS Vivaldi DAC
dCS Vivaldi Transport
Karan Acoustics Reference MKII preamp (power supply is in separate box to the left!)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1836.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1836.jpg.html)

From the top (sitting on a £10 IKEA 'Lack' table) :-

TW Raven One turntable/Graham Phantom II arm/Transfiguration Orpheus L mc phono cartridge
Power supply and control box for Raven tt
Whest PS.30 RDT 'Special Edition' mc/mm phono stage
Karan Acoustics Reference preamp power supply

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1840.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1840.jpg.html)

Silver box (on Stillpoints Component Stand) is a Vertex AQ Elbrus Point 3 Balanced PSU (3 X balanced outputs for source components + 2 X "unlimited" outputs for amplification.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/System%20latest/940A1842.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/System%20latest/940A1842.jpg.html)

Conrad Johnson Premier 350SA power amp (on Stillpoints Component Stand)

[trio leo]

Super system Steve,
if it sounds half as good as it looks it will be fantastic, sit back and enjoy your music. :)

cheers Al

[Ammonite Audio]

Hi Steve. It's good to see you and Gracie around again!

[Snoopdog]

Morning Hugo!

Thanks mate. I see you made it back to The Fens!

[Spectral Morn]

Lovely system but if it were possible I would not stack the phonostage between two PSUs, I suspect - but could be wrong - that removing those factors would result in an improvement in soundquality. Possibly not large, but when it comes to vinyl playback any reduction in noise is desirable.

I also wonder is the Lack the best option for the turntable.

Hope you don't mind me wondering out loud, but with such a fab system squeezing the last few drops of performance out of it would be my own goal if it were mine.

Would love to hear a system like yours, in a living room environment, only ever heard these items at shows before.


Regards Neil

[Snoopdog]

Lovely system but if it were possible I would not stack the phonostage between two PSUs, I suspect - but could be wrong - that removing those factors would result in an improvement in soundquality. Possibly not large, but when it comes to vinyl playback any reduction in noise is desirable.

I also wonder is the Lack the best option for the turntable.

Hope you don't mind me wondering out loud, but with such a fab system squeezing the last few drops of performance out of it would be my own goal if it were mine.

Would love to hear a system like yours, in a living room environment, only ever heard these items at shows before.


Regards Neil

Hi Neil.

I agree with you completely!

The perils of kit outgrowing shelf space on the main equipment stand I'm afraid!

I see this as a purely temporary measure and as a means of storing my phono stage safely out of the way when not in use. I used to have the turntable on the very top shelf of the Stillpoints rack and moved it onto the IKEA table when the Melco N1A arrived. The TW turntable does have it's own Stillpoints feet built-in for resonance control and what can't be seen from the photograph, is that all four legs of the IKEA table are supported on large 'Focalpod' sorbothane footers for extra isolation.

Surprisingly enough, The IKEA Lack tables were always considered a pretty inert 'budget' support for hi fi due to their composition! I am shopping around for a used Vertex AQ Kinabalu platform to put under the turntable feet.

For the time being, it's a simple matter to replace the Melco with the Whest phono stage on the top tier when I want to play records!

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Neil.

I agree with you completely!

The perils of kit outgrowing shelf space on the main equipment stand I'm afraid!

I see this as a purely temporary measure and as a means of storing my phono stage safely out of the way when not in use. I used to have the turntable on the very top shelf of the Stillpoints rack and moved it onto the IKEA table when the Melco N1A arrived. The TW turntable does have it's own Stillpoints feet built-in for resonance control and what can't be seen from the photograph, is that all four legs of the IKEA table are supported on large 'Focalpod' sorbothane footers for extra isolation.

Surprisingly enough, The IKEA Lack tables were always considered a pretty inert 'budget' support for hi fi due to their composition! I am shopping around for a used Vertex AQ Kinabalu platform to put under the turntable feet.

For the time being, it's a simple matter to replace the Melco with the Whest phono stage on the top tier when I want to play records!

A wall shelf would solve the problem if the wall is solid and aesthetics don't conflict. You could put the phonostage on the top of the Lack. My thoughts are that would offer the best solution - what I would do.

Tried the LACK its ok but it doesn't suit every turntable type.

I know what you mean, I have a few similar issues, and at the minute my Moon Andromeda is sitting on top of its PSU and I would much rather that was elsewhere, but at the minute that is what I have to do.


Regards Neil

[Andrei]

Do those boxes depend on a disc spinning system?

[Snoopdog]

Do those boxes depend on a disc spinning system?

I'm not sure I understand the question!

If you are referring to the dCS Vivaldi system, the components I have are a CD/SACD Upsampling Transport, a DAC and a Master Word Clock.

[AlfaGTV]

Absolutely stunning system! :drool:
Would love to hear what it can do! What kind of speakers?
And also curious about the not so natural bed fellows Karan and CJ, as one of them is an agitator for balanced technology and the latter one, not so much... :)
Edit: Saw the speakers in your signature, excellent choice!
And further questions; Have you tried other supports than the LACK table? IMHO it's an excellent solution for suspended TT's but a more of a trial and error otherwise?

[Ali Tait]

Wow, most impressive!

[trev]

Very nice indeed

[Snoopdog]

Absolutely stunning system! :drool:
Would love to hear what it can do! What kind of speakers?
And also curious about the not so natural bed fellows Karan and CJ, as one of them is an agitator for balanced technology and the latter one, not so much... :)
Edit: Saw the speakers in your signature, excellent choice!
And further questions; Have you tried other supports than the LACK table? IMHO it's an excellent solution for suspended TT's but a more of a trial and error otherwise?

Hi Mike, apologies in the delay in responding to your post!

Conrad Johnson and Karan Acoustics are 'stable mates' from the same UK importer, Audiofreaks.

It is true that the CJ Premier 350SA is a 'single-ended' design (because the designers felt it sounded better that way!) and that the Karan Reference preamp has fully balanced circuitry in addition to single-ended outputs. Strangely enough, they enjoy a certain synergy and having auditioned both a CJ preamp (ACT II) and a Karan 270 power amp in my system, I like what the Karan preamp, combined with the CJ power amp do in the context of my system.

The IKEA Lack table is purely functional and was never intended as a serious component support.

Until I solve the issue of sourcing another suitable equipment rack, it will be a matter of swapping a few items around to enjoy a vinyl-spinning session!

[RichB]

Very smart indeed.

No compromises there.

[AlfaGTV]

Thanks Steve!
I have never heard much CJ products meself so i'll take your word for the good combination!
I do have Karan in my setup though, and have had the KA S270 in my setup for almost six months. Ultimately i let it go and went back to my KA S180 which is a better amp in some ways. It doesn't have quite the same control, but is a lot more agile and responsive if that makes any sense? :)
At least when used with the KA L preamp...
Anyhoots, great setup!

[Snoopdog]

Another three months has gone by and I have now acquired a second Stillpoints ESS rack to house the kit displaced as a result of buying the three-box dCS Vivaldi gear.

I spent most of Tuesday this week, taking everything apart and re-assembling the various components of my hi-fi system on the two Stillpoints equipment racks (taking advantage of the opportunity to De-oxit and Profi Gold clean every signal and mains input and every interconnect and mains plug along the way!).

As I'm getting older, I decided to reinstate the turntable on the top shelf, which makes cueing up a record easy and saves my knees in the process!

On the basis that I don't listen to vinyl and play CD's at the same time, I positioned the phono stage above the Vivaldi DAC, so that I can unplug and share the same MIT Oracle MA interconnect for both sources (saves buying another expensive interconnect cable!). The offset in visual symmetry, by not having the dCS boxes stacked on the same equipment rack is a small price to pay!

I think the final result looks quite neat and gives every system component the advantage of the resonance control offered by Stillpoints.

I am also in the process of home auditioning new speakers to replace the Avalon Indras I have owned for nearly eight years.

First contender was a pair of Avalon Compas' speakers (the next one up from the Indra in Avalon's stable). I had those for a week or so and currently, I have been listening to the Estelon XA, which I had admired and spent some time with at the recent Windsor Hi Fi Show. The Estelon XA is an unusual design and will have the "Marmite" effect on most people (you will either love the looks or hate them!). The speaker cabinets are cast from a marble composite material and each weighs 85kg. Driver line up is all-ceramic, from German manufacturer Accuton (the same company that Avalon source their drive units from) and consists of tweeter, mid range and 112 woofer in a ported enclosure. Bass is fast, very extended and musical, integrating beautifully with the rest of the frequency range. They image extremely well (like Avalons) and present a holographic soundstage that is wide and deep and proportionately tall. I like them a lot and am coming to terms with the looks, which I appreciate for their technical qualities (no box-like contours to excite standing waves, inert enclosure). Colour choices are black, white, silver, red, cobalt blue and midnight violet. All colours are available in liquid gloss or matt finish and the standard of the paintwork is exemplary. The demo pair I have at home are in the matt white finish. I have one more speaker on my list to audition before making a decision to purchase, so hopefully, this interesting and worthwhile exercise should be complete by end of year.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A2020.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A2020.jpg.html)
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http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A2016.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A2016.jpg.html)

[Tarzan]

OMG!:eek:

The best AOS system just got better- Winchester is not too far away from me Steve.

l doth my audio cap to you Sir Steven.

[Spectral Morn]

Looking much better Steve and probably sounding better too, with the additional stand.

[RobbieGong]

Very nicely done Steve :)

[Firebottle]

Fabulous looking speakers (and room), hats off to you.

:)

[Gazjam]

Shoddy...

...apart from the DCS kit :eek:






(kudos to DTB)

[trio leo]

WOW!! fantastic looking room Steve, augmented by one heck of a system, well done fella, nice to see you're still spinning the black stuff as well.

Enjoy your music (and I'm sure you do) :)

cheers Al

[Marco]

Wonderful stuff, Steve. Who says that hi-fi equipment and WAF don't mix? ;)

Not only is it a great system, which I have no doubt sounds superb, but you've also managed to blend it in seamlessly with the room aesthetic - quite superb! :thumbsup:

You do have a Mrs Snoopdog, I presume? If not, you're either an interior designer or the 'flashest' and tidiest single bloke in Britain!! :D

Marco.

[The Black Adder]

Indeed... I have that Pathe poster somewhere too... I'll have to dig it out and get it framed, looks great.

I bet it sounds smashing.

Could I ask what make your stands are please?

[Snoopdog]

Thanks everyone for your kind words!

Marco - There is a Mrs Snoopdog and she let's me get away with a lot regarding the hi fi!

Josie - Both equipment racks are Stillpoints ESS and the amp, Balanced PSU and Melco Digital Music Library are supported on Stillpoints Component Stands. You might have noticed that I am a fan of Stillpoints! I have had that Pathe News print since the early 80's and freshened it up with a new black frame when we moved house two years ago.

[AlfaGTV]

Looks even better than before, and probably sounds absolutely smashing! I like the look of the Estelons, they have an organic look about them but not threading into HR Giger territory! ;)
Congrats to a "AoS Dream System"!

[Snoopdog]

Looks even better than before, and probably sounds absolutely smashing! I like the look of the Estelons, they have an organic look about them but not threading into HR Giger territory! ;)
Congrats to a "AoS Dream System"!

Thanks Mike.

The looks of the Estelons are growing on me after having lived with them for the past three weeks. They sound fantastic and certainly more integrated than the bigger Avalon Compas' that I had on loan previously.

[Jimbo]

Very untidy - a complete mess:)

[PhilofCas]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A2020.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A2020.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A2018.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A2018.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A1994.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A1994.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A1995.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A1995.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A2001.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A2001.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/crystalref/940A2016.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/crystalref/media/940A2016.jpg.html)


Fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing with us Steve.

[Ammonite Audio]

Thanks Mike.

The looks of the Estelons are growing on me after having lived with them for the past three weeks. They sound fantastic and certainly more integrated than the bigger Avalon Compas' that I had on loan previously.

Will you be getting the TAD speakers on dem in time for Christmas?

[Snoopdog]

Will you be getting the TAD speakers on dem in time for Christmas?

Yes Hugo. Tony's installing them on Friday morning! Fancy a listen?

[Ammonite Audio]

Yes Hugo. Tony's installing them on Friday morning! Fancy a listen?

I'd love to, but not sure when I'll be down in the South. How long will you have the TADs for?

[Snoopdog]

I'd love to, but not sure when I'll be down in the South. How long will you have the TADs for?

Unknown at this stage. Tony will obviously give an indication on Friday!

[rikardo1979]

this, this is just insane :) :stalks::wow:

[hifinutt]

so what was the verdict ? did the estelons stay or the tads ? tads are certainly beautiful in their way but I could live with those white beauties easily

[Snoopdog]

Hi Phil

Unfortunately, SWMBO exercised her veto on the Estelons ("they are hideous" was all she kept saying!) so they weren't keepers!

I had the TAD CR-1's on extended dem and liked them very much, but wasn't able to make a deal in the end, so the status quo remains for the present!

[cargar]

Fantastico system Steve, bet it sounds as good as it looks:youtheman:

[jandl100]

Your SWMBO has good taste, Steve :lol:

Any other contenders on the horizon?

[Snoopdog]

Your SWMBO has good taste, Steve :lol:

Any other contenders on the horizon?

Not at the moment Jerry. Having to throw a chunk of money at getting a garden makeover just now!