Martin's [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

martin_kbh

22-07-2010, 20:03

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pZL2u9F6zBN8J9qkEC4ZGaGLaZRCXQmqNghf6ihLp6mfuS-XcMXOiBP6qYNl3h_nS5-cwovLBkh4iiI0xVDsh8VMt-pMQenU1/DSC_0193.JPG?psid=1
Above: This is the current setup. The SL1210 is for sale and with a potential buyer. I forgot the Leak Stereo 20 in the middle - nice little amp.

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pLwo2vSM3Mb8G_WrtEKLQjzBWgWaE-eMNGx37onNUWVLyXZkSFDwG92AKl2lDzYFU-KieSq7otb44xb7rAYjXuOETQh19_h3i/DSC_0198.JPG?psid=1

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pQoAdQ7gsSNqYxq2LcrFmAFktNfcGDvSd05a3D-mPjbi1RVQPSi76OcbGNhtM-4AFvNa7hHcaePf_GPy6Mgwm2FD_0f4FK371/DSC_0901.JPG?psid=1

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p76TnuYXybmsBPEzRqyO_etc98nHEfxV71iAFekI8cygh3xq 9bKWZycGPVwXCknU8HAtQt9Hs4G4XURavXMCjYx-CSTTND-Em/DSC_0572.JPG?psid=1

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pjJgknyDbPKhFbHU9wnQa-P8PYcygyJpw0RqUCMkZ5LLjYItpOKnEZZkiA0dbrM4YA9D3anx r0be8-POyFp6ON47Lnmf6Ar6u/DSC_0576.JPG?psid=1

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p6AcPn9Tw8vN_d3SBMSCJfmyPXjtbBI0FclovnyovFJu1xvM jGn4_znnljxg3PlKLuGhSX5bYy8SW0U2rr3RgTdUPybbuZ1rD/DSC_0026.JPG?psid=1

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pESz5xHyiTo9zqgE5LhSqgBnyNdc93IhltLhGtUWFxW2IPLF fH95CIFpmfnfcUJju0eOngWgWeOZoLzdBsqY33Pc28sUKeTph/DSC_0905.JPG?psid=1

http://5f72lg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pd4-BndyDvNOOH9EQAJ-FrwPfDBKrC7DqKvA8ilviur_teF0iE_lUZ34SIfjcn4nINPYhm LCWgiwxFOBmfkpA4EsJ89bofSaI/DSC_0925.JPG?psid=1

See them all here (http://cid-7f23e0ff95f69dce.photos.live.com/albums.aspx)

aquapiranha

22-07-2010, 20:14

Lovely lovely system there! I am sure Marco will be along shortly to drool over your Lockwoods:lol:

John

22-07-2010, 20:33

Lovelly set up

Beechwoods

22-07-2010, 20:44

Cor! :stalks: :stalks:

Spectral Morn

22-07-2010, 20:49

Nice...very, very nice :)

Regards D S D L

Techno Commander

22-07-2010, 21:01

Ooh......very nice. :)

Alex_UK

22-07-2010, 21:42

Show off! ;)

I can only imagine what it must sound like, very, very impressive looking setup, there has to be some "banner material" there Nick, if you've not done already?

Now going to sit in a corner and "humph" :(

Jonboy

22-07-2010, 21:44

A very nice set up indeed that makes me week at the knees :smoking:

Alex_UK

22-07-2010, 22:11

Just noticed there's a huge difference in layout between 1 & 2 and then 3 - (is that an extra bookshelf speaker appeared in 3 next to the moved EAR?) Which is the current current one?

Marco

22-07-2010, 22:15

Respect, Martin - there's something strangely unnerving about looking at another pair of Lockwoods staring back which don't belong to me! :eek:

However, those are by far the only interesting bit of your system. I love almost everything you use, particularly your 912 preamp.... I've always rated those, but have never heard one.

The Denon DP59L also looks interesting. I'm not aware of that particular model. How would you compare it sonically with your TD-124? :)

Marco.

Barry

22-07-2010, 22:21

Yes, that really is a good looking and sounding system you have there Martin.

Would love to hear that EAR preamp.

May I ask why you have replaced the knife edge bearing on your SME arm, and why don't you play your Ortofon SPU in it? (Ortofon themselves used a Thorens/SME/SPU combination.)

Regards

Macca

22-07-2010, 23:42

Very impressive. Outstanding, in fact. The sort of set up that reminds me that to have the system I deserve:) I really need to earn a lot more money than I actually do.

Reid Malenfant

23-07-2010, 15:27

Wow, very nice indeed 2285 If i ever went over to using valves, that is the type of equipment & speakers i'd be looking for 2286

It's been years since i heard a pair of 15" dual concentrics, from what i can remember they were very good indeed.

DSJR

23-07-2010, 17:07

Ooooh I'm green :lol:

Those pictures just show how HUGE the Lockwood Majors really are, even though the TD124 is quite a neat little deck in that plinth system. Marco's own pics don't really give the scale of them IMO.

That EAR preamp probably costs many many thousands of pounds now, as Tim's hiked all his prices from expensive to stratospheric, but that one MUST be better than an ARC Reference, which I've always thought of as all fur coat-n-no knickers (take out all those Clarity caps and I bet it would be very ordinary)...

HiFi dave, can't you borrow one to try??????

Marco

23-07-2010, 23:07

Hi Dave,

Those pictures just show how HUGE the Lockwood Majors really are, even though the TD124 is quite a neat little deck in that plinth system. Marco's own pics don't really give the scale of them IMO.

Indeed, probably because they're in a bigger room....

Don't you think they look just as huge in the room at Scalford Hall (which was huge in itself)?

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2563/scalfordhall2010.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/scalfordhall2010.jpg/)

Anyway, they certainly sound just as huge as they look. The sheer scale they can muster with the right material would make you soak yer Matalan panties!! :eek: :lol:

Marco.

martin_kbh

24-07-2010, 08:29

Hi guys...thanks ever so much for your kind input. Much appreciated.

Just noticed there's a huge difference in layout between 1 & 2 and then 3 - (is that an extra bookshelf speaker appeared in 3 next to the moved EAR?) Which is the current current one?
Hi Alex...The first picture is the only current picture. It's a previous experiment. I also have the Denon AVR-4310 and a PS3 for surround and I was experimenting with my Dynaudio 52SE placed in the bookshelf. Not good. Id rather just swap cables and use the Lockwood's for surround. As you can see I have left room on top for the center speaker - Dynaudio C122.

May I ask why you have replaced the knife edge bearing on your SME arm, and why don't you play your Ortofon SPU in it? (Ortofon themselves used a Thorens/SME/SPU combination.)Regards
Hi Barry...Because i read this review (http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/smebronze_e.html)...is it true? I dont think so. But it looks good :scratch:

Actually Ortofon sold these TD-124 (at least in Scandinavia) using their own arms - the SMG212 (http://www.vinylengine.com/library/ortofon/smg-212.shtml). I have this arm and you can just see in the sixth picture. Its a very simple arm and it tracks remarkably well. The contra weight looks like an old Kodak 35mm film case (grey lid on black) - this is full of soft lead. Due to it weight and very limited movement on the arm its impossible to use/outbalance various PU's other than the heavy Ortofon SPU G/T with the inbuilt SUT.

The Denon DP59L also looks interesting. I'm not aware of that particular model. How would you compare it sonically with your TD-124? :) Marco.

Hi Marco...they are so different in may ways. The Denon is a typical direct drive Japanese turntable with really fine features, specs and measurements. It never faults, it just delivers - easy to live with.

The TD-124 is a real demanding child compared to the Denon, constantly something needs to be oiled, adjusted, tweaked or changed...certainly never boring. But the key difference is the amount of torque and thus sonic attack in the music...the TD-124 is an absolute league of its own here. I think the Denon is more correct in terms of wow and flutter.....marginal.

martin_kbh

24-07-2010, 08:48

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/2563/scalfordhall2010.jpg (http://img535.imageshack.us/i/scalfordhall2010.jpg/)

I wish my LookIgotWood..Major one...:eyebrows::lol: was as good looking as yours. Id much rather have your dark wood Formica finish. Yours also seem to be in better nick than mine. As you can see mine are covered in gaffatape around the base to cover the shattered formica. I am working on a plan for restoring the cabinetts...so little time.

Gee...when you read this all together it really comes out quite stupid:mental::cool:

Marco

24-07-2010, 10:55

Hi Martin,

You're right, regarding the condition. However, when I first got mine I didn't think they were in particularly good condition, as there are some scrapes and scuffs on the sides which the pictures don't show (bear in mind that until then I only bought brand new speakers), but now I've seen pictures of some other Lockwoods, I now realise that mine are virtually mint! :eek:

There were some nice teak coloured ones for sale a while back, which went for a ridiculously cheap price of around £700, but they didn't have Monitor Golds in. Instead they were some other obscure drivers. I forget which model...

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8854/lockwoodsonebay.jpg (http://img185.imageshack.us/i/lockwoodsonebay.jpg/)

And one of my babies in situ at home:

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2205/lockwoodmajors024.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/lockwoodmajors024.jpg/)

I am working on a plan for restoring the cabinetts...so little time.

Please keep me in the loop with that, as I'd like to do something with mine, perhaps in terms of re-veneering in a (lighter) real wood :)

Marco.

DSJR

24-07-2010, 12:42

I'm still hankering after some Cheviots with re-built drivers.

We've discussed this before, but a pair of Major cabs for £7-800 with some Monitor Gold drivers (how much for a restored pair, £2K these days?) is still well under £3K all in. It may even be possible to get some current 15" DC's and crossovers... That's still a third of the price that any alternatives would cost I reckon.

Techno Commander

24-07-2010, 13:48

Marco

24-07-2010, 14:14

Hahahaha..... Lots of people think that! No, it's just a cupboard for keeping blankets in and such like, or as some like to imagine, my S&M dungeon where all sorts of weird and wonderful things happen! :eyebrows:

I rather liked my Cheviots, but I did think them a "little lacking" at the top end. I dont know how much an "improved" crossover would help here.

A lot! I had the same problem with my Monitor Golds, in that they sounded a bit cuddly and shut-in, before I upgraded the crossovers with top-notch caps, etc. The result of doing so literally transformed them, lifting a veil over the sound which was restricting the performance from arguably one of the best drive units ever made.

Now they sound truly astonishing and have not only breathtaking drive and scale in the bass, but one of the most open sounding and communicative midrange presentations I've heard from any speaker so far, together with a lovely sparkle and extension at the top end, which makes them sound bang up to date and modern.

Now they're not just so Goddamn musically addictive, in the Tannoy DC tradition, but also much more accurate, and thus tick all the 'hi-fi boxes', too....

Trust me you haven't heard your Cheviots yet until you upgrade their ancient crossovers!

Marco.

Techno Commander

24-07-2010, 15:14

I am glad about the door. Otherwise those Tannoys would be unfeasibly large. :eyebrows:

As I thought about the Cheviots. Unfortunately, I sold them some years ago.
Probably far too cheaply.:mental:

Stratmangler

24-07-2010, 15:42

Just an observation here Marco - those handles on the side of the Lockwood cabs, do you do anything to deaden them ?
I can imagine they sing in sympathy if the volume level of the music you're playing is high enough.

Marco

24-07-2010, 15:58

Interesting observation, Chris, and something I've not thought about.

The handles, however, are not 'floppy', and instead very rigid, so opening them out to use takes a little effort. Therefore, they don't 'rattle' in any way, so I'd imagine have little effect on the sound the speakers reproduce :)

Marco.

DSJR

24-07-2010, 16:04

I rather liked my Cheviots, but I did think them a "little lacking" at the top end. I dont know how much an "improved" crossover would help here.

Marco: Is that a full size door next to your Lockwoods?

As originally tested (and auditioned when my ears were 35 years younger), the Cheviot had a nasal and rather "pinched" treble delivery a lot of the time, needing the controls to be set to -1 I remember. The intervening decades would have caused severe oxidisation of the nasty switches, the caps were only electrolytic IIRC and fatigue of the foam surrounds would have all added up to a speaker nowhere near it's best.

Interestingly, Cheviots always sounded better in clients' homes, where the whistly peaky treble was far better managed by well damped room acoustics.

I liked the Devons too :)

Stratmangler

24-07-2010, 16:07

martin_kbh

27-07-2010, 20:07

Hi Martin,

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8854/lockwoodsonebay.jpg (http://img185.imageshack.us/i/lockwoodsonebay.jpg/)

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2205/lockwoodmajors024.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/lockwoodmajors024.jpg/)

Please keep me in the loop with that, as I'd like to do something with mine, perhaps in terms of re-veneering in a (lighter) real wood :)

Marco.

The point of no return...I have begun stripping the formica off around the base where its chafed and cracked. Using my Festool circular saw with a set depth of 1 mm I managed to get a clear cut in the Formica around the base - the first 10 centimeters. What a mess. Its not hard to get off but i don't like what i find underneath - my wood needs a lot of epoxy-filler to fix the base again. It will take serious work.:(

Se the pics here... (http://cid-7f23e0ff95f69dce.photos.live.com/browse.aspx/Lockwood%20Major)

martin_kbh

28-07-2010, 19:18

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pNFBCgfuyzDASuKP_gGOfe9-UlYPJ2QZ09HY_6AKiiR1LVSN8YtuzqiDtcUiALDoklrDIUVMpx yhOkdhHprSfEXpuVOxruEVJ/DSC_0245.JPG?psid=1
Ohh well. I changed my mind and went all the way. The first speaker cabinet has been stripped and cleaned. The Formica is completely off and the contact-cement residue has been cleaned off as well. A bit of filler and we are ready to re-veneer in Mahogany. Can wait.

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p7a0HW4H0ttYQJDZaIIjH8cCi8abFk7whZ3vVpxtMXsva5rr gYTBUVfsldkgW2OXY5MOTEAnboCRPPVuSrLr1hWorG6Dtm5dL/DSC_0243.JPG?psid=1

martin_kbh

21-08-2010, 07:19

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pyjDuy1h8WmCIoAd3lv-yZfwluIwzE8YO5o4_y19ynpWWgzbD5aEQh_G81NYW9L43vQ3YW ipa4PhANVUNl5Yl4mide6jq-Jb2/DSC_0215.JPG?psid=1

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1puNmraTK6b_EW-cPHk2xOL85szPePbGQecwTHFjMVhB5hLBSgSqGb-Dni6eoP8tnKLdoRLCIP7uWfHj5KJNfFbymQRNvfFjSw/DSC_0220.JPG?psid=1
I went for oak-veneer; looks fantastic when its new and light. I will treat it with white-colored furniture oil. The first back-side has been reveneered.

chris@panteg

21-08-2010, 11:59

Can't wait to see the finnished article ! must be great to have so much space to hand and such a good sized room to put them in .

DSJR

21-08-2010, 13:55

Are you doing the crossovers while they're out?

martin_kbh

21-08-2010, 17:49

Are you doing the crossovers while they're out?

I am, but I not changing anything in the originals x-overs. I am building a completely new one with Clarity-caps and Mundorf coils etc. allowing me to do an A and B comparison.

Marco

21-08-2010, 18:36

Hi Martin,

Good luck with this... Please keep us updated with photos. What circuit are you using for the crossovers?

This is the one I used:

http://www.guitars-of-love.com/tannoy15goldcrossovermods.htm :)

Marco.

martin_kbh

21-08-2010, 20:34

Can't wait to see the finnished article ! must be great to have so much space to hand and such a good sized room to put them in .

Yes its very nice with lots of space. Come to Denmark:-) You are so right...I remember my small townhouse in Fulham...nice but very very small.

martin_kbh

21-08-2010, 20:39

Work must go on...
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pvZrkw4SxU3s_DM62i8XNpuTZh6Vh6fj_FX3U8XWKcsO1ltU kuHes8iCQMbIpm2NhddoJnRPME1gOUs7CVXnZng/DSC_0222.JPG?psid=1

martin_kbh

17-09-2010, 15:24

Are you doing the crossovers while they're out?

Yes...using these lovely components from Jantzen Audio....mmmmm

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1poC4YnI495jOyTCIMlR_SmgEtT9KCkrtQT4eTnnbQ2Oxxnqf yo3e51uT9uAAGyp1frNrHnBfkP_bqMH4A59Z92tox4FDRkDFT/x-over.jpg?psid=1

martin_kbh

17-09-2010, 15:29

Marco

17-09-2010, 16:53

Nice one, Martin - the Jantzen parts are excellent. I'd be very interested to hear of how it all comes together (with pics, of course), so keep us informed :)

Marco.

Rare Bird

18-09-2010, 06:50

Check out Duelund Graphite Silver Resistors

DSJR

18-09-2010, 09:26

Thanks for the link to the page - I remember reading this ages ago and have now saved to "favourites."

Some very wise and utterly sensible words from the big-loudspeakers page.....

"Since doing all this I have become an electronics technician after some study, and continue to be fascinated by the precarious art of speaker building and Hi Fi generally. My interest these days is much more focussed on music, musical electronics and guitars rather than Hi Fi and I continue to play music e.g. the link from this page. I still enjoy listening to a good sound system but the Hi Fi world is so profligate with bullshit it sometimes leaves me gasping. Examples of strange devices which claim to enhance a sound system are always around - inevitably built by portly middle aged men "Looking For The Answer......." Often the protagonists of this sort of thing are largely technically illiterate, with an attitude that borders on the psychotic. (go here for an amusing tale from the late '80s) Formally trained electronics engineers are often just as bad of course because if the maths says it's right - then it's right no matter how crappy it sounds - like saying "Oh any modern amplifier is pretty good thesedays....." Wrong!! Most commercial amps such as Surround Sound units are aurally horrible compared to a traditional budget NAD or Marantz. I guess most folks don't care anymore; content to listen to steely sounding i-Pods through those hideous white earphones. Over it...........live music is much more fun."

martin_kbh

19-09-2010, 15:54

Nice one, Martin - the Jantzen parts are excellent. I'd be very interested to hear of how it all comes together (with pics, of course), so keep us informed :)

Sure Marco. I am getting tremendous help from Troels Gravesen (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/Diy_Loudspeaker_Projects.htm) here in Denmark; besides his experience he has shown great passion and talent for for speaker building and designing crossovers. Troels has done a lot of measurement on the 15" Tannoy Monitor Golds prior to this and my little crossover upgrade (http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15XO-up-grade.htm) will eventually be covered/documented on his website. Thanks Troels!!!

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15XO_files/MG15_crossover_layout_v1.GIF
Troel's way of showing the diagram makes it so much easier to understand.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15XO_files/MG15_crossover_finished_2.jpg

martin_kbh

21-09-2010, 18:34

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15XO_files/MG15-B_12.jpg

Marco

21-09-2010, 22:45

Looking good Martin - can't wait to find out what you think of the final result :cool:

Marco.

DSJR

22-09-2010, 07:49

martin_kbh

22-09-2010, 16:18

What a beautifully laid out board, but so many components for a two way... I suspect you can only get away with it so well because the speakers are so very efficient and the components are way over-specified...

Looks like the 3Khz "bump" may well be attended to as well. Glad this chap has measured what he's doing. It's the only way when so much is changed (for the better).

Yes Troels does a beautiful job, very thorough. Actually we have not added any components compared to original one.
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15XO_files/MG15-XO_large.jpg
Just adapting the above template schematic doesn't work well for us and we are not getting the results that we want. There is no quick fix upgrade!!

The drivers can be perfected much more, but getting there will require individual tweaking for each driver (apparently no two TMG15" measure the same and requires individual x-overs to perform their best). So my final x-overs may end up looking different. Will keep you posted.

martin_kbh

26-09-2010, 14:59

Marco and others with TMG15...please read this and report back.

http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15XO-up-grade.htm
http://www.troelsgravesen.dk/MG15-problem.htm

martin_kbh

05-11-2010, 21:23

The X-overs are in place. The speaker-cabinets have been fully re-veneered in oak and later varnished. They now have a nice milky transparent finish, semi gloss, where the oak-wood grain clearly shows; all grain lines are vertical now.

The speaker-grill cloth have been replaced with black cloth especially chosen for its transparent audio properties. The previous PA-grade was not very transparent - huge difference here. Underneath the cloth (except for the drivers hole in baffle) I have glued 2 mm black felt all over the baffle. This gives a nice fit and makes the cloth look even darker.

I had to make a new back door in order to cover the opening to the obsulete internal amp. The new 12mm birch "backdoor" now has 24 screws; all screws are now 4mm torx machine screws and they are fixed in steel screw-in inserts for easy future inspection. The screw-in inserts were screwed into to epoxy glue for a strong fix.

Around the back door-opening in the cabinet (underneath the edges of the back door) I have glued a foam sealing tape to insure an airtight seal.

On the back, in addition to the 24 cool looking machine screws you will find an alloy faceplate with gold WBT-terminals.

I have kept the original furniture wheels...still evaluating my options but something has to be done here. I need a better fit/connection to my wooden floor.

How do they sound now? Well...more of the good stuff that made me want these beauties in the first place and less of the drawbacks. The sound stage is huge as previous but the upper end is sounds better integrated. Its clearly more detailed now. I really love these Lockwood Majors....they are so much better than my Dali Euphonia MS4.

Marco

05-11-2010, 21:26

Hi Martin,

Sounds wonderful... Pictures please! :)

Marco.

Marco

08-11-2010, 22:28

No piccies of the finished articles, Martin.....? :(

Marco.

martin_kbh

10-11-2010, 17:31

No piccies of the finished articles, Martin.....? :(

Marco.

Sorry mate! Waiting for a daylight opportunity..this weekend looks promising.

You'll just have to :cool:

Marco

10-11-2010, 17:41

Lol - don't they have flash units on digital cameras in Denmark? ;)

Marco.

Rare Bird

10-11-2010, 18:36

:lolsign:

martin_kbh

20-11-2010, 12:43

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pB1D5Lpoj37oqScvIgtUiI5JD69Iy5_crLu20tGP5NRSiHml T8AWCbnT25GcXCBqlUgQoxh5paJYMjgOIVcNaoThUMwLd1e78/Picture%20006.jpg?psid=1

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pu25er5s-E7R7pDMEA-3nf-NYmEf2bcxw5QGxHSssECLzSnKEPtR5VcynDyIsWae7o1webEmF FbC6xsRq_i1d8lI2j1XvboYr/Picture%20009.jpg?psid=1

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p10no578bg6j5G621cv3HJ7pzkCkFv4S4uT_PYq94Jkx3cVT DpYVF36aJct-jAXHQDWuaFp5sC8rXYPidzyFH1pW_ASLXyNlc/Picture%20004.jpg?psid=1

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1phCPp9mmGE3ZbaY_3MdmeTUcAPkrgRZCvnEA6m2W--rZ6cjX3yjzmx5fmb0M2foQIiQB52Nnxb5alyYS84cr4Fb3AAFw 6VnjW/Picture%20005.jpg?psid=1

Marco

20-11-2010, 12:54

Hi Martin,

The Lockwoods look great now - I must get mine done! How are they sounding compared to before, after the recent mods? :)

I love your room, too - it has nice, cosy, homely feel to it, so I can imagine you have great times there listening to some fine tunes! :cool:

Marco.

r-l-b

06-04-2011, 00:41

Marco

06-04-2011, 00:49

Hi Ruben,

Welcome to AoS :)

Glad you love Tannoy Monitor Golds in Lockwood Cabinets - so do I! ;)

However, could you please pop into the Welcome area and say 'hello', telling us about your system and music tastes, as this is required of all new members joining our community.

Cheers and good luck with your forthcoming speaker project! :cool:

Marco.

martin_kbh

01-05-2011, 09:05

For those who may be interested in the EAR 549 there is a pair up for sale here on ebay...a bit optimistic on the price if you ask me.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230614547403

DSJR

01-05-2011, 09:21

Ummm - I thought big ATC's were for hooligans :lolsign:

My recent visit to hifi dave showed me how large the TD124 is in actuality (I'd forgotten) and yours is totally dwarfed by the Lockwood Majors :eek:

Sentimentality dictates that I stay with the BBC legacy for now, but of all the alternatives, good vintage Tannoy is never far behind, although the best Tannoys seem to be the huge ones ;)

DSJR

01-05-2011, 09:25

Oooo - errr :lol:

I've just shown the Lockwoods to wifey and she tells me she prefers the look to the Spendors, saying she'd rather have speakers looking more like that but obviously smaller.

I'm thinking well-sorted Cheviots perhaps, although Berkeleys up against the wall (ooh missus) might be a possibility :)

martin_kbh

01-05-2011, 15:02

Hi martin kbh - so our mutual friend convinced me to take a set of Lockwood Major boxes for my Tannoy Monitor Golds - can't wait to get them this weekend and hook them up to the EAR 549s - Great to see your set up - that EAR 912 - that is state of the art - nice work on your finished cabs

Thanks Ruben..long time no hear no see. I'm sure that you will love and keep the Lockwood cabs...this very simple boxdesign somehow makes the TMG sing.

That 912 is my pride and joy...love it to bits.

Marco

01-05-2011, 17:19

I'm sure that you will love and keep the Lockwood cabs...this very simple boxdesign somehow makes the TMG sing.

How very true is that... 'Unspectacular' they may look, but boy do they work!

Dave, tell wifey yer gettin' a pair of Lockwoods, and she'll have to like it or lump it, or it'll be HER going against the back wall on the naughty step!! ;)

Marco.

martin_kbh

04-05-2011, 11:28

How very true is that... 'Unspectacular' they may look, but boy do they work!

Mine are even beginning to to look the job:-) I have just finished making new stands/feets for the cabs. They are simple cubes measuring 70mm x 70mm x 70mm in massive pine which i simply spray-coloured in silver like the rest of my furniture feet. These cubes are glued to the cabinet base and underneath each foot I have used some damping material. The bottom edge is about 20mm over the floor allowing a free airflow. The difference is surprising - the bass is much more articulated and my wooden floors are less energised.

http://www.hifiklubben.dk/produkter/tilbehor/hojttaler/argon_damping-feet-_light.htm

martin_kbh

07-05-2011, 08:01

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGMjeOHf378nh5iDmFh_8cDu0PpKaLnxi2DAIASH4JNO5DEp rXwxnPo8SZNa24vx-dpeipwVeby0lsBfME6Hr6E20Mo7svZyE/Lockwoods%20new%20feet%20004.jpg?psid=1

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pGMjeOHf378lrlol8W2zCcn0i-x2NvtrS2UjCw1o5bKpHRU3jBzWMjFAJBLAAhrwTbS6AfPaj8sE XQnQbXAAUrfFwoY_J-95t/Lockwoods%20new%20feet%20003.jpg?psid=1

http://66u7xa.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pcbOzQ2A71CuDKgXQZ3a-93ZrpaNWgx5aqKdgd218ZMkydPMh-5k85HQJ8ASbm-rQloeVV761bQYXz2O2ATphCsYJuCSnSRyG/Lockwoods%20new%20feet%20002.jpg?psid=1

If you have big boxy speakers and they are on the floor you should try this - great results in my room.

Jonboy

07-05-2011, 08:18

very nice Martin i'm very jelous :drool:

martin_kbh

07-05-2011, 08:27

very nice Martin i'm very jelous :drool:

Thanks Jon
You have no reason to be...I have seen the amount pearls passing through your living room:eyebrows: How do get all that stuff?

I am interested in your opinion on valve based dacs. Any pearls?

This is my current DAC-setup. Benchmark DAC-1, Squeezebox with a regulated PSU from Welborne Labs.
http://f9ocoq.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p3mZ450ivYEknU3sDcftamHAp2XTfV02PJqx2NubdkHw3a2c-QUSYKvhiZB-0fnWRisCc-RH9-dNOG9V_Ah1XLxblQjN7MNfy/Benchmark%20DAC%20and%20Squeezebox%20with%20regula ted%20PSU.jpg?psid=1

I use the Cambridge Dacmagic at the office with my headphones - great dac but the Benchmark is by far superior....better line stage. I have also tried the AN DAC Zero and One - nice glow but I feel its lacking details...to pleasing. I am sure that i.e. the DAC Five is fantastic...but too costly. I dreaming of a valvebased DAC around the 1500-2000GBP mark.

Marco

07-05-2011, 08:43

Superb job, Martin - they look really nice in that finish! :)

You can't beat a nice pair of 15" drivers in huge cabinets pumping out yer choons, can you? Tiny speakers are for poofs... :eyebrows:

Marco.

martin_kbh

07-05-2011, 08:49

jantheman

07-05-2011, 09:05

Not valve based but I can't recommend the Moon 300D highly enough......

Jonboy

07-05-2011, 10:22

I am interested in your opinion on valve based dacs. Any pearls?

The Audio Note 1x dacs are a good step up from the basic Zero dacs, my home built Valve dac ( made by Tubehunter) is a good one and punches up there with the top end AN ones, i have not had that much experience with different dacs but you could always add a valve buffer in between the dac and pre amp or just use a valve preamp anyway as this is essentually adding in a valve buffer, i find that this can take the hardness out of the solid state part of things if you are finding this a problem, there are a few good dac kits out there that are very cheap and worth having a play with, have a look on this (http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/) site loads of interesting stuff here, diy is where you can get value for money

Dave at Heatherdale (http://www.hifi-stereo.com/preowned_list.php?list=7) Audio has a few AN dacs if your interested in these,