Keith's system [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

keiths

07-11-2010, 13:08

Here are a couple of snaps of my down-sized system shoehorned into my dad's living room (I'm his carer).

http://www.simister.com/public/system1.jpg

As you can see, speaker placement is far from ideal, but there's literally no where else for them to go.

At least I've now got everything properly supported (after introducing my 5 shelf Target rack to Mr. Hacksaw) and spiking the previously spikeless speaker stands which has improved the sound no end.

http://www.simister.com/public/system2.jpg

Top shelf: Inca Designs Katana SE CD player;
Second shelf: Arcam Diva A85 integrated amp;
Third shelf: Trends Audio UD10 USB to SPDIF converter and DIY/Modded CS4397-based DAC (inc. LM4562NA opamp, Mundorf output caps etc.)
Bottom shelf: DIY Millet 'Starving Student' hybrid headphone amp, PSU for DAC, DIY mainsblock;
Speakers: Mission 771e;
Headphones (not pictured): Sennheiser HD595.

A linux PC is in a cupboard under the TV (not pictured) just the the left of the left speaker which plays FLAC and other lossless files using XBMC media centre via USB. There's also a Humax Freesat HD box.

Cables include Mark Grant Belden BNC to Phono digital cable between the Trends UD10 and the DAC, Ecosse Diva between CDP and Amp and DAC and amp, Ortofon SPK200 speaker cable and DIY shielded mains cables.

There are a few sets of Russ Andrews oak cone feet and a few DIY parallel mains filters plugged in to adjacent sockets (basically just an X-Class suppression cap across live and neutral and Y-class caps between earth and live and neutral and live).

Listening position is about 2 metres away from the speakers.

Plans for the future include a Beresford Caiman DAC, replacing the Ecosse interconnects with Mark Grant HD1000s, trying to find a better small speaker that would work in the same position (I have a pair of Mission 753 floorstanders, but they don't work at all well in this room) and getting a cheap turntable (quite fancy a winter DIY project restoring something like a Goldring Lenco GL75, making a massive plinth and mounting a better arm) - but I don't really have the woodworking skills or tools and I've no idea where I'd put it once I've finished it! :doh:

DSJR

07-11-2010, 14:00

753's need space between you and them for the multiple drivers to even begin to integrate together. A good two way is better by far IMO.

Looks really good and very tidy. Just make sure that the fireplace isn't going to spew old soot etc on top of it all. We need one of those inflatable thingies in ours :eyebrows:

keiths

07-11-2010, 14:16

Just make sure that the fireplace isn't going to spew old soot etc on top of it all. We need one of those inflatable thingies in ours :eyebrows:

I must admit I was a bit worried about soot etc. However there was no trace of any soot in the fireplace and the chimney looks well blocked off.

I might still move the components on to the bottom 3 shelves only just to be on the safe side.

Macca

07-11-2010, 14:21

Love the finish on those speakers - looks very classy

s70rmp

07-11-2010, 14:57

Very nice looking system, looks like s cozy room.

goraman

07-11-2010, 16:30

Very nice,If you get a big class A passlabs amp the fire place will still function in heating the house!!!!!!

petemosby

07-11-2010, 16:51

Good way to use the fireplace. NICE

keiths

07-11-2010, 17:27

Good way to use the fireplace. NICE

Yep. It was just wasted space - the plants that are now on the left of the rack were in the fireplace before.

Anyone any thoughts as to what small, cheap speaker I could replace the Missions with? Would have to work in the same location. Room is approx 4m x 4m x 3m high. Primarily looking for a bit more bass extension and 'scale' - I'm happy with the Missions in every other area.

There's a pair of Rogers LS2 on Fleabay (currently £55) - any good?

goraman

07-11-2010, 17:30

Yep. It was just wasted space - the plants that are now on the left of the rack were in the fireplace before.

Anyone any thoughts as to what small, cheap speaker I could replace the Missions with? Would have to work in the same location. Room is approx 4m x 4m x 3m high. Primarily looking for a bit more bass extension and 'scale' - I'm happy with the Missions in every other area.

There's a pair of Rogers LS2 on Fleabay (currently £55) - any good?

Look at Epos.

Thermionic

07-11-2010, 17:44

Very neat and tidy and I like the crocodile in the jungle effect!

s70rmp

07-11-2010, 17:50

a pair of Wharfdale's ?

goraman

08-11-2010, 02:13

Klipsh RB81 will give you a hell of alot more of everything but they are $800.00US

synsei

01-01-2011, 20:55

A bit of a late post, but if you are still in the market for some small speakers to replace your Missions how about these for starters:

Wharfedale 10.1

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Vinyl%20Engine/Wharfedale101.jpg

Available Finishes - Walnut Pearl/Black Wood/Cinnamon Cherry/Rosewood

Amazon UK - £169

Dali Lektor 1

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Vinyl%20Engine/DaliLektor1.jpg

Available Finishes - Walnut

Richer Sounds - £149

Q ACOUSTICS 2020

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Vinyl%20Engine/QAcoustics_2020.jpg

Available Finishes - Walnut/Graphite

Amazon - £124

Cambridge Audio S30

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Vinyl%20Engine/CambridgeAudioS30.jpg

Available Finishes - Oak/Piano Black

Richer Sounds - £129.95

All four models should be an improvement over your Missions although I would advise organizing a demo if you can, and none of them are going to break the bank... ;)

keiths

02-01-2011, 15:20

Thanks for the suggestions Dave.

Still not sure what to do - the current lack of space is going to compromise whatever speaker I use. I quite like the little Missions I'm using except for the lack of bass extension and lack of scale. Despite my earlier scepticism, I'm quite temped to try adding small subwoofer (the REL T3 is cheap at the moment).

I'll probably sell the Mission 753 floorstanders, as there's no way I'm going to be able to use them in the foreseeable, and use the money from them to part-fund any upgrade.

keiths

20-01-2011, 13:15

Just thought I'd post an updated photo as there have been a few changes

http://www.simister.com/public/systemjan.jpg

I've managed to make a few room layout changes to allow me better speaker positioning.

The Missions have been replaced with Heybrook Heylos and the DIY dac with a Gatorised Caiman. A couple of Mark Grant mains cables are now in-situ (a DSP2.5 on the amp and a DSP1.0 on the dac power supply) and a Mark Grant G1000HD interconnect is between the Caiman and the amp. Currently trying the Belkin Pure AV interconnect between the CD player and amp. That's about it :)

Techno Commander

20-01-2011, 15:30

Very nicely done. I like how you managed to fit everything into the fireplace. The brickwork and plants provide a rather nice organic look to the system.

Oops, didnt see the updates. I was refering to the first picture. :)

keiths

20-01-2011, 15:37

Yeah, it looked better before, but it sounds better now ;)

keiths

19-05-2011, 13:59

Well, after spending some time with the Heybrook Heylos, I found myself less satisfied with them than I had been after first getting them. Yes, the bass was more extended than the Mission 771e's that they replaced, but I felt that the midrange and treble was nowhere near as good. As I was about to replace some crossover components and the internal wiring in the Heylos, I put the Missions back and took another listen which very much confirmed my feelings about them - great midrange and treble but very bass light :(

I did the crossover rebuild and rewire to the Heylos and put them back in the system but found I was missing the sound of the Missions too much. So the Missions are back!

After a few days, the lack of bass extension was getting to me, so I bought an old REL Strata subwoofer off the 'bay (in fantastic condition - absolutely mint). After a bit of fiddling to get the sub and the Missions integrated, I'm delighted with the results - the basic sound of the 771e's that I really like, but with bass down to almost 20Hz.

Should have done this in the first place (as Alex-uk suggested) :doh:

http://www.simister.com/public/strata.jpg

Alex_UK

19-05-2011, 20:20

Macca

20-05-2011, 07:37

Hi Keith

You could try getting another cheap Strata and have one per channel - that's what I'd be thinking of next:eyebrows:

keiths

20-05-2011, 10:19

You could try getting another cheap Strata and have one per channel - that's what I'd be thinking of next:eyebrows:

I did think of that, but there's nowhere to put another one close to the left speaker (there's a built-in corner cupboard with the electricity meter in it, the telly on it etc. in the way).

synsei

14-10-2011, 23:16

To be honest Keith, I'm not sure you would need another sub in the size of room you have. You need to ask yourself if you are happy with what you are hearing, and you need to be honest with yourself, I speak from experience matey. I went through umpteen upgrades and every time I managed to convince myself I was happy with the sound I had. But my actions and some of the questions I posed on various forums demonstrated something wasn't right. It wasn't until my current setup that I realised I'd found the right sound for me, and that was mainly due to excellent advice and help from various AoS members, listening to other peoples kit, and yes, if I'm brutally honest, a slice of luck.

There really isn't much I would change in my current system. The DM2's are right up my street and it would take something really special to oust them from my system (Colin's (Toppsy) Edingdales intrigue me. They promise a similar sound profile to the DM2's but more so). I couldn't afford to better my pre-amp even if I wanted to, which I don't btw. The Hafler, after the forthcoming upgrades are fitted, promises to punch well above its weight so that is something to look forward to and my Arcam CDP gels very nicely with the rest of the system, offering an analogue style presentation of the music.

The point of all this is that I'm comfortable with what I have and now I'm just enjoying the music, so if that's where you are right now you have nothing to worry about ;)

keiths

02-12-2013, 12:51

A lot of changes to my system recently - not least of all a new room as I've just moved house :)

http://www.simister.com/public/system_dec_2013/system_1.jpg

Top (L-R): Streamer (Voyage MPD based PC), LiPo battery for Bushmaster, Beresford Bushmaster MkII DAC, Croft Micro 25 pre-amp
Bottom (L-R): Croft Series 7 power-amp, PureAV PF30 mains filter, Inca Designs Katana SE CDP

http://www.simister.com/public/system_dec_2013/system_2.jpg

http://www.simister.com/public/system_dec_2013/system_3.jpg

DIY Lenco L75-based turntable, Rega RB300 arm, SAE 1000e cartridge

http://www.simister.com/public/system_dec_2013/system_4.jpg

From the sweet spot - DIY FH3 speakers and REL Strata sub

http://www.simister.com/public/system_dec_2013/system_5.jpg

The hot seat

Will add photo of Schiit Asgard headphone amp and Beyer Dynamic DT990 Pro 'phones later.

Tarzan

02-12-2013, 13:01

:stalks::stalks::stalks:, Very nice Keith! Me lickey:)

mr sneff

02-12-2013, 13:05

Looks a good system, nice b&w photos. Is that a LTIA cover on the table?

keiths

02-12-2013, 13:36

Looks a good system, nice b&w photos. Is that a LTIA cover on the table?

Cheers David. Yep it's Larks' Tongues In Aspic - the recent 200g re-issue

Idlewithnodrive

02-12-2013, 14:15

Cheers David. Yep it's Larks' Tongues In Aspic - the recent 200g re-issue

Lovely lovely room and set-up Keith and not a bad album (I quite rate that new pressing) to be spinning on that rather nice Lenco either.

mr sneff

02-12-2013, 14:20

Cheers David. Yep it's Larks' Tongues In Aspic - the recent 200g re-issue

Excellent album, I was lucky enough to see the Bruford, Cross, Fripp, Muir and Wetton incarnation live.

How are you liking the Frugel Horns? I quite fancy a pair, are they difficult for someone with no woodworking skills to put together from a flat-pack?

keiths

02-12-2013, 14:42

Lovely lovely room and set-up Keith and not a bad album (I quite rate that new pressing) to be spinning on that rather nice Lenco either.

Thanks Mike. I must say that I've been impressed with all the new King Crimson 200g pressings (though musically I much prefer the earliest albums and don't play anything after 'Lizard' all that often).

Excellent album, I was lucky enough to see the Bruford, Cross, Fripp, Muir and Wetton incarnation live.

How are you liking the Frugel Horns? I quite fancy a pair, are they difficult for someone with no woodworking skills to put together from a flat-pack?

I think the FH3s are great. I made mine from scratch (see http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?17653-Keith-s-FH3-Build-Slow-Progress ) and I have little in the way of woodworking skills (or tools for that matter). I took it steady and didn't have any problems. From a flat-pack they'd be a doddle.

ledzep

02-12-2013, 15:35

I know how you feel about space and the speaker situation but yours looks very nice and tidy and the plants look good as well in amongst the hifi. Nice fire place by the way :)

Tim

02-12-2013, 16:46

Looks like my kind of room Keith :thumbsup:

keiths

02-12-2013, 17:51

I know how you feel about space and the speaker situation but yours looks very nice and tidy and the plants look good as well in amongst the hifi. Nice fire place by the way :)

The fireplace and lack of space were at my dad's old house Dan :lol:. All rather different now at my new place http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?8333-Keith-s-system&p=505491#post505491

Looks like my kind of room Keith :thumbsup:

Thanks Tim - it's a big change having a decent size room with not too much clutter. Sounds a bit too lively at the moment and there's excessive mid-bass. I've got some room treatment stuff which I'll play with once I get the chance, but after the effort of moving I just want to settle down to listening for a few days first...

Tim

02-12-2013, 18:07

. . . after the effort of moving I just want to settle down to listening for a few days first...
I can relate to that :)

Marco

02-12-2013, 19:23

The Grand Wazoo

02-12-2013, 19:32

Nice Keith
I still love your sky-high plinth!

keiths

02-12-2013, 19:48

Hi Keith,

Fab looking system and room - and great pics! :)

I agree with Tim in that it's also my type of room: 'warm & cosy' looking - very inviting with a nice 'vibe' (mainly thanks to the soft lighting). Glad the move went well and hope you have lots of happy times there :cool:

Marco.

I must be blind... Where's the fireplace in the pics Keith posted? :scratch:

Marco.

Cheers Marco. I think Dan just looked at the first pics in the thread from way back when I joined AoS in 2010...

Nice Keith
I still love your sky-high plinth!

Thanks Chris - I too still love my Lanky Lenco

ledzep

02-12-2013, 20:19

Yeah i did :doh: but it still looks nice bricks.plants and hifi looked good,but hey the new room looks really acoustically friendly and i like the look those DIY speakers

RichB

02-12-2013, 22:30

Lovely looking room Keith.

Spectral Morn

02-12-2013, 23:43

keiths

03-12-2013, 00:03

Thanks all.

keiths

03-12-2013, 00:09

Lovely room and system Keith

Are those Ikea Expedits http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60135299/ that you are using for record storage? If so how do the thinner shelves handle the weight of records?

Regards Neil

Yes Neil, they are Expedits. They are very sturdy and show no flexing under the weight of the records.

On a related note, I've heard IKEA are about to discontinue the Expedit range, so if anyone needs more, now is probably the time to buy. I believe there will be a replacement with the same size 'compartments', so all is not lost.

Spectral Morn

03-12-2013, 00:14

Yes Neil, they are Expedits. They are very sturdy and show no flexing under the weight of the records.

On a related note, I've heard IKEA are about to discontinue the Expedit range, so if anyone needs more, now is probably the time to buy. I believe there will be a replacement with the same size 'compartments', so all is not lost.

Good to know cheers

Regards Neil

synsei

03-12-2013, 01:33

Wow Keith I like your style, it puts my listening room to shame. :lol: Loving the system too, especially the Lenco ;)

keiths

03-12-2013, 02:01

Cheers Dave, it's a big change for me. If I ever see another IKEA flat-pack again, it'll be too soon after building up 20 of them over the last 2 weeks.

synsei

03-12-2013, 02:25

Cheers Dave, it's a big change for me. If I ever see another IKEA flat-pack again, it'll be too soon after building up 20 of them over the last 2 weeks.

Bloody 'ell... :eek: :D

p.s. Sorry Keith, hit edit instead of quoting your post :eyebrows:

jandl100

05-12-2013, 05:29

Lava lamp! :mex:

keiths

05-12-2013, 09:49

Lava lamp! :mex:

I luv 'em. I remember very vividly the first time I saw one - an electricals shop in the village (long gone) had a display of them in their window and I always insisted my mum walked me past so I could look at them. This was before I started school, so I guess I was about 3 at the time which would mean it was 1965ish. Never actually owned one until now.