My very modest system

Hi guys, well as I've been here a couple of weeks I probably ought to stick some piccies up of my very modest main system.

First, 2 general views of the room - the "business end"

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...i/IMG_1601.jpg

The AV End - 42" Panasonic Plasma, SKY HD box, Toshiba DVD player (never used really) Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and Playstation 2 - The PS3 also has the Play TV freeview box, which turns it into a PVR - Using my Sony PSP and a wireless connection I can access the PS3 remotely from anywhere in the world and watch stored TV shows or live TV, and access any stored music, videos or photos on the home network - I've got 750GB of storage hanging off another laptop in the study using Twonky Media Server to stream to any/all of the devices... Oh, and remote control lights! :)

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...i/IMG_1602.jpg

Yes - that is Hendrix on the telly, and AOS on the Sony Vaio laptop!

This is a general view of the rack - the laptop is hidden away on the bottom shelf (USB to Caiman), the Xbox 360 (toslink to the Caiman) on the one above it. I can switch inputs on the screen between the 2 at the push of a button, so I can play games or watch a movie (or surf whilst wearing headphones) so Sue can still watch her soaps... (yawn) or other crap!

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...i/IMG_1598.jpg

A close up of the top shelf - Pro-Ject RPM 4 turntable - is getting too dusty, but the cover is hideous! Note the matching vinyl - bought purely for the colour! (I know, tart!)

There is also my Roku Soundbridge, which is ace (coax to the Caiman) and a Pure ipod doc - mainly for Sue to play her ipod tunes from, or for friends to demo new tunes when they come over.

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...i/IMG_1599.jpg

And last up, close up of the Marantz SA7001 KI Signature SACD player - linked to the Caiman by coax, but also to the analogue inputs on the Creek Amp, as the Caiman doesn't seem to like SACD discs. The other box is a cheapo Rotel phono stage - I don't play records downstairs much but the Garrard is in dire need of refurbishment before it gets into the main room!

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...i/IMG_1600.jpg

Overall, I'm happy with the sound, though speaker placement is not ideal, and may be changing soon, but it all fits in pretty well without looking like a hi-fi shop!

Thanks for looking!

Alex

Nice set up Alex, thank you for sharing. Is it really only a couple of weeks since you joined ?


Regards D S D L

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Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L

Is it really only a couple of weeks since you joined ?

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Certainly is your SupremeBeingNess - blame Stan - he pointed me in this direction to check out the Caiman when I ordered the standard 7520 (not knowing the Caiman existed!) Suffice to say I chose the Caiman, then sort of stuck around like a bad penny! :lol:

It just seems longer to you because I am a "gob on a stick" (or whatever the forum equivalent would be!) Oh, and I'm always online because I haven't got any real friends! :violin:

gob on a stick ... reminds me of a film i saw last night... wolf creek. this guy stabs a girl in the back to sever her spine and makes a joke about her becoming a "head on a stick" so he can do mingin things to her...
was a pretty horible film to be fair!

anyway...

nice looking set up! AOS forum spotted on laptop screen! ... have you left that sofa in the last 2 weeks?

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Originally Posted by hamish_gill

have you left that sofa in the last 2 weeks?

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Actually, you'd be surprised how much travelling I've done, but I'm never far from a laptop!

Hi Alex,
A very interesting set up and a nice looking living room!
I also have a Wii, Sony PS2 and PS3 at home and they are in my son’s own room at the moment as I only occasionally play those video games, but my son is an addict.
It seems that the position of your speakers is not ideal, probably you have made a compromise between absolute sound quality and family harmony.

Those speakers look very ProAc-ish, but I can't see a mention of them (maybe my eyes!).

That's the first time I've seen speakers, even in an AV based system, on adjacent walls. How d'you get any realistic imaging on them?

I did note that you considered their placement less than ideal, though, so maybe there's a logistics planning session pending.

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Originally Posted by kcc123

Hi Alex,
A very interesting set up and a nice looking living room!
I also have a Wii, Sony PS2 and PS3 at home and they are in my son’s own room at the moment as I only occasionally play those video games, but my son is an addict.
It seems that the position of your speakers is not ideal, probably you have made a compromise between absolute sound quality and family harmony.

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Many thanks King, yes - speaker placement is a compromise - see below in answer to Mike's Question.

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Originally Posted by Mike Reed

Those speakers look very ProAc-ish, but I can't see a mention of them (maybe my eyes!).

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You're right - I didn't mention them in the commentary - (but they are in my signature in teeny writing!) - They are Acoustic Energy Aegis Evo 3s - I really like them, and I believe they were quite well regarded in their day for a budget floorstander, (think they were about £350) though they are probably the weak link in the system. I grew up on the "spend all your money on the source philosophy", so I've never got round to trying a decent set of speakers. Would have to be floorstanders, with the little 'un, Proac would definitely be someone I'd check out. Anyone got any other suggestions, what to look for and sort of dosh to spend would be interesting to hear.

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Originally Posted by Mike Reed

That's the first time I've seen speakers, even in an AV based system, on adjacent walls. How d'you get any realistic imaging on them?

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Actually, they're not as bad as you might imagine but only if you are right in the "sweet spot". But, for proper listening, (i.e. when I'm on my own and the rugrat is in bed!) I just pull them out into the room and toe them out (still sligt toe in) which gets them into free space (they have a rear port at the bottom too, so like a bit of air around them).

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Originally Posted by Mike Reed

I did note that you considered their placement less than ideal, though, so maybe there's a logistics planning session pending.

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Clsoe friends of ours have just had their living room done up, with a lovely sideboard, with plasma mounted on the wall above it (i.e. where the big picture is on the wall in my room) - the speakers would then fit in on the long wall - my wife really liked our firiends setup (but not the suggestion I had made to do this 5 years ago when we moved in! :doh:) We shall see!

AAAAHHHHHHH! I've just seen where you hail from Alex.......... Actually, it's FAR better than Lu'on, where I lived for a few years :D

All the audio shops have gone from there now - a shame as I once wanted to invest in one when the owner didn't want to - by the time he did, I'd used all my money up on house buying/refurbishment and living expenses :( Our local Naim dealer is a great guy, but is fine as he is, working from home and with a business partner for the custom-install side..

Funny, I was wondering myself if there are any dealers around other than Hughes - which has been fine for the Creek amp, though they are no longer dealers, I don't think. My previous purchases have been from Sevenoaks - Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Norwich - I know the first 2 are long gone, not sure about Norwich. Martins in Norwich used to be pretty good but not been there in a decade.

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Originally Posted by Alex_UK

Certainly is your SupremeBeingNess - blame Stan - he pointed me in this direction to check out the Caiman when I ordered the standard 7520 (not knowing the Caiman existed!) Suffice to say I chose the Caiman, then sort of stuck around like a bad penny! :lol:

It just seems longer to you because I am a "gob on a stick" (or whatever the forum equivalent would be!) Oh, and I'm always online because I haven't got any real friends! :violin:

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Well you've got all of us as your friends.....virtual does become real as AOS members visit each other.


Regards D S D L

In future, look west to HiFi dave. he does Rega, some Naim and loads of lovely valve gear............ His gaff isn't too difficult to reach from Ipswich.

The HiFi part of Hughes ("Systems" in Cambridge) was absorbed into the other Cambridge store some years ago. Sevenoaks Bury St Edmunds moved to Ipswich, but that's now a charity shop (it was last week when I was in the town).

For speakers,if you would consider something a little different,check out the WD designs.They do floorstanders and they can be demoed.The good thing about a speaker with a DIY element is they sound way better than the equivalent cost of commercial offerings.They are the brainchild of Peter Comeau,who has designed speakers for Harbeth,amongst others,so I guess he knows what he's doing! I've heard a pair of the bookshelf version and they are very good indeed,being one of the most unbox-like box speakers I've ever heard,if you see what I mean.

Thanks Neil, Dave & Ali - I did find myself perusing Radlett Audio's site the other day, some of the Neat range look interesting... as does it a bit of diy - plenty of scope for detailed research!

Hi Alex

Looks like a great system - and your room is so clean and tastefully furnished!:steam:

I've had to use 'speakers across a corner in a few previous houses - not ideal but as you say - give them a bit of space and you can get some decent imaging.

Source first - bloody good philosophy - one of the most musical/enthralling/whatever you want to call it systems I have ever heard was a Linn LP12/ Cambridge A60/Wharfedale Diamond 4s. Putting better speakers on it ruined the whole thing - there was a lesson!

Best regards

Martin:)

Cheers Martin - what you can't see of course is the corner of the room that is jam-packed full of toys for my 11 month daughter! We have just decided to keep them all there, previously it looked like Hamleys round the telly! I also confess to having a tidy up before taking the pics! (all my papers and magazines strewn over the coffee table!)

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Originally Posted by Ali Tait

For speakers,if you would consider something a little different,check out the WD designs.They do floorstanders and they can be demoed.The good thing about a speaker with a DIY element is they sound way better than the equivalent cost of commercial offerings.They are the brainchild of Peter Comeau,who has designed speakers for Harbeth,amongst others,so I guess he knows what he's doing! I've heard a pair of the bookshelf version and they are very good indeed,being one of the most unbox-like box speakers I've ever heard,if you see what I mean.

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What Harbeths has PC designed? I thought Alan Shaw and Dudley himself were the only ones ever to put their name to a Harbeth design (oh, and Derek Hughes recently, son of SPENcer and DORothy Hughes). I know Peter worked for other companies after he left Heybrook though (was Mission one?).

Anyway, PC is one of those who'll patiently explain what goes into voicing a speaker and why, and he'll tell you how to fine-tune a crossover to get the desired results.....

Oh bugger you're quite right! Apologies,senior moment on my part I'm afraid,yes Heybrook was what I meant and yes,I think he did have input on some Mission designs.I'll get me coat...

We're all agreed though that Mr Comeau is a good guy with his heart in the right place :)

He's off to China to work for Mission I think.

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Actually, they're not as bad as you might imagine but only if you are right in the "sweet spot". But, for proper listening, (i.e. when I'm on my own and the rugrat is in bed!) I just pull them out into the room and toe them out (still sligt toe in) which gets them into free space (they have a rear port at the bottom too, so like a bit of air around them).

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The picture is of them in their park position.

Can we see a pic of them in drive position?

I know of another Alex who did the same as you, pulling his speakers into the room for music listening and putting them back for general living. I guess the logic is the same as that for sofa beds.

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My previous purchases have been from Sevenoaks - Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Norwich - I know the first 2 are long gone, not sure about Norwich. Martins in Norwich used to be pretty good but not been there in a decade.

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Yup ! Both 7oaks and Martins fully functioning here in 'A Fine City' called Norwich.

OK, I’ve got the desire to “fiddle” with my main system – I’m reasonably happy with all of the sources, the DAC and the cabling, so I’m looking at a bit more “oomph” – especially at low volumes, if that isn’t a contradiction?

1. Acoustic Energy have the matching Sub-Woofer to my speakers (Evo Subwoofer) on clearance as it is now end of line - £175 (Half price) I've never really liked the idea other than for movies, though. Any thoughts on a sub?

2. Use my Creek Evo as a pre-amp only, and add either a Behringer A500 (very keen to see if this would be the giant-killer suggested by some) or a second-hand power amp for under £200 – I loved my Audiolab 8000S, so an 8000P would be the obvious choice at that sort of money. (I did contemplate using the 8000S in Power-Only mode, but at 60W vs the Creek’s 85W I can’t see this would be an upgrade? Plus the 8000S is a bit tired now, after being left switched on virtually 24/7 for 13 years.)

3. Sell my current speakers on ebay, and go for a pair of clearance/2nd hand speakers at around £400 – been looking specifically at Dali Suite 2.8 (Sevenoaks Brighton have these at £400, RRP is around a grand) – they get good reviews – Shaun (Haselsh1) has a pair (and likes them), but also seen other options second-hand such as some of the Monitor Audio Silver floorstanders, (RS6/RS8) maybe even low range Focal JMLabs (816) Or I could try and stretch to the Heco Celan 700s I am still lusting after that Mr C has for sale at £625...

4. Any other suggestions?

5. None of the above, wait for the taxman to sort his act out, and then I might have a bit more to spend in the New Year – what path would you suggest with say £1,000?

Maybe I should just forget about system changes and just enjoy the music for a while!

Hi Alex,

Its a bit of a difficult one really but I would'nt write off your Audiolab just yet. Oddly the power supply capacitors are probably on tip top condition if the amp has been left on but not running too hot at idle.

IMHO opinion if you want speakers and amps get your speakers first, make sure they're keepers and then look into trying different amps to find one that really matches it.

Its just the way that I would do it these days but some might say otherwise.

Hi Alex - you'll never get sound from SACDs running into the Caiman because it's a 1-bit format that doesn't fit down S/PDIF links like the optical and co-ax ports. Only a very few DACs in the world can decode SACD and your Marantz can't output the digital format anyway. That's why you need the analogue interconnect.

i recon you might be able to get hold of some pmc fb1+'s like mine for £600 - £700 these days :) turns out they are keepers!!

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Originally Posted by MartinT

Only a very few DACs in the world can decode SACD and your Marantz can't output the digital format anyway. That's why you need the analogue interconnect.

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True. But your PS3 can output SACD as a multi-channel digital PCM, still, you need a recent A/V amp to decode multichannel PCM. ;)

Beautiful kit! I Considered the Creek integrated amp but found the smoothness of the Rega more relaxing to listen to so I went with it, unfortunately I didn't clue in on it not having remote control so I had to find a pre that will go passive to have remote control ability, it didn't affect the sound that I could detect so I'm still very pleased with Rega's very simple but very effective Integrated.
Enjoyed your show.

Peace,
Preston

Well the arrival of the Belkin mains filter unit finally prompted me to have a bit of a tidy up, and as suggested by Dave DSJR following his visit a couple of weeks ago, move the coffee table between the speakers (I'd already moved them from the original pictures in this thread) - and also since the first pictures I've had my Garrad 401 in the main system, the Planar 3/R200 I picked up, and now the Technics SL-150 which was the reason for Dave's visit. Also, I've fitted a phono board to the Creek amp, removing the need for the separate Rotel phono stage. Pretty much all the cables have changed too, courtesy of Mark Grant for speaker cable and G1000HD between DAC and amp, and a Mike special digital cable from CD to Caiman. Here's a few pictures of the new setup:

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...jpg?1287854215

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...jpg?1287854293

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...jpg?1287854340

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...jpg?1287854378

It sounds much better with this speaker positioning, though obviously not ideal for AV use, but it is easy to move the right hand speaker back to its original position temporarily for when playing the TV/PS3 through the system.

Of course the only problem now is that I won't really know how much difference (if any) the power conditioner is making unless I go back to the Tacima at a later stage. Organising the cables may have helped a bit too.

I should also add that the SL-150 with SL-1500 arm, with Herbies mat and Sorbothane Foculpod feet sounds much better than my beaten up old 401/SME 3009 S2 improved, using the same Nagaoka MP-15 in Sumiko headshell. I suspect once I get the Garrard serviced, plinthed and possibly a new arm/cart the positions will reverse but for the moment the Techie is really doing the giant killing thing it has a reputation for.

The Caiman now has the passive output mod and I somehow managed to stuff the "big yellow Italian film caps" in the case! The bottom granite "place mat" has Sorbothane feet added, the one on top is there to add a bit of damping.

There you go - the bonus is that the room feels a lot bigger, and my wife much prefers this layout too. We're now debating whether or not to put the TV where the coffee table is, but probably won't I suspect. Just ordered another PF30 power unit for the AV kit though... :)

Hi Alex,

It certainly looks more elegant than before. I also think it will be best for both of your AV and main systems if you put the TV between the speakers.

Looking nice Alex ;) I can hear something though :scratch: Hold on let me pause this CD, aha i can hear clearly now, it's the TV ;)

It says "move me" :ner:

Well i would anyway, stuff moving speakers about & having to accurately reposition them :mental:

Dont normally get excited about home furnishings Alex but that coffee table is a beauty. Why were you recommended to put it in the middle?

Thanks King & Mark... Yes, maybe I will try the TV in the middle - only issue is that the way the room is laid out it would make it harder to see in the sofa next to the hifi rack, but as we so rarely have people round watching telly it is not really an issue.

Colin - thanks - the coffee table was from Next, it is "solid" mango. The reason Dave suggested the move was so the speakers could be spaced further apart than they were - the right one was in the position it is now pretty much, with the left one adjacent to it and then the coffee table where it was in the original pictures - not really enough space between the two - if that makes sense?

Love to know how you keep the little 'un(-s) away from the speaker drivers...

Pete

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Originally Posted by Pete The Cat

Love to know how you keep the little 'un(-s) away from the speaker drivers...

Pete

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http://imagineannie.files.wordpress....ht-jacket1.jpg

:lol: Actually, she now helps me put the covers on if I forget! Bless! I have lost one woofer, but I'm not sure it was her - a tweeter was poked but came back out ok - that was before I put the grills on whenever she is around...

looks great Alex. Unless the TV can go on the wall or stand on the cabinet between the speakers, I'd just move the right speaker as necessary :)

Cheers Dave. Still pondering, it'll take me another year to do anything about it anyway! :lol:

Psssst Alex, you know that rather nice beige jacket with the special sleeves you got your daughter; well I need a couple for a pair of two year olds and one large size for a small adult. Any chance you could link me up (quietly of course) to the deviant shop you get the rest of your gear from :o
System looks fine mate :)
I eventually covered the speaker grills with 1/8 ply, painted them black and then got my daughter (in her twenties now thankfully) to spray a design on the fronts.
Still don’t know what to do about the cable at the back of the tea trolly/Hi Fi rack. Keep thinking about bearing the mains cable somewhere accessible and hoping one of the two year olds might take hold. Awww, don’t look so outraged, she’s got another :eek:

Sorry if I mislead you, the wife puts the straight jacket on me (if I ask nicely) to stop me ripping Avatar's fingers off for poking the speakers... I hadn't thoght of putting it on her! (On the Avatar, not the wife, I've lined her up with a nice pair of concrete boots and a long walk off a short pier... :eyebrows:)

http://i653.photobucket.com/albums/u...jpg?1287854215

I wish my Belkin mains conditioner was as compact as that. How many sockets does it have Alex? Had I known how massive and bulky the PF40 is, I would have gone for two PF30s which would probably occupy less space than the PF40.

It really is that big: I had intended locating it under the TV on its trolly, but it won't fit! It's about 2mm too high. :steam: I'm going to have to "rethink my act Man".

Must say your layout (and room) looks remarkable neat and elegant. No doubt a woman's touch! ;)

Regards

Take the feet off it Barry.

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Originally Posted by Barry

I wish my Belkin mains conditioner was as compact as that. How many sockets does it have Alex? Had I known how massive and bulky the PF40 is, I would have gone for two PF30s which would probably occupy less space than the PF40.

It really is that big: I had intended locating it under the TV on its trolly, but it won't fit! It's about 2mm too high. :steam: I'm going to have to "rethink my act Man".

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First dibs if you decide to sell it Barry :eyebrows: I need two of the blasted things just to power the stuff that'll be in my rack :lolsign:

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Originally Posted by Barry

I wish my Belkin mains conditioner was as compact as that. How many sockets does it have Alex?

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5, Barry - 1 Amp, 2 audio, 2 video - I'm running laptop & Caiman from the video sockets, CD & Turntable on the audio ones.

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Originally Posted by Barry

Must say your layout (and room) looks remarkable neat and elegant. No doubt a woman's touch! ;)

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Thanks Barry - actually I'm the "interior designer" usually, and came up with most of the colours in the house. Not my choice on cushions though - useless things cushions, no man should ever buy cushions! :eyebrows:

The room only looks that neat once a week on a Saturday - after the housework but before Avatar gets up from her morning nap! :)

"Avatar" is a great little personality who already twists Daddy round her little finger :lol:

I'll give you a modest system that will be with me for good that cost no where near what yours cost..Pics next week.

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Originally Posted by DSJR

"Avatar" is a great little personality who already twists Daddy round her little finger :lol:

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Not sure that is correct Dave - not even my hand, it must be at least be a whole arm she twists me around! I'm dreading the teens already! :eek:

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Originally Posted by Andre

I'll give you a modest system that will be with me for good that cost no where near what yours cost..Pics next week.

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Intriguing - you little tease! :eyebrows:

Don’t panic Alex, teen daughters are great :)
I survived two ;)……..cant say the same for my wallet :doh:

Well, based on a couple of albums last night, and one so far this evening (plus a bit of casual listening with guests) - repositioning my speakers into a more ideal layout has been a revelation... I'm hearing a proper stereo image in this house for the first time, and one that I've only ever really experienced with headphones before. Yep, absolutely the best upgrade I've made in 6 years since living here - if I'd spent a grand to get this sort of improvement I would have been happy (no DSJR, that doesn't mean you can send me a "consultancy" bill! ;)) I'm just wondering why the hell it took me so long! :doh:

Well, you needed an experienced expert Guru to "show you the one true way." :D

The bill is in the post...........;)