Gromit's music centre...

[Filterlab]

That's computers for you, well PCs anyway.

[Yomanze]

I used a Mac for years until around 8 months ago, now I'm all Ubuntu Linux:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03...left_standing/

Surprised by the Mac's performance TBH!!!

Glad you're liking your amps Richard, lots of perspex boxes around your house then!

[Gromit]

More black boxes...



From the bottom up...

PSU for the Phono2 phono amp
CA 840C
A60 & A30 power amps
P90sa Pre
Phono2 phono stage

Bi-amping? I'm getting my LS5 speaker cable (currently only set for bi-wire at the speaker end) converted to bi-wire at the amp end to allow for the bi-amp, but yesterday, just for the hell of it, I connected the A30 up to the tweeters using some old Exposure cable (it's pretty much NACA4/5 - looks identical bar the labelling).

Genuinely surprised by the difference this has made, even though it's compromised by the cable mis-match. More presence, clearer midrange projection - ie there's much better pitch coherence and intensity. Clearly better dynamics but best of all, there's a much better sense of urgency. Music feels like it's going somewhere.

[Marco]

Nice stuff, Richard, and it's an obviously well thought out system

Have you ever thought of getting rid of that crappy 'B&Q'-type mains block, though?

Or is it something you've built yourself?

Marco.

[Gromit]

Nice stuff, Richard, and it's an obviously well thought out system

Have you ever thought of getting rid of that crappy 'B&Q'-type mains block, though?

Or is it something you've built yourself?

Marco.

Now come on Marco - we all know that mains'n'cables'n'stuff don't make any difference

Never thought about the mains block tbh - although this is a very nice 10 quid Maplin one.

[scoobs]

Dont get him started Rich! He talked me through his hifi power 'arrangement' and I was left cowering...I bet the street lights in Chester dip when Mad Marco powers up!

[Marco]

Haha...yes it is rather 'OTT', but I wouldn't have it any other way because I know how influential it's been to the results I've obtained from my system

Seriously though, Richard, you should look into this area of your system and ascertain what improvements could be made. Simply doing away with the Maplin block (they really are horrible things, sonically, especially in a quality hi-fi system like yours) and installing a series of wall sockets attached to a separate spur, would give a noticeable improvement in the sound quality of your system.

Are you using bog standard 'kettle leads', too?

I'm not suggesting you go 'daft' about this stuff, like me (LOL!) but a little attention to detail will pay dividends, I can promise you that, especially as you have all the right 'building blocks' already in place

Marco.

[Gromit]

Hi Marco - unfortunately we presently live in a rented house in London (our own gaff is up in Cheshire) so putting a separate spur in is a no-no.

We're thinking of building our own place shortly so I'll most definitely be thinking 'hifi' when the wiring's being done.

I am using a Chord Powercord on the CD player though.

[Marco]

Nice one, Richard. I like the idea of building your own gaff. I hope it goes well for you. If you would like any advice regarding installing the mains set-up for your system when the time comes let me know

Marco.

[Gromit]

It had to happen - went for broke and bought Jerry's mint condition A80 mono's.

Need to sell the little A30 power now and get onto saving for a pair of A40's to bi-amp.



Oh, and while we're here...

Just re-positioned the Spacedeck and sat down to some more tunes.

Verdict? Same obsvervations apply re the sound of the 1210 vs the NAS - the NAS is clearer, better organised - the music in this instance is Eddie Daniels 'Blackwood' with ED's Clarinet having quicker, more 'bubbly' articulation. Phrases and breaks are easier to follow, there's a greater sense of progress and brio and where the Technics would lose grip slightly on musical dynamics (ie if a phrase is pushed harder) the NAS definitely has greater headroom.

However...and this is where things get interesting...

The 1210's bass is stunning - the particular lp mentioned above has lots of really deep bass synth which is nearly always playing just before or after the main beat, giving a sense of 'swing' to use a vague description - it's 'funkier' in other words. Addictive in fact.

For a 'cheap' (and it is cheap - in terms of £££) Japanese DD turntable to get this close, totally bog-standard (bar using the NAS Spacemat with Ringmat on top) to easily the best, most musical turntable I've owned in 30 years, is starting to go down as possibly the biggest wake-up call this year.