Macca's Lash Up 2: Lash Harder

[DSJR]

Like all big Krells, it preferably needs space around it to thermally breathe. My speakers are nominally 86db, but having tried them with some 'Hybrid' (Disappear Here) yesterday, I'm beginning to realise how loud I tend to play music when herself's not here and the 42 year old speakers cannot even begin to handle copious full-on low bass levels, as they double and triple with little provocation anything much below 80Hz (and my music in general has much synth bass below this frequency which gives pressure waves in full flow).

Roll on vintage JBL's...... (sorry for the thread crap)

[Mr Kipling]

Just need to get my SLP1200 cd player working again and that will be it, perfect system, me done and dusted.

Yeah. As if.

Would you like a working one for your two?

Last night I got one of mine working and today I replaced all the tactile switches. Out of the 27, 8 were OK, 1 was inoperable (Track 4) and the rest were high - which would explain why it didn't want to stop. Want to re-cap the main board - and hopefully not bugger it up. Don't really want to touch the power supply/DAC/audio out board as Silmic and audio grade Elna ones are used and changing them would probably impact on sound.

Still in bits at the moment:







If you do, and if I could get both working, you can one back.

It's a one with balanced outputs, but not a BBC modified one.

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[petrat]

And .... if, at the end of all that, there's a spare one for sale,

[Macca]

Great that you got one working, Stephen, it proves it is not the laser that is the problem with these players. I have two, a BBC version and a standard one, I'm hoping Alan may have a go at them in the New Year.

[Mr Kipling]

Your choice, Martin.

Pretty chuffed to get one working, and automatically thought of you.

It's not simply one item failing. It's a number. A common fault is the motor drive chip burning out. Failing caps is another. The two large decoupling caps on the power section of the main board are showing some signs of leaking.

The laser is available being used in models from the budget 110 and up. The problem is setting it up. Then again, at one time Philips used set a model up with instruments, photograph the trim pots for the laser, and then the operator on the assembly line used the photo to set the laser up, which obviously took less time.

Well, 2 working, 3 to go.

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[struth]

Sounds like a good plan martin

[Macca]

I've decided that something in this lash up isn't working. Hard to put my finger on it, doesn't sound harsh or hard but it is tough to relax to.

After a fair few albums I think it is there is just too much leading edge emphasis and the notes are just not 'developing' enough. Decided against my better judgement to mess with the speaker cable. My thinking is that the Chord Odyssey 2 that I normally use is just over-egging the pudding in that department (it is known for being bright and clear which is probably why it suits my vintage speakers but perhaps not these ultra modern Focals) so went for a look for my Belkin Pure AV cable. Couldn't find it but did find some NVA cable so have put that in.

Seems like a difference, possibly an improvement. Does seem a little smoother and better balanced. Will need to listen a bit more before I come back with a verdict.

[Macca]

Okay, it appears I was a bit over cautious in my previous post. I guess the Krell just doesn't like Chord Odessey speaker cable, this is a big improvement.

Two albums I have had trouble getting to sound right for a couple of years, ZZ Top's First Album (too thin and hard) and Simply Red's Stars (hard and overly compressed - and stop sniggering at the back that boy) sounded spot on.

The emphasis on the leading edge is gone but the sound is much more natural and realistic as a result. I'm quite taken aback. And bear in mind I am still using jumpers to the mid and tops that are nothing more than nondescript (although virgin) lengths of 79 strand.

[User211]

For some fun try a really cheap Chinese preamp (£30+ single input/output jobbie from ebay), Martin. See what happens. £30 down. Might get the edge off things and add some soundstage.

The last time I did I really enjoyed using it in my 2nd system. I found one I could put a Tesla E88CC in and it sounded fab in front of a Behringer A500 and the M&Ds. Well, as fab as it had any right to. It broke because it was cheap shite, but it was good while it lasted.

What I am saying really is try an ultra cheap valve pre in front of the Krell, cos I think it'll really help it sound better. If it does, get something higher quality. Or borrow one.

I'm saying it because my experience of a passive plus a KSA50 1st gen wasn't good, as I said earlier. I'd defo dump an ARC pre or the like in front.

[Macca]

Cheap Chinese valve pre-amp? That's crazy talk. Just crazy talk. I've had that sound in the past and moved on. I know what I'm after - I think - and I'm now getting close - I hope!