My System Today

[blakey72]

  On 06/12/2024 at 4:27 AM, mwhouston said:

Any other all tubers? 

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I wish to be however a rack full of 'spare' hifi gear and the threat of divorce prevents this from happening....... 

[vivianbl]

  On 05/12/2024 at 11:35 PM, mwhouston said:

Currently I’m an all tube system:- phono preamp, preamp and power amp. Any others all tube system? 

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Well my vinyl system is - almost- SUT/ MM Phono Pre into Mono block power amps. 
 

SS CD systems goes directly to valve power amps.

[Grimmie]

Here's the opposite of your super-clean smart minimalism @DazzS, here's My System Today.

 

As you can probably guess I'm lucky enough to have my own dedicated listening area in what used to be the kids game room so my cluttered ramshackle mess is my own and I love it. I do have first reflection point diffractor/ absobers (home made but very effective) plus a couple of 120 x 90 x 10cm thick bass absorbers of unsure efficacy and a big TV screen absorber. Hardly what you'd call scientifically designed but I make sure I can definitely hear a difference if only to justify the hours and money spent creating them.

 

I do have a couple of upgrade/additions to come soon but I'll report on them once done.

 

[DazzS]

  On 04/12/2024 at 1:38 AM, Grimmie said:

Nice looking system there Darran, love the grain of the cabinet and the whole sytem is really schmick. I do agree with @dwbasement that it's pretty important, just while serious listening perhaps, to pull those speakers out a metre and in a half, - replace when done. Also pull the listening chair (hopefully not a 3-seater settee) forward to have space behind you. that'll give you more of the equilateral triangle arrangement that can enhance the listening experience without the reflection from the rear wall. OR NOT as is best for you of course. Regardless, enjoy the music.

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Been mucking around today with the speakers pulled out a bit (and with a bit more toe in) and listening from a light armchair in front of my big 3 seater (so about another meter forward from my normal listening spot)....and yes I did notice an improvement. So I've just ordered some new speaker cable which will be a bit longer and make it easier to position the speakers forward when I want to have a serious listening session. Guess what I'll be doing tonight

Thanks for the tips!

[stevoz]

  On 06/12/2024 at 11:47 PM, Grimmie said:

Here's the opposite of your super-clean smart minimalism @DazzS, here's My System Today.

 

As you can probably guess I'm lucky enough to have my own dedicated listening area in what used to be the kids game room so my cluttered ramshackle mess is my own and I love it. I do have first reflection point diffractor/ absobers (home made but very effective) plus a couple of 120 x 90 x 10cm thick bass absorbers of unsure efficacy and a big TV screen absorber. Hardly what you'd call scientifically designed but I make sure I can definitely hear a difference if only to justify the hours and money spent creating them.

 

I do have a couple of upgrade/additions to come soon but I'll report on them once done.

 

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@Grimmie What are the speakers? At first I thought Hulgich but no. Wilson Audio maybe? Not sure.

 

I strained my eyes trying to make out the badge at the bottom to no avail.

 

They look gutsy and nice whatever they are.

 

PS: Just looked up SGR and bingo! I was thinking before that badge might be an SGR badge but didn't follow it up....silly me.

 

SGR Maestro Series MT3.2.....bloody lovely!!

Edited December 7, 2024 by stevoz

[klm]

  On 07/12/2024 at 9:47 AM, stevoz said:

 

@Grimmie What are the speakers? At first I thought Hulgich but no. Wilson Audio maybe? Not sure.

 

I strained my eyes trying to make out the badge at the bottom to no avail.

 

They look gutsy and nice whatever they are.

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SGR, Melbourne based manufacturer.

[Hi-Fi Whipped]

  On 06/12/2024 at 11:47 PM, Grimmie said:

Here's the opposite of your super-clean smart minimalism @DazzS, here's My System Today.

 

As you can probably guess I'm lucky enough to have my own dedicated listening area in what used to be the kids game room so my cluttered ramshackle mess is my own and I love it. I do have first reflection point diffractor/ absobers (home made but very effective) plus a couple of 120 x 90 x 10cm thick bass absorbers of unsure efficacy and a big TV screen absorber. Hardly what you'd call scientifically designed but I make sure I can definitely hear a difference if only to justify the hours and money spent creating them.

 

I do have a couple of upgrade/additions to come soon but I'll report on them once done.

 

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Two pairs of speakers in the room is a giveaway for a dedicated room!

 

But messy…….nah, looks like a great place to play some tunes, nice one!

[Grimmie]

  On 07/12/2024 at 11:44 AM, Hi-Fi Whipped said:

Two pairs of speakers in the room is a giveaway for a dedicated room!

 

But messy…….nah, looks like a great place to play some tunes, nice one!

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  On 07/12/2024 at 9:47 AM, stevoz said:

 

@Grimmie What are the speakers? At first I thought Hulgich but no. Wilson Audio maybe? Not sure.

 

I strained my eyes trying to make out the badge at the bottom to no avail.

 

They look gutsy and nice whatever they are.

 

PS: Just looked up SGR and bingo! I was thinking before that badge might be an SGR badge but didn't follow it up....silly me.

 

SGR Maestro Series MT3.2.....bloody lovely!!

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SGR (built-in active) in the foreground and WAR Audio (external active) behind

 

 

Under the Bel Canto CDP you may just see a pair of Redback crossover with Marantz 6-channel amp below for the WAR's.

[mwhouston]

Do you have a speaker switch back at your rack so you can switch between them. Easy enough to setup.

[mwhouston]

Have you ever wondered what is too many woofers. Is it two, four, eight or can you never have too many woofers? Can you have too many squawkers (mid-range) or too many tweeters? 
 

Two woofers per speaker I think is tops but evidently some manufactures don’t see it that way. I have one 12” poly cone per speaker. I think that is enough. 
 

So what’s your guess? 

[Steff]

@mwhouston go big or go home? (not my system)

[mwhouston]

  On 08/12/2024 at 2:14 AM, Steff said:

@mwhouston go big or go home? (not my system)

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I’m going to label that stupid. 

[andyr]

  On 08/12/2024 at 2:14 AM, Steff said:

@mwhouston go big or go home? (not my system)

 

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  On 08/12/2024 at 2:16 AM, mwhouston said:

I’m going to label that stupid. 

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As they say in the classics ... nothing succeeds like excess!  

 

[Bass13]

  On 08/12/2024 at 2:14 AM, Steff said:

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I can feel the Bass from here...

[mwhouston]

  On 08/12/2024 at 3:39 AM, Bass13 said:

 

I can feel the Bass from here...

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But can you hear the mid-range?

[Grimmie]

  On 07/12/2024 at 11:10 PM, mwhouston said:

Do you have a speaker switch back at your rack so you can switch between them. Easy enough to setup.

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I can switch pretty much instantaneously between the two systems by muting one amp while engaging the other. I've used the technique not just to compare them but to pick out the characteristics  that I like best from each system and adjust either set of active controls to bring out the best (IMO) sounding playback in both.

 

That's the great advantage of active systems that have wide ranging controls to customise the sound.

SGR room and preference controls, I do change  the sound dynamic occasionally but this is typical,. A little mid range boost and deep bass level raised.

 

Not the best pic (an old one) but as you can see plenty of tweekability in the outboard crossover this time for the WAR's.

[blakey72]

  On 08/12/2024 at 2:06 AM, mwhouston said:

Have you ever wondered what is too many woofers. Is it two, four, eight or can you never have too many woofers? Can you have too many squawkers (mid-range) or too many tweeters? 
 

Two woofers per speaker I think is tops but evidently some manufactures don’t see it that way.

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I'll have two and raise you one......

[Uncle Seth]

  On 02/07/2018 at 10:02 AM, a.dent said:

Those ceramic tiles under the Gryphons look like they're doing the job OK.

But yes, a nice rack does make you appreciate the sound more. 

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To me, some have a great rack, yet screech like a harpie.

[Uncle Seth]

Incoming post. I'll have to clear space for the Pass Labs 3-chassis preamplifier.

Perhaps a report on a failed CD player.

Edited December 12, 2024 by Uncle Seth

[Uncle Seth]

I rearranged the rack.

CD player to the top shelf, below the turntable.

To suit the shelf spacing, the Teac VRDS player was moved, to fit the preamplifier modules.

The Vincent PHO-8 phono stage was installed, too. No built-in phono stage in this preamp.

 

The rack is on the side of the room and sits beside the right speaker.

I have insufficient cables (or adaptors) to run this setup with XLR. Maybe later I'll see if I have any other RCA cables that will fit.

 

Any questions?

[STROP]

Continue with your journey, looking great.

Can't help with your cable problem...

but still reckon I have the best version of Gomez Addams.

YMMV.

[Uncle Seth]

  On 13/12/2024 at 3:58 AM, STROP said:

Continue with your journey, looking great.

Can't help with your cable problem...

but still reckon I have the best version of Gomez Addams.

YMMV.

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...but my guy is more dapper, although I respect the original character.

[Uncle Seth]

Please ignore the mess/ room treatments, except the acoustic Pikachu. Impromptu listening.

Listening now. Currently on Strobe Light by the B-52's.

I was listening to Blondie earlier, and the soundstage was wide and deep. I'm sure I heard some elements for the first time.

Happy to have the system up and running. Haven't listened for a while.

Thanks again to @Thelastjedi

 

[Bass13]

"Connie's music room" 

In memory of my mum who recently passed, I've decided to name my music room after my mum, may it sing in her memory RIP.

 

Have a Merry Christmas everyone, & a Happy & safe New year, may 2025 bring all that you want & then some.

 

 

[scuzzii]

  On 21/12/2024 at 8:44 PM, Bass13 said:

"Connie's music room" 

In memory of my mum who recently passed, I've decided to name my music room after my mum, may it sing in her memory RIP.

 

Have a Merry Christmas everyone, & a Happy & safe New year, may 2025 bring all that you want & then some.

 

 

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I'm so sorry to hear that Sam..  It is a very tough situation to go through (will be 8 years on the 28th for me).  Thoughts are with you.