russell66 Posted June 7, 2021 Author Posted June 7, 2021 Next came in the Dartzeel copy which I tracked down on here, think it was MattyW, I got it from Red eventually. With covid lock down the whole deal took about a year. Thanks to Red for sticking with it. I was committed to this amp after having Aberts Goldmund copy in the house for a while. The Dartzeel has worked out for me and is perhaps the best amp I have or even heard, long term listening is an absolute pleasure. The detail, depth, reach and seperation is outstanding. I would love to hear the real one to compare. I believe the Dartzeel and Bakoon amps are at a different level for my preferences or speakers. 3
russell66 Posted June 7, 2021 Author Posted June 7, 2021 Then the icing on the cake came when the next level speaker drivers and crossover came up for sale. The previous drivers and cross overs being around $2300 landed and the next level around $4500. So it should be a big step up. Well the Mid range is a direct fit and needs no crossover change. The beauty of building your own speakers is you can see exactly what difference the mid range makes. And it was an amazing improvement, I mean think a $20,000 speaker to a $40,000 speaker type improvement. So if any one has this Troells design i recommend upgrading the Mid on it's own at least, you will be amazed as I was. The new Mid is apparently even better. I haven't build the crossover yet so I can't install the new bass driver. That will be next, i want to wait till I have time to fix a few cabinet errors and finish them properly. From there i can upgrade later to the crescendo tweeter. All of that pretty much brings the last 6 months up to date. Anyone thats been around long enough knows it's never about equipment change, but always about room position, set up, treatment and ancillaries. So did I ever achieve the sound I got when it was facing the other way? I can't say if it's better or worse, i don't think I ever have managed the enjoyment level I achieved, but it still sounds pretty good so I am happy enough. 2
russell66 Posted June 7, 2021 Author Posted June 7, 2021 So the public holiday is upon us and the girls have been up running a muck for some time. I thought I could clear up, or work around the mess and set a second system up to see what it sounded like. You know what I choose!!! So the S9's are still where they were, but on the side wall i set up the Pass Labs F3 and the Wadia Cd player with the Jensens. Sounds excellent really which is strange given Patricia Barber is somehow perched on top of the Microwave singing away. Her skill level to be able to do that is pretty good. 3 2
russell66 Posted June 15, 2021 Author Posted June 15, 2021 This system is outstanding. These speakers which sadly I have to sell are incredible. Detail retrieval, Soundstage, Black background, and most important to me room filling energy and sound. They are so engrossing and listening is just a real pleasure. The Dartzeel copy continues to excel and impress. I swapped a few valves in the SupraTek the other day and it has given a new lease of life. I have started wondering what other valves to try next. 2
THOMO Posted July 14, 2021 Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) Always interesting Russell. I have one of those Datzeel copy amplifiers coming myself.You made me do it! Well I trust your discriminating ears and we usually seem to agree with what sounds good. I feel a bit guilty buying a copy like that but at least the Dartzeel copy is not stolen intellectual property because the patent on that design has expired.Unlike the Accuphase copies! I agree that the Bakoon amps seem to establish a reference for how things should sound.Of course being current drive/high output impedance they are speaker fussy.I am not expecting the Dartzeel copies to be quite that standard but they are likely to be good all rounders and much less fussy about speaker loads.And obviously work well with the Supratek preamps. Edited July 14, 2021 by THOMO
russell66 Posted July 17, 2021 Author Posted July 17, 2021 On 7/15/2021 at 7:24 AM, THOMO said: Always interesting Russell. I have one of those Datzeel copy amplifiers coming myself.You made me do it! Well I trust your discriminating ears and we usually seem to agree with what sounds good. I feel a bit guilty buying a copy like that but at least the Dartzeel copy is not stolen intellectual property because the patent on that design has expired.Unlike the Accuphase copies! I agree that the Bakoon amps seem to establish a reference for how things should sound.Of course being current drive/high output impedance they are speaker fussy.I am not expecting the Dartzeel copies to be quite that standard but they are likely to be good all rounders and much less fussy about speaker loads.And obviously work well with the Supratek preamps. That's awesome, I think you will be very surprised at the quality even compared to the Bakoon. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it when you get it. There are a few different levels of build so it will be good to see which one you have and then I can come down and we can compare them. As for the copy aspect there are so many different factors here, I don't see any reason to feel guilty. I know people will have there own views but if manufacturers continue to charge ridiculously unjustifiable prices they are going to create a market that is more in line with the price of parts used and time to manufacture. Now regarding the part about "I made you do it" I need to work out how I did that because there are a few other things I would like to make you do... Teach me how to do wood veneering. Lend me your SBA drivers. Bring up your Tannoys for a few weeks. So I am now working on making you do those things, lets see how I go! 1
THOMO Posted July 17, 2021 Posted July 17, 2021 HiFi Exquis seem to be offering the best deals and seem reputable and they do offer warranty support.There are cheaper versions with smaller capacitors but I opted for this one with the big blue Sprague caps. https://hifi-exquis.com/pure-power-amps/503-weiliang-a100-full-replica-nhb-108-amplifier.html Just be aware prices are $US. 4
Bunno77 Posted July 17, 2021 Posted July 17, 2021 @THOMO thank you very much. Pretty well priced. Will look into it more
russell66 Posted September 19, 2021 Author Posted September 19, 2021 Well Russell's Hi Fi corner has gone, we have moved to a new house. Squeezing a 5 x 2 into a 3 x 1 has been a challenge and we are still trying to find spots for everything. Somehow though I have managed to find a hole for my Hi Fi. And it is sounding very good indeed. I had the big speakers running for a while but lately have been listening to Nu Force speakers, these are stunning sounding speakers. Not better than the big ones just different. I have also added this Anthony Gallo TR2 subwoofer which underpins the bass nicely. I have a bigger Sub, this one is very musical and tight though and I like it. I have the full set of home theatre eggs, which I need to sell, I just don't want to let the sub go. These Subs fly under the radar a bit, you can often pick them up at a good price and they really perform, if you see one and don't hesitate to give it a go. Oh before you start, that the listening chair is in the wrong place, that's not the listening chair. Just listening to In MY Eyes by Lydia Gray as I post this. A great album to check out. 1
Pops110 Posted September 19, 2021 Posted September 19, 2021 They are great subs mate, I’ve had several of the TR1 and 2’s. Should never have sold them. Easy to position and dial in and take up very little room. 1
russell66 Posted September 19, 2021 Author Posted September 19, 2021 4 hours ago, Pops110 said: They are great subs mate, I’ve had several of the TR1 and 2’s. Should never have sold them. Easy to position and dial in and take up very little room. I was actually thinking about your speakers and there already great bass. I wonder if they would make a difference. And funny enough I been thinking of any carpenters I knew to ask a couple of roofing questions. I forgot you are a carpenter. I'll shoot you through a message tomorrow, see if you can help. Cheers 1
russell66 Posted September 25, 2021 Author Posted September 25, 2021 (edited) In my previous post I mentioned how impressive the Anthony Gallo TR2 sub was, that got me reading a review. In one of them the reviewer raved about the original Nucleus speakers, (maybe called the Deva's?) saying they were so close to his reference speaker as to make no difference and that he was going to keep the review pair. So I had a set of Nucleus speakers in the cupboard (I had been trying to sell them with the sub) so I thought I would get them out and see how good they are in stereo. I have heard and been impressed with both the Strada and the Ref 3.5's in the past. I really wasn't expecting too much, you know compromised size, single driver etc, even with the sub. But they are sounding great, nice soundstage, very good detail retrieval, great instrument separation and the imaging is great. They just don't sound like a very small speaker. I haven't really cranked the volume yet, I rarely get the chance so I can't comment there. When I enjoy a speaker, trying to find fault them can be a challenge, these just sound right, if I was going to guess at any weakness perhaps it might be a lack of decay, notes could hang in the air a tad longer, maybe I could achieve that by asking the sub to do a little more. Either was a very enjoyable and nice surprise. Edited September 26, 2021 by russell66
Jventer Posted September 26, 2021 Posted September 26, 2021 On 15/07/2021 at 9:24 AM, THOMO said: Always interesting Russell. I have one of those Datzeel copy amplifiers coming myself.You made me do it! Well I trust your discriminating ears and we usually seem to agree with what sounds good. I feel a bit guilty buying a copy like that but at least the Dartzeel copy is not stolen intellectual property because the patent on that design has expired.Unlike the Accuphase copies! I agree that the Bakoon amps seem to establish a reference for how things should sound.Of course being current drive/high output impedance they are speaker fussy.I am not expecting the Dartzeel copies to be quite that standard but they are likely to be good all rounders and much less fussy about speaker loads.And obviously work well with the Supratek preamps. As an aside - how do you find the Copy? 1
russell66 Posted September 26, 2021 Author Posted September 26, 2021 6 hours ago, Jventer said: As an aside - how do you find the Copy? The Dartzeel copy amp is as good as anything else I have owned or heard. I guess like any top quality amp they have their strong points based on the intention and focus of the designer. I really enjoy the detail retrieval which is excellent. I heard it in @Steve M very resolving system, it was a bit of an eye opener. He played Jacintha goes to hollywood, Que Sera Sera, the open and closing of the valve sound on what I think is the flute and the creaking of (don't laugh) what I think is a leather jacket, i am sure it's not, was the first time i have heard such clear and subtle sounds. I have heard it sound a little harsh but nothing the right cable won't fix. And i would say if anything the soundstage and imaging is more centre and tightly focussed than wide and spread out. I'm not saying it doesn't sound right just pointing out that it has that flavour in my room with my speakers and set up. Steve may want to add some comments as he has it at the moment, i've got his also very nice Jungson. Also @THOMO recently got a similar amp, not the same as mine, he shared some early impressions but I haven't heard from him lately so he may what to add to the conversation. 1
THOMO Posted September 27, 2021 Posted September 27, 2021 Yes the Dartzeel copies are really good in an ultra refined,open and clear sort of way and I agree also very high resolution but in a very understated sort of way.They are surprisingly good with my big Tannoys.Many SS amps can draw attention to the horn loaded compression drivers in them and make them sound a bit P.A. like but really good amps like the Dartzeel and Bakoon do not do that.People often describe Tannoy treble as being a bit like that but it is really not the Tannoys -it is just those drivers seem to expose the underlying treble coarseness that is common in many amps but which tends to be glossed over by most dome or ribbon tweeters and which seems to be associated with too much negative feedback.The Dartzeels and the Bakoons use no negative feedback. I do prefer the Bakoon AMP 5521 to the Dartzeel copy but they are very close to each other in sound and the Bakoon costs about 5-6 times more.The Bakoon is also more speaker fussy and sounds best with genuine 8 ohm speakers[some say even better with 16 ohm]. 2
russell66 Posted October 6, 2021 Author Posted October 6, 2021 Had a great evening of fun listening the other night at a friends house. So I thought i would post some pictures for your enjoyment. We went through 4 amps on the night, they all offered something a little different, and were all very enjoyable. Years ago I heard Tannoy Glenairs with Cary Audio 300b mono blocks and I always loved that combination, there is definitely synergy between those two brands. All the listening was done with Itunes streaming into the Dac and no seperate pre amp. Itunes sounded great, I might even start using it myself. This set up is really fantastic, apparently the Tannoys miss out on the very top end on paper, but honestly who really cares. The quality here is as good as I have heard anywhere, the musicality and listen pleasure is so good I quickly forgot about evaluating what I was listening to and just relaxed and enjoyed anything we played. These are speakers I could easily live with, the only problem would be climbing over to get to the couch because they would fill the width of my space right now. 4
russell66 Posted November 12, 2021 Author Posted November 12, 2021 Rogue Audio Hydra power amplifier 1
russell66 Posted November 12, 2021 Author Posted November 12, 2021 Ive had the next level drivers and cross over for my speakers for a while. The Mid range plugs straight in but the bass drivers needs a new cross over. Neerly done now. 4
Pops110 Posted November 12, 2021 Posted November 12, 2021 Very cool mate. How’s the Rogue sound? When you get sick of the TR 2 let me know, would be keen to grab it off you.
russell66 Posted November 12, 2021 Author Posted November 12, 2021 2 hours ago, Pops110 said: Very cool mate. How’s the Rogue sound? When you get sick of the TR 2 let me know, would be keen to grab it off you. Yeah regarding the TR2, I really like it, probably never getting rid of it. Checking the definition of that statement in the Hi Fi dictionary it means "should be bored of it within a month and keen to try something else" But in all seriousness I would actually like to track another one down and see what it would be like running two. Regarding the Rogue I bought it because I liked the PS audio one that uses D class amps and valves. That seems to make sense to me. No idea why! Its a nice amp though, sounds great. If you want to borrow it you can, i would be interested in your thoughts and how it sounds in your system. 1
Pops110 Posted November 12, 2021 Posted November 12, 2021 Famous last words. Yeah that could be fun. Will try and organise something, pretty hectic at work but hopefully find sometime soon. How long till you get the speakers up and going? Would definitely be keen for a listen to them once done.
russell66 Posted November 13, 2021 Author Posted November 13, 2021 10 hours ago, Pops110 said: Famous last words. Yeah that could be fun. Will try and organise something, pretty hectic at work but hopefully find sometime soon. How long till you get the speakers up and going? Would definitely be keen for a listen to them once done. They will be up and running this weekend I hope. 1
russell66 Posted January 1, 2022 Author Posted January 1, 2022 This really is Reference class equipment. I just borrowed the Cyrus phono stage from friend, and recently acquired the Prima Luna. The texture, depth, transparency, decay, attack and most importantly for me "lip smacking goodness" is spot on. Its hard work to get a Pre and Phono to compete with the SupraTek, not saying this is better, just different and very close. Everything has to get moved around for Xmas to accomodate our magnificent tree, this one is so bushy, i love it. Plus with the smaller house and the renovations, we are building a new listening room out in the back yard, (my wife things it's a granny flat for the older kids, people to come and stay and to Air B and B to bring in some extra income LOL) It's taken me the best part of the month tweaking, adjusting and moving everything back an forth, to get it to sound right but it's pretty much there now. Then in another few days the tree comes down and it will all get moved back. 1
russell66 Posted March 13, 2022 Author Posted March 13, 2022 Put these speakers back in the system today. Someone wanted to listen as an a possible upgrade. But he wants to run them with a $2k amp. That's the problem with the 2nd market, people can swap and change without ever taking the time to maximise what they have. There is no point in running what essentially is a $10k pair of speakers without putting some funds into the amp. The education that comes from years of listening is both hugely underated and priceless. Just can you can afford a 2nd pair of $10k speakers doesn't mean you should be allowed to own them. Does it?
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