betty boop Posted March 16, 2014 Author Posted March 16, 2014 new addition to the bedroom system in the Sony HAP-S1 hires media player/dac/amp while at it slight re jig in replacing the musical fidelity X-A1 integrated with musical fidelity X-P100 pre amp and X-A50 mono blocs so far only briefest listen to the new re configured system with hap-s1 as hi-res source / dac and feeding the rest of system and pleased with what I heard. Will listen a bit more when get a chance, plus opportunity to try the hap-s1 in a few different ways in the system when time allows 3
betty boop Posted November 11, 2017 Author Posted November 11, 2017 wow havent posted much in this thread in a few years. and a bit of stuff has come and gone through the bedroom system. the sony hap went, as with the lovely gorgeous scd-9000es in the shot above, few other things came and went, cyrus disc player and integrated, as with some old marantz ken ishwata specials. neither really being a great match for the system but it was fun to explore and all being older gear, nothing lost in the buying and selling. so dropped back to the lovely old musical fidelity X-series stuff, as old as it is, still very lovely, however .... today @evil c very kindly lent me his much treasured and loved melody integrated ! this is one of THE original aussie made affairs and have heard on his system over the years in various incarnations .... and thrilled to check out with my focal stand mounts in the bedroom system as have never heard it powered off valves its very interesting by the time got setup was around bed time for little daughter ( 9 years old) and she notices it and says... "what is this thing you have brought into mummies bedroom" and I hadn't even switched it on at that stage just hooking up and she says... " theres no chance this is going to set everything alight is it " hehe so tell her, wait till switch it on... very excited she was to see what it was going to be like so here it is ... I tell you it lights up for sure... definitely had my wife and daughter intrigued hooked it up to the old musical fidelity X-Ray Cd player and can tell you from the first tunes of pink martini hang on little tomato... this amp is melody in name and absolutely melodious in sound ... truly ... I have not heard these focal stand mounts like this ...very enchanting ! we spent the next hour listening to the whole CD ... truly beautiful ! thanks very much for the opportunity to experience evil...and if you EVER have any thoughts of selling this beauty...please be sure to let me know 1st I guess now to see how long can hang onto this to keep enjoying 4
evil c Posted November 11, 2017 Posted November 11, 2017 11 hours ago, al said: wow havent posted much in this thread in a few years. and a bit of stuff has come and gone through the bedroom system. the sony hap went, as with the lovely gorgeous scd-9000es in the shot above, few other things came and went, cyrus disc player and integrated, as with some old marantz ken ishwata specials. neither really being a great match for the system but it was fun to explore and all being older gear, nothing lost in the buying and selling. so dropped back to the lovely old musical fidelity X-series stuff, as old as it is, still very lovely, however .... today @evil c very kindly lent me his much treasured and loved melody integrated ! this is one of THE original aussie made affairs and have heard on his system over the years in various incarnations .... and thrilled to check out with my focal stand mounts in the bedroom system as have never heard it powered off valves its very interesting by the time got setup was around bed time for little daughter ( 9 years old) and she notices it and says... "what is this thing you have brought into mummies bedroom" and I hadn't even switched it on at that stage just hooking up and she says... " theres no chance this is going to set everything alight is it " hehe so tell her, wait till switch it on... very excited she was to see what it was going to be like so here it is ... I tell you it lights up for sure... definitely had my wife and daughter intrigued hooked it up to the old musical fidelity X-Ray Cd player and can tell you from the first tunes of pink martini hang on little tomato... this amp is melody in name and absolutely melodious in sound ... truly ... I have not heard these focal stand mounts like this ...very enchanting ! we spent the next hour listening to the whole CD ... truly beautiful ! thanks very much for the opportunity to experience evil...and if you EVER have any thoughts of selling this beauty...please be sure to let me know 1st I guess now to see how long can hang onto this to keep enjoying It does indeed have a powerful allure this amp - al, all dem warm toobs to admire and have always liked the sound of the smaller one's. Great thing is you can buy the NOS 6P1 Svetlana tubes for around $3 each so very economical to swap and is pretty punchy at 42w a channel so will drive standmounts beautifully like I used to do with the Vienna Acoustics. After all the help you gave me yesterday setting up my home theatre surround it was the least I could do to show my appreciation! Just don't count on my releasing any time soon from dead hands, much prefer these early on'e to the later & largely inferior overseas jobs.
betty boop Posted November 12, 2017 Author Posted November 12, 2017 27 minutes ago, evil c said: It does indeed have a powerful allure this amp - al, all dem warm toobs to admire and have always liked the sound of the smaller one's. Great thing is you can buy the NOS 6P1 Svetlana tubes for around $3 each so very economical to swap and is pretty punchy at 42w a channel so will drive standmounts beautifully like I used to do with the Vienna Acoustics. indeed, not sure if can see in the shot, but with the vol knob at around the 20 to mark it was quite happy with my focals for a pretty decent listening level grea that they are so affordable on the valves as well ! 29 minutes ago, evil c said: After all the help you gave me yesterday setting up my home theatre surround it was the least I could do to show my appreciation! much thanks and much appreciated for the opportunity to hear with my speakers 30 minutes ago, evil c said: Just don't count on my releasing any time soon from dead hands, much prefer these early on'e to the later & largely inferior overseas jobs. yes, totally realise how close to the heart for you. and why I used the words "if ever" ... indeed no idea on the overseas ones, un convinced on my last listen and look quite pricey and expensive to boot !
Martykt Posted November 12, 2017 Posted November 12, 2017 14 hours ago, al said: this amp is melody in name and absolutely melodious in sound ... truly ... I have not heard these focal stand mounts like this ...very enchanting ! Come to the warm glowy side Al....... 1
betty boop Posted November 12, 2017 Author Posted November 12, 2017 18 minutes ago, Martykt said: Come to the warm glowy side Al....... ah well it is good to love and let go sometimes but the loves for tubes will no doubt remain. still run tube dacs in both systems and the tube phono in the main system
Martykt Posted November 12, 2017 Posted November 12, 2017 12 minutes ago, al said: ah well it is good to love and let go sometimes but the loves for tubes will no doubt remain. still run tube dacs in both systems and the tube phono in the main system Let go...... toobs...... ??? 1
betty boop Posted June 23, 2018 Author Posted June 23, 2018 some meridian in the house..... thank you to those helping track down a very nice 502 pre amp. so well made this meridian gear is. now just to await matching power and cd player and then have them spend some time with my focals 3
Pops110 Posted June 23, 2018 Posted June 23, 2018 There was a 508 in the classifieds that had the laser replaced. Might be worth a look. 1
betty boop Posted June 23, 2018 Author Posted June 23, 2018 Just now, Pops110 said: There was a 508 in the classifieds that had the laser replaced. Might be worth a look. thanks pops ! I will check out, must have missed it somehow....
betty boop Posted July 16, 2018 Author Posted July 16, 2018 so bedroom system evolves while I check out a little meridian stack... joining the 502 pre amp, is a decidedly quite solid and heavy 100wpc 556 stereo power amplifier and a 506 disc player as source, playing some of my favourite discs, it is detailed, extremely clear and articulate in sound. a sizzling top end, and very full and power full bass line, if a tad recessed in the midrange vs the musical fidelity gear i was running prior. overall its a great sound. full room filling, punchy dynamic, and yet being able to be delicate with details. the articulate nature of it is very profound I think. I do think the star of the system is the very lovely 506 cd player, and a rare 24 bit version, have no doubt is pulling a lot of the detail off disc, a solid weighty player, suprised me how heavy. heavier than the pre amp ! I like using the system remote, overall the meridian front end seems a good match to drive my focals, to the point running them sans sub. really more than enough oomph and clout to the sound. the meridians almost seem like they were made to be for the focals with even matching the glass tops of the speakers ! amazing really how good it sounds for what is some 20 year old gear and quite affordably priced to boot ! like that the system doesnt mind running at both low volumes and higher. though never felt need to go any higher than "65" on the volume level of the meridians. will suit well the bedroom setting these things ... 5
evil c Posted July 16, 2018 Posted July 16, 2018 so bedroom system evolves while I check out a little meridian stack... joining the 502 pre amp, is a decidedly quite solid and heavy 100wpc 556 stereo power amplifier and a 506 disc player as source, playing some of my favourite discs, it is detailed, extremely clear and articulate in sound. a sizzling top end, and very full and power full bass line, if a tad recessed in the midrange vs the musical fidelity gear i was running prior. overall its a great sound. full room filling, punchy dynamic, and yet being able to be delicate with details. the articulate nature of it is very profound I think. I do think the star of the system is the very lovely 506 cd player, and a rare 24 bit version, have no doubt is pulling a lot of the detail off disc, a solid weighty player, suprised me how heavy. heavier than the pre amp ! I like using the system remote, overall the meridian front end seems a good match to drive my focals, to the point running them sans sub. really more than enough oomph and clout to the sound. the meridians almost seem like they were made to be for the focals with even matching the glass tops of the speakers ! amazing really how good it sounds for what is some 20 year old gear and quite affordably priced to boot ! like that the system doesnt mind running at both low volumes and higher. though never felt need to go any higher than "65" on the volume level of the meridians. will suit well the bedroom setting these things ... Glad to hear it's a good match al !Hmmm interesting your comment on the mid - think that the sound signature is very refined and detailed and most importantly non fatiguing. Friend I loaned my 502 recently to, was very impressed with it's performance - hope you get a lot of enjoyment from your new Meridian combo! 1
joz Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 @:) al Just a little bit jealous here, really want a 24bit 506/508
Pops110 Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 1 hour ago, joz said: @:) al Just a little bit jealous here, really want a 24bit 506/508 Not a 24 bit, but great buying. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-bondi/stereo-systems/meridian-506-20-bit-cd-player/1189813525 1
betty boop Posted July 17, 2018 Author Posted July 17, 2018 5 hours ago, joz said: @:) al Just a little bit jealous here, really want a 24bit 506/508 keep an eye out joz. even the later G08 ? 506/508 I think in mint boxed will be easily under $1k and quite affordable for what they are, though the G08 likely more pricey I got mine from the uk when ebay had some sort of redemption code thing which made it good buying. 4 hours ago, Pops110 said: Not a 24 bit, but great buying. huge bargain Id say ... 1
joz Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 What's the diff between the 506/508/G08 out of curiosity?
betty boop Posted July 17, 2018 Author Posted July 17, 2018 11 minutes ago, joz said: What's the diff between the 506/508/G08 out of curiosity? 508 got XLRs, the G08 was the model to replace and being full - standard width units. they were quite a hike up in price though (about 10 years old now) and there might be better stuff for the money, dont know. the 5 series meridian really within my comfort zone for spend I thought so didnt look any newer.... 1
muriwai Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 What's this tube phono Al?My bedroom system been down for months !!BUT new carpet yesterday and now ready to move the Osborns in wen I can get some help to shift them!!And then some toooooob magic I hope with the line magnetic beast I bought[emoji106]No phono in it tho hence why I ask re your tube phono ?hanging to listen to some tunes !!cd at this stage till I sort a phono
evil c Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 What's the diff between the 506/508/G08 out of curiosity?Can't really pick much of a diff between my 508.24 and 506.20 to be honest .Both use a Philips CDM- 12.5 Transport and are rare as hens teeth so make sure no problems when buying a player.The G08 uses a newer DVD ROM drive but believe difficult to source those as well. 2
betty boop Posted July 17, 2018 Author Posted July 17, 2018 4 minutes ago, muriwai said: What's this tube phono Al? My bedroom system been down for months !! BUT new carpet yesterday and now ready to move the Osborns in wen I can get some help to shift them!! And then some toooooob magic I hope with the line magnetic beast I bought No phono in it tho hence why I ask re your tube phono ?hanging to listen to some tunes !!cd at this stage till I sort a phono oh wow some plans afoot...literally nice pickup on the line magnetic ! beastie no tube phono in the bedroom rig...its digital only. I do have an old antique 25 year old mf tube dac there. but thats the only tubes there my main rig has a tube phone stage. in the ARC PH6 phono stage, but its gone quite pricey with a price hike and such. but anything going back to the older ARC PH3 are lovely things. prior to the ph6 I owned the older ph5 for quite some many years, so the ARC phono stages something quite attached to https://www.soundstage.com/vinyl/vinyl200512.htm
koputai Posted July 17, 2018 Posted July 17, 2018 6 hours ago, evil c said: Can't really pick much of a diff between my 508.24 and 506.20 to be honest . Both use a Philips CDM- 12.5 Transport and are rare as hens teeth so make sure no problems when buying a player. The G08 uses a newer DVD ROM drive but believe difficult to source those as well. Yep, everything is different in the G08 (and G06) over the 506 or 508. Different box, power supply, mech, main board, display. There are no common parts at all. Cheers, Jason.
betty boop Posted April 20, 2019 Author Posted April 20, 2019 as some might have noticed after an altercation with a valve amp in the bedroom system, I've had a hankering for one.... so I started a want to buy thread for a valve integrated got a lot of help from folks , so spent some time demoing at Class A audio, and ended up taking something home.... and look what the cat dragged in a unison research S6 integrated using EL 34s that runs in Class A I played a few CDs at Class A audio that had me convinced this was really something. I liked the rendition of violin on Beth Ortons central reservation, had a real ness and emotion, loved the air and way image projects out in the room with the track. Hearing Oleta Adams voice in Everything must change had some lovely weight richness and scale to it. george benson's The Ghetto boogied along with pace and rhythm and a nice solid beat. Some other amps heard at Class A with focal stand mounts were the Prima Luna Dialogue HP that held together very nicely with a very balanced and neutral take on things. A pure class A Luxman I heard was similar with a richness and was very smooth sounding. but the Unison amp really gelled very well with the speakers complementing well and had a lovely sound and rightness to it. The S6 runs 3x EL34s a side for output stage in pure Class A and a couple of 12AX7s on the input stage also in pure Class A It is a semi auto bias system for the tubes... in that a simple system to select a tube and then turn a dial to tune in. and then it does the rest it comes with a lovely remote... that is encased in a lovely piece of finished wood and with a stainless fronting... and even can stand on its own ! and does it look amazing all lit up ! It is incredibly well finished too, the attention to detail on the casework is amazing.. some Italian artisans no doubt behind it design and construction as it is truly a work of art ! that takes up pride of place in the bedroom setup, so how does it sound ? well even better than at Class A audio ... I've been spinning discs since getting it home... it has a certain richness to it ... airiness ... a gorgeous sound ... this is what music is supposed to be all about. beautiful the way it fills the room with sound and sound stage coming out right upto you and enveloping with tracks from Angélique Kidjo's Oremi that has her whispering in your ear ! and dancing around the room with details. The S6 is having no trouble at all driving the Focals ... Simply Reds A new flame delivered with composure it seems to handle quite a mix of music with beautiful rendition of vocals which is a speciality of focals with their midrange and compliments those. Doesnt loose the plot wiht the top end or bottom end details and images really well. Another aspect really appreciating is as an amp it doesnt really seem to be needed to crank to enjoy. Most of my listening has been at quarter to position... kicking back with kids gone to bed its at 25 to and wow it sounds really nice even at such low levels. As a pure class A amp it does run a bit warm... but even a 30 deg day here its been just fine not impacting room temp, go close and can feel some of its warmth though....one thing I have noticed is I can do with out the sub with this amp... it really does dig deep and very controlled. So what a find... and especially since it really didnt at first tick a lot of my boxes as amp I was looking for ... its unusually shaped ... looks I wasnt even sure about. its black.. it doesnt have a head phone socket, it doesnt have a sub out ... it doesnt auto bias... it runs humble EL34s, nothing exotic but it makes all that up in the way it sounds ... which is the most important thing isnt it ? 12
buddyev Posted April 20, 2019 Posted April 20, 2019 Great score, Al. Looks like you’ll be spending a lot of time in bed this Easter! 1
blybo Posted April 20, 2019 Posted April 20, 2019 Congrats. Looks wonderful. A system for the bedroom most non audiophiles would’ve die for. question though, how often can you use it in normal day to day life? I know I couldn’t justify a beautiful bedroom system as it just wouldn’t get used enough 1
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