Started my journey with a Home Theatre system that I just happened to listen to music on as well. As much as I love film, I also love music and as time passed I started to seperate my 2 channel from my home theatre. With the purchase of the Ocellia Cellia silver speakers the change in sound was amazing. Now I am actively looking to change my amps and my pre-amp(In the $4000 used ea. range). Afterwards I will be upgrading my cabling and cartridge. I love spinning vinyl!
Our current location is a rental, so space is shared. Damaging room upgrades also not possible.
French manufacturer. Analogue rig sitting on a chest with 200kg sand inside for stability. The turntable and motor are on separate FIM isolation bases.
Audio Note M6 pre-amp with phono
Wonderfull sounding pre-amp.
Audio Note P4 Mono blocks SET 300B in parallel
Wonderfull sounding mono blocks.
Ocellia Cellia Silver
French manufacturer. Beautiful hand made cabinets. Full range PHY-HP driver with 16ohm Alnico magnet. PHY-HP super tweeter running in parralel. No crossover.
System edited: Complete analogue change to my system. Changed to the Verdier table with a SME 3012R arm and a Ortofon Jubilee cartridge. Upgraded my Audio Note M2 phono to an Audio Note M6 with phono. Now spending time dialing in the new system in my room.
Thanks for the comments gentlemen. I was out of the scene for some time due to a change of locations. I have also changed my electronics.
I've added a pair of Audio Note P4 mono blocks (300b set in parralel), an Audio Note M2 pre with phono and and Audio Note ANS2 step-up. My cartridge has changed to an Ortofon Jubilee (broke the cantilever on my Rohmann!).
My new location is beautiful, but I have an extremely lively room and still haven't done any serious accoustic changes to the room. Will try some options, but the room is a shared living space.
In regards to the bass response - electronics, cables, placement all have a very meaningfull impact on the sound. From the lower registers all the way up. The speakers don't produce a very low boomy, single note bass (like very many subs and box speakers), but they have a great display of bass notes. Very realistic and not artificialy in your face.... if you can guess at my meaning.
Pictures will be posted in the next month or so....
Very nice looking system. I love your stands that are supporting your amp and turntable. Really nice sounding I am sure. I am also in Vancouver BC. Take care and enjoy,
System edited: System changes. I've changed the Benz Silver for an Ortofon Rohmann and added FIM isolation bases under my turntable and amp. I've put 50kg. sand bags inside each of my end tables to add stability and deaden vibrations. The sound is more extended than before with clearer highs and a deeper base. I've also been working on the room sound control which is difficult as this is a shared space. I've added 100% cotton curtains across the rear of the equipment area (in front of the large glass sliding doors). I've also added some 100% silk with cotton backing rugs to the walls at the side of the speakers. This has certainly helped in bringing the liveliness of the room down. I'll add photos when I have time. I'm now considering a pre-amp change or/also adding a pre-pre. My thoughts are around other PHY speaker users systems and in this regard I have been thinking a Shindo for the pre or/and possibly an Auditorium 23 step up for my cartridge. Not sure how well the step up will work with my Rohmann as I have not found anyone else using this particular combination. Any thoughts out there.....
The FIM base has made a huge difference in sound. The clarity as well as the mid and higher frequencies have been extended with just the addition of the base.
The Ortofon has shown to be a more balanced cartridge than the Benz silver.
I've now been experimenting with a REL sub. I am running the sub in parallel with the crossover set at 38..... still working on room placement.
System edited: Replaced the Shanling SP80 monos with a Pathos Logos integrated hybrid amp. Changed Benz Micro Silver cartridge with a Ortofon Rohmann cartridge. Added a FIM base under my table. Still investigating Phono pre amps
Yes, it's my understanding that controlled resonance is the approach both companies take. I did not look inside the speaker. It is a remarkable speaker. Haven't heard the Ocellia's but I can imagine how wonderful they must be. There are a few guys on asylum that use Phy so you might inquire about amps on the Hi-Eff board.
Mikemarv, the Tonian TL-M1 look very similiar to the cabinet on my Ocellia... (I think the exact same driver) when you heard/saw the Tonian did you notice the cabinet build inside? The reason I ask is that my Ocellias are build more like a musical instrument than a heavy, resonant dead speaker. You can see some more images of the Ocellia here; http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/view_userimages.php?user_id=5520&image_id=3624
The Pass First watt sound interesting, I'll continue to look into these.
Anyone like to recommend the quietest tubes they have heard with sensistive speakers as well as a pre to mate with ($7-8000 used total max.)?
Nice looking system. I recently heard Tonian Acoustics' Phy wideband with ribbon supertweeter. Tonian used to carry Ocellia so perhaps they are similar. I heard them through Stellavox mosfet-based monoblocks. About the size of a modem. I enjoy SET, but the combo sounded incredible. Along these lines...maybe Pass FirstWatt F3? Of course there are plenty of tubes that could do the job given the sensitivity of the speakers.
